Chapter 5
1098 Words
The mansion loomed ahead, its presence even grander up close, like something out of a dream or a nightmare—depending on who you asked.
As we walked down the stone path, the guards at the door straightened in unison, bowing as my grandfather passed. They gave me only a fleeting glance, barely acknowledging me.
He reached the door and stopped and suddenly turned around. The air around him seemed to freeze, the weight of his presence making the silence between us feel thick.
I took a step back.
“Hm,” he muttered, inspecting me as if I were some kind of new possession he was making sure was still in one piece. “As usual, you should know what rules apply. No speaking unless spoken to. Always keep your head down, respect everyone here, but don’t talk too much.” His voice dropped lower, the words final, as if they were the only law that mattered.
I nodded, instinctively doing as I was told. That’s what I had always done. I never questioned it. But today, something felt different. Something about this place, about this whole situation, gnawed at the pit of my stomach.
With another sharp gesture, he dismissed me, and we walked through the grand doors.
The entrance hall was vast, like the inside of a palace, with marble floors that echoed under our footsteps. There was a large marble staircase in the middle of the room and a huge shiny chandelier up above.
We reached the foot of the stairs, and a voice rang out from above—booming, deep, commanding.
“Nicholas!” I looked up at the stylishly dressed elderly man that walked down the stairs with a cane.
My grandfather walked forward to greet the man with a booming laugh. “Vincenzo!” He stepped forward, his broad arms opening wide as he embraced the stranger. They laughed like old friends, like they hadn’t seen each other in years, and I'm wondering who he is now.
I stood there, feeling completely out of place, my eyes lowered as I had been taught, waiting for the two of them to finish their reunion.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, my grandfather turned to me and gestured toward the man who had descended the staircase.
“She’s the one, Vincenzo.” my grandfather said, his voice less warm now, more detached, as if he were handing me off to someone else.
The one? Vin-Vincenzo?
I lifted my head just enough to greet the man properly, my voice quiet as I said, “Pleased to meet you, sir.”
But before I could process what had just happened, Vincenzo’s words hit me like a ton of bricks.
“Ah, is this my daughter-in-law?” he asked, his voice smooth, laced with something I couldn’t quite place. His eyes traveled over me, appraising me in a way that made me want to shrink back, but I held my ground. “She’s as beautiful as you described,” he continued, reaching out to pull me into a hug before I could protest.
The words hit me, and I froze. Daughter-in-law? Did he just call me his *daughter-in-law*?
I barely had time to register it when my grandfather’s voice cut through my shock.
“She’s your daughter-in-law, alright,” my grandfather said, voice rough. “At least that’s what she’ll be if everything works out. But don’t get too attached to her. She’s still under my thumb.”
Vincenzo let go of me, but I could still feel the weight of his gaze on me, like he was measuring me, weighing me, deciding what to do with me.
I wanted to speak, to ask questions, but the rules came rushing back into my mind. Don’t talk too much. Don’t ask questions unless spoken to.
But I couldn’t stop myself. I had to know. I didn't care if the man was standing next to him.
And the man, I started to recognize him. I've never seen him before but I know him.
Vincenzo? Of the Vincenzo mafia.
Heavens, I really am not supposed to be here.
“Grandpa,” I began, my voice small, but still loud enough for him to hear. “What’s going on here? Why are we here? What do you want with me?”
The moment the words left my mouth, I saw my grandfather’s face harden. His eyes narrowed, and the warm, almost affectionate look he had on earlier disappeared.
“We're here for your engagement, Leah.”
No…
“What? How's that—”
“Possible? It is because you owe me,” he said, his tone darker now. “I took you from your mother. That wretched woman.” His voice dropped low, like he was disgusted just thinking about her. “I gave you a life of luxury, of ease. No more working, no more worrying. And now, you will repay me for everything I’ve done for you. You owe me.”
I swallowed hard, trying to hold back the rush of emotion that threatened to spill out. His words, cold and calculating, hit me harder than I expected. The man, he didn't even say anything.
Was he not even surprised that I didn't know about this?
“But why?” I asked, despite myself. “Why me? Why not... someone else?”
“Because I chose uou,” he said bluntly, his eyes locking onto mine, the weight of his words settling over me like a blanket. “Besides, you should be grateful. Look at the amazing family you're marrying into. I have your best interest at heart.”
I felt a surge of panic rising in my chest, I felt like I was going to die.
This people were going to kill me.
The Vincenzo mafia is not something anyone wanted to be affiliated with.
Oh, that's why Olivia—
“Heavens…” I tried to steady myself.
Vincenzo stepped forward again, his voice softening slightly. “Don’t worry, my dear. We’ll take good care of you. You’ll find your place here soon enough.”
But I didn’t know if that was meant to comfort me or simply control me.
I stood there, silently absorbing everything, trying to wrap my mind around what was happening. Don Vincenzo. Don Nicholas. The mafia.
Why was I even involved in this in the first place?
How did my Mom even—
From one mafia to another? Fear upon fear?
“Smile, Leah.” My grandfather said to me and looking at the expression on his face, I immediately did.
- Writer
