Mad Love

Chapter two

FELICITY

I feel trapped.

Everything seem to be closing in.

I shouldn't have come.

I should have made an excuse not to go.

I should have catch the earliest flight away from here the first time my father his hands on me.

But I'm a coward.

No matter how I longed to have that kind of freedom,my father is a very powerful man.I knew  in my guts that he would do everything in his power to find me.

Now, now as I look around the around the room, I can't help the weird feeling of deja vu. This is the sixth time in a month that I'll be attending another Gala. It's not always like this before. Hell, my father made sure to keep me and my mom locked away in our home while he attends parties like this and I was more than okay with that.

But the sudden death of my mum from a car accident year ago, took a Swift Turn in our in our life. My father has changed. He was never affectionate before but he drastically changed after the accident. after drastically changed after the accident. after the accident. It seems like I've been  the all around scapegoat and our relationship has changed, entirely for worse.

In replace was a cold and very controlling man who wouldn't hesitate to hit me if I did something he did not like. As months passed by, I learned how to hide my bruises from people.

Tears fill my eyes as I think about what happened last week. I instinctively touch my Bruise hip and I bit my lip Hard to stop myself from flinching I wish I still have someone I could talk to.

He cuts all of my connections with my friends by threatening their families who all have business connections with him and he never allow me to go outside without at least five of his bodyguards hovering around me. Just a month ago, he goes as far by picking dresses for me to wear in parties he wants me to go. All short and skimpy like he wants to flaunt me to all of his peers peers his peers peers.

I hate it.

I even more hate it the moment we step inside to another luxurious hotel where to another luxurious hotel where the party is being held tonight. This time, it's a huge Charity event. Still, I want to cower under their stares but my father grip My arm and I quickly straightened I try to keep my face impassive, ignoring the leering gaze I was receiving because it always makes me feel exposed and naked.

A middle age man dressed in a business suit approach us. He us. He approach us. He business suit approach us. He us. He approach us. He a business suit approach us. He us. He approach us. He business suit approach us. He us. He a business suit approach us. He us. He approach us. He business suit approach us. He us. He oozed sleaze. Everything was flash about him and his hair styled into perfection.

"Dimitri, Glad to see you! " He shook my fathers hand and then his eyes travels over me "oh my my amd who this sweet little thing might be, hmm? "

He's practically running his eyes all over me in a lewd way and my father was just standing there as if it is nothing.

Does he really not care?

"Lucas, this is my daughter Felicity". My father says and I heard a hint of smugness in his voice.

He look at me sideways, exposing me to give my courtesy like a good girl.

Looking at him nervously, I reluctantly lift my hand to shook Lucas', but instead of shaking it, he pulled it up to his lips, kissing the back of my hand. Bile immediately rises in my throat and I shudder at his action.

"Nice to meet you, Felicity. Your beauty truly astounds me". He murmur, giving my hand a tight squeeze before letting go.

I clutch it against my stomach and softly breathed a sigh of relief.

I don't like him. He gives me the same creeps I feel every time my father introduce me to everyone of his colleagues.

"I can see now why you chose tonight. All of the families will be here".Lucas says.

Dad's hummed I'm approval.  "I just want Romano. "

Lucas eyebrows raised in question. "Really? I've heard a lot of people will be coming tonight. Certain people. If you know what I mean. "

I watch my father's eyes widen in fraction fear briefly flashes in his eyes then it was quickly gone.

"I thought he's still in Chicago? No one mentions about Xavier coming".

I gasp at his words.

Xavier Costello.

I've heard stories about him while growing up.

Good and bad. But mostly bad.

I don't fully understand it, but his name alone put a lot of terror on people's faces and my father is not an exception.

I overheard some of our bodyguards whispering about him before. They said Xavier owns the underground. They said something about bodies tend to pile up whenever he's around.

A shiver went over me the first time I heard that, and those shivers were felt again, a strong one this time.

The only ever time I saw him was over my computer screen when I was 10 because my curiosity got the best of me. He was still young then. Perhaps in his late teens.

All I can say then is that, he's  beautiful.  He has the gorgeous pair of Eyes I've  ever seen. It like staring at the ocean. I don't understand why people says those things about him. He look almost too angelic to me.

Something shift in my heart the longer I stare at him picture. Fear and longing clawed it's way inside me that it made me panic so j quickly deleted his picture and vowed to never search his name again.

Though I don't understand what he really do, something tells me I was better off not knowing it.

"No one can really guess what that man's next move. Not even Roberto himself".Lucas voice pulls me back to the present.

