Chapter Five
955 Words
Since I turned sixteen, I had avoided the mansion as much as I could. I stayed in the staff quarters. I took longer routes. I found excuses. I saved every extra naira I could so I could transfer colleges someday, move to another state, somewhere far enough that the Mafia would become a story I used to tell myself at night.
I wanted a clean break but here I was, walking straight toward the one place I’d spent years avoiding.
The joke was cruel.
When I got to the entrance, the guards didn’t stop me.
I passed the kitchen entrance and almost bumped into Garry, the cook.
“Aria?” he said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
He was a kind man. Always smiling and sneaking extra food to the staff kids when no one was looking.
“I’m just running an errand for my mom,” I said quickly.
"That's true. I haven't seen her all day. Is she fine?" Garry asked, frowning a little.
"Yes, she's fine. She's just...uhm...resting." I couldn't stop myself from stuttering.
He nodded. “Make sure to come get your favourite chocolate cookies on your way out” he said. “They just came out.”
“Thanks Garry." I smiled. "I need to go now.”
"Ofcourse." He responded.
So I kept walking. I didn’t even know where I was going, I just knew I had to find him.
A little further ahead, I saw two maids walking past with folded clothes in their arms so I stopped them.
“Excuse me,” I said. “Do you know where the Don is?”
They both looked me over, their eyes moving from my face to my clothes, then back again.
“Why do you want to know?” one of them asked.
“I’m Jane’s daughter,” I said. “The housekeeper’s daughter.”
“Oh,” the other one said. “He’s at the shooting range.”
“Where is that?” I asked.
They explained it to me, pointing and describing the path. I listened carefully, nodding and forcing myself to remember everything.
“Thank you,” I said.
I walked away before they could say anything else. The closer I got, the clearer the sound became.
Gunshots.
My body reacted before my mind could catch up.
This was really happening.
Then I reached the doors.
The guards standing there also didn’t stop me. Instead, they stepped aside. One of them even opened the door for me.
My stomach dropped.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I wasn’t supposed to be expected. But I continued to walk forward.
Then I saw him.
He stood a short distance away, facing the targets, completely focused. He was wearing a fitted black vest, the kind that clung to his body without trying. I could see the hard lines of his muscles through it, the shape of his abs, the way his arms moved with calm control.
He was tall, very tall. Standing there, I felt painfully small.
And his face...I stopped myself.
But it was impossible not to notice. His jaw was sharp and defined, his nose straight and perfectly shaped, his beard trimmed in a way that made him look even more masculine. He was a very attractive man. Easily the most attractive man I have ever seen.
I caught myself immediately.
What was wrong with me?
This was not the time to notice things like that. This was the man who was about to turn my life upside down.
Not far from him stood Luca, his right-hand man. I’d seen him around the estate all my life.
A guard nearby cleared his throat. It was a warning.
I lowered my head immediately and bowed slightly.
“Good evening, Don Romano,” I said.
He didn’t respond, he didn’t even turn around.
For a moment, I wondered if he had heard me at all. Then he reloaded his gun calmly and spoke without facing me.
“Speak.”
My heart skipped.
“I wanted to talk about the offer you gave my mother,” I said.
He said nothing.
He continued reloading his gun, unhurried, like he was waiting for something more.
I swallowed.
“I accept the deal,” I said.
That made him stop.
He turned and looked at me for the first time.
His eyes settled on my face. I felt like he was seeing straight through me, weighing something I couldn’t understand.
“Do you understand the weight of what you’re saying?” he asked.
I nodded.
“That’s not enough,” he said. “I need words.”
My heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt.
“Yes,” I said. “I understand.”
He held my gaze for a brief moment longer, then turned back to the target.
He raised the gun and fired.
The shot hit perfectly.
I flinched.
This was the man I had just signed my life over to.
“Your father will be home in the morning.”
Relief flooded through me so suddenly my knees almost gave out.
“Thank you,” I said quickly, “Thank you, Don.”
He didn’t respond to that.
“You can leave,” he said.
I turned, and took a step away.
“Aria.” He called out.
I froze.
“Prepare for the wedding,” he said. “You have two days.”
Two days.
The words echoed in my head as I stood there, unable to move for a second longer.
Then I walked away, and with every step, the truth settled deeper into my bones.
I hadn’t just accepted a deal, I had signed my life away to Romano Moretti.
- Writer
