WELCOME TO HELL

(Rachel's pov)

"Why do I feel he is Vince? His eyes…. I can't forget them."

I slapped myself for thinking about the night again. My cheeks blushed and I looked down in embarrassment when suddenly reality hit me.

I frantically searched for the hairpin but it was nowhere. My hair wasn't secured with it.

"This is where hell's calling for me. Andrew repeatedly warned me not to get that misplaced…." I scratched my head twice.

"Mam, is this yours?" The waiter asked me.

The diamond clip was shining. I quickly grabbed it from him and ended the conversation with a quick thank you.

After some time, I felt the strain getting better so I got up and proceeded toward the main area thinking about how to approach Vincenzo.

While pouring some juice, I noticed a young lady in a wheelchair. She looked young and pretty. I took a seat since my ankle was hurting again.

The next moment I saw that lady trying to bend over the railing. That was dangerous. I noticed her cloth was getting stuck on the wheel as she was moving to bend more.

I somehow managed to stand up and shouted but she didn't seem to listen. I decided to walk to her but the wheelchair rolled. I ran without caring about my ankle and held her tightly. Her shriek invited everyone's attention. I looked into her eyes but suddenly felt a stinging pain in my arm.

I looked down only to notice a pocket dagger stabbed. Tears boiled and I was on the verge of tearing down when Vincenzo entered the scene. Instead of me, he bowed lower to check the girl I saved.

"Sia, are you ok?" He seemed worried.

"Yes, brother but you hurt the wrong person. She's bleeding. Do something brother."

I was covering the wound when I felt his gaze on me. The next second, I was in his arms again. I was carried to the medical room.

"I am sorry….are you ok?" Vincenzo asked.

"Y..ess…" my words weren't forming due to the throbbing pain which was eating me up.

After the dressing, he carried me to my room.

"I misunderstood you to be a spy."

The word sent chills over my body. Yes, I was a spy but I genuinely cared about Sia.

"It's…ok." I stuttered.

"But please confirm your doubt next time. My arm's hurting like hell." I gave him an angry expression.

"Thank God that it was just a dagger. I had my gun in my pocket." He looked at me.

"Why should I? It was your misunderstanding." I spat.

He was looking at me with a strange expression. I tilted my head a bit and matched his eyes.

"What are you doing? Do you want your eyes to be picked out?"

"Why are your words so bitter?" I shouted.

"You will know when it's time." He whispered leaning closer and left.

"I already know." I thought.

—---------------------

Vincenzo didn't know why this was happening to him. He tried to remain cold but ended up caring for her.

"I shouldn't show her this side of mine. I am a mafia. A dangerous man." He repeated like a recorder and hurried to Sia to ask about her foot. She had been paralyzed for the last 6 years due to a road accident. No physiotherapist could make her walk.

"Brother, can you hire that girl?" She asked him.

"How and why? What can she do?" Vincenzo asked getting confused

"When I fell, she immediately came over and massaged my leg continuously until you came. She told me that she is a trained physiotherapist."

"That doesn't mean we can hire anyone and everyone." Vincenzo retorted.

"Brother please-" Vincenzo cut her in the middle and ordered her to get back and get some rest.

While walking on the upper deck, he noticed Rachel enjoying the cool breeze. Her open hair, smiling happily with the cute height was so appealing to him that he couldn't help but smile fondly. Quietly, he walked behind her to surprise.

"What are you doing here?"

Getting startled, she was about to lose her balance when Vincenzo quickly pulled her by the waist.

"Why are you so absent-minded?" He shot.

"How would I know that you'll come here?"

"Well, what are you doing here?" He looked down at the bandaged ankle.

"Nothing. Just the breeze feels good. Feels fresh." She answered with a reassuring smile.

"Don't smile. I hate to see you smiling." I spat.

"Your words are so bitter that your face can't even cover them."

"Are you a physiotherapist or an event planner?" The question was raising doubt in his mind for a long time.

"I am a physiotherapist with a degree and a part-time event planner. I got the latter from my best friend. She's the one who signed me here." Why but he could sense the uneasiness in her voice even though she didn't stutter.

"Are you lying?" He raised his brow.

"Why would I? For you?" Rachel laughed.

This confident attitude of hers was attractive to the mafia who was in search of warmth. Vincenzo had never met a woman who didn't get intimidated by my presence. Most of them came with ulterior motives which he hated.

"Sia seems to love you a lot." He began again.

"She is lovable and kind. I like her too."

"Then come and be hired as her full-time physiotherapist," Vincenzo spoke.

"No. I can't. I have my hospital where I attend to patients. Bring her there." Rachel answered.

"I didn't make an offer. It was an order." He started fiercely.

"Why should I listen to you?" Rachel looked away to avoid the strong gaze.

"Because I hate denials. Today after the event, you are coming with me to VS mansion. Don't reject." He warned.

Vincenzo leaned dangerously close and left a heavy breath near Rachel's ear. Her breath hitched. She could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Recalling memories, she stepped back and turned to leave but got pinned by Vincenzo by the wall. She tried to escape but Vincenzo forcefully pulled her by the waist. His expensive cologne hit her nostrils. She was feeling intimidated by his presence but regained her senses quicker.

"Mr. Vicenzo step back."

"Okay. Sure." He smirked and moved away.

After the party ended, Vincenzo's sisters, Sia and Athea left along with their step-mother Diana while Vincenzo was still on board.

He quickly glanced at the watch and ordered his secretary, Andy to look for Rachel.

(In Rachel's room)

"Damn it. Why isn't Andrew picking up? I want to tell him all that happened between me and Vincenzo."

After the third ring, finally Andrew picked up the call.

"Yes. What has happened? Why did the speaker go off?" He asked Rachel.

"Stop speaking Andrew. Listen to me. Vincenzo told me that he is going to take me to VS mansion as his sister's physiotherapist because she seems to love me. Save me, please. I don't want this to go away soon." The panic in her voice was noticeable. She didn't want to leave so soon.

"Rachel…just go for it. People don't get chances this soon. He is himself digging his grave. Just go in. I will always be around to protect you." Andrew yelled.

"But Andrew-"

Rachel quickly ended the call since there was a loud knock on the door. She went to open it and saw Andy standing.

"Yes? What do you want?" She asked

"Vincenzo sir is looking for you. It's time to leave."

Just as she was going to speak, Vincenzo appeared in the scene.

"I can't go." She firmly answered.

"Give me a reason." He demanded.

Andy left Rachel and Vincenzo alone.

Her heart was sinking. She didn't want to be alone with this man. He did seem scheming to her. Sometimes he's nice but mostly he was so intimidating that Rachel got crushed in front of him.

"I don't have my clothes." The stupid excuse.

"Give your size to Sia. She will order clothes for you."

"I don't have my medicines with me. Give me some time and I will grab it from the orphanage." Rachel spoke while pouting angrily.

"No need. Andy will take care of your things. They will be sent to you by tonight."

'Why does he have an answer for everything? I want to punch him but I can't. Poor me.' Rachel thought.

"How much will you pay me?"

"Enough to live a luxurious life."

"I don't want to go to the mansion. I promise to attend to