The Mafia's Obsession

Chapter 15 Secrets Beneath the Smile

I slept so soundly like a baby, knowing that Mike was practically living with me under the same roof.

It was absurd, unbelievable, and too good to be true. I could not keep track of the number of times I woke up at night asking myself if I was literally dreaming.

This world seemed to be such a small world. Some days ago, I was sulking in my bedroom, cursing Leonardo for bringing me into this prison called a mansion.

I never believed I'd get to see Hailey or Brian ever again, not to mention Mike.

But it seemed the universe had a way of aligning things.

Now I felt regenerated and for once, I felt extremely happy.

Who knows how long it will last? I just wish Leonardo would never come back.

Good morning, Selena, Mike greeted me the minute he spotted me as I came downstairs.

Good morning Mike. How was your night? I merrily responded.

He flashed me a smile. "It was placid, what about yours?"

We both moved toward the dining section.

Breakfast had already been prepared. I am sure it was the handwork of Maya.

The woman was just too happy to see her grandson. I could say the same, I replied meekly.

He helped me pull out a chair, flashing me his beautiful smile, his face flushed with color. " Thank you, Mike, I replied softly. Mike was indeed a gentleman. He respected women and would never raise his hands to touch a woman.

He was the opposite of Leonardo.

I stuffed some beef into my mouth as Mike sat next to me, eating.

" Selene, I know you never did get to tell me what you were doing here, Mike said out of the blue.

My eyes widened, and I almost choked on my beef.

"Easy princess," he admonished as he handed me a glass of water.

I sculled it down at once and blinked several times.

"You want to know why I'm here?" I asked nervously.

He gave me longing eyes. Of course, I do.

Mike then proceeded to drop his fork and stared at me. "I stopped seeing you around, and one time when I ran into your sister, Brian, she said," You have traveled. Hailey said you traveled to Toronto, but here you are. You are in New York. I truly don't understand the entire story.

Damn it.

How can I explain to Mike that I was forcefully brought into this house against my will?

How can I tell him the bitter truth behind my stay in this mansion?

I felt goosebumps all over my body as my mind raced for various possible explanations to reply with.

Mike stared at me and I gulped.

He then placed his hand on top of mine, gently and softly caressing it.

I took a cursory glance at his hands that now covered mine and back at his hazel eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asked and leaned in closer. I guess he must have sensed my apprehension.

"Well....um…I live here...because I—I work. Ye’s" I struggled to process the words.

Mike gave me curious brows.

"You work. You work here?"

I gave him a droop of my head. Yes, I do. I work here, I reply, trying to stop the jitters from spreading throughout my body.

Mike didn't seem like he was satisfied with my answer. "So your boss is Leonardo?" He persisted further.

My breathing got clogged in my throat, and I stared with my jaws ajar at him.

The mention of that name alone sent shivers down my spine.

How did he know Leonardo?

"You know Leonardo?" I slowly asked, fear suddenly coursing through me.

He nodded and moved back, a grin on his face. "We grew up together. My grandmother raised both of us.

"Are you serious?" I asked stupidly. He nodded and chuckled.

Leonardo was raised by a cheerful, kind woman, so why did he turn out to be this cold and wicked?

Mike is nothing like him.

Leonardo was surrounded by two wonderful people growing up, so why didn't their attitude rub off on him?

He turned out to be a devil in the body of a human.

"Leonardo, I see him as a brother to be honest. Though I know how overbearing he could be sometimes. Hope he is not like that to you? Of course, he was overbearing towards me. He expressed how dominating he was, and he made me feel like trash.

But I couldn't say this to Mike.

"He isn't like that towards me, Mike, "I lied whilst adopting a pleasant smile to cover up my lie.

This lie felt so bitter in my mouth.

"How long will you be staying here, Selene?" Mike asked as he resumed eating.

Brian is seriously missing you, he added.

I miss her too.

I miss her badly. I wish I could leave here to go see her. Leonardo totally cut off my communication from the outside world. He didn't let me take my phone or my laptop.

