Forbidden love

The encounter 2

SOUTH WING

ROOM 3B

After unpacking, Diana joined Vinnie at the desk where some piles of paper were.

Vinnie handed Diana a stack of papers and a pen. "Okay, Dilan, we need to go over these ledgers. Make sure the numbers add up."

Diana took the papers, trying to make sense of the columns and rows of numbers. "What's this for?"

Vinnie leaned over, his voice low. "We're cooking the books. Need to make it look like the business is making more money than it is."

Diana nodded, trying to keep her cover. "Got it. So, what's the plan for the meeting with the boss?"

Vinnie shrugged. "Just be respectful, listen more than you talk and I'm pretty sure he's not gonna do the talking by himself."

"Why? Is he that cold" She asked.

"Yeah, he's more than cold. Don't know why though" he replied.

Diana nodded, her mind racing. She knew she had to play the part, but she was determined to gather as much information as possible.

As they worked on the paperwork, Diana noticed that Vinnie seemed to be following a specific pattern, making small adjustments to the numbers here and there. She watched closely, trying to learn from him.

After a while, the sound of a bell could be heard.

"Ding dong, ding dong"

"What's the bell for" she asked Vinnie who already stood up and was beginning to dress up.

"The meeting, you don't wanna be late"he replied.

"Why" she asked.

"You sure like asking for reasons. Well, there's punishment for being late and here punishment is more brutal than the offence." he answered

"Oh" she said looking in space as she imagined what kind punishment that could be...

"Let's go" he said bringing her out of her trance.

"Oh, okay" she replied following him out.

"What's the punishment for being late" she asked on the way.

"Ten lashes of thorny whips and 3 hours in the ice room". he replied.

"That's crazy" she said.

"It is" he replied as they got to the conference room.

"We're here" he announced.

The conference room was dimly lit, with only a few flickering fluorescent lights illuminating the space. The walls were adorned with dark wood paneling, and the air was thick with the scent of cigar smoke and worn leather. A long, polished wooden table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by chairs occupied by seasoned mobsters and new recruits alike.

Diana sat among the new recruits, her eyes fixed on Isabella as she stood tall at the front of the room. Axel, the devil's son, sat beside her, his expression unreadable.

Isabella cleared her throat, and the room fell silent. "Let's get down to business," she began, her voice firm and commanding. "You're all here because you've been chosen to be part of something bigger. Something that requires loyalty, respect, and power."

She paced the room, her heels clicking on the polished floor. "You'll be expected to follow orders, to keep your mouths shut, and to do whatever it takes to get the job done. You'll be tested, pushed to your limits, and expected to perform well to be able to go on missions."

The new recruits listened intently, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement. The seasoned mobsters nodded, their faces expressionless.

Isabella continued, outlining the rules and expectations of the organization. She spoke of loyalty, respect, and the consequences of betrayal.

Her words were laced with a sense of pride and ownership, as if she were the one who had built the organization from the ground up.

As she finished her speech, the room remained silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the new recruits. Axel stood up, his eyes scanning the room before nodding at Isabella. She smiled, a cold, calculating smile.

"Any questions?" Isabella asked, her voice dripping with superiority.

One of the new recruits, a young man, raised his hand. "What happens if we fail?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Isabella's smile grew wider. "You'll find out soon enough. Tomorrow morning, at 8 am on the dot, everyone is expected at the training ground. You can try to get there late and see what happens" she said, her voice dripping with menace.

After Isabella finished addressing the new recruits, Diana stood up, following the others as they began to file out of the conference room. Vinnie caught up to her, and they walked out together.

As they made their way to their room, Diana's mind began to wander. What would her life be like in this organization? What kind of tasks would she be assigned? Will she be able to avoid punishments?

Once they reached their room, Diana closed the door behind her and let out a deep breath. She looked at Vinnie, who was watching her with a curious expression. "You okay?" he asked.

Diana nodded, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, just a lot to take in." she said as she took her toiletries bag and went into the bathroom for a shower.

After bathing, she unzipped the bag and brought out an injection, one that will stop her from menstruating for 3 months, she doesn't know how long she'll be here , so she brought a lot.

She injected herself and tightly wrapped her small round b**bs with a bandage. She looked at herself in the mirror and she didn't really like her reflection. She had to cut her precious hair for a mission . She looked at her neck.... It was empty......the necklace she cherished was really gone.

Diana remembered that dreadful year she lost the necklace and she quickly snapped out of it.