" But I guessed you're right. Romano is a fair choice. He's been busy expanding his businesses in West, I'm sure he'll be a great help for you my friend ".He continued and clasped my father's shoulder before giving me another once over.

" Goodbye for now, sweet bella. I'll see you around". He winks then steps away.

I hold back a retort and glared at his retreating back instead.

Shifting on my feet, I look up to my father. "I need to go to the bathroom." I lied.

Irritation flashes in his face but I stand my ground. He wouldn't dare make a scene in front of these people because he cares too much about his reputation.

"Be quick. " He says curtly and I immediately steps away before he could change his mind. The only good thing about attending these events is, I can get away from my father even for just a few moment.

I navigate aimlessly through the spacious ball room and I let my eyes travels over the tall and impressive crystal lights and beautiful people in fancy dresses and tux. This place is a lot more different from the other ones we'd been to. It was more elegantly designed and much prestigious and the guests this evening was more diverse, I even spot some celebrities, athletes and politicians, lots of them actually.

Walking further into the room, my eyes landed on the paintings line up against the wall near the bar. Each designs appear to be simple at first glance, just a swirl of patterns but as I studied it more closely, I'm amazed to see the images in different angles.

"It's beautiful, isn't? "

I spun around and see a middle age woman standing g a few feet  from me. She's so stunning. She looked  like those insanely beautiful models in up commercials that you can't help but envy. She smile warmly at me and I can instantly tell it's genuine.

"Yes, it's captivating. "

She step closer and points at one of the painting.

"This one is my favourite. It was inspired by the sceniries in Maldives during one of our family vacations. "

My eyes widen. "You painted it? "

"No.It was my daughter. She's a painter. " She says fondly and I heard the pride in her voice.

"That's great. Her works is really amazing. You must be so proud ". I smiled back at her and she let out a laugh.

" You have no idea. Oh, by the way, I'm Amelia." She held out her hand I shake it gently.

"Felicity."

She nods her head at the party behind us. "Not your scene? "

My face flush and I shrug. "I'm not really good in socializing. "

She smiled, nodding her head. "I can relate  somehow. These things can be very frustrating.

Anyway , who are you with? "

"I came with my father. Dimitri Guilano." I reply.

Her eyebrows raised and something flash in her eyes that I couldn't point out, then it was gone.

"Great.I was friends with julianna in college. "

My eyes widen at the mention of my mothers name. She's friends with Mon? She never mention her before, and j know everyone I  her friend circles. I was about to ask her more about my mother when suddenly , a man in dark suit step in beside her. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, before stepping back. Amelia glance up and looks at me apologetically . "I'm sorry, I wish we could talk more but I have to go. It was really nice meeting you, Felicity. "

"No it's okay. It was nice to meet you too."

She smiles before stepping away, and moving through the trongs of people, the man walking closely behind her.

"Champagne, Ma'am? " I glance up and see a guy holding out a tray full of drinks.

I smile at him. "I'll have one. Thank you."

I take a few sips and my mood instantly become better. With my drink in my hand, I decided to head back to my father. Just as I get near him, a hush suddenly went over the room. A Palpable tension in the air and everyone around me seem to froze on their feet all of a sudden.

Curious, I tried to follow their gaze towards the entrance but I cant see behind their backs despite the three despite the three inches heels I'm wearing. I step forward, only too bump against a huge guy in a very expensive looking suit making my drink spill into my chest. I hissed  as the cold liquid seeped through the fabric in an instant.

The guy made a grunt sound and glares at me over his bulk  shoulder. Gulping, I quickly mutter an apology and step away.

Cursing myself for being so clumsy, I made a beeline towards the restroom. My interest on what the folks are looking at was already loss on me. I have a ruin dress to fix, one that would probably enrage my father if he ever sees it.

When I step inside, I see it's empty so I quickly assess the damage on my dress. The upper front part have been soak  with pink stains on it. My face flush when I noticed that my breasts are now visible and my hard n*****s are now restraining against the thin fabric of my bra.

"Damn it, Felicity! " I chastise myself as I look around in panic. I grab a hand towel and dab it against the wet area, hoping it would magically help dry it. It's useless. UGH!

Sighing in defeat, I grab my purse and held it in front of my chest as a cover.

I stepped out and walk through the empty hallway that would lead me to the grand ballroom.

I was looking down at my dress when suddenly I heard a loud intake of breath ahead of me, and my steps faltered.

I look up and gasped myself.

A group men stood several feet from me. They were all tall, all over six feet with broad and muscular shoulders. Tribal tattoos speak behind their suits and strong Jaws was set into a tight clench. They have matching short hair, buzz cut , except the guy in the middle.My breath Caught when my gaze finally landed on him.

