Chapter 2: Forcing Ties

I opened my eyes because of the bad smell that hurt my nose enough to draw me awake. It smells like burned food. Goddamnit, do these people only kidnap but can't cook?

I got up from the bed where I was lying. To my surprise, I am not tied, and I am only left here, lying in a comfortable bed and a clean room. My brows furrowed as I scanned my body and checked if there's any ounce of pain or bruise in my body, but there's nothing.

There’s even a pink slipper beside the bed so I used it and walked around the room as I tried opening the doors.

The doors and windows are locked. When I peeked through the window, the sight of two bulky man talking to one another picked my interest. As I thoroughly searched their attire, I realized that both men are armed. 

I sat for a while to discern a plan for escape. I can take those two outside, but I am not aware of their total sum. What if they have more colleagues down there? Can I withstand them? This is a big risk to take, especially when I have no idea who’s behind all of this. I can’t guess; I’ve killed several people, and it’s no surprise that someone would wish me dead.

Not to mention, being on the second floor is a challenge too.

I ransacked the room, looking for things I could use as weapons. I made a huge mess by examining every corner of the cabinets and drawers. I found nothing except a hairpin on a vanity table. I hid it in my right leg, where the pistol pocket is. This is where my gun is supposed to be, but I don't know where it is now. Come what may, I'd rather die while ravaging my way out of this suspicious place than stay and rot here, not doing anything like a dumb damsel.

I slowly opened the door using the hairpin. The silent, soft clicking sound brought me a smile in this dilemma. The door is finally open. When I slightly peeked through the door, I didn't see anyone outside. This is a lot stranger than I thought. But I'm pretty sure there is someone here, and that person is a very bad cook.

"May I know where you're heading to, madame?" and speaking of that person...

I bit my lower lip as I heard that voice with an evident Latino accent. I slowly turned my back. A man dressed like a butler is standing with a tray in his left hand. I covered my nose when I smelled the aroma of burned food again. I didn’t mean to be rude, but I can’t help it.

He blinked several times until he realized what was on my mind. He seemed offended but paid no more attention.

"You are not required to eat," was his answer.

"Well..." I calmly nodded. "Just tell me who's your boss and why I'm here. I'll give you a tip," I encouraged him. I hope he gives in.

His eyes narrowed. "Just get into your room, madame." Oh, he acts like a bitch.

"Oh, you're playing the loyal servant card, huh? Are you even treated properly here?" I asked. Trying to manipulate the situation and turn the tables in my favor, desperate to change his mind and help me escape.

He rolled his eyes. I was surprised when he did that. "You're a captive but sheltered with a personal room, a comfortable pink slipper, and a service that I wasn't supposed to give. You're treated properly. What more am I who's served him for over two years?

I can’t believe he even pointed out that I’m wearing the pink furry slipper.

I figured that talking with him was useless, so I immediately ran down the stairs. He just stood there, watching me run. I used that opportunity to go farther, but when I was near the end of the stairs, a sharp object dug into the wooden stairs.

A lamp stand with a sharpened tip as if it were destroyed for the purpose of this. My eyes widened, and I gasped because it almost hit my foot.

"God damn you!" I shouted at him when he suddenly ran towards me. He’s scary! Who could run as fast as that? With even an evident intent to kill me!

We remained in that situation, running and avoiding each other, until he finally reached my arm and pulled me closer to him. I won't be caught without a fight, so I fought hard, but he is also good at fighting. I could even say that he's more experienced than me.

When he thought that he had pinned me to the floor, that's when I used the hairpin I was hiding. I grazed him on the side of his jaw, but it did nothing vital other than leaving an open wound on his cheek. His uniform was stained with his own blood, which, I think, annoyed him even more. I ran and was about to go out when a familiar man popped in from the main door.

Staring at me with his bloodshot eyes and furrowed brows while he's trying to discern and decipher what’s happening. He sighed when he saw our physical state.

"You..." I uttered, terrified. His lips formed a smirk.

"It's me, baby," he conceitedly said.

Well, it’s nice to see two gorgeous men within a day, but not two men who want me dead. This is absurd. The feeling of inferiority is annoying me again, but before I could even regain my sanity from seeing the Mafia Leader again, a wack behind my neck put me back in a deep sleep.

---

As I regained consciousness, the first thing I felt was my throbbing neck.

"Ahh..." I said as I sat down.

When I finally opened my eyes properly, my gaze immediately went to the familiar man I thought I’d never see again. He's sitting in a chair, drinking wine while intently watching me.

