Her Ruthless Grand-Father: A Mafia Boss

Chapter 4

“Knock, Knock, open up.”

I looked up from the book in my hand and my eyes instinctively went to the clock by my bed. It was evening, almost dinner time.

Was…was that grandfather?

That thought alone made me get up from my bed , smoothing my hands over the folds of my dress and moving to the door. When I opened the door, I was met with the last people I expected: Olivia and Alessia.

Both of their faces were stretched into wide smiles, too wide, too eager. The sight sent a chill crawling down my spine, and I couldn’t help but feel a tight knot of dread in my stomach.

“What—”

“Here,” Olivia said, holding out a large, heavy box between them and immediately shoving it into my arms. Her voice was sharp, sweet even, but there was something too sugary about it. Too fake.

“What’s this?” I looked down at it. Was it a prank or something? Maybe another exploding box like last year.

I immediately regretted opening the box and even the door but It wasn’t like I could turn them away now, there was something about the way they looked at me, like they were waiting for me to open it and weren't going to leave.

Alessia leaned against the doorframe, her eyes glimmering in a way I didn’t trust. “It’s for you, Leah. A little gift from Grandpa.”

“Grandpa?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow, suddenly wary but a little calm. So, not a prank bomb. “What’s in it?”

Olivia’s grin only grew wider. “A surprise. You’ll see.”

I glanced at Alessia, but she was only watching me with a strange sort of calm. It was unnerving, and I had a nagging suspicion that something was wrong. Still, I turned the box, my hands trembling slightly, and pulled open the lid. Inside was a beautiful dark blue dinner dress, silk and shimmering under the light. The fabric was luxurious, unlike anything I’d ever worn or owned. The dress would have fit perfectly for a gala, not that I’d ever been to one. I dropped the box as I held it up.

I looked up at them. “This is beautiful, what’s this for?”

Olivia clapped her hands together, her eyes practically dancing with glee. “It’s for tonight, of course! Grandpa’s taking you to a party. Don’t you love it?”

I looked at them, “You…you know about that?”

“Duhhh.”

Alessia gave a sharp, cold smile. “You’ll finally fit in. Just don’t get too comfortable. You won’t be here much longer.”

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. The words hit me like a slap in the face. Out of here? Out of their lives? What did that mean? They were both standing there, watching me with gleaming, predatory eyes, as if they were savoring the moment.

“Wait, where am I going? What kind of party is this?”

But they wouldn't tell me. They just continued with their taunts

Olivia’s voice, smooth as honey, broke the silence. “Can’t wait for you to leave, Leah. This house is much more peaceful without you around. You’re a disruption to everything we’ve worked for.”

I felt my face flush, my fingers gripping the edge of the box. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, ” I muttered, but my words felt hollow. “Leave to where?”

Alessia’s smirk deepened. “Oh, we know. Don’t worry. You’ll be out of here, soon enough. We’ll be rid of you.”

Olivia giggled, and they both turned to leave without another word. Just before they were out the door, Alessia’s voice lingered, sharp as ever. “Finally, you’ll be out of here and out of our lives.”

The door slammed behind them, and I stood there, staring at the empty hallway, the weight of their words hanging in the air. I felt numb, the dress in my hands suddenly too heavy to hold, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it all meant. Was I being thrown out?

What was Grandpa’s doing? What were they all planning?

Shaking off the anxiety creeping up on me, I looked down at the dress. It was stunning. Too stunning for someone like me.

I exhaled, trying to steady myself. No time to dwell on it now. Whatever was going on, I had to go along with it. For now. I had no other choice.

I stripped off the dress I had been wearing, tossing it to the side, and stepped into the bathroom to change. The bathroom was modest but clean, white tiles surrounding me with their soft, familiar comfort. I hung the dress on the hook behind the door, then slipped into the new gown. The fabric was cool against my skin, flowing gracefully around my legs as I stood in front of the mirror.

The dress was a perfect fit, hugging my body in all the right places, but it was still too fancy. Too much for someone like me.

I pushed the thoughts aside and twisted my hair into a tight, neat bun. The soft strands of red felt heavy as I pulled them back, securing them with pins and making sure every strand was in place. When I was done, I looked in the mirror again. The girl looking back at me seemed so distant, almost like I was looking at someone else. Someone who didn’t belong here.

But there was no time for doubt. Not now.

I grabbed the silver shoes that came with the dress and slipped them on, the soft click of my heels echoing in the empty room. They were a perfect match for the dress, and as I descended the stairs, I felt the weight of every step. I was more aware of my body than ever before, the dress almost too tight against my skin. The house seemed to be holding its breath. I tried to ignore looks I got from the maids that went by and some of my aunts and the ugly smiles on Olivia and Alessia's faces.

A limo was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs when I reached the front door. One of the staff opened the door for me, and I stepped inside without a word, my heart beating louder than it should. Grandpa was already seated inside, his attention on his phone. He barely acknowledged me as I climbed in, the door shutting behind me with a soft click.

The car ride was silent, the hum of the engine the only sound between us. Grandpa didn’t seem to care about my presence, his eyes glued to the screen, his fingers tapping away. I wanted to ask him where we were going, but I knew better. He wouldn’t answer.

So I just swallowed my anxiousness.

The streets passed by in a blur, the city lights growing distant, swallowed up by the darkness. Soon, the car veered off the main road, heading into an area that felt too secluded, too far from anything I knew. The trees seemed to grow taller, the road narrowing as we drove further into the unknown.

Finally, the car came to a stop, and I couldn’t help but glance at Grandpa. He didn’t look up from his phone. The door opened for me, and I stepped out, my heels clicking against the cold pavement. The place in front of me was enormous. A mansion, or perhaps something even grander than that. It was tucked away behind high stone walls, a secluded estate surrounded by gardens and lights that dotted the landscape.

I glanced back at Grandpa, but he was already heading toward the front door, his footsteps slow and deliberate. I followed, my heart racing in my chest. This wasn’t just a party. Something about it felt wrong.

I had no idea what to expect next. And for the first time in a long while, I really contemplated running away this very instant.