CROWNED BY THE MAFIA KING

Chapter 4 – The Game Begins

The air inside the CEO’s office still felt heavy after Leonardo’s last words. Selena stood stiffly, her fingers tangled together, trying to hold back her racing heartbeat.

“Personal secretary… day and night?” she repeated softly, as if making sure she hadn’t misheard. Her voice almost trembled.

Leonardo didn’t answer right away. He just stared at her sharply, watching every change on her face, before turning toward his desk. His calm hand reached for a glass of red wine that had already been prepared.

“You didn’t hear wrong,” he finally said, his tone relaxed, as if talking about the weather. He lifted the glass slightly before taking a sip. “From this moment, you’re not just a staff anymore. You belong to me—in work.”

Selena swallowed hard. The word belong echoed in her ears, setting off alarms in her head.

“B-belong to you?” she whispered to herself, then dared to speak louder. “I… I don’t quite understand what you mean, Sir.”

Leonardo leaned back in his chair, giving her a quick glance. His thin, mysterious smile looked like someone enjoying a game.

“You’ll understand soon,” he said lightly, placing the glass back on the table. “Now go home. We’ll start tomorrow.”

Selena bit her lower lip. “Start tomorrow… what? What does it mean to be a personal secretary day and night? Is this still a normal job? Or could it be—” her thoughts ran wild in panic.

She opened her mouth to protest. “But Sir, I—”

Leonardo suddenly raised his hand, stopping her words. “No buts, Selena. I’ve decided.” His voice was calm yet full of authority, like a law that couldn’t be changed.

Selena froze, then let out a heavy sigh. “(Why do I always lose when talking to him? I was just about to argue, and he cut me off again. Ugh! Arrogant man!)” she complained in her head, her face tightening with annoyance.

In the end, she only bowed her head slightly, then turned and walked out.

The moment the door closed behind her, all her strength seemed to vanish. She leaned against the hallway wall, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

“What is this?” she whispered to herself, half panicked and half exhausted. “What does he mean by personal secretary ‘day and night’? Daytime… I can accept, that’s normal work. But night? Night?! Is he crazy?!”

Selena covered her face with both hands. “(Oh my God, Selena… why can’t you stop arguing with him? And why does he push you harder instead of firing you? What does that man really want?)”

The next morning, Selena arrived early, hoping to calm herself before Leonardo showed up. But her plan was ruined instantly.

“Selena, come to my office. Now.” His deep voice came through the intercom.

It was only eight o’clock sharp. Leonardo hadn’t even had coffee yet, but he was already calling her.

She took a deep breath before stepping inside. “How can I help you, Sir?”

Leonardo sat in his suit, flipping through some files. Without looking at her, he said, “Bring me a black pen.”

Selena blinked. “A black pen? But… it’s right in front of you, Sir.” She pointed to the desk.

Leonardo finally looked up, his eyes cold on purpose. “Do you think I didn’t know that?”

Selena sighed in frustration. “Then why call me?”

That faint smile appeared. “To see how patient you are.”

“Seriously?” Selena almost exploded. “Sir, I already have plenty of work without—”

“Too much talking,” Leonardo cut her off, clearly enjoying her annoyed expression. “Now sit. Write down what I say.”

Selena grabbed her notebook and sat on the guest chair. But only a few seconds after Leonardo started speaking, she realized something.

“Excuse me, Sir… but everything you just mentioned is already written in the schedule for next week’s meeting,” she said, flipping the pages.

Leonardo leaned back in his chair, studying her like she was a piece of art. “Interesting. So you really pay attention to details.”

Selena crossed her arms. “Of course. That’s my job.”

“It’s not just your job,” Leonardo smirked. “It’s also… our game.”

By noon, the office was noisier than usual. The sound of keyboards clacking mixed with ringing phones, quick chats between staff, and footsteps going in and out of meeting rooms.

Selena sat at her desk, eyes focused on the laptop screen, her fingers moving quickly across the keyboard. “Okay, almost done with the report… just need the last table, then send it to Mr. Leonardo’s email. Finally, I can breathe a little,” she thought.

Suddenly—

Beep! Brrzz! The common printer in the corner started running loudly.

Selena looked up, frowning. “Huh? I didn’t print anything…” Curiosity made her stand and walk quickly to the printer.

The moment she grabbed the first

page, her eyes widened.

Her face instantly turned pale.

