To Ruin a Don

Secret passage

_Aria’s POV_

I let out a groan as I opened my eyes, hands stretched in front it me as I tried to cover the rays of the sun from rendering me blind.

My head hurt badly, a terrible migraine threatening to end me.

Last nights events replayed in my head and I gritted my teeth, fisting the bedsheet under me.

He had forced me to count while he whipped me, each time I missed a number, he would hit me again.

My entire body was sore from his cruelty, my knees were hurting and bruised after he forced me to crawl after him.

I let out a scream, my fingers digging into my flesh.

“I hate him. I hate him so much!” I screamed out, eyes closed tightly as I tried to shut out the humiliating memories of what had happened.

“What isn't father coming to get me? Why haven't they come to save me? I have been here for days.” I cried out, feeling hot tears rushing to my eyes.

“I hate it here! I don’t want to be here anymore!!” I screamed out, the tears finally falling freely.

“I don’t want to be here anymore. Please, Dad.” I cried, choking.

Doesn’t he care about me anymore?

It’s not funny anymore. It’s not fun. I want to go home.

It’s been a few days already. Did he forget about me? Of course, he didn’t. He is searching for me now.

But why hasn't he found me yet!!

I bawled my eyes out for what seemed to be hours.

I didn’t know how long I sat on the bed for, but the tears kept coming and I didn't stop them.

Someone knocks on the door and my eyes snap to it.

“Go away!” I screamed, throwing a pillow towards the door.

It lands on the door with a soft thud and then falls to the floor.

It’s obviously going to be Dante. I didn’t want to see him.

I hated him so much.

Why did he have to kidnap me for his stupid revenge mission?

What do I have to do with anything?

After a few minutes of silence, I thought whoever was on the other side had left but then the door handle turned slowly, and the door swung open.

I expected to see Dante with that stupid smug look on his face.

The door opened, to reveal a smallish looking girl, shr had on a maids outfit with her blond hair tied into a ponytail.

I sat there with a tear-stained face staring at her confused.

Who was she?

The maid stood outside awkwardly, a tray in her hand. She looked like she wasn’t sure if she should walk in or not.

After a few moments of awkward silence. She slowly walked into the room and shut the door.

I watched her as she placed the tray on the table and then turned to me.

She looks at me with pity in her eyes, confusion written on her face.

Her mouth opened and closed like she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure.

And then…

“Are you okay?” She asked finally, fiddling with her fingers.

“I feel jiffy.” I hissed sarcastically, rolling my eyes. “Why do you think?” I growled out, sniffling.

I had tears on my face with snot running down my nose and she thought to ask thay?

She winced like I had physically hurt her, nodding her head.

“Right…” shr trialed off.

If she didn’t have anything to say, I suggest she leave.

“I am sorry about that. I think everything would be fi-“

Before she completes her sentence I'll put her off. “I suggest you don't complete that. I was kidnapped. Miles away from home. I haven’t eaten a proper meal in days. My entire body hurts because he treated me like a f*****g dog!” My voice rose with each sentence I said.

“So sont come here and tell me everything eould be fine. Because I DO NOT THINK IT WOULD! What do you know of my situation to tell me everything would be fine!” I practically screamed at her, glaring hard.

My chest rose and fell rapidly, anger coursing through my veins.

“I’ve been here since I was seven…” she started and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

Here comes the pitiful story.

Sorry, not sorry. I didn’t feel any form of pity towards her. I can’t afford that in a situation like this.

I just want to leave here.

“I started working here to pay off my parents' debts, so I practically grew up here.”

She… grew up here?

This might just be what I needed.

Wiping my tears furiously, I pushed towards her.

“Do you know everything about Dante and this estate?” I asked and I saw the fear that crossed her face immediately.

“I was asked to bring you food. The Don said to force it down your throat if you refuse to eat.”

She was trying to change the topic.

My eyes flickered to the food on the table and I saw whatever tiny bit of appetite I had disappear.

“I would eat. IF you tell me what you know…” I tried to bargain. I need to get whatever information I could about everything.

If I was going to escape, it was going to be with this.

She looked like she was trying to make a decision and then finally she nodded.

“Deal.”

She brought the food and brought it in front of me and I almost scrunched my face in disgust.

It’s fine… I needed all the strength I could get if I wanted to escape.

I forced myself to eat the food, one spoonful after the other.

It rushed back up my throat but I slammed my hand on my mouth, forcing it back down.

The girl looked both concerned and happy at the same time as she watched me force myself to eat.

When the plate was finally empty, I pushed it away.

“Tell me about Dante!” I said, staring at her.

Her gaze went to the door and she looked like she was struggling with herself.

“It’s fine. Just basic things. You said you grew up here right? What was it like?”

Her eyes instantly shone when I mentioned her growing up here.

“It wasn’t bad to be honest, Dante is a really nice person.”

Yeah sure, because putting a seven year old into labour is ‘nice.’

“I had an almost regular childhood…” she started and rhat was how I listened to her talk dor the next ten minutes.

“… and then it was a secret pa-“

My eyes widened, my attention finally hundred percent on her.

Secret passage? She was definitely going to say secret passage right now

Wasn't she?

Her eyes were open in shock and she shook her head. “I meant secret pattern…” she tried to correct but she wasn’t having me fooled.

“Where is the secret passage way?” I asked, pushing up from where I say and stalking towards her.

“I-I didn't say secret passage. It was a mistake. There is no secret passage.”

Lies.

“Please. I need to know. I need to leave here. If I’m caught, I would just say I had happened to stumble Olin it. I won’t mention you. You have to help me..” I pleaded.

She bit into her bottom lip, like she was considering it.

Please… please..

She opened her mouth, a sound coming out.

Before she would speak, the door burst open and Dante strutted into the room.