RAFFAEL I led Erica into the restaurant, a modest, late-night pizza joint that smelled of melted cheese and warm dough. The kind of place you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it. She stumbled slightly as we stepped inside, her fingers gripping my arm tighter than I expected. “Easy there,” I muttered, steadying her. “You’re not exactly graceful right now.” She tilted her head back to look at me, her lips pulling into a lopsided smile. “Oh, come on, Raffael. Where’s your sense of fun? Live a little.” “I am living. I just prefer to do it without making a scene.” She rolled her eyes and let go of my arm, staggering toward an empty table. “You’re no fun. And you think I’m the problem.” I sighed, following her to the table. She plopped down unceremoniously, resting her elbows on the surface and staring at the laminated menu like it held the secrets to the universe. “Do they have pizza with extra cheese?” she asked, her voice suddenly serious. “It’s a pizza place. Of course,
ERICA I woke up to a pounding headache and the faint smell of something unfamiliar—leather? It took a moment for my blurry eyes to adjust to the dim light streaming through my bedroom window. The ache in my head deepened as I sat up, but the sight that greeted me froze me mid-motion. Raffael. He was seated in the armchair next to my bed, his legs crossed, his expression unreadable. He wasn’t just here; he was staring at me, like he’d been waiting for me to wake up. “What the…” I croaked, my voice hoarse. “What are you doing here?” “Good morning to you too,” he replied, his tone clipped. “You don’t remember?” My mind raced, the throbbing in my head making it harder to think. “Remember what?” Raffael stood, his imposing figure towering over me as he walked to the side of the bed. “Last night. You don’t remember anything?” And just like that, the memories slammed into me like a freight train. Running down the dark alley, the thugs chasing me. The pizza. Sitting in the m
ERICA I stood in the kitchen, my hands busy chopping vegetables for the salad, while my mind wandered elsewhere. The house was eerily quiet except for the faint sound of laughter coming from the living room. Raffael and Clarissa. I didn’t need to peek around the corner to know what was going on. Her high-pitched giggles and the sound of his low murmurs were enough to paint a picture. I tried not to think about it as I moved to set the table. The clinking of plates and cutlery against the wooden surface was louder than I expected, almost like it was trying to drown out the scene in my head. But as I turned to grab the glasses, my eyes accidentally landed on them. Clarissa was perched on Raffael’s lap, her perfectly manicured fingers tracing his jawline as she leaned in for a kiss. His arm rested lazily around her waist, his hand splayed possessively on her lower back. I quickly looked away, but a strange discomfort settled in my chest. Why does this bother me? I shook the thought
Clarissa stormed into Ray’s office, her heels clicking against the tiled floor with urgency. Ray looked up from his cluttered desk, his expression morphing from surprise to confusion as he saw her standing in front of him, her hands gripping the back of the chair across from him. “Clarissa,” he began, leaning back slightly. “What brings you here? You don’t usually…” “Raffael is on his way,” she interrupted, her tone sharp and urgent. Ray’s brows knitted together, perplexed. “Raffael? Here? Why? What’s going on?” Clarissa rolled her eyes, her frustration evident. “Why else would he be coming? It is because of Erica ofcourse. That stupid girl that somehow found a way to turn our lives upside down” The name dripped from her lips like venom. Ray sat up straighter, his confusion deepening. “Erica? What did she do now?” “That lousy new stripper reported some nonsense about being bullied in the club. And under your watch, no less,” Clarissa snapped. “She even showed Raffael some
Raffael’s icy presence filled the room as he stood at the entrance, eyes scanning over the girls who had been dancing with the men just moments ago. The music still thumped loudly, but the tension in the air was like a heavy storm waiting to break. He didn’t need to say much. The armed ladies were already moving toward the men whom the girls had been entertaining. “Leave this place,” Raffael’s voice was calm but deadly. “Now.” The man closest to him, a burly figure with a thick beard, turned and scoffed, trying to mask his unease with bravado. “We paid much to have them tonight. We’ll leave when we’re ready. You can have them later.” Without warning, Raffael’s fist connected with the man’s gut, a sickening thud echoing through the space. The man gasped, stumbling backward, clutching his stomach, blood spilling from his lips as he hit the ground with a thud. Raffael didn’t flinch, his cold stare unwavering. “If I repeat myself, you’d be dead.” The other men froze, their faces
CLARISSA I stalked through the club, my heels clicking loudly against the marble floor, each step an echo of the anger boiling in my chest. The atmosphere was thick with the sounds of laughter and the clinking of glasses, but I was too focused on my goal to notice. I was looking for them—Daisy, Melanie, and Chloe. As I reached the dressing room, I paused, hearing the muffled voices behind the door. I pushed it open, and the sight inside made my stomach twist. The three girls were sitting on the floor, the first aid kit scattered beside them. Melanie was wiping the blood off her arms with shaky hands, while Chloe was dabbing a cloth to her swollen cheek. Daisy winced as she adjusted her position, trying to ignore the pain in her side. They were a mess, bruised and battered, and it was clear that Raffael’s thuggish women hadn’t held back. The moment they saw me, their expressions shifted. They went from hurt to pure, seething anger. “Look who finally shows up,” Chloe hissed,
