~~~ SOPHIA SHUT HER eyes tighter than it already was and waited for the impact as her heartbeat accelerated. She waited for Chase to grab her arm and pull her away from her hiding spot but felt nothing. Slowly, she opened her eyes bracing herself for whatever Chase was going to do to her but she frowned when she didn't see anyone where she was. "So now you're playing games with me, Gattina? "Chase called out, and her eyes fell on him. His back was facing her, and he didn't look like he had been standing where she was. “I was glad I thought I found you, but it turns out I was wrong," {"Kitten"} Sophia placed her palms against her chest and breathed out in relief when she realized that he'd only thought he saw her, but little did she know that he was only playing games with her and knew very well where she was hiding. He just wanted to give her a little hope that she was free, only to crush it by himself.
Luciano scrunched up his nose when he knelt down in front of her. “Open those cute eyes, it’s time for Don to take your life, finally”, Immediately he said it, her eyes snapped open and his expression was replaced with a victorious grin that his little trick worked. “I just knew it!", "What do you want? “She fake glared at him with a pout and sat up, folding her arms across her chest. "Is that you trying to glare at me, sweet cheeks? “Luciano raised a teasing brow, and then he playfully pinched her small nose. “You’re so cute and innocent”, He smiled. "Anyways, I came to tell you to go and have your bath." He used his palms to cover his nose. “I can literally smell the odor from outside there, so if you don't want me to die whilst watching over you, go and have a bath”, He joked. "Oh please, stop exaggerating it. It's not as if I smell on a normal basis”, She pouted again. "So you talk back? “He chuckled. “I thought you were just a stutte
~~~ SOPHIA WAS DUMBSTRUCK at Chase's announcement. She just stayed there glued to his side without moving with her head bowed down just like his men even though she wasn't asked to do souse was scared. She didn't know what he meant when he said she was his' and what to make out of it. Everything around her was numb except the wild thumping of her heart. Jesus. Her heart. She couldn't even count how many times her heart started behaving like that since she arrived at that place. She didn't even know what they did for a living, but one thing she was certain about was the fact that it wasn't a good business else why would there be guns and murder all around them? "Gattina, “She heard Chase's voice, and his Italian accent didn't hide itself. But she was too lost in her thoughts to even move or answer whatever that name meant. "Gattina, “It came out harsher than the first time, and Sophia snapped her head up. {"Kitten"} No one was in there with them. Not even Luciano. She was trapped
~~~~~~She looked at the table clock on the bedside table. 02:35 am. Oh God, how much she missed her, Nana. If the poor old lady was with her, she’d have been there to comfort her, rub her hair, and if possible, tell her stories. Sophia wore her flip flops and tightened the sash on the robe around her small frame before opening the door softly. She quietly walked down the stairs till she reached the kitchen and switched on the lights. She opened the refrigerator and brought out a carton of milk, then warmed it up as quickly and quietly as she could in order not to wake anyone up as she normally did for the past week but luck wasn't on her side that night. However, the glass of milk in her hands fell down on the floor and shattered into pieces when her eyes landed on Chase-dressed in a black cargo pants and shirt-leaning against the doorframe setback at her. "Y-" She trembled, remembering her nightmare. Except from when he'd appear in her nightmares, she didn't see Chase ag
~~~ THE SUNRAYS SHONE brightly on Sophia's face as it peeked through the curtains, and her eyes opened slowly because of the heat it was providing. Her head was pounding and she could feel her eyes swollen She didn't understand or remember how she had slept off while bawling her eyes out to her pillow after having a very long painful shower. With a small whimper when she felt the headache kicking in, she sat up slowly and looked round the room. She froze when a knock came on the door. When the knocking didn't stop, she placed one of her palms on her racing heart and closed her eyes. “I hope it isn't him, “She wasn't ready to meet Chase after whatever happened between them the previous night. Slowly opening her eyes, Sophia got down from the bed, her small feet touching the cold tiles as she unlocked the door and opened it. She breathed out in relief when she saw Valerie standing there with a wide grin on her face. "Hey", Valerie passed her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorr
~~~ "Don," Chase stopped in his tracks at the sound of Saige's voice. As he heard the sound of her heels clicking against the tiles coming closer, he slid his hand inside his pocket and took out a cigar and lighter. Once he lit the cigar, he took it to his lips and returned the lighter to his pocket. "What?” He turned to Saige who was standing beside him. "Who is she?" He turned his face away and blew out smoke from his lips. “You’re not dumb. You heard Lucas," "Shouldn't she have been killed then?” She asked. "And if I don't want to kill her?” He asked. “What if I want to keep her here as my property?" "Are you fucking her?” Disbelief laced her voice. "Not yet,” Chase said and turned to look at Saige who was looking anywhere but at his eyes. “But soon,” The balls he had to tell that to his fiancée. "I'm your fiancée. We’re getting married,” Saige said. How could he tell her something like that? It was unbelievable! She’d tried so many times to seduce this same man