He was startlingly gorgeous.

He has short dark Wavy hair, a chiseled cheekbones and a strong set of jaw that I've only seen in magazines. My eyes travel over his black fitted suit, which can only be custom tailored by the looks of it. His crisp black dress shirt had a two button undone and  my mouth waters when I catch a glimpse of his skin underneath.

When I finally dared to look at his eyes, my throat went dry. It's like everything else disappear. His piercing dark grey eyes is gazing at me and I feel like melting on the ground at the intensity of it. His striking features made him look angelic yet theres a dangerous air around him that made him seem lethal  at the same time.

This man is powerful. That much is obvious.

Suddenly, his dark eyebrows pulled together together and his eyes turn into slits.

"Leave us! " He growls, his voice deep, gruff and I was startled at the sound. My mouth fell open as I watch the man behind him jump on their feet and disappear around the corner, leaving  us alone in the hallway within seconds.

I was afraid to look back at him and when I did, my heart beat more faster than before, pounding against my rib cage. I was frozen in my feet as I watch time stalked forward.

He moved in a very sensual way, like a predator stalking its Prey. Perhaps I am. My eyes closed instinctively, my breathing becoming more heavy in anticipation. When I open it again, he was right in front of me. He was close. Too damn close.  I could feel his warm breath  fanning against my cheeks.

"Fuck.You cant let them see these..... " It was  deep and quite, almost a snarl that I thought I must I have heard him wrong.

I look into his eyes questioningly, but his was fixated on my breasts. A look of pure hunger and lust flashes in his eyes, making my knees grew weak. My eyes followed his gaze and it's then I notice that I was no longer holding the purse in front of me, so he had a full view of my see-through top. s**t.

Before  I could react, he swiftly pulled out his coat, my mouth waters once more over his stretch muscles, before draping it around my shoulders. He leaned down, and I closed my eyes, thinking he was going to kiss me . And a big part of me, the one who is clearly not thinking right now, is hoping that this stranger will just do that.

When I felt nothing, I peek one eye, and saw his face just an inch away from mind. His lips was pulled into a smirk and his eyes dancing in amusement. He gently tugs on the coat, which was all but swallowed me, securing the buttons to get. I gasped when I felt his index finger brush against the top of my breasts and lingers for a moment. I big my lip hard. Something strange is happening in my body. Damn it.

"Who are you? " I choked out, my heart in my throat.

His eyes darkened and watch his pupils dilated.

"Not yet, Angel ".His only vague response before stepping away. My body immediately mourn the loss of his warmth and I groan inwardly.

" Go to your father and make an excuse. Go home."

His voice is soft yet firm. I opened my mouth to protest but he side step and brush past me, continuing down the hallway. I did not take my eyes off of him until he disappears around the corner.

I couldn't even if I wanted to. Theres something about him that I couldn't named and I feel like I've known him from somewhere.

In just a brief moment, I was weak with too many strong emotions sweeping inside of me. A strong

connection that both excited and scares me at the same time.

"Felicity, " I heard my father's annoyed voice, startling me. I look up and saw him coming over, three guards trailing behind him.

"Where have you been?! " He hissed at me and yanked on my elbow hard I had to bit my lip from crying out.

"I was in the restroom, Dad. I was just about to go back. " I say quietly as try to blink back the tears from the pain.

I stare up at him and notice his demeanor has changed. His eyes are a little wild and he look agitated.

"We're leaving. Eyes down, understand? " His hand pulled tighter and i barely restrain my whimper this time.

"Y-yes. I understand. " I frantically answer.

He glowers at me for a moment before he finally let go of my arm. I immediately held it carefully against my side, swallowing the sob that's threatening to come out.

With one hand gripping my right arm, he pulled me towards the main lobby, his eyes sweeping around as if he's expecting someone might jump at us. Perhaps there is.

Our limousine skid to a halt in the driveway and one guard rush to opened the door. I slid in and scoot over the far corner and watch my father settled himself across from me. As soon as a car move, he turned his Icy glare on me.

"Who's coat is that? "

My breath caught. I forgot about the coat I was wearing. My mind tried  to come up with an excuse but I decided to tell him half the truth.

"I accidentally spilled a drink on my dress. A man was kind enough to lend me his coat for cover up, that's all." His eyes narrowed for a few agonizing seconds and I let out a sigh of relief when he finally looks away.

He then pulled out his phone,after a few minutes, he's fully preoccupied.

I peered outside.

The city seems to be calm at this time of the night yet the thoughts in my heard are anything but.