“Oh God…” she whispered in panic. Her hands reflexively grabbed the next stack of papers in a rush, clutching them tightly to her chest like someone caught red-handed committing a crime.

(Oh my God, why did it come out here?! Wasn’t I supposed to print it in the boss’s office?! Ugh, Selena! So careless!)

She darted her eyes left and right, making sure no other staff had seen the contents. Her heart was pounding wildly.

(If anyone reads this, I’m done for. I could get fired today!)

But before she could breathe in relief, a deep voice came from behind.

“What are you hiding, Selena?”

Selena’s body froze. She closed her eyes for a split second before slowly turning around. And there he was—Leonardo. His tall, imposing figure cast a heavy shadow, both hands in his trouser pockets, his sharp gaze piercing through her. Yet at the corner of his lips, a faint smile played—one that only made Selena even more frantic.

“I-I… I was just—” her voice cracked.

Leonardo raised a brow and stepped closer. “Providing free entertainment for all the staff with confidential documents?” he cut in coldly.

Selena’s face burned. She shook her head rapidly, stumbling over her words. “N-no! It was an accident! I clicked the wrong print button… I swear I didn’t mean—”

Her grip on the papers tightened even more, as if she were shielding a baby from a predator. Her breath came out shaky, eyes glistening.

“Sir, I’m so sorry… I really don’t know how it—”

But before she could finish, another sound broke the air. Laughter.

Selena froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Leonardo was laughing. Not just a smirk—an actual laugh, carefree and genuine, as though the whole scene had truly amused him.

Leonardo reached out, effortlessly pulling the papers from her arms. “You… should see your face right now,” he said with a restrained grin. He lightly tapped her head, like one would soothe a frightened child. “Relax. No one saw. You’re lucky I found it first.”

Selena’s jaw dropped. “Sir… You…” she swallowed hard, staring in disbelief. “…you’re laughing at me?”

“Am I not allowed?” Leonardo turned away casually toward his desk, placed the papers down, and sat, his expression still entertained.

Selena’s cheeks grew hotter.

(Oh my God, this is so embarrassing! I nearly cried in front of my boss, and he just laughed at me? Selena, please! Earth, swallow me whole right now!)

Leonardo looked at her again, this time with a gaze sharp and meaningful. “You’re more attractive when you panic.”

Selena froze. “E-eh?”

The words sounded casual, but they struck her like an arrow straight to the chest. Her cheeks burned hotter, her heartbeat went completely haywire.

(What does he mean more attractive?! What’s attractive about my panicked face looking like I’m about to have a heart attack?! This man is seriously driving me crazy!)

She quickly turned away, hurrying back to her desk. Without daring to look at anyone, she sat down, bowing her head low, pretending to type—even though her screen was still blank.

Her fingers trembled above the keyboard.

(God, Selena… can’t you just have one normal workday without some kind of drama with this insane boss?!)

Toward the evening, Leonardo called her again. This time, he handed her several documents.

“We need to discuss this in more detail. Tonight, join me for dinner.”

Selena’s head shot up. “D-dinner? No, Sir. I already have plans.”

Leonardo raised a brow. “What plans?”

“They’re… personal.”

A short silence. Leonardo leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing with intensity. “Usually, my secretaries fight over the chance to accompany me. And you’re refusing?”

Selena exhaled sharply. “I’m your secretary, not… a dinner companion. If this needs discussing, we can do it tomorrow at the office.”

Leonardo gave a faint smile, his gaze challenging. “Very well. Let’s see how long you can keep saying no.”

Selena quickly excused herself, her heart pounding all the way home. She had no idea what that man truly wanted.

That night, the building was already quiet. Leonardo stood on the balcony of his office, gazing at the sparkling city lights. The night breeze carried the faint aroma of wine from the glass in his hand.

From behind the door, his loyal bodyguard Matteo entered softly. “Boss, everything’s secure. The car’s ready if you want to head home.”

Leonardo only hummed, his eyes still fixed outside. “Matteo… did you notice my secretary?”

“Selena?” The bodyguard hesitated. “She’s… different from the others.”

Leonardo’s lips curved faintly. “Exactly. She’s different. She doesn’t bow down, she’s not easily shaken. She makes me… curious.”

Matteo bowed respectfully. “What will you do, Boss?”

Leonardo drained the last sip of wine, setting the glass down with a soft but firm clink.

“I want

to know,” he murmured, steady and certain, “how long she can resist my temptation.”

“Confidential Contract Draft – Milano Project.”