Chapter 13: Bennetts’ mansion
962 Words
Nadia’s POV
I try as much as possible to avoid Lorenzo after that night in his room. And surprisingly, I have not seen him for a few days.
“Clara, do you have any idea where Lorenzo must be?” I ask.
“He didn’t tell you, ma’am?” she blinks. “His new company in New York has been completed so he went for its opening. He should be back in a few days.”
Oh… no wonder I haven’t seen him for days. He already has a lot of companies, alongside illegal businesses, so why open more? It’s a good thing he’s away, at least I can finally breathe.
He strengthens security, and for the past four days, I’ve not stepped out of the mansion. It makes me feel so depressed. I can’t do the things I love anymore, I am just caged behind these tall walls.
My phone suddenly buzzes on the table, I snap my head up and stare at it for a while, then Clara brings it over. My heart skips a beat as I stare at the name on the screen.
Don.
I hesitate for a moment until the fourth ring, then I swipe the screen and place it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Took you long enough, piccola,” his deep baritone voice vibrates on the other side of the line. “You will learn how to take my calls on first rings.”
I swallow hard as my fingers grip my phone tightly, “I… I wasn’t close to my phone,” I whisper.
He lets out a dark, gritty laugh. “That is not an excuse. Get ready, we will be going to the Bennetts’ mansion at six.”
My heart stops. The Bennetts’ mansion? He is back already?
“Um… wh… why are we going there?” I stutter.
“I have warned you never to question me, Nadia, you just do not listen,” he growls, his voice turning icy. “Until I teach you a lesson.”
“Make sure you are ready before I arrive, unless you want to be punished.” With that said, he drops the call.
My shaky hands drop from my ear and I stare at the black screen. My eyes glance at the wallclock and it is already past four, I have just an hour to get ready.
“Clara, please help me get ready. We have just an hour.” I say to her, she nods vigorously and follows me into the bathroom.
It is almost six p.m when I am finally dressed, and at that moment the door swings open. He didn’t even knock, he just walks in. His gaze lands on me the moment he enters. He fixes his gaze on my body and curses under his breath.
“Let’s head out,” he says and turns around, I let out a sharp sigh of relief and look at Clara. She has a very sad expression on her face. I give her a small smile and follow closely behind Lorenzo.
The guard opens the door to one of the sleek SUVs for me and I step in. Lorenzo was already seated when I entered, his gaze fixed on a tablet as he scrolls on it, totally ignoring me.
The ride to the Bennetts’ mansion takes hours. We suddenly passed by the bar I used to work at. I stretch my neck closer to the window and keep looking as it moves away and slowly disappears. I let out a breathy sigh. I really miss working at the bar.
“Are you looking to see Jaxon?” Lorenzo’s voice suddenly vibrates out of nowhere, scaring the hell out of me.
I turn my head toward him and he had dropped the tablet on the middle seat, his gaze was now fully on me. I shift uncomfortably until I am resting on the door.
“I asked you a question, Nadia,” he whispers aloud.
I bite my lower lip and shake my head in decline. “N… no. I was just looking at the bar,” I say, my voice barely a whisper.
He chuckles and rubs his forehead with his fingers. “What’s your relationship with him, exactly?”
I am stunned. I look at him, swallowing hard on the lump that forms in my throat. “I — what do you mean?”
“You signed the contract just because I threatened to kill him, Nadia,” he purrs.
“No… that’s… that’s because he’s been a friend to me for a while now.” I whisper.
“Does he know about your phobia?” he asks, his piercing gaze boring holes into my skin.
“No… no. You are the only I’ve told.” I mumble.
“Mmmm,” he hums.
The car suddenly comes to a stop, I look ahead and I could slightly sight the Bennetts’ mansion. Why exactly are we here?
The gates finally opens and the first three cars drive in, followed by ours. The compound is filled up with Lorenzo’s escort cars trailing outside the gates. I step out after Lorenzo and the first person I see is Max.
He tries to come over, but Lorenzo’s guard stops him. I could only offer him a weak smile and a nod signaling that am okay.
The doors to the mansion opens and my aunt is the first to step out followed by my uncle.
“Mr Romano. It is such a great honor to have you visit our home,” my uncle says amidst fake smiles.
“Oh?” Lorenzo says, a darker edge settling over his expression. “Because there is a matter of great importance that I have to settle.”
- Writer
