Captive to the Mafia Lord

Chapter four

"Summon everyone to the warehouse, we will have a meeting with the members of the mafia house tomorrow to address this issue," he bellowed furiously.

"But Sir, you specifically requested a meeting with the Costello group of Company tomorrow at our headquarters in New York," one of his subordinates interjected, visibly confused.

Ethan glanced at me, considering his options. "Daniella, you will represent me at the meeting tomorrow. I trust your knowledge in administrative roles to handle this responsibility," he declared.

Internally, I panicked, unwilling to let him humiliate me in front of his men and staff. Struggling to find my voice, I managed to respond, "Yes, Sir."

His demeaning tap on my head made me flinch, but I remained silent, unwilling to provoke further aggression. Leaning in close, Ethan whispered, "Don't act like a fool; be smart enough to handle this.

Glad that his derogatory comment had remained unspoken, I silently acknowledged it in my mind.

With a trembling voice, I introduced myself and began to present the agenda for the meeting. The Costello group listened intently, nodding with professional decorum. However, the weight of their scrutiny and my fear of making a mistake drained the little confidence I had left.

Just as I mustered the courage to answer a question, my voice faltered. The room fell silent, and the gaze of the executives turned cold, reflecting their disappointment in my incompetence. A flicker of satisfaction crossed their faces as if relishing the opportunity to witness the downfall of Ethan's chosen representative.

Humiliation washed over me, leaving me exposed and vulnerable. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill uncontrollably. I fought to regain composure, but the defeated look on their faces reminded me of Ethan's scolding words. I felt small and insignificant at that moment, nothing more than a pawn in a game of power and ego.

Amidst the stifling silence, a voice pierced through the tension. It was Mr. Costello, the head of the company, a man known for his astute observations and fair judgment. He stood up from his seat, his expression softening as he walked towards me.

"Daniella," he said in a soothing tone, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "We all have our moments of weakness. It takes strength to stand here and face your fears. You've shown courage by representing Ethan in this meeting."

His words were like a lifeline, pulling me from the depths of shame. For the first time, I felt seen and valued, not just as Ethan's assistant, but as an individual trying my best amidst adversity. I wiped away the tears that had threatened to fall and straightened my posture, ready to face whatever was to come.

"Thank you, Mr. Costello," I managed to say, my voice steady now. "I apologize for any shortcomings on my part. I will do my best to address any concerns and ensure a fruitful discussion moving forward."

His smile was genuine, a ray of compassion amidst the harsh environment. "That's all we ask for, Daniella. We appreciate your efforts." With that, he returned to his seat, signaling the continuation of the meeting with a renewed sense of positivity.

As the meeting progressed, I found my voice growing stronger. Every question I answered, every point I made, I felt a newfound confidence emerging. The Costello executives began to see past Ethan's shadow, recognizing my potential and dedication to the task at hand.

When the meeting concluded, I was about to enter the car, Ethan’s limousine. I missed my step and broke my ankle.

As I stumbled and broke my ankle, pain shot through my body, engulfing me in a wave of agony. I cried out, clutching onto the swollen joint, feeling my strength faltering once again. The once supportive atmosphere dissipated, replaced by an uncomfortable silence. The Costello executives exchanged glances, their expressions clouded with concern.

Mr. Costello rushed to my side, his face etched with worry. "Daniella, are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

With a decisive nod, Mr. Costello swiftly organized a first aid kit and I was rushed to the hospital for treatment. I was taken to a ward

As I was taken into a ward, the pain in my broken ankle continued to throb mercilessly. The sterile, impersonal environment of the hospital contrasted with the compassion I had been shown by Mr. Costello and his team.

Then the doctor come in to attend to me, Looking at his face, it was Martin.

As Martin attended to my injured ankle, a wave of different emotions crashed over me. Seeing him again brought me joy, but my happiness was tempered by the knowledge that he had been hurt by my father's men.

"I'm sorry for what happened the other day," I apologized.

"It's fine, that's all in the past," he reassured me.

Martin's expertise and gentle touch offered some solace amidst the throbbing pain. He explained the healing process, giving me hope that I would regain mobility with time and proper care.

Once he finished setting the cast and the pain began to fade, Martin turned to me with a sympathetic smile. "Daniella, there is something I need to tell you."

I assumed it was about my injury. "Can you ask your bodyguard to give us some privacy, please?" he requested, referring to Ethan's men who were always by my side.

"Leo, please step out," I instructed my bodyguard, as Martin kept his eyes fixed on Leo until he left the room.

"Okay, what is it, Martin? Please tell me. I'm okay," I whispered anxiously.

"It's not about your injury. I can't keep this to myself any longer. I think I have to tell you," he confessed, his voice filled with emotion.

I felt a mix of anticipation and fear. "Go on, Martin. You're scaring me," I replied softly.

"Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind. I'm deeply in love with you, Daniella. I want you to be a part of my life," he declared, pouring his heart out.

Tears welled up in my eyes as Martin's words washed over me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. For so long, I had admired Martin from afar, But to hear that he felt the same way about me was overwhelming.

"I... I don't know what to say," I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest. "I wanted this too."

Martin's gaze never wavered. "I understand if it's a lot to take in," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "But I had to tell you how I feel. I couldn't keep it to myself any longer."

A mixture of confusion and longing swirled within me. I wanted to be with Martin, but the reality of my situation hit me. My father, a powerful man with connections to the mafia, had arranged a marriage for me with someone else. A marriage I could not escape.

"I love you so much, Martin," I whispered, my voice heavy with sadness. "But my father has married me off to someone else. I don't know what to do."

A look of determination crossed Martin's face. "We can't let that stop us, Daniella," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I refuse to let anyone or anything keep us apart. We can find a way to be together, even if it means keeping our love a secret."

My heart swelled with hope at his words. Even if it meant taking risks, the thought of being with Martin felt worth it. But the danger that surrounded us was not to be underestimated. My father's connections to the mafia posed a constant threat to our happiness.

"Martin, you know the risks involved," I cautioned, my voice trembling. "We must be careful. We can't afford to be careless or let anyone discover our love."

He nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Daniella. I will do everything in my power to protect you and keep our love hidden from prying eyes. Our relationship may be secret, but our love will always burn brightly between us."

At that moment, I knew I had found a love worth fighting for.

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

Ethan’s POV

I dialed Daniella's number to discuss the meeting, but it went unanswered. Frustrated, I then contacted one of the escorts who had accompanied her.

"Hello Boss, your wife is in the hospital, she had a minor mishap," he said.

"What is wrong with this woman......?” I said.