~~~ SOPHIA STARED AT the tons of clothes in front of her, trying to pick out which one to wear. There was a party and well, Chase, his cousins and fiancée had been invited but then, typical Chase had insisted that she followed them and there was no way she would have gone against him. So, there she was thinking of what clothes to wear. She wasn't the party type. Not even in high school when the school jocks threw parties did she ever attend. The only party that she had attended throughout her life except for the ones her dad used to throw for her on her birthdays, was the high school prom party. Nothing else. Not even the ones her dad used to throw with his friends and business associates as he claimed she was still too little to attend such parties. He used to say she wouldn't understand those types of parties until she grew up. Her dad. She hadn't realized that a lone tear had cascaded down her cheeks until she felt it rolling down her chin, and she quickly wiped it off. She
~~~ "Thanks, I'll find my way out," Sophia said to Valerie and disappeared into the bathroom. She heard Valerie's distant footsteps and she confirmed that she had gone. She then rested her head against the door and breathed out air through her lips. As if to calm her beating heart down, she placed her palm against her chest. She flinched when she heard a knock on the door and she called out. “I’m almost out. I'm sorry," The person outside the door didn't seem to get the memo and opened the door, then walked in and slammed her back against the door before locking it in place. The scent of sandalwood hitting her nose was enough to tell Sophia who it was. “Chase," "Gattina," {"Kitten"} "I-this is the female bathroom. You shouldn't be here," Chase gritted his teeth and leaned in to stare into her eyes but she was staring at the ground. “I know. I'm not dumb," "Then-," She pressed her head against the door to avoid body contact with him. "Why-Why are you here?" "You"
Alessandro turned to her with dark angry and stormy grey eyes. “It ended the moment I found you in the arms of another man that night," Valerie buried her face in her palms before letting out a sigh. "Fuck, Ale-," "Alessandro" He cut her in. "You'll call me Alessandro the same way my bosses do," "I'm more than a boss to you, Ale" She resisted the urge to go to the front seat and seat on his lap like she used to do. “We’re in love! You said you love me!" "You said the same but chose to cheat on me" Alessandro's fists were clenched at the sides as he remembered the taunting image of seeing the woman he loved in another man's arms. “You looked clearly in love with that bastard!" "Don't- don't call him a bastard. Nick isn't a bastard, "She said. "Great,” He mumbled under his breath. "Fucking great," "Listen to me, Ale" She whispered out before leaning in. "I-Nothing is going on between Nick and I, I swear. He-he used to be my friend a long time ago. We-," Alessandro cut her off wi
~~~ SOPHIA'S EYELIDS FLUTTERED open as the warm feeling of strong arms enveloped her body. She looked up, only to be met with the sight of a handsome sleeping Chase. Her eyes locked on his face and she couldn't pull away. She stared at the way his hair fell over his forehead giving him a boyish look, the way his long, thick and full lashes rested over his cheekbone had her staring in awe. The moment her eyes fell on his thin lips, the images of all the times when he used to kiss her flashes across her mind. How could someone so cruel, violent, and brutal look so peaceful while asleep? She tried to move away, but Chase's arms pinned her down tighter. "Morning, Gattina," Chase's eyes fluttered open. {"Kitten"} Sophia's stomach did a flip-flop. If she thought his voice was sexy, then his morning voice was much sexier and hoarse. "M-,"She placed her palms on his chest. “Morning," "Did you sleep well?” Chase slid one of his arms underneath his head while the other still rema
~~~ "Cosa vuol dire che non si trova da nessuna parte? Trovalo. Sarò al magazzino tra pochi minuti," {"What do you mean he's nowhere to be found? Find him. I’ll be at the warehouse in a few minutes."} Sophia's eyelids fluttered open at the familiar sound of Chase's voice, and she looked around her surroundings. They were all in a car with the driver driving and she was in Chase's arms. For how long had she slept after the doctor took her blood sample? She couldn't even remember how she even fell asleep. Chase looked towards the guard at the front passenger's seat. "Chiama la villa. Ho bisogno di un'altra macchina che mi porti subito al magazzino," {"Place a call to the mansion. I need another car to take me to the warehouse right away."} The man nodded. “su di esso, Don,” He then pulled out his phone and dialed a number. When the person on the other end picked, he spoke. “Ti manderò la nostra posizione. Manda un'auto e i nostri uomini per scortare Don al magazzino," {"
~~~ SOPHIA SLID INTO the back passenger's seat and looked up at the guard that had opened the door for her. “Thanks” He said nothing. His Don never allowed any of them to talk to her unless necessary and in times like that returning her good gesture was unnecessary and uncalled for. He only kept his stoic expression on and shut the door. He went around the car to sit in the front passenger's seat while the driver roared the car engine to life. Sophia looked beside her and found Chase seated there, staring at her. "Hey" Chase nodded at her and plastered a grin on his face as he took in her whole appearance. “You look pretty as always,” She was dressed in a pink length summer dress with a round neck. Her hair was parked into a low ponytail, and she had no makeup on. Sophia blushed and looked down on her lap. “Thanks” “Come” Chase smiled at her, signaling to her to move closer with two of his fingers. “Come” Shyly, Sophia moved a bit close to him, but Chase had other plans.
