Captive to the Mafia Lord

Chapter two

Daniella’s POV

“Don’t touch me” I said.

The men roughly pushed me into a sleek black car, and Martin's face blurred in the rearview mirror as we sped away. Panic washed over me as I realized I had no idea where they were taking me or what they wanted. The car journey felt like an eternity, every second filled with anxiety and uncertainty.

Eventually, the car came to a halt in front of our house, they are my Dad’s men, and I have not seen this set of people before.

“Miss, come out of the car, please” one of the men whined.

Stepping out of the car, I can feel the intensity in my heart.

“what is going on? where is my Dad?” I yelled at one of the men in annoyance.

Then I hear the footsteps of my dad, I know his footstep because of the way he lingers his leg when walking, he had an accident when I was little.

“Where did you go to? He grinned.

“I wanted to take a break and cool my head at a nearby bar” I replied.

“Henceforth, you are not allowed to leave this house without my consent”

“I can’t believe you are doing this to me, Dad, why are you treating me like a slave in your house? I thought you love me more than this, I said in a cool voice.

“Ella, my daughter, it’s not like that, come inside, let me explain why I’m doing this, you know I love you.

At this point, my mind is getting a peace, because I’m totally confused why my Dad’s attitude change towards me all of a sudden.

I followed him inside with his hand wrapped around my shoulder.

I sit down just in front of him, waiting to hear him utter some words.

“Where do I start …..” He said.

“Start from anywhere Dad” I replied.

I can see water dropping from his eyes.

“Okay my darling, before your Mum died, fifteen years back, my business went down, and my company went bankrupt, I tried to collect a loan from banks but they were not ready to give me the loan, because of the possibility of paying back, so I went to meet Carlos, my friend who is also part of the mafia family, and he said he couldn’t help, but he knows someone who can help me, that was when I met Ethan………”

At this point, he couldn’t hold forth the tears, this is the first time, I’m seeing him crying, he always seem to be a hard man.

As I listened to my dad's story, my anger began to dissipate, replaced by a mix of shock and sympathy. I had no idea that he had been struggling so much.

My dad wiped away his tears, composing himself before continuing. "Ethan is a high-ranking member of the mafia. He's someone I trusted to help me get back on my feet, but it came at a price. He offered me a deal - financial support, but in return, I have to put in something.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "What do you do in return, Dad? What did he make you do?"

My dad looked down, his voice barely above a whisper.

I have to use you as collateral, he said he has to marry you when you reach the age of twenty-eight, it was hard for Me and your late mum but it was the only option to revive our sinking business. I am sorry.

“Is that why you agree to marry me off to Ethan? so is possible to arrange a marriage without the consent of the person? I said.

"You were so young back then, Daniella. We should have confided in you, but we were afraid you wouldn't fully grasp the gravity of the situation," my dad replied, his voice filled with regret.

"No need to apologize, Dad," I whispered, my voice filled with understanding. "I finally understand. You and Mom had no choice but to do what you did. You were trying to protect our family, and I can't fault you for that."

Then my grandma stepped in, her warm presence filling the room. She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tightly, as if trying to shield me from the pain and turmoil that had unraveled before us. Her embrace brought a sense of comfort and reassurance, reminding me of the unwavering love and support I had in my family.

“It’s going to be fine, okay,” she said.

I made my way back to my room, determined to embrace the idea of marrying Ethan, as my father had arranged.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The following morning, upon awakening, I found myself unable to shake off the vivid memories of Martin. His gaze upon my eyes and his thoughtful gestures continued to linger in my thoughts.

Furthermore, the notion of being wedded to a mysterious Mafia leader, someone whom I knew nothing about, remained firmly entrenched in my mind. However, I resolved to make it known that I was not a pushover. I would not be a mere servant to him; he would have to earn my respect as well.

As I dressed for the day, I felt a mixture of nervousness and determination. I couldn't ignore the fact that my heart still held a special place for Martin, but I also had to accept the reality of my situation. I had to fulfill my father's arrangement with Ethan, the Mafia leader.

With a deep breath, I walked downstairs to find my father waiting for me in the living room. His face wore a mixture of worry and concern.

"Daniella, I understand if this is difficult for you," he began, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "But please know that I did what I thought was best for our family."

I nodded, realizing that my father had done what he believed was necessary to save our family's future. However, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and the weight of unknown expectations upon my shoulders.

"Dad, I appreciate your intentions," I responded, my voice steady. "I will do my best to honor your arrangement. But I also want you to understand that I won't let this define me. I will assert myself and demand respect from Ethan."

My father's eyes filled with both pride and sadness. "I knew you were strong-willed, Daniella. Remember, you have the strength and intelligence to navigate through this. I trust that you will make the best of this situation."

His words gave me a glimmer of encouragement and reassurance. I knew that I couldn't change the circumstances, but I could control how I approached them. Gathering my resolve, I prepared myself mentally for the challenges ahead.

“Daniella," my dad said with a solemn tone, "Ethan's men will be arriving later today to escort you to his mansion."

His words hung heavily in the air, registering a mix of anxiety and uncertainty within me. Ethan's mansion, a place I had only heard rumors about, suddenly loomed large in my mind.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, my voice steady as I replied, "I understand, Dad. Please notify me when they arrive."

My dad, concern etched on his face, reached out and squeezed my hand gently. "Remember, my dear, be strong. We will be with you every step of the way, no matter what happens."

His words brought a sliver of comfort, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this daunting journey. Regardless of the challenges that lay ahead, I knew I had my family's unwavering support.

As the day unfolded, and the appointed time approached, a mix of apprehension and curiosity filled the room. I meticulously prepared myself, ensuring I presented a solid and composed demeanor. Inwardly, I reminded myself to stay true to who I was and to not allow fear or doubt to cloud my judgment.

The sound of a car pulling up outside signaled their arrival. My pulse quickened as I braced myself for what lay ahead. With a final glance at my family, who stood by my side, their love and encouragement giving me strength, I embarked on the next chapter of my life.

Opening the front door, I was met by several of Ethan's men, their presence exuding a mixture of authority and loyalty. One of them, a tall and imposing figure, stepped forward, introducing himself as Antonio.

"Miss Daniella," Antonio greeted respectfully, "I have been assigned the task of ensuring your safe journey to Mr. Ethan's mansion. If you would please come with us………………………….."