The DeLuca’s Obsession

The Devil’s Payroll

Eliana’s POV

They say curiosity kills the cat. My curiosity might get me killed, but I won’t wait for death. I’ll keep my head up and be brave.

Who am I kidding? I’m not brave. I screamed inside, fumbling for my phone, fingers trembling.

‘ I am calling the police?’ I said again, maybe to frighten him

Dominic’s right-hand man stepped forward, his hand twitching towards me, about to collect my phone, when Dominic yelled.

‘Don’t’

Dominic smirked and said, 'I am intrigued to see where this will go,' and his man stepped back, like a soldier following his command.

Dominic, on the other hand, folded his arms across his chest, looking completely unbothered.

Dominic said, 'What are you waiting for? Go on, call them,' repeating those daring words.

I didn’t move; my heart raced, impossible to control or describe.

Then he moved closer again, this time 5 feet from me, leaning against the back of the chair.

Dominic asked, "You really don’t remember me?" I frowned in confusion.

‘’Oh, I see what he is doing, he is nitpicking for information about last night.’’

I said, 'I don’t remember you, and I will call the police,' hoping the threat would send him on his way.

‘ What a fool you are, Eliana.’’

But he still had that stupid smirk on his face.

Dominic murmured, 'I love how intrigued I am with you,' his eyes trailing over me, making me super uncomfortable.

So I swallowed hard, pushed back my fears and called the police.

Struggling to keep my voice steady, I said, 'Yes. My name is Eliana Reyes. I live at 4123 District downtown, flat D14, and there is an unknown man in my apartment. Please send help now.'

I cut the phone off and looked at Dominic with a smirk, like, yeah, I have won this round—hoping for any sign of fear or that he was ready to leave. But Dominic didn’t move; his smirk never faltered, not even a twitch to say that I got to him.

Dominic leaned back, voice low. 'You intrigue me...Eliana.'

Minutes passed, Dominic went back to his seat, eating more of my cookies, his man even serving him a glass of milk from my fridge. Neither of us spoke. He just smiled at me from time to time.

Then a knock came.

The police shouted from behind the door, 'Police! Open up.'

I rushed to the door, almost collapsing with relief. I thought it was over, that he'd be arrested and questioned like they should have done.

But as two uniformed officers rushed in, guns pointed, and saw Dominic, everything changed.

Their movement slowed, and their hands dropped from their holster,

One of them, the taller one with a scar on his cheek, gave Dominic a sharp nod, like they knew each other.

The officer said, "Good evening, Mr Deluca." Dominic smirked, glancing at me.

Dominic responded, 'How are you doing today, officers?'

I was confused; they were here to arrest him, not share pleasantries.

I shouted, 'He is the one I reported yesterday who murdered a man. Arrest him already!'

Suddenly, they all started laughing, making me feel like the joke in their story.

‘’f**k, I should have known,’’ I blinked

The second officer fixed me with a calm, taunting look. "Ms, are you sure there is a problem here?" he asked.

I stared at him in disbelief. Then Dominic stepped forward, wrapping his arm around my waist, his voice cool and smooth.

Dominic said with his voice calm and smooth, his arm around my waist, 'Officers, forgive my girlfriend, we had a fight, and she is just spiralling. I have no idea why she felt the need to involve you. Come on, couples fight all the time, you know what I am saying, right?'

The taller officer chuckled. 'So, Mr Deluca... you have a girlfriend, and the whole city doesn’t know?'

Dominic smiled and said, 'Fiancée, actually. Yes, we wanted to keep it under wraps until the big announcement—mostly for her safety. You know, I don't want anything happening to her.'

Fiancée? I wanted to protest, but Dominic’s grip tightened, making the room spin.

The second officer grinned, elbowed his partner, and said, "Well, half the city will be heartbroken with this news."

They laughed.

‘What is happening?’

They all laughed like it was some kind of inside joke I couldn’t understand. Then, without breaking his smile, Dominic snapped his fingers, and from behind, his man handed two thick bundles of cash to the officers.

Dominic drawled, 'For your troubles,' so casually, like he was tipping the valet.