Chapter 2
1505 Words
Chapter Two
THE DEAL
~MATTEO~
Debt? All I could think was how much I detested debtors. If you’re planning on checking out of this life, the least you could do is settle your damn debts before meeting your maker.
I fiddled with the cigarettes in my fingers, running a hand through my hair as the tranquility of the morning was shattered by my latest acquisition.
“No, no, Uncle! I don’t want to go!” My latest bride-to-be pleaded as my men dragged her toward the waiting car.
“Matteo, this isn’t right! You promised to give me more time!” Edoardo protested, his gaze flitting between me and his struggling niece.
Romano, Edoardo's brother, had borrowed a substantial sum from me to launch his business, which ended abruptly with his unforeseen death.
I had been generous enough to allow the family time to grieve before expecting repayment. Some would say I was too lenient. But kindness only goes so far in this world, and I wasn't in the business of charity.
I took a long drag from my cigarette, the smoke curling up into the crisp morning air, mingling with the smell of the damp earth.
I could see the desperation in Edoardo's eyes, a blend of anger and fear, but I didn’t care.
“Your brother borrowed money, Edoardo. The money I expect to be returned. This arrangement is not negotiable,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.
“Please, Matteo. She’s just a child!” Edoardo protested, his voice trembling with emotion. “She didn't ask for this.”
“No, but her father did,” I replied coldly, flicking the ash into the grass at my feet. “Romano made a deal he couldn’t keep. Now, someone else is accountable.”
My men continued to drag Edaordo’s niece, a scared look plastered on her face as tears streamed down her cheeks. She was barely twenty, and I felt a twinge of regret for being the one to rip her from everything she knew.
But my business wasn’t built on pity; it thrived on consequences.
“Think of this as an opportunity for her, Edoardo. Not just a debt to be paid, but a chance to elevate her status. This isn’t punishment—this is survival in our world.”
Edoardo’s face twisted at my words, rage brewing within him, but he knew better than to lash out. He was cornered, just as I intended.
“Edoardo do something” his wife's voice filled the air, causing me to smirk.
“Let her go,” he finally managed to choke out, desperation raw in his voice. “She’s not a bargaining chip.”
“No, but she is a part of the agreement now,” I said, turning away and taking another drag on my cigarette. It's just business, I told myself, just business.
The car door slammed shut behind Edaordo’s niece, and as it pulled away, I felt a sense of finality wash over me. I crushed the cigarette under my foot and watched the clouds begin to gather above; maybe today wouldn’t be so calm after all.
With every decision I made, the world around me became a little darker, and I knew that one day, the shadows would come knocking at my door.
The drive back to my estate was punctuated by her relentless sobbing; it felt as if my new bride were intent on robbing me of my hearing. Nico’s eyes flicked to me in the rearview mirror.
“Are you going to cry the whole ride?” I asked, my tone icy, not caring in the slightest if she chose to weep until the world ended.
She didn’t respond, lost in her tears as she stared out the window. I turned to truly examine her for the first time. She was young—probably no older than eighteen, I guessed.
Her face was framed by dark, curly hair that continually swept behind her ear, her wide brown eyes flickering with both fear and defiance.
I couldn't help but notice her delicate features, marred only by the tear tracks etched into her cheeks.
She was a pretty girl, one who might have enjoyed laughter and love if she hadn't been yanked into this grim saga.
“Look, you can't cling to your past forever,” I finally said, my voice softer than before, though the edge of ruthlessness remained.
“You are going to learn to adapt. This life…it’s different from what you've known. Just play along and don't get on my nerves, you have a chance to make something out of it.”
She turned her head sharply, her voice barely a whisper, “I don't want this chance. I want to go home”
“Home?” I scoffed, shaking my head as I leaned against the seat. “Your home was torn down by your father and uncle's failures, and now you are part of the solution. It is how the world operates. The debts owed by your family fall on your shoulders, whether you like it or not.”
The suspense in the car hung thickly as we drove past the sprawling estates that marked the ridge between my world and the one she had unknowingly left behind.
In a way, I envied her innocence, but I also realized the futility of her predicament.
“Why are you doing this?” she suddenly asked, her voice stronger, infused with a spark of audacity. “How can you just take someone’s life like this?”
I leaned forward, meeting her gaze In the mirror, my expression hardening. “I’m not taking your life; I’m giving you a new one. One that’s more suited to the reality of our family’s business. You are going to be educated, and trained. You might even succeed if you play your cards right.”
“Succeed?” she chuckled darkly, hate coloring her words. “You think I’ll be grateful once I’m part of your world? A pawn in whatever sick game you’re playing?”
“Sick game?” I chuckled amusement flickering within me. “You see, it's not a game at all, sweetheart. It's a transaction, pure and simple.”
“You think my life is sick? Have you seen the lives of those who don't fit in, those who refuse to play? Do you think your tears will change a damn thing when you’ll be forced to grow up in a world ruled by power and debt? Adjust or die… those are your options.”
Her face fell, a wave of realization washing over her as she considered my words.
A satisfied grin spread across my lips as I realized I had struck a nerve. It wasn't just about money; it was about her survival, something that too many people ignored until it was too late.
I wasn't kind, but I wasn't cruel for cruelty's sake, for every sacrifice there is a price.
The car pulled into my estate, where sprawling Gardens met stone walls that looked like they hadn't just been built but forged in forgotten battles.
I stepped out, gesturing for her to follow, she hesitated before she finally emerged from the car.
“Welcome home, love” I stated, watching her take In the majesty of my world, the denial of beauty and danger echoing deeply in the air.
“You will learn to adapt to this place, and soon you won’t crave the life you left behind”
The large front door swung open, and I walked in, her footstep hesitant behind me. Each room was meticulously decorated, but as I walked through the halls, I didn't feel the warmth of calm that they might result in.
“Here,” I said, guiding her towards the eastern wing, where the guest suits were. I stopped at the door of one of the rooms and opened it.
“This is yours”
I stepped aside, allowing her to enter. She looks around the space. Her expression shifted from doubt to the reality of her new life.
It was luxurious and cold, yet I knew she would learn to make it her own. “Get settled. You will have company soon—a tutor. I expect you to learn quickly. There's a lot at stake, and from now on, you are no longer a girl to me; you are my bride-to-be.”
She turned, her hate for me obvious. “I may have no choice in this, but I won't sell myself to your world, I will fight you every step of the way”
I smirk, appreciating her spirit as I closed the door behind her. “Wonderful. I'll enjoy that challenge. Survival in my world, then, may prove to be a little more exciting than I expected.”
As I walked away, her words echoing in my mind, I couldn't help but feel intrigued.
This could indeed be entertaining, and perhaps, there was more to her than I’d initially realized.
- Writer
