Chapter 2
1016 Words
Chapter 2
Mara
The name echoed in my mind after Uncle Giovanni spoke about it.
Lorenzo Rossi
A man whose name man causes a lot of grown men and women shivers in fear.
A king who runs the underworld with ruthless power. The word on the street is that he never makes an empty threat and never lost a war. Those who crossed him either disappeared or wished they didn’t.
“There has to be someone else,” I said quietly.
Uncle Gio sighed,”if they were, I wouldn’t be asking you to consider asking for help from him.”
I looked through the glass at Salvatore’s unconscious body with several tubes and wires attached to him.
“He will wake up, he will rise again, he’ll always does and he’ll fix everything”
“And if he doesn’t,”he said softly.
No, don’t say that, I replied harshly.
“You are the acting head of the De Luca family right now, the board is already questioning your authority, whether or not you’re capable for the role at hand.”Our rivals know that you are vulnerable and grieving right now, no matter how you are pretending to be okay right now, I know how this is hurting and how it’s killing you that Salvatore is still in coma.
I clenched my fists tightly.
“I’m not helpless”
“I know you’re not, you’re one of the most strongest woman I know and I’m extremely proud of you. But this isn’t a battle you can win alone”.
I hated that he was right that this isn’t the battle I can win alone. Between spoiling my the De Luca legacy and making a deal with the devil himself - Lorenzo Rossi . I will rather choose the deal with the devil.
The Rossi estate is bigger than most estate I have ever visited. It overlooked the mountain outside the Naples. It is hidden behind iron gates and heavily guarded by armed bulky men.
I had expected luxury but this is next level s**t.
Two guards opened the door for me without a word.
Everything in me told me to run back to the hospital.
Instead, I stepped out looking at my surroundings.
Inside, the mansion was so quiet I could literally hear the pumping of my heart.
Only polished marble floors and soft footsteps of house staff.
A little cute girl sat on the staircase holding her stuffed monkey.
She couldn’t have been more than five or six.
She has most beautiful black hair and green eyes that look it’s staring into my soul.
“You are not one of Daddy’s scary men,” the girl said blinking her eyes.
You are so beautiful and big
“My name is Angelina but Daddy calls me Angel , she said wobbling down the stairs.
“My name is Mara,”I replied.
Angelina smiled brightly before jumping up and down.
“Are you here to be my friend?”, she asked softly.
Before I could find an appropriate answer to her question.
“Angel”, The girl’s smile faded.
She immediately stepped back.
A tall man with brooding look descended the stairs.
Every conversation stopped, its like the earth stopped rotating.
If the man I’m looking at is Lorenzo Rossi, then I’m in trouble because he’s not only extremely good looking but he’s exact replica of Angelina with a dark green eyes and jet black hair.
He wore a perfectly tailored black suit , his expression was unreadable but looking at him causes chills to my body.His eyes settled on me, studying me as if I’m an alien disturbing his peace. I tried to look unaffected but I hope I’m not failing woefully.
No greeting.Only silence
“So you’re Salvatore’s little sister”.
I frowned. “How do you know my Brother and my brother’s name,”
“I know many people,”he replied.
Something about his answer felt suspicious.
He approached until only few space separated us.
“You are here to ask for my help,”he said slowly.
I came here because I was informed that you are only protect my family legacy and help me to get a revenge.
“And?”
What do I stand to gain if I help you
I lift my head up and stare into his eyes, not backing down.” I don’t like to beg, a man like you likes to prey on anyone that reeks of desperation”.
For the first time, since I was in his presence, the corner of Lorenzo mouth twitched.
“Good”, he said chuckling.
“I don’t do charity either.So tell me Mara De Luca, what do I stand to gain if I involve myself in your way, every enemy you have becomes mine”. He turn away and poured himself a glass of whiskey neat.
The room fell silent.
He faced me again.
“What are you willing to give me in return?”
My heartbeat quickened.
I knew this moment would come.
I hadn’t expected it to feel like standing before Judge waiting to hear my sentence.
He took one slow step toward me.
Then another.Then another…
When he stopped, he took a one look staring down my body.
“Marry me”
“Hmm”, I was dumbfounded . The two words stole every breath of air from my lungs.
“Are you toying with me”
Does it look like I’m joking, he replied.
I stared at him in disbelief .
“I need a wife and you need some one to save your empire”
His gaze never left me.
I scratched your back, you scratched mine.
I searched his face for any sign that he’s joking.
There was none.
This is not a proposal but a contract.
And for the first time since the m******e of my family.
I realize the price of revenge is greater than what I had imagined and I don’t think I will be able to afford it.
- Writer
