His therapist

Untitled Episode5

As soon as I left his office, I kept replaying every scenario in my head as I walked to my room. Nothing about him made sense. He was a mafia lord, murderer, the richest man in the city, untouchable. But yet what I just saw in his office was someone else. This person was broken, vulnerable, seeking help from me, and I was going to help that person. Again, it wasn't good to judge a book by its cover, and I was going to uncover every part of Dante Moretti. As a psychologist, I have seen various people in my life, battling with different life challenges within themselves, but they look the happiest in a gathering. A weakened heart with no good morals and mental health is as good as a lifeless life.

I changed course and decided to explore the mansion to clear my head. There were guards stationed at every point as I walked toward the east wing opposite mine, a guard waved at me to stop. I could feel eyes on me. “Please ma am, this is a restricted area.” I stared at the guard for some time, he was bulky, but I couldn't see his face because he was wearing a mask. “Why is that so?” I asked as curiosity peaked at me. “That area belongs to Mr Moretti, and it's restricted to him alone.” Wow, I wonder what secrets I'll uncover if I made it pass the guards into his wing. I was still in my thoughts when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and there was Dante in black pants and a show -suit shirt rolled up to his elbow. His dark hair was pulled back, and 2 strands fell over his face, giving him this dangerous suffocation. He looked so edible, but I pushed those thoughts down immediately, and I remembered the kind of person he was. I should forget who Dante Moretti was. It was a bad idea. The guard lowered his head in respect and left me alone with Dante.

Dante stopped a few feet from me, my heart jumped in my chest. I felt like I had stolen something and was caught. My eyes looked everywhere but him. He stepped closer, closing the tiny space between us while staring intently at me. He placed his index finger on my chin and lifted my face to him, rubbing my lower lips and pulling it to expose my teeth. I felt violated in a way. “You need to understand something, Doctor Brooks.” His eyes went to my lips and his eyes darkened. “Curiosity in this house can be fatal.” A chill moved through my spine, he opened his mouth to speak again when a commotion echoed from downstairs. I took a step back from him as we both looked towards the direction of the noise. “What is going on?” he thundered. There was a pin drop silence as the guards who were arguing with the man around Dante’s age, turned to look at him bowing in respect. The man walked towards us, “Well,” he said, looking around. “So the rumors are true. “You're early, Marco.” he said ignoring his earlier remark. They had a staring contest and I felt like there was something deeper between them than they let on. I looked at him more closely when it clicked. Marco Deluca. He was Dante’s cousin. I had seen his name in a file in Dante’s office earlier. Marco turned towards me, giving me a judgmental look as he sized me up. “So this is the therapist,” he murmured, then continued, "I was totally expecting someone older than this. I am just greatly surprised.” I stiffened at his mockery of his tone. He knew something I didn't. I guess everyone in this mansion knew something I didn't. Dante took a step, slightly covering me with his body. Of course, that didn't escape Marco’s attention. He smiled faintly and looked away, making unease crawl under my skin. “You brought a stranger into the mansion, I mean you never did that. It's so unlike you.” I was tense. “I do now, and she's under my protection,” he said, staring him down. It felt so awkward being the subject of discussion, so I stood there quietly looking around the mansion. The only thing I understood was that the mafia was all about power and control and this didn’t feel like a little family issue, it was more than meets the eyes. Marco walked closer to Dante and peaked behind him. “Do you know the man that is feeding you here? Or what he is capable of? Did he explain everything to you? Doctor,” he said, chuckling under his breath. I could feel the resentment in every word he said. Marco stepped around Dante and whispered, so I was the only one that could hear him. “I would be extremely careful in this house if I were you.” He snarled at me and walked away. My spine snapped straight at his words, What have I gotten myself into? I schooled my expression so he wouldn’t suspect anything. Your family seems welcoming, I wonder who they learned their hospitality from." I said, Dante's expression remains cold, but I could feel the tension rolling off him. “Marco enjoys provoking people, you should be wary of him.” “Well I think I should be wary of everybody in this house. “The only person you should care and be wary about is me, meet me in my office to discuss your payment.” He said and walked away. I followed right behind him. My mind went back to what his cousin said to me. If I was to survive this place, I needed to be smart and trust no one. I don't know how I found myself here, but i was going to survive it. Everything felt like a puzzle, and I was just learning the rules. I was lost in thoughts when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Dante. “I’ve been talking to you for some time now, no response. What are you thinking about?” “Aha, I'm sorry I wasn't aware. I'm just thinking of the people you took me away from and what I can do for you to set me free. You see, I’m not used to watching my life 24/7, so you can do me a favor to return me to where you picked me from or make sure that my life will not be tampered with during my stay here.” I said as he stared down at me. “On my life, no harm shall come to you while you’re under my care. But you will have to follow my rules to ensure absolute protection,” he said, looking intensely at me. I scoffed. “If, by following your rules, you mean watching my every step, who I speak to, controlling what I do and a host of others. Then I’m afraid to tell you this, Mr. Moretti. You can shove your rules up your uptight ass and walk around with it. I give zero f***s to your rules. I’ll do as I like, and you will ensure maximum protection or you let me go.” I blew the hair falling over my face and getting into my mouth. And flipped my hair to the back and walked out. I could feel the anger rolling off him, he probably wasn't used to anyone talking back at him. But he could deal with it because I wouldn't be controlled by any male. He can kiss my ass for all I care.