CHAPTER 5: NINE HOURS
1332 Words
The door closed behind Alessandro Bellini, and the room went silent.
I looked at my father, waiting for him to fill in the gaps. But instead, he forced a smile, though his hands were clearly shaking. “Don't worry, pumpkin, it’s nothing, just business.”
“Business?” I frowned. “Men like that don't come here for business. Dad, who is he, and what does he want?”
“I told you it’s nothing,” he said quickly. “You should go to work. Why are you back early?”
“I came to pick up my uniform. I forgot it in a hurry this morning.”
“Then you should hurry," he replied, trying to change the subject.
‘’Dad—”
“Elena,” he said, clearly avoiding the issue. “You’re going to be late.”
“We’ll talk when I'm back?” Concern written on my face.
“Yeah, yeah, now run along, pumpkin." He walked over to me, taking my hands in his. “It's going to be fine,” he said gently, patting my cheek.
I studied his face, noticing his hesitation to look at me directly. But I knew my father. When he used that tone, I knew there was no convincing him, so instead I forced a small smile.
“Okay, Daddy…”
Relief spreads across his face. “Have a nice day at work, pumpkin,” he said as he disappeared inside.
I picked up my uniform and her bag, hesitated for a moment, then left for work.
Nine hours later…
The entire day, I couldn't focus. My mind kept drifting back to that morning. I had made mistakes, forgotten orders, dropped a tray once, and apologized to my boss several times.
My mind kept drifting back to his statement: You have nine hours left.
Nine hours for what? I wondered.
I got off at my bus stop after my shift ended in the evening. and walked back toward my apartment, my bag hanging over her shoulder, and my mind still heavy with worry.
I turned the corner of my street and then stopped.
There were five cars parked in front of the building. All black, all expensive. All with unique plates.
My heart began to race.
I looked up at the building, a bad feeling creeping into my chest. The street was quiet, but the air felt different, like something was about to happen.
Slowly, I walked forward, my steps getting closer. The front door was open.
My pulse kept pounding as I walked inside.
And he was there again, this time… Sitting. Waiting
Alessandro looked up at me, his expression calm like a man who didn't need to speak to command the room.
I turned to my father. His face was pale, his eyes tired. Two men held his arms. There were visible bruises on his face.
"Dad…?" I said, rushing to his side, but another man blocked my path.
“His eyes couldn't meet mine. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
I felt my stomach drop. My heart broke at the sight before me.
I turned slowly, facing Alessandro. “What are you doing to my father? Who are you?”
He just stood, adjusting his cufflinks. “I am Alessandro Bellini,” he said calmly, "and your nine hours are over.”
“What nine hours? What's this about?”
He looked at me, his eyes steady, unreadable.
“Your father’s life... or your freedom."
I stared at him, trying to understand what he meant.
Alessandro reached into his pocket and placed a document on the table. "A marriage contract,” he said. "Sign it, and your father's debt disappears.”
I looked at the papers, then at my father, then back at him. “What marriage? What debt? What are you talking about??”
“Ah, I see he hasn't told you.” A slight smile appeared on his face. "Your father owes me money.”
“How much?” I asked.
"Elena, please—” my father tried to interrupt.
“How much?” I repeated.
Alessandro answered, “Twenty million dollars."
Tension fell over the room.
I felt the world tilt slightly. I looked at my father in shock. “Dad… tell me that’s not true."
My father swallowed hard, lost for words. “I lost at the casino... I thought... I thought I could win it back... but... but I couldn't..."
I looked back at Alessandro, anger rising in my chest. "So this is about money? You came here to beat an old man over money?”
“I came to collect what I’m owed," he said calmly. "The payment is due tonight.”
"How... how are we to get it tonight??”
“That's where you come in.” He gestured to the document. “Sign it," he said, "and your father’s debt disappears.”
I let out a sarcastic laugh. "You're joking."
“I never joke about business,” Alessandro replied
"You're insane..." my voice shaking despite my attempt to stay strong. “You think I’ll agree to that? I’m not something that you can trade."
His smirk returned slightly. “If you bring me twenty million dollars before midnight, then this ends.”
He knew I couldn't. He was toying with me.
“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, trying to project a strong, confident outlook while my heart was beating so fast.
His eyes held mine. "You should be."
That night, I learned exactly why.
He gestured to his men holding my father, and they dragged him outside.
My dad looked weak and could only mutter, “I'm sorry, pumpkin. I’m really sorry," as they dragged him away.
I ran after them, my heart pounding and my mind refusing to accept what was happening. The street was dark and quiet. All I could see was my father.
"Stop... stop...!" I shouted, panic flooding my chest.
The street was dark and nearly empty.
"Please... Please, I need more time,” I begged.
Alessandro stood a few feet away, watching like a king watching a performance, watching his prey.
He nodded slightly. And then his men began hitting him.
I screamed, "STOP!... STOP!!... Please stop."
But Alessandro stayed still. He didn't say anything or look angry, he just watched, like it was normal. Like this was a usual routine.
“Please!” I cried, grabbing his arm. "He's my father!”
‘‘You still have a choice, Elena.''
At that minute, I realized something.
He wasn't doing this because of the money. He was doing this because he knew this would break me.
“Please,” I whispered, my voice breaking, “please stop…”
He looked at me, then gestured. The men stopped immediately. Silence fell over the street; only my father's weak groans could be heard.
My chest heaved as I looked at Alessandro, tears rolling down my face.
What would it be, Elena? ” Alessandro said.
He wasn’t bluffing
“I’ll do it… I’ll sign it," I whispered.
“I didn't hear you.”
“I WILL MARRY YOU, ALESSANDRO!”
He studied for a moment. Then he nodded once
“That’s a good girl.”
Those words felt like chains wrapping around my wrists.
He gestured toward his men, and they released my dad. I ran to my father, tears gushing from my eyes. He looked beaten and broken.
“A doctor is on the way,” Alessandro said, adjusting his suit. “He’ll be fine. I made sure no bones were broken.”
“You are cruel,” my voice trembled, and then I screamed, “YOU’RE A MONSTER!”
“This is me being lenient, darling,” he said, walking toward his car. His driver opened the door for him.
Before getting in, he paused without turning back.
“My men will pick you up tomorrow."
Then, he entered his car, and the line of black cars drove off, leaving only stillness behind.
- Writer