ERICA The room was quiet except for the soft sound of the mop sliding across the polished floor. I had been cleaning for nearly an hour, trying to distract myself from the nagging thoughts that had been swirling in my mind since last night. Ever since Clarissa cornered me and told me that Raffael had Chloe, Daisy, and Melanie beaten up, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I didn’t know how to feel. Should I be grateful? Should I confront him? The idea of speaking to him made my stomach churn. Raffael wasn’t the type of man you casually approached, especially when he looked as brooding and irritated as he did lately. I adjusted the mop in my hand, glancing toward the door. The air felt heavier when he was around, and the tension only grew when I heard his familiar footsteps echo in the hall. A second later, the door creaked open, and there he was. Raffael walked into the room without sparing me a glance, his face a mask of cold indifference. He headed straight to his closet, tug
ERICA DAYS LATER As the music started, I stepped onto the stage, trying to block out the leers and crude remarks. The bass thumped in my chest, and I moved to the rhythm like I always did, my hips swaying, my body bending to the demands of the performance. The whistles began almost immediately. "Yeah, work it, baby!" a man shouted from the corner, his words slurred with liquor. "Show us more!" another chimed in, laughing as he slapped the table. I twisted around the pole, letting the music guide me. I was good at pretending it didn’t bother me. A man sitting near the stage leaned forward, his gold chains glinting under the lights. He shoved a wad of cash into my bra with a cocky grin. "That’s for being a good girl," he said, his breath reeking of whiskey. As I spun around the pole, trying to shake off the emotions threatening to overwhelm me, something shifted. I felt it before I saw it—a pair of eyes burning into me. I glanced toward the back of the room, and my sto
ERICA The tension in the air felt suffocating as I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. It had been over thirty minutes since Raffael had ordered me upstairs, and I had obeyed like a scolded child. Now, thirst clawed at my throat, the dryness an excuse to leave this room that felt more like a prison with every passing second. But I hesitated. What if Raffael was still downstairs? He’d told me to go to my room, and I wasn’t sure how he’d react if he saw me wandering around. I hated the thought of facing him—his dark eyes filled with whatever storm brewed behind them. Still, I reasoned with myself, I couldn’t stay in here forever. It was just water. If he asked, I’d explain. Simple. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit hallway. The house was quiet except for the faint hum of conversation coming from downstairs. As I walked cautiously, the murmur of voices grew louder. Passing by the door to Raffael’s study, I paused. The door
ERICA Days blurred into each other, heavy with an oppressive silence that seemed to cling to the walls of Raffael’s house. I spent most of my time holed up in the kitchen or my room, avoiding him whenever possible. It had been days since that night at the club, and I hadn’t seen much of him since. I should’ve been relieved. Grateful, even. But the memory of his touch lingered like an unwelcome ghost, refusing to fade. I hated myself for how easily I’d given in, for how my body had betrayed me in that moment. What’s wrong with you, Erica? I thought bitterly as I stirred a pot of marinara sauce on the stove. You’re supposed to be smarter than this. Stronger than this. I told myself I was lucky. Raffael had kept his distance, only appearing sporadically in the house, leaving me to my own devices. I prayed it would stay that way. The less I saw him, the better. I was just plating the pasta when I heard the sound of heavy footsteps behind me. My heart jumped, and I froze, gripping th
ERICA The dressing room smelled of cheap perfume and stale cigarettes. It wasn't a smell you ever got used to, no matter how long you worked here. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, a hollow version of myself I barely recognized anymore. A week had passed since I was discharged from the hospital, and here I was, back to this. Back to dancing for men who saw me as nothing more than a fleeting fantasy. It was another long, soul-draining night. I adjusted the straps of my skimpy outfit, the sequins scratching against my skin. The music from the club thudded faintly through the walls, a relentless reminder of the world I had to step into. "Erica!" Ray, the club manager, poked his head into the dressing room. His face was pinched, his voice sharp as always. "Raffael sent for you.“ My stomach clenched. Raffael. Just hearing his name made my pulse race and my skin crawl with a confusing mix of fear and... something else I didn't want to name. Why would he send for me now
