Caught Between The Mafias

Chapter 4: WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

Dean had lied.

We didn’t go to a house. We arrived at a freaking estate that looked like it had been plucked from a storybook.

The mansion stretched wide, almost like three houses in one. Gardens tangled with wild roses and trimmed hedges bloomed everywhere. And a fountain danced in the center, its water sparkling in the sunlight.

As our car rolled up the long driveway, Dean cleared his throat, his voice steady and commanding.

“We have a party tonight to celebrate our engagement,” his gaze locked on mine. “Business partners and powerful people will attend. I want you on your best behavior. No mistakes.” He narrowed his eyes, letting the words sink in. “Remember. We have a signed contract.”

I said nothing, my mind spinning from thoughts mixed with fear and confusion.

He continued. “You’ll have maidservants to attend to you. If anything comes up, my aunt is available to help. And if you ever need me, you can always ask.”

I pressed my fingers lightly against my knee, my pulse quickening under my skin.

“Don’t worry,” he said softly, catching my anxiety. “You’re going to be comfortable from here on. No more hard work for cheap pay.”

‘No more hard work for cheap pay.’ What an insult!

He placed his palm over mine and I jerked my hand back instantly, recoiling as if his touch were contamination.

“I do not remember ever coming to you to complain about my work,” I snapped, my voice firm as I pointed a finger at him, eyes delivering a clear warning. “Do not mistake this business deal for friendship. Once the year is over, we return to being strangers.”

Dean chuckled, a half-smile tugging at his lips. He looked genuinely amused by my outburst, a reaction I didn’t expect.

“You’ll come around,” he said confidently.

Once the car stopped. Two men in simple, matching suits hurried forward — staff, though I couldn’t yet tell who they were. The one who opened my door dipped into a slight bow, hand extended. “It’s a pleasure to have you Ma’am”

I offered a polite smile and took his hand, letting him steady me as I stepped out of the car.

Dean came around from the other side, taking my hand in his.

I opened my mouth to protest, but he whispered in my ear, “No one else knows about this. To everyone here, you’re my real fiancée. You have to act the part. Got it?”

“Mmm-hmmm.” I muttered under my breath, teeth clenched to hide my annoyance.

He guided me into the mansion, our shoes clicking sharply against the glossy, gold-accented floors. Despite myself, I had to admit the interior was breathtaking, far beyond anything I’d known growing up with my father.

We passed a long hallway and came to a vast, grand hall. Standing tall was a sweeping spiral staircase, curving gracefully to the upper floors.

The sharp tap of heels echoed across the hall, announcing an entrance. An older woman descended the stairs with effortless grace; each step commanding attention, as if she owned the mansion and everything in it.

“My darling, darling Dean,” she exclaimed, her high-pitched voice ringing with excitement, arms outstretched for a hug.

“Hello, Auntie.” Dean moved to her immediately, embracing her warmly and pressing kisses to both cheeks. She ignored my presence completely.

“I would like you to meet Layla, my fiancée. Layla, meet my Aunty Mary.” Dean smiled, placing a careful hand on my back. The light pressure sent a shiver up my spine, a strange thrill I didn’t expect.

Her eyes swept over me from head to toe, taking in every detail of my worn uniform and disheveled look with a hint of distaste in her eyes. I mean what did she expect? I was literally kidn*pped in the middle of my shift.

“Layla,” she said, her tone carrying a subtle edge. “My nephew has spoken quite a lot about you.”

“All good things, I hope,” I forced a pleasant smile, a little unsure of my next move. I almost offered a handshake, but something in me kept it glued to my side.

She turned back to Dean, hands resting lightly on his arms.

“You’re right… she’s pretty,” she admitted, her tone reluctant. “Though I still prefer Juliet. Why did you two even break up?”

Her question hung in the air like smoke refusing to clear, thickening the tension.

Dean cleared his throat, a weak attempt to slice through the awkwardness. “This is neither the time nor place to talk about this, don’t you think, Auntie?” He scolded gently, his fingers sliding to his wrist as he raised his arm checking for the time . “Especially since we have a party tonight.”

Then his face brightened, like an idea had just hit him.

“I was actually hoping…”

He nudged me slightly toward her, a quiet, coaxing look in his eyes.

“You’d show her to her room, and help her get ready for tonight.”

His gaze deepened as it lingered on her, as though he already understood exactly how to ease open her stubbornness.

“Besides, you two should get to know yourselves better. And I have something urgent to attend to right now.”

She paused, eyes settling on me intently. “Of course. Anything for you.”” her lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Dean clasped his hands together, clearly satisfied. “And that’s why you’re my favorite.”

He pulled her into a brief hug before turning to me. His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face.

“I’ll see you later, darling.”

He kissed my forehead and walked away, his footsteps fading down the hall.

For a moment, even I almost believed the act.

Once he disappeared from view, she turned without a word and headed up the stairs.

I followed closely behind.

We walked in silence, passing door after door, the quiet stretching between us until she abruptly stopped in front of a pair of tall, double doors.

“This is your room,” she said dismissively. “A team will be here in a few hours to style you. Your dress for tonight is on the bed. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, reaching for the door.

I couldn’t wait to get away from her and this tight, suffocating tension.

“Wait.”

Her voice stopped me before I could step inside.

“I have no idea why my nephew would want to marry someone like you,” she sneered coldly. “But this family has a reputation to protect.”

Her eyes bored into mine.

“And I will not tolerate you putting it at risk.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Shocked, I remained where I was, hand still on the unopened door.

‘What a b***h,’ I thought to myself before slowly going in.

The room could have been fit for royalty. From the floor-to-ceiling windows, to the queen-sized bed that dominated the center. I barely took it in. Instead, I crossed to the plush couch in the corner and sank into it, my shoulders slumping as Aunt Mary’s voice replayed in my head.

*I have no idea why my nephew would want to marry someone like you.*

Someone like me… what was that even supposed to mean?

As I wrestled with these thoughts, my eyes fell to the bed

Laid neatly at the center was a deep velvet‑purple dress, heavy with diamond-studded detail.

So this was it. The almighty dress.

I rose slowly and approached it, a sinister plan forming in my head.

Control. They wanted it everywhere, down to what I wore.

I lifted the dress with both hands, a slow, wicked smile curving at my lips**.**

“Family reputation, huh?” I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “If it’s a wife you want… then you’d better be ready for one.”

I hissed under my breath, and flung the dress toward the walk‑in closet, letting it crumple to the floor without a second glance.

Exhausted from the day’s events, I plopped onto the bed, sinking into its softness as I closed my eyes, hoping for a short nap.

But even as sleep tugged at me, my mind refused to rest. I continued to form my plans, scheming quietly in the dark.

By the time I finally drifted off, my decision was already made.