~~~ Ever since that time, she hadn't been the same. Her nightmares had changed from that of her parents to similar ones she had earlier. Her cheeks were hollow, and she had thinned down. She abruptly stopped attending college. She preferred the safe confines of her room and her food was always taken to her in there. The only thing she was grateful for and happy about was that Chase hadn't showed up in front of her after that terrifying and traumatising night. Once when Valerie had gone to check up on her, she had told her that Chase flew out of the country for work and still wasn't back yet and Sometimes, Sophia even prayed for him to just die and never return. As Sophia's eyes landed on the covered skin below her shoulder blade, a loud voice at the back of her mind screamed at her to leave her hands at her sides and not uncover the skin to look at the scar, but her hands happened to develop a mind of their own. Sophia's hands reached up and one pulled down the shirt she was wear
~~~ Hey!!! As for the last chapter, I apologise in arrears to you all for not leaving a warning of physical and mental abuse, especially to those who may find it triggering and traumatising. I love you all❤️ ~~~ SOPHIA'S EYES SLOWLY opened, and she found herself in a dimly lit room, tied with a chain to a bedpost. She tried to struggle free, but the chains weren't budging one bit. She got tired, gave up and laid down back on the hard mattress as tears trailed down her cheeks. When she closed her eyes, all she saw was the bloodied bodies of her three friends, then the mental sting of the scar below her shoulder blade. "Soph," Her eyes snapped open and she sat up immediately when she heard a very familiar voice. Just that, it wasn't as cheerful and happy as it used to be. It was cold, laced with hatred and malice for no one but her. But then, the owner of the voice was meant to be dead, right? Sophia was sure she was dead. She had seen her body with her own eyes. She h
Chapter 39~~~{"Kitten"} "I-,"Sophia shook her head. “I’m not part of this world. I’m not a sinner," "Oh yes, you are!” He roared and pulled her on his lap, not letting go of her hair. “You were born into this world. Agosti was born into the mafia. Giovanni was born into this world. They both signed up for it," "No. You-you're lying. Mama and Papa worked as-they-papa worked in a bank. He told me so when I was little," A laugh rumbled off Chase's throat. “Bank? Poor little Sophia thinks her fucked up father works in a bank,” He laughed again, throwing his head back. Sophia only watched him in sheer horror. Once Chase was done laughing, he smiled at her. “Your papa never worked in a bank. He did the same thing I did. He killed people, raped women, trafficked people and drugs. He did much more worse than I've ever done," Sophia's lips parted. "You- ahhhh,” She screamed when she felt something hot with a pointed tip pressing against the skin below her shoulder blades. It was bu
Roman and Alecia’s parents. "Roman, who did this to you? What did you do to the Don?” His mum cried out. “Where-Where's your-,"Her remaining words turned into a low gasp when she saw the bodies hanging over the wall.” A-Alecia," Chase ignored the crying woman and stared at Roman dead in the eye. “Do you know your biggest mistake in this life? Wanting someone that was already taken was your biggest mistake and look what it has caused you. If you didn't eye my property or try to help her escape, I’m sure you would have been roaming around the streets of Italy freely. Your sister would have been alive. Her best friend would have been alive. You wouldn't have to be killed and your parents would not have to be buried alive," "Chase,” tears leaked profusely from Sophia's eyes. “Please no,” She shook her head. “Please don't do this. They-this. They are all innocent. Don’t drag them into this. Please," "No, Gattina,” Chase turned to her. “I swear we all wouldn't have been here if you didn
~~~Sophia froze, feeling blood rushing to her ears. It couldn't be true, right? "What - what are you saying? Where is he? Who did it? Maya? Alecia? Where are they? I- I -," Chase was standing in a corner, watching the drama unfold between Sophia and Roman. It made him even more angrier. Sophia wasn't even looking his way. Her whole attention was solely fixed on Roman. "He-Cha-,"Before Roman could complete his sentence, Chase’s fists connected with his face, and a gasp eluded Sophia's lips. He hadn't touched him since he walked into the room. He had only allowed one of his men to torture him and beat him up. He only wanted to do it when Sophia was awake. "Cha-chase,” Sophia called out. Chase didn't turn to look at her, he only stared down at Roman. He snapped his fingers at one of his men standing in the room, and another bulb was illuminated in another corner of the room. Sophia's eyes fell on the particular spot where the light was switched on, and a louder gasp left her lips