TAMING THE COLD-HEARTED MAFIA BOSS

CHAPTER ONE REINA'S POV Fuck my life. My knees were bruised and hurting from kneeling all day but my punishment still wasn't over. All because I broke a kitchen plate. I didn't mind kneeling all day, that was the least of my punishment. However, when I saw the security guard walk up to me with a whip, and my mom walking right behind him, I knew I was f****d. “Mom-” “Don't you dare open that filthy mouth of yours. How many times have I told you not to call me that!?” She spat in anger and I immediately bowed my head in fear of what would come next. “Give her fifty lashes!” She declared and my heart sank into the depths of my stomach. This was definitely gonna be a long night… The sky thundered like it was sympathizing with me and when I looked up at the sky that was now getting dark, I realized it might rain soon. If I'm still out here by the time it starts raining, then it's over. I would be spending the rest of the night out here in the rain. A sharp sting filled my senses as the whip landed on my back and I had to place my hands on the ground to stop myself from falling over. I felt another lash and my eyes stung with tears that threatened to fall just like the impending rain in the clouds. “Wait.” I heard my mother say and my heart soared in my chest, thinking she had changed her mind about punishing me. But I was wrong. “I need the whip on her bare back. Strip her this instant.” What was I thinking? The security guard hesitated for a moment before ripping my shirt off, leaving me bare and cold to the harsh wind. The whip landed on my back again and I couldn't stifle the sob that escaped my lips. I knew I couldn't beg for her to have mercy, that would only fuel her anger. Every whip that landed on my back felt like it was taking years out of my life span. I couldn't help but wonder what I did to deserve a life like this. Finally, the whipping stopped and I could feel blood trickle down my body from the harsh hits I had taken. “That should teach you to be more careful.” My mom huffed as she walked back into the house, leaving me all alone in the dark and cloudy night. “Anyone that tries to help her out will join her!” She declared and the security guard bowed his head in defeat before leaving my side. Just like I had thought, it started to rain but I couldn't move from my kneeling position. I suddenly prayed that I get struck by lightning so that my suffering could end. The long night finally passed, and when the morning came, I was shivering so hard I thought the cold might take my life. When I was finally allowed to enter the house, everyone looked troubled, including my dad, who was pacing around nervously. “His offer is too ridiculous! How are we supposed to pay back ten thousand dollars in one week?” I heard him say and I couldn't help the frown that formed on my face. Ten thousand dollars? For what? I felt someone drape a coat over my shoulder, and I turned to see our middle-aged security guard staring at me with a sympathetic expression. “You should go inside to rest. You've gone through a lot.” He mumbled sadly and I smiled at him in response even though I was still shaking badly. “Even if I want to rest, I doubt they'd allow me to do so. I'm fine, Mr Smith.” I replied as I pulled the coat over my body closer and let out a sigh. “How can they let a nineteen-year-old girl go through such torment? I really wish I could help you, Reina. But I'm only following their orders. You should try to run away some time.” He suggested and I laughed softly at that thought. Like I haven't tried. “I'll head in now.” I bowed at him respectfully before walking in through the back door so that no one would notice me and use me as their next punching bag. “We need to find a way to talk to him. Maybe he can give us a little more time?” My mom's voice echoed through the house and I couldn't help but wonder who got them so nervous. “Mom, what are we going to do? I don't want to live on the streets!” Selina's chirpy yet silky voice sounded so worried and I let out a pained sigh. If only they loved me the way they cherished her. We're both sisters. They gave birth to both of us. But one is being treated like a princess while the other is being treated like a slave. Was it because she was prettier than me? But I'd always been smarter! Everything I had done was to make them love me and cherish me the way they did to her. But to them… I was a mistake. A waste of effort. I wiped the tears that ran down my face as I headed to the basement, hoping I could get some sleep. My eyes caught a glimpse of Selina's room and I wondered what it would be like to sleep on a soft bed like hers. I heard footsteps coming my way so I quickly ran to a corner and crouched there so that I wouldn't be seen. One thing I've learned in this house was how to act like I was invincible… like I never existed. “Don't you think Mr Robert is too harsh for asking for something like that?” I recognized my mom's voice and I crouched deeper, hoping that the walls would swallow me up. “You're right. His request is too outrageous! How could he ask for our lovely daughter in exchange for ten thousand dollars? Does he think we're animals?” My dad replied, anger evident in his tone and I frowned in confusion. Who was Mr Robert and why does he want Selina? “Just because we owe him ten thousand dollars, doesn't mean I'll let him walk over me like a tyrant! We can't give Reina away!” He added and my eyes widened in shock. Me? They were protecting me? “Remember he's a mafia lord… we can't afford to get on his wrong side. But you're right, we can't give our daughter away like a slave.” My mom replied and I had placed my hand over my mouth to stop myself from shouting. Was this real? “I'll go see him today. He can take my life but I would never let him lay his filthy hands on my daughter just because I owe him money. Reina has been nothing but a sweet child and I know all she wants is to make us proud. We can't do this to our poor child. Dear, if I die, take care of the girls.” My dad said, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke, and I found myself crying at his words. They loved me… They cared about me too. And now he's ready to die just so I don't get taken away by some mafia lord. I couldn't just sit and watch that happen. “Wait.”