The Don's Captive Lover

Façade

The Don's mansion boasted a complex structure, its paths and rooms navigable only by those who had spent a long time within its walls. Each room was heavily guarded, with goons stationed alongside gun production sites hidden in the basement. Beyond the reach of law enforcement, the mansion operated with impunity, facilitating the unrestricted movement and transport of illicit arms.

Now, Ava decided to meet with the Don. Already with information from Emily and Vivian, she crafted a convincing lie to deceive him. Her heels clicked softly on the quiet hallway as she opted for the elevator over the stairs. The stillness of the hallway might deceive one into thinking it was uninhabited, but mistakenly entering a room would be a fatal error.

And not only that, but the tiny cameras instilled in the homes were something again, and motion detectors... The whole devices were to track an intruder and these were part of the design of the multimillion mansion.

Entering the elevator, Ava pressed the UP button, the fifth floor and this was exactly the place she knew Donatello would be in.

The fifth floor was the Don's and hers major setting, as his bedroom and hers as well were located exactly in this floor.

Immediately the elevator ascended, Ava Whispered silent prayers and mostly, one major one and that was her hopes of not getting into the wrong side of the Don, and probably igniting an unknown anger.

Ava had rehearsed her words, but doubts lingered. "I hope this works," she thought aloud, her voice barely above a whisper.

As the elevator doors slid open, she was met by two imposing figures clad in black suits, their faces stern and unyielding. Their aura was devoid of warmth, exuding an air of disciplined professionalism.

"Where is the Don?" Ava asked the first guard.

"He's in the gym," came the curt reply.

Ava nodded briefly, her "thank you" barely audible. She walked towards the gym, her heels clicking on the marble floor. The room was nearby, and she approached the open door with caution. Her heart should have been racing, but instead, it felt eerily still, as if frozen from an unknown suspension.

She pushed her head towards the opened door, and she saw no one.

The gym itself was larger than her room back when she was living her normal life, and with how wide the gym is, Ava knew much than standing there would bring her no good, than to remain staring at the blank space.

She carefully stepped in, the prayers still ringing in her head as she came closer towards a Man after few steps.

It was the Don.

He exercise focused on dumbbells and his gaze was directly facing a wide TV displaying some news.

At this point, although she knew she could just yell out his name at a risk of death, but, there was something strange about this setting.

His facial expression was one which showed stress rather than anger.

Ava actually her mind wasn't on his facial expression but his physique.

The Don's rugged, chiseled body, honed from years of discipline, caught her off guard.

Ava couldn't help but stare, transfixed by the Don's chiseled physique. His shirtless torso showcased defined muscles, and her gaze lingered on the tight abs. For a moment, she forgot about his reputation and arrogance, imagining what it would be like if he were different. But reality snapped her back.

"Are you going to stare at me all day?" Donatello's sudden question caught her off guard, and Ava quickly composed herself. She hadn't realized he'd noticed her entrance, given her stealthy movements.

Opting for honesty, Ava replied, "You have a good physique—"

The Don's response raised an eyebrow. "Did you ever wonder that mine would be as lanky as spaghetti?" His words, spoken with amusement and self-deprecation, surprised her.

Ava pondered, "Is that a joke or a genuine question?" The Don's tone was indecipherable, except when his piercing gaze froze someone in place. She opted for simplicity, and replied. "Nope."

The Don dropped the dumbbell, his expression unreadable. "I thought as much." He turner and walked towards her, and Ava instinctively stepped back. His imposing height triggered a familiar sense of oppression, reinforcing his intimidating reputation.

As he approached, Ava continued retreating until her back touched the wall. She turned to face the wall, attempting to break the intense gaze. But when she turned back, she found herself face-to-face with the Don, his proximity unsettling.

".... What do you want?" Ava asked, her voice louder than ever, as the Don's hands reached her face.

She closed her eyes, bracing for impact, but when she opened them, a smirk greeted her.

"You're always acting tough, but you're just a whimpering baby!" The Don's words sounded with sarcasm as his fingers grazed her cheeks, sending shivers down her spine.

Their gazes locked in a silent standoff, time losing meaning. Finally, the Don broke the silence.

"You walked into my office this morning," he began, his words sending her heart racing. "And demanded a divorce? Why do you want a divorce, I ask you? You yelled at me to sign it! Did you truly think I would?"

Ava took a deep breath, sensing something amiss. The Don's uncharacteristic calmness raised her guard.

"Yes!" she spat back, her voice firm. "You thought I wouldn't ask you to sign the papers? You should have, but you didn't. I want to escape you, live my life, and find happiness without you!"

Donatello's expression transformed into a playful, worried stare, his voice laced with mock concern. "You really want to leave me alone in this chaotic world, amidst this operation of madness and sorrow?"

Ava frowned, incredulously. "What's wrong with you, Morano Donatello? This isn't a child's game. Snap back to reality!"

Her words were spoken with disdain. "You know I won't fall for this, and you know I want to leave this place – and you."

Suddenly, the Don's demeanor shifted, his eyes flashing a deadly glare.

Ava's heart skipped a thousand beats as the Don's glare pierced her soul and eyes. She remembered why she feared him.

He removed his hands from her cheeks and placed them on the wall beside her neck, making her feel tiny. His eyes spoke of death, not life.

"Watch your tongue, woman." It was his only warning before walking away, returning to the dumbbell he'd dropped.

Ava stood in shock, legs unstable, heart racing erratically. She knew to tread carefully around this man.

As she turned to leave, his words halted her.

"We're attending a dinner party tonight."

Confused, she asked, "A Dinner Party?."

The Don nodded, then faced her, ".... I thought that's why you went shopping?."

Ava's eyes went wide opened. She had totally forgot why she actually came here in the first place, and that's to tell him about the lie about her not coming early.

".... Oh.... I actually went to look at this beautiful red gown... I mean black gown. But, I didn't bring alongside my credit card—"

"How would you?" He asked, "... How would you remember to bring your credit card when all you wanted to do was sign a divorce?!."

Ava cleared her throat trying to compose herself, "... I.. actually wanted to get the gown. But, I didn't and the—"

"Describe the gown's design."

This sudden question from him, Made Ava's heart beat increase. Definitely, if not for something or two, she could have long died from her heartbeats.

Ava fabricated a description, "It's a black gown with an open-strapped back and a slit. It has a turtle neck and gloved sleeves, and it comes with amazing shoes."

Donatello's gaze narrowed. "How much?"

Ava's mind raced. She hadn't anticipated this question. "Twenty-four thousand dollars," she blurted.

Donatello nodded thoughtfully. "Did you plan on buying it?"

Ava hastily nodded. "Yes, I did. Actually, I did..."

Donatello's next words made her knees weaken. "Okay. Now, leave."

Ava's relief was obvious, but her confusion lingered.

Nevertheless, She walked away.