I remembered the day I was forced to live here with him like it was yesterday. That day he threatened to kill my sister and also have his goons defile her. I suddenly felt claustrophobic as those images flashed through my mind.

"Are you alright Selene?" Mike asked, and I immediately jerked in my seat.

I didn't even realize I had zoned him out as I became lost in a maze of my own thoughts. I glanced at him. "I am. I will be coming back very soon.

He gave me a soft smile and caressed my cheeks. I felt a butterfly earthquake in my stomach as he caressed my cheeks.

"You seem so tense. Rela, o.k." Yes, I was tense. He was throwing me so many daunting questions.

I smiled faintly and began eating once again. At least I hoped the food would distract me from my disheartening thoughts.

"After breakfast or when you feel more at ease, why don't we spend time together, yes?"

We could see a movie, he added.

I had a beam on my face. This was what I had always wished for back then. I wanted to spend time with Mike, but I never knew how to.

Hailey would always try to sync us together, but I would be too shy. Now he was offering it to me on a platter of gold.

Of course, Mike, I'd love to, I replied merrily.

Now she's smiling, he cheekily said, which made me laugh.

Spending time with Mike will definitely lift my mood. I wanted to enjoy my little happiness while it lasted.

* * * * *

I walked together with Mike as we explored the beautiful garden behind the mansion. For a rugged man, Leonardo did have a fancy and lovely home. Everything was oozing pure luxury and wealth.

The colorful, large lawn that spread across his mansion and the chirping of birds and buzzing of bees just gave off a serene feeling.

The various scents of the flowers in the garden combined to give off an enchanting fragrant frenzy.

As the sun set, the thin strips of cloud on the horizon turned shimmering gold. The sky was bathed with a canvas of pink, orange, and blue colors.

Everything was so enthralling and lovely. For a moment, I forgot I was trapped in this mansion and I just wanted to stay forever.

I had never actually stepped out of the huge doors of the mansion. I never explored it either. I was mostly stuck inside.

But coming outside now, I felt so happy to be able to see the warm glow of the sunset.

I sat on one of the numerous patio chairs littered across the garden. Mike sat by my side and dropped an arm around my shoulder as we both enjoyed nature's beauty.

The breeze blew gently, and my hair whipped across my face.

I tucked it behind my ear and rested my head on Mike's shoulder. Today turned out to be amazing.

I got to watch a movie with Mike, and we played a lot of indoor games together.

I just wished he would never go at the same time. I wished he would go and take me with him. Either way, I just wanted to be by his side. Although I felt happy, whenever I remembered he was just staying for a week, my heart would become troubled.

I'll be back to my dull and dark life that had no colors in it. I could just enjoy the moment while it lasted at least.

"Come Selene. I want to show you something, "Mike said as he stood up and stretched out his hand to me.

I grasped hold of his hand and he led me to an unknown destination in the garden.

I gasped on seeing where he led me. It was a little pond.

I never knew there was a pond here.

I moved closer to it, Mike trailing after me, and stared at my reflection in the glimmering waters.

I could spot the moon, which had faintly begun to appear out of the clouds.

"How did you know there was a pond here, Mike?"

"Because I grew up here," he revealed.

My jaw was aja, and I tried to process what I just heard.

He grew up in this same mansion?

"Are you serious?" I asked, flabbergasted. He nodded. "Yes. I grew up with Leonardo, remember. We both played here. We would run around the garden together playing in the pond. We had wonderful memories here," he confessed with a saturated smile on his face.

Wow. Mike and Leonardo must have been really close growing up.

I wondered if they were still close like that?

I shouldn't pry into their personal life.

I turned my attention back to the pond.

"Beautiful," I whispered as I stared at the inviting pond.

Just like you, Mike complimented.

I whipped my head to face him and giggled. You are beautiful, Selene, he softly said, his hazel eyes penetrating into my soul.

This felt so perfect, but at the same time, it felt scary.

I tore my eyes away from his stare and he interlocked his hands with mine. My face was flushed with delight, but I remained silent, and we just enjoyed the serenity of the atmosphere.