A Mafia’s Obsession

CRYSTAL

I slumped my back against the leather seat of the SUV, eyes narrowing through the tinted glass of the otherwise rather comfortable car. Leonardo sat by my side and I could feel his eyes burying themselves into me.

He didn’t even give me a chance to say farewell to my sister. What manner of cruelty is this?

I focused my attention on the moving cars and people my eyes spotted as we drove on the busy road.

How I wish I could be among those people walking freely outside. But I couldn’t because this brute of a man had turned me into a mere commodity to use pay off a debt.

“Now you know the consequence of defying me don’t you?”He suddenly probed, cutting into my thoughts.

I hissed within me and chose not to reply him. He suddenly grabbed my chin, forecfully whapped my face to gaze at his cold dark ocean eyes, as dark as the midnight.

“When I talk you answer me!”He growled with a sneer.

“Why should I?”I scowled back, daring to raise my voice at the beast.

“If you keep on disrespecting me, Crystal I’ll punish you in the worst possible way you can ever imagine” He grimaced before letting go of my chin roughly.

I brought my hand to caress my face whilst avoiding eye contact with him as he leaned in closer to me, a burning desire hooded in his eyes.

His lips brushed my earlobe, a soft brush that got my toes curling up.

I gulped feeling his hot breath fan my neck. He had this spicy scent of cinnamon radiating off him.

“Accept this new life of yours and stop behaving like a feisty cat”he breathed against my ear giving me goosebumps before pulling out.

I couldn’t say a word after then. I felt restricted and claustrophobic. I decided to avert my gaze from his and focus it on the road. An eerie silence enveloped the atmosphere and to be honest, I liked it that way.

Soon enough, the car came to a sudden halt in front of gigantic black iron gates. As soon it halted, it began moving slowly inside what seemed like a mini garden.

My anxious eyes peered through the glass, taking in the beauty of the surroundings.

From the mini fountains scattered all around, oozing clear crystal water to the beautiful lawn that covered the entire scenery and the ostentatious statues of lions carved and deposited around the surrounding.

My eyes hungrily took them all in. Ruthless he was, but the surrounding of house was beautiful. We kept on driving till a gigantic white shade came into view.

It was his house. No not a house. His mansion.

My eyes became doe-eyed and my jaws dropped. I stared open mouthed at his house till I heard him chuckle which got me to quickly mask my surprise and adopt a nonchalant and unconcerned expression.

A chauffeur opened the doors of the SUV and various men of equal muscularity including about two to three dozen of male and female workers lined up and bowed their heads as if Leonardo was some sort of royalty.

He led the way as we approached the huge oak doors of his mansion.

The interior was as beguiling as I imagined it. Chandeliers were situated at every corner, illuminating the huge living room with beautiful patterned iridescent.

The ceiling had an intricate marble design and by the looks of it, it must have cost a fortune.

Various plant pots were dispersed at all concers giving off a wonderful odour frenzy feeling the entire room.

Two huge staircases seperated the imperial living room, their rails outlined with gold

The walls literally looked like they were dripping gold as the light from the various chandeliers struck them.

“Show her to her room”Leonardo ordered to the various workers that flanked around us.

A red haired maid stepped forward, a look of pity in her eyes as she accessed my appearance. No doubt, I looked like an insane lunatic that fled a mental asylum.

“Follow me” she said, her tone barely above a whisper.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She led me through the various halls of the mansion, her black low heels clicking against the tiles. That was the only sound heard as we walked in an uneasy silence.

She finally stopped in front of a huge black coloured door and softly pushed open the door.

It seemed Leonardo must have informed his workers of my arrival as the huge bedroom was already so neatly arranged.

What first caught my eye was the beautifully carved four poster bed with white and gold patterned sheets, having a caramel canopy thereby providing a rectangular roof over the bed.

Two long windows were situated at the far end, velvet curtains drapping over them.

A beautiful Arabian designed rug stood at the centre. I instinctively walked towards it and stepped my barefeet on the silky soft rug. It felt so tender beneath my bare feet.

The room felt chilly which made me rub my hands together for warmth. My gaze then caught two air conditioners situated at opposite corners of the room and a fluorescent bulb illuminating the room with a sunset orange glow.

“That’s the closet”The maid announced, her index finger outstretched, pointing at a white door. It jolted me out of my reverie to facing the door. I didn’t even notice the two doors by the right hand side of the room; one white and the other a frosty silver colour.

I hastily walked over to the closet and truth be told, it was beautiful and huge. Inside it stood a sliding door wardrobe, it’s door built from head to ceiling. Next to it were various shelves aligned with footwears which had a horizontal rectangular mirror opposite it.

Where all these for me?

I slid open the wardrobe and was met with various exquisite styles of dresses.

All these were literally for me?

I closed it back and walked outside the closet, the maid still standing fixed on the spot.

I walked to the frosty silver door and opened it, peering inside. It was a bathroom. The walls were covered with black marbles and the bathroom had a lot of walking space.

My eyes observed a jaccuzi sized hot tub attached to the wall and a shower not to far from it as the sweet scent of lavender hit my nostrils.

The toilet was also good looking and a sink was built to the wall opposite the bathtub with a silver mirror above it. A small cupboard was situated next to the mirror and I opened it. It just had a toothbrush and a toothpaste.

I felt so weirded out. He literally knew before hand that I would accept his sickening offer and planned my arrival.

If this wasn’t creepy then I don’t know what is.

I walked out of the bathroom feeling like a glorified prisoner, captured.

“I hope you love your room?”The maid asked nervously as she still stood fixed on the spot.

I nodded my head at her and she gave me a soft smile.

“Freshen up Miss. Dinner will be ready soon”she added before giving me a courtesy bow and scurrying out of the room, closing the door behind her

I sighed and slumped by the wooden edges of the bed, my hands running through my dirty blonde hair.

I couldn’t help but think of Mabel. How was she faring now?

I miss her so much but I can’t even go visit her. My thoughts drifted to Bailey, my ballet group and Chase, my crush.

“God”I said with a low groan.

I wanted to weep but I couldn’t. My eyelids felt weak and heavy from the multiple tears I shed.

Only one question rang in my head.

“What would my life become now?”