Velvet Chains

Episode 3

|Kai

And I absolutely hated the place the moment I saw it.

It was way too polished, too precise. Did she miss out on the too-much-of-everything's-bad update?

Because it felt like she was trying to let even the birds know that this environ wasn't even accepting their harmless perches.

Perfect gravel, perfect guards that didn't blink unless they really needed to, perfect hedges.

Well, it pretty much felt like I was walking into a trap on a red carpet.

What? I sincerely did not know how she managed to keep things dark and yet so princessy. She did quite a job with that, I'd give her that.

The gates parted slowly the moment we got close and the driver said something that sounded like an announcement.

"Miss De Rossi's arena." I think that was what he said. Sounded kinda cute. Similar to something they'd say while advertising some princessy brand.

The whole place reeked of gunpowder and gardenias. Weird mix, I know, don't even mention it.

I was already tired before even seeing the woman I was supposed to be "protecting."

The car rounded up a corner and I got down, a tall guy in a black suit walking up to meet me.

Dude didn't even look like he'd smiled in years, kept a straight face while looking me up as if trying to analyze me or something.

"Come with me,"he spoke and made to turn.

"Got a name at least?"I c****d a brow.

It was fine if I acted cocky, but damn, I hated meeting peeps like me. It's just..... well, rude?

"I'd rather not tell you,"he mumbled and walked away anyway, expecting me to follow him.

Cocky bastard 101. Tch.

I walked right behind him anyway — not that I had a choice though.

As we walked towards the main buildings which wasn't very far away and I could swear I counted up to 12 hidden cameras.

What did she own, gold and diamonds?

We stopped in front of the double doors and he pushed it open giving me the celebrity guest feel. The insides of the building made me want to cringe.

It was....worse than I thought. Velvet, gold, chandeliers that looked way too heavy for the roof to handle, and.....well, more gold.

Everything, literally every single thing, gave the don't-stop-looking-at-me vibe. Seemed like she was quite the compensating kind.

The grumpy guy cleared his throat but I still didn't look at him fully.

"Go in, and wait. Lady Val will be with you shortly,"he grumbled and then disappeared before I could even attempt responding.

Walking into the posh living room, I glanced down at my watch.

10 minutes before 7. She should be here soon.

I leaned against the wall, my hands tucked in my pockets as I patiently waited. I kept my eyes busy before then though.

I noticed there were more than just one entry into this room. There were infact 3. The main one, and two other hidden ones. Quite the work she was doing. And she did it cleanly.

7 minutes.

Then 5.

2 more.

And it was past 10 minutes and she wasn't present yet. My patience was literally hanging on a thin rope.

Nothing ticked me off more than unpunctuality.

I was pushing myself off the wall when I heard the sounds of heels.

Of course. The dramatic entrance it is.

Her wavy red hair was let down freely, her cold black painted lips stood out on her face and then she perfectly slayed the white and seemingly hand tailored suit she wore.

Wait, Mafia Queens wore suits too?

Well, this one did. And the power she carried with her, the elegance, wasn't something I'd say I've seen in any woman before. And believe me when I say, I'd seen lots of women.

She had her eyes ahead, still not sparing me a glance. Her feistiness could literally be foretold simply by just looking at her face.

But man, she was hot. But not in the way that made you want to take her out on a date or something.

It was in the way that made you want to pin her to the wall and see what would break first — her voice or her pride.

She finally thought it was time to acknowledge me cause she looked at me.

I watched her void eyes flash with something that barely lasted a millisecond.

She cleared her throat, frowning slightly.

"You're....bigger than I expected,"she spoke just when I was expecting some apology.

I mean, a "sorry I kept you waiting," wasn't killing anybody, was it? The thing called courtesy still existed, right?

I just stared at her blankly, not answering her words.

I caught her eyes flicking down my chest and then snapping back to my eyes just as fast.

Ah. She liked what she saw. Not that I expected her to ever say it out loud though. She looked like one of those who'd rather die than admit to things like that.

"You don't talk much?"she asked.

I watched her walk for a chair, grab a seat with crossed legs, her hands resting on them like she was about giving some death verdict or something.

"I do,"I answer lowly and she held my gaze. "But only when there's something worth answering."

That made her tick. She smacked her lips subconsciously. I noted that must be one of the things she did when she was pissed.

"Is this how all your clients are treated?"she asked, trying but failing to not let the slight anger seep into her voice.

"I don't know. You're the first princess I get to babysit,"I deadpanned.

She snorted in disbelief. "Princess? Babysit? Who, me? Weren't you briefed who I am?"

"Valentina De Rossi, Mafia princess, daughter of late Martinez De Rossi,"I walked closer. "Age 26, favourite color is gray, fave hobby is archery, Middle name? Barbie."

By now I was in front of her so I paused and leaned down, smirking. "Does that answer your question, Princess?"

"Did Nat have to tell him everything?"I heard her mutter under her breath.

Well, Nat pretty much did nothing. I know everything I know on her because I did my own research. I wonder why she chose to answer Valentina instead of Barbie though.

Barbie seemed more her style. Princessy. But then again, Valentina did seem to pick out her sassiness and attitude.

"You've got quite the attitude,"she glared, using her index finger to push me off and away.

"I hate men with attitude,"she added.

Or did she just hate being challenged?

"Fire me then,"I dared.

She wouldn't. How'd I know? Because she needed someone like me. Someone who wasn't such a p***y and faced the challenge head on.

But then I did seal the hatred I suspect she had for me.

"I didn't pick you. But I expected Nathaniel to know what I liked and whatnot."

"Frown one more time and you'd be looking fifty,"I commented.

She looked frustrated. She pretty much wasn't used to being dared like this. I could see it. But then again, she had to deal with it. Why? Because I was what she needed. At least that's what Nat and her thought.

"Listen up, soldier boy. I don't know what gave you the balls to talk to me the way you did seconds ago, but the next time you do it, your gut is going to be pulled out by me and fed to you. Understood?"she spoke, her eyes darkening, as if she was trying hard to decide what part of me she'd be stabbing first.

A challenge? Yes please.

I stared down at her silently in reply and she sat up straight, the blank look falling back on her face.

"I've got rules you're to abide by,"she rang.

Did we now? Let's hear it.

"No disobedience. No wielding of unapproved weapons and no touching unless the situation demands it."

Unless the situation demands it. Got it.

"Just to be clear..... Situations?"

"Yes, situations. Like when I ask you to touch me, you do it,"she replied without batting an eye.

"But...."I leaned back down so my lips were near her ear and my eyes staring ahead. "Princess, I don't follow. I lead."

I could hear her breath hitch. Ha!

"That's your first mistake,"she spoke cooly. "Thinking I'd let you."

"And yours,"I let my cold lips graze her skin a bit. "Was letting me through that door, Princess."

I pulled back in time to catch the raw lust dancing in her eyes.

"You don't get to call me that..."

"What, Princess? Its a shame I pretty much decided on that the moment you walked right through that door. Or what? You'd prefer Barbie?"I

asked, wanting to spite her.

"Who the f**k did Nathan bring me? I f*****g hate you,"she spat, her nails digging into her palms.

Same here, Princess. It's f*****g mutual.