Boss's Runaway Queen

Chapter 8 - Mallory's P.O.V.

Mallory’s P.O.V.

I’ve been cooped up in this room for a few days now. Too scared to even attempt to explore this HUGE house. Or I should call this place a mansion, maybe even a castle.

As much as I am relieved to be away from Alexander, I don’t think being kidnapped by Leo Romano is a good thing either.

Alexander has beaten in my brain, among other things, how horrible of a man Leo is, and that I need to run the other way if I ever came face to face with him.

I believed Alexander for a long time, but seeing Leo with that sweet little girl, I’m not so sure anymore.

I saw them in the garden while I was on the balcony yesterday. I needed some fresh air, but I was still too afraid to sep out of what they call my room.

It’s the way he looks at her. And for some reason, the same way he looks at me whenever he comes to see me. It’s as if we are the most important people in his life. But how can that be?

I still don’t understand why he kidnapped me. He told me I would understand in due time, but it’s been days and he still hasn’t explained anything to me.

He sputtered some non-sence on my first day here. About me being his wife and that little girls mother. But how can that be? I have never seen them before. Although, they do have something vaguely familiar. But every time I try to think about it, my head starts to pound.

She called him daddy, so I guess she hasn’t been kidnapped by him or has she? She looked healthy enough and well-dressed too. It doesn’t seem like she is being ill-treated.

I look towards my door and sigh.

Maybe I should explore this place. I might find a way to escape.

For some reason, that thought made my heart tighten.

Breathing in and out a few more times, I gather my courage and open my door as quietly as I can.

I look both ways of the corridor and see no one.

Which way should I go?

Following my instinct, I walk down to my left.

Good, there are some stairs going down!

I cautiously walk down the stairs, keeping an eye out for my surroundings, just in case someone shows up.

I know Leo told me I could walk around this place, but I feel as if I am trespassing or something. But at the same time, everything around me seems so familiar. Like a sense of Deja Vu.

Shaking that thought away, I keep going down.

As soon as I get to the main floor, a laughing and clinking sound pulls my attention to my left.

What was that?!

Unable to curb my curiosity, I follow the sound, which leads me to a massive kitchen.

I could only ever dream of cooking in such a beautiful space!

Come on Mallory! Now’s not the time to fantasize about a stupid kitchen! I chastise myself before looking in, hiding in the corner of the door frame.

The sight in front of me takes me by surprise.

Leo, smiling from ear to ear, crouching at one end of the counter, covered in flour. Holding a bowl in one hand, and what seems like flour in the other.

“Are you ready to surrender, daddy?” Claire asks from the other end, her hand up, ready to throw something at him.

“ Never!” He exclaims, laughing.

“Bad choice!” She yells, throwing something wet in his direction, making a splat sound.

“Oh, my sweet Princessa, that was a mistake,” Leo smirks, wiping off what looks like jam from his head.

Claire stops moving, her face stunned. But it only lasts a second. Leo is charging around the corner in her direction.

Oh no! He’s going to hurt her!

On instinct, I rush in as he catches her.

“Stop! Don't hurt her!” I yell, stopping only two steps in.

They are…smiling?

At least they were before I burst in.

What the hell have I done? What kind of trouble did I just get myself in?

Shit!

“Mo…Malory! You finally came out of your room!” Claire says excitedly, pushing herself off her father and rushing towards me.

“I..Yes. I-I did,” I stutter, unable to take my terrified gaze from Leo’s.

Is he furious I broke his bonding time with his daughter? I can't tell!

“You thought I was going to hurt our daughter?” He says, a flash of sadness and hurt crossing his eyes.

Did I imagine it?

“I-I…” I stutter again, unable to form a single word.

Shit, s**t, s**t!!!

I’m in for a beating!...

That’s what Alexender would do if I misspoke at any time.

As Leo takes a step forwards, I flinch on instinct, waiting for the pain of a smacking palm against my cheek. But it never comes.

Opening my eyes, both Leo and Claire are looking at me wide-eyed.

“Did you just flinch?” He asks with furrowed brows.

My body starts to shiver, not from the cold, but from my nerves taking a hold of all my senses.

“Did you think daddy would hit you?! He would NEVER hurt you! I swear!” Claire pleads, about to take a step towards me, but stops, looking at her father, her eyes glossing over with tears.

I want to comfort her, but I don’t know if I should or could approach her.

I don't know what is going on, and I’m getting confused again.

My head starts to pound hard, a ringing echoing loudly in my ears, making me dizzy.

I sway a few times before a pair of strong arms hold me up.

The smell of his musky cologne tickled my nose.

“Are you ok? Are you hurt?” He asks, his voice sounding off.

As I open my eyes and meet his deep chocolate brown ones, I see fear in his eyes.

I never thought I’d see this kind of emotion in his eyes. He looks so fierce and in control of his emotions usually. But at this moment, he looks a lot more human than before.

Unable to answer him, he just scoops me up, making me gasp.

“I-I’m fine!” I finally manage to utter.