ERICAThe sterile scent of antiseptic stung my nose before my eyes even opened. Blinding white light flooded my vision as I blinked, the steady hum of a heart monitor filling the room. My throat felt dry, like sandpaper, and I swallowed, trying to remember what had happened.I had been kidnapped. Bound. Starved. But I was saved.Raffael saved me. He carried me like I was the most fragile creature in the world.The last thing I remembered was collapsing in his arms, exhaustion overtaking me. Now, I was here in this stark hospital room. How long had I been unconscious? A day? Two? Where was Raffael? More importantly, why had I been kidnapped? I had no enemies—at least none I could think of.Unless… it had something to do with Raffael.Of course it did. He was a crime boss. Someone must have taken me to get to him. Either I was bait, or they planned to kill me to send him a message.My thoughts shattered when the door to the ward burst open, slamming against the wall. I jumped, gasping a
ERICA A DAY LATER The air was suffocating, thick with the stench of mold and decay. I was cold, shaking uncontrollably, my wrists raw from the ropes biting into my skin. The faint light from the crack above barely touched the darkness around me. I had been here for a day already, fed with nothing but dried bread and water. My heart was pounding, and I couldn’t stop the tears sliding down my face. Will I make it out alive? What if Raffael never finds me? God please, just save me. I heard footsteps approaching, slow and deliberate. The door creaked open again, and this time, it was not just the driver. Another one followed him in, taller and broader, with a sneer plastered across his face. My stomach twisted and dread washed over me. "Well, well, look at her," the driver said, his voice filled with cruel amusement. He moved closer, and I tried to back away, but there was nowhere to go. The taller man grinned, his eyes raking over me. "You didn't tell me she was t
ERICA I woke up with a sharp pain in my head. It felt like someone had hit me with a hammer. My body was cold, and the floor underneath me was hard and damp. I tried to move, but something was stopping me. I tugged at my arms and legs and realized they were tied up. My hands were bound tightly behind my back, and my legs were tied too, keeping me in one spot. I blinked, trying to see, but the room was so dark. I couldn't make out anything. All I could smell was the horrible stench of mold and something rotten. My stomach turned, and I gagged, but there was nothing in my stomach to throw up. The air was thick with the smell, and the more I breathed it in, the sicker I felt. Where am I? How did I get here? Then it hit me. I left the club, trying to avoid the drizzle and hailed down the first cab I could see. I just wanted to get home and rest, atleast have a bit of peace before Raffael and Clarissa stirred trouble for me. But then the driver took a different route and when I
RAFFAEL I ambled towards the house, a migraine throbbing at the side of my head. I felt so exhausted and drained. I had spent the entire night in my office, going over countless files and documents that seemed not to end. The port authorities were a serious pain in the ass not to mention the fuckers that hijacked my goods days ago. I still could not believe my capos had not tracked them yet. I give them one job to do and they are being so lazy about it! If not that I had other pressing issues at hand, I'd have killed the bastards that dared to steal from me. Currently right now, I was working on finding who had the audacity to send me a death threat via text message. I wasn't surprised though. This is the mafia and my life is a ticking time bomb. I had numerous enemies but my ability to crush them all was what kept me at the top. And may hell receive the soul of the cunt that sent that message to my phone. I'd make sure he meets his creator. My insiders , though t
ERICA The sound of muffled music from the club’s main floor still throbbed in my ears as I sat on the bench in the dressing room, my fingers fumbling to untie the straps of my heels. My entire body felt like it had been wrung out and left to dry, sore and weak. The hours I’d spent on the stage felt heavier tonight, and the exhaustion dug deeper into my bones. I threw the heels into my bag, the clatter breaking the quiet of the room. For a moment, I sat there, letting my head fall into my hands. The dizziness hadn’t left since Raffael had locked me in that room, leaving me with nothing but my anger and hunger. No food. No water. Just silence and the four walls pressing in on me. He hadn’t said a word when he let me out hours later, his face a mask of cold indifference. The only thing he cared about was making sure I got to my shift on time. I bit my lip, trying to push the memory away, but it clung to me, suffocating and unrelenting. The note he’d sent at the grocery store fl
ERICA The soft hum of the supermarket's air conditioning was a small comfort as I strolled through the aisles, picking up the essentials. We were low on some groceries and dairy products so I decided to venture to the super market this morning but not before informing Raffael by the way. Atleast I could get that done and off my list before I prepare for the night work at that fucking club again. Right now, what I had in my cart was a loaf of bread, a carton of milk, some fresh vegetables. It was mundane, but it felt like a slice of normalcy in the chaotic storm that my life had become. For a few minutes, I could pretend that I wasn’t constantly looking over my shoulder. For some reason I felt being watched. But would Raffael be crazy enough to track my every movement down to the super market? I doubt not. I can’t run away from him that’s for sure, he had left me no choice to do that. I turned into the cereal aisle, scanning the shelves for something cheap but filling.