She put on a shirt and left the bathroom.

As she got into the room, Vinnie was nowhere to be found.

"Where did he go" she thought as her eyes found a note on the table. " COME TO THE CLAN'S KITCHEN, YOU COULD ASK FOR DIRECTIONS, IT'S TIME FOR DINNER" it read.

"ohh" she exclaimed. Diana is a huge fan of food. She had been hungry for a while now and now she had the opportunity to fill her starved tummy .

She was able the find the kitchen with the help of some mobsters who were also on their way to the kitchen.

As Diana walked towards the dining hall, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of food, she didn't notice someone coming in front of her and before she knew it, she collided with a massive wall of muscle, her hands instinctively flying out to steady herself.

Strong arms wrapped around her, holding her in place, and Diana's eyes snapped up to meet the gaze of the man holding her.

He was huge, with broad shoulders and chiseled features that seemed carved from granite. His piercing blue eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, and Diana felt a shiver run down her spine. She had seen him before.... It's him.

The man's gaze locked onto hers, his expression dark and intense. He snagged, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in her appearance. Diana felt a flutter in her chest as she met his gaze, her heart racing with a mix of fear and attraction.

"No" she shouldn't abhor this irrelevant feelings, especially not here.

Despite the intensity of his gaze, Diana couldn't help but feel drawn to him. There was something about his rugged good looks and powerful build that seemed to captivate her. But as she looked up at him, she saw no softness in his eyes, no hint of a smile. Just a piercing gaze that seemed to see right through her.

"You're quite clumsy," he said, his voice low and rough, his tone neutral.

Diana felt a surge of embarrassment, but she tried to play it cool. "Sorry about that," she said, trying to step back but he held her tighter and she gasped.

DON ARGIO'S VILLA

Dining Room.

The living room was a grand affair, with high ceilings and walls adorned with lavish artwork. The furniture was sleek and modern, with a minimalist aesthetic that belied the opulence of the space.

A large sectional sofa dominated one wall, its cream-colored leather gleaming in the soft light. Accent chairs and ottomans were strategically placed around the room, creating cozy nooks for conversation or relaxation.

A floor-to-ceiling window wall offered a stunning view of the city skyline, but Axel's gaze was fixed on the floor as he waited for his father to speak.

The dining room was just as impressive, with a long, polished table that could seat up to twelve people. The chairs were ornate, with intricately carved wooden frames and plush cushions.

The table was set with fine china and crystal glasses, and the meal was already laid out. There were steaming plates of pasta, a roasted chicken, and a variety of side dishes, all arranged with precision and flair. A bottle of wine sat in an ice bucket, and the glasses were filled with a rich, full-bodied red.

Don Argio, sat at the head of the table, his favorite chair slightly larger and more ornate than the others. He gestured for Axel to take his seat, and Axel complied, his eyes fixed on the tablecloth.

"I'm not in for dinner Don, let's get straight to business, what did you want to say" axel spoke coldly.

"I like that" Don Argio smiled sinisterly. "I wanted to talk to you about your future. You're getting older, and it's time for you to start thinking about settling down."

Axel's gaze didn't waver, but his jaw clenched slightly, betraying his unease. He knew where this conversation was going, and he wasn't interested.

"I think it's time for you to get married," Don Argio continued, his eyes fixed intently on Axel's face. "I've been thinking about it for a while now, and I've found the perfect match for you. Isabella's family is well-respected, and the alliance would be beneficial for both our families."

Axel's expression remained impassive, but his eyes flashed with dread. He had no intention of marrying anyone, being a playboy is satisfying enough.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Father," Axel said, his voice flat. He knew Isabella had some kind of connection with his father but he doesn't know exactly what it is.

Don Argio's expression didn't change, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "This is not a discussion, Axel," he said. "This is a decision that's been made. You will marry Isabella, and that will be the end of it."

Axel looked at his father one more time before leaving the room heading for the clan's kitchen.

On his way to the kitchen, he saw a figure happily bouncing through the hallway oblivious of his presence, the figure bumped onto him and he held the figure that was about to fall. He recognised her as the newbie who had the guts to look him in the eye.

He stared at her for a while... "You're quite clumsy for a male" he said.

"Sorry about that" Diana apologised and tried to step back but he held her tighter.

"Be careful or you'll get punished" he said releasing her.

"That scent.......the scent of cedar wood...why does he have it?" Her eyes widened.

TBC...

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