“No, you're not. You are deadly pale. Something must be wrong! Claire, go get your uncle and tell him to call Dr. Sam and quick!” He says, never letting go of me.

“I don’t need a doctor. I just got dizzy for a second. I’m fine, I swear.” I plead.

I don’t want to see a doctor. They terrify me. Alexander would have one look at me every week and give me an injection that made me feel so off.

“Ok, no doctors, for now,” he concedes after looking at me seriously for a few more seconds.

He agreed so easily? How in the…

“Are you sure your okay?” Claire's small voice says, taking me out of my thoughts.

The sad scared looks she is giving me, soften my heart and make me smile.

“I’m fine. I promise.”

Just as I utter those words, my stomach decides to rumble loudly, making my cheeks turn crimson with embarrassment.

Leo chuckles, shaking his head.

“Hungry?” He asks wist a smirk.

“No…” I mumble, but my stomach had another idea, rumbling again.

“Come on. I know you’re hungry. You didn’t eat much or anything for the past few days.” He says, placing me down gently, keeping a hand on the small of my back, ushering me towards the kitchen.

“Didn’t you like the lemon pudding I made you?” Claire says, making me stop dead in my tracks.

“You made that pudding?” I ask, stunt.

“I did. Do you not like lemons? I could make another flavor if you want?” She says, hopeful.

“I do like lemon, I didn’t know you, I thought,” I say looking at Leo, who is looking at me with sad eyes.

“Was it because you two were fighting?” She asks, looking down at the ground, fidgeting with her hands.

“And how would you know if we were fighting?” Leo asks, raising an eyebrow.

“I-I…”

“Claire,” He warns.

“Okay, fine! I was hiding down the corridor. I wanted to know if she liked my pudding or not. I know you told me to give her time to adjust to being here, but I missed her and I just wanted to spend a little bit of time with her!” She says with a huff, crossing her arms across her chest, pouting.

My heart stops for a moment when Leo steps closer to her. But to my surprise, he doesn’t hit her. No, he picks her up and sits her on the kitchen counter, taking her into a tight embrace, and kissing the top of her head.

He is so gentle with her. Could Alexender have been mistaken? Could Leo not be the demon he made him out to be?

“I know, princessa. I want her to be herself again. But it will take time. Give her time. I wish I could make everything better with the snap of my fingers, but I can’t. Don’t give up and stay strong.” He says, looking at me with an expression I can decipher.

I have no words for what I just heard. I don’t even understand what he wants from me.

Why are they so adamant that I’m his wife and her mother? I never had children, or met him before he kidnaped me!

But at the same time, why do they feel so familiar? Why does my heart tighten at the thought of leaving them?

Question after question swarms my mind, making it hurt again.

I place my hand on my temple, massaging the pain away, but it only seems to intensify.

I involuntary hiss, making them look up at me.

“Your head is hurting again, isn’t it?”

I contemplate lying, but I know deep down it’s no use.

“That’s it, I’m calling the doctor!” He says, letting go of Claire and walking out of the kitchen.

“Wait!” I yell, grabbing his arms to stop him.

He stops, turning around and looking down at my hand on his arm. I pull away, my eyes bulging out.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” I kept apologizing, the fear Alexender instilled in me surfacing full force.

“Hey, hey, look at me,” He says gently, placing one hand on the side of my face, and to other on my hip, stopping my frantic fidgeting.

He lifts my head up so my eyes meet his. I’m sure that I will see anger or frustration, but as soon as our eyes meet, I’m stunned.

The only thing I see is compassion and gentleness.

Am I seeing this right?

“Look at me. Take a deep breath. That’s it. You’re ok. You are safe.” He says, breathing in and out, making me do it as well.

After my heart settles down a bit, I lower my eyes to the ground.

“I’m sorry…” I say again, making him sigh.

“You have nothing to apologize for. But I need to ask, why did you think I was going to hit you when you touched my arm? Why would I ever want to do that anyway?” He asks, placing his index finger under my chin, tilting my head up.

“I-I don’t know,” I whisper, unable to tell him the truth. I don’t know if I should trust him just yet.

He sight before lowering his hand.

“I know you know why you did. And I am going to assume it’s got something to do with…” He looks towards Claire and clears his throat.

“You know what, let's forget about all of this. Why don’t we get a light snack ready and eat out on the terrasse?” He suggests, making Claire brighten up.

“Oh! Can we make some chocolate milkshakes? Pleassssss Daddy!!!!” She pleads, pulling on his arm.

He lets out a laugh, making my lower stomach contract.

“What do you think, Mallory? Would you like to join us?” He asks, looking sideways at claire whose eyes are shining with hope as a newly polished diamond.

How can I possibly refuse when she is looking at me like this?

I hesitantly agree, following them into the kitchen.

While Leo cleans up their mess, Claire takes out some fruits and vegetables from the fridge. Along with a few different types of cheeses.

Looking at them, I notice they are all my favorites!

How could he know this? Or is it a simple coincidence?