"Hi," was his first greeting. He only said a word, but my chest started to skip beats.

I am worried, especially now that I know who this person is. His voice brought a different type of shiver to my body. With the fact that I am still not over the humiliation of what I did and that I’m being kidnapped by the man I wished I’d never see again, I would rather hope the soil would consume me at this moment.

"Are you mad? Uh, just let me go. I won't say anything about what happened. Promise." I even raised my palm to signify the word “promise”.

"You put me to sleep; plus, you recorded our intercourse, and you're expecting me not to be suspicious of you?"

So he saw the camera that I left behind.

"It was an order from someone. The target wasn't you. Something happened; I made a mistake. Well, I’m sorry, okay?" I tried to be cute and as nice as possible.

"I know; my confidant told me everything.

"Then, why did you kidnap me?" I popped the question with no hesitation.

"Because I just want to..."

"What the fuck?" I can’t believe him.

"Did you just cuss me?" He said calmly while pouring wine into the glass. I covered my mouth because of that and quickly apologized.

"I know someone like you won't waste your time on meaningless stuff. I know you need something from me. I'm not dumb."

He nodded in agreement. "Bingo. Yes, I do. You're who I need."

"What?"

"You heard me, Amanda." Now, he even knows my real name. "I want you to live with me. I'll give you everything you want. You'll give me the only thing I need. You," and he pointed at me using the wineglass that he's holding.

“I beg your pardon? Wait... what did you particularly mean by needing me?” This conversation is hurting my pride.

“You know what I mean.” Damn him, not even giving me a specific answer.

If it’s sex that he wants, we've already done it, so there’s nothing wrong with doing it again. But the way he’s asking for it is so irritating.

“Do you think I’m a cheap girl you can use anytime in exchange for money? Sorry, but I am rich enough to sustain my own needs," I declared with confidence.

"I am capable enough to give you anything you wouldn't think you needed."

It made me look at his handsome face. Oh God, why is a man with those perfect visuals made to become a savage?

He stood up and approached me. He put both of his hands on the bed and trapped me. His face was so close to mine that I could barely breathe. I tried to avoid his gaze by looking away. His familiar scent lingered on my nose. I tried to avoid getting mesmerized, but my body betrayed me.

"Last night made me crazy all day, Amanda. I kept thinking about it. My body is looking for yours. If I don't see you until tomorrow, I might really go crazy."

I bit my lower lip and avoided his gaze. This is preposterous. Damn it.

He moved away from me and inhaled. "I won't keep you forever. I have a feeling that this will burn out sooner or later. When this ludicrous lust fades, I will willingly set you free. I promise to keep you safe under my protection while you’re here, Amanda."

This jerk.

I was annoyed while staring at him. What else did I expect? A Mafia leader falling in love? That's impossible. People like him have no feelings. They only satisfy their own needs and wants. They don't care whose emotions they’re stepping on.

But I have to think properly. I am not only putting myself in danger here. I’m sure this person already has a grip on my background. As ironic as it may seem, I still have precious people I cherish dearly. Going against this man is also going against their entire organization, meaning, putting my loved ones in danger.

"You'll give me anything I want?" I repeated. I think from this point on, I’ll just act like I am interested in his fortune.

"Everything."

"No physical violence?

"What the heck, of course." He was a bit annoyed when I mentioned that. Well, I get that anyone could be offended if they are accused of being an abuser, but I just want to make sure my life is not at stake in this too good of an offer.

"I said I'd keep you safe," he added, assuring me.

"Fine, I'll agree. But only if this shit lasts for a month. If you don't want it, just kill me right here, right now." I confidently stated those words. I'm even pointing my fingers down to the floor where my feet are rested.

I didn’t mean to be delusional, but what if he liked toying with me more than I expected? I don’t want to be trapped in his range forever.

"A month..." he started thinking about it.

"Deal."

He walked closely and offered me his hand. I shook it.

“One month,” I emphasized.

“One month,” he repeated as we shook each other’s hands.

And that was the beginning of my odd relationship with Pierre, the Mafia Leader. This is to keep everyone and myself safe. Who knows who else will get involved if I don't agree and go along with his desires?

Well, in a positive way, this will also benefit me in many ways. I would annoy this man until he found himself irritated by my presence. I know he would, given how the people I’ve met explained my personality and how they hated it. It’s time to show him who Amanda is, instead of the woman he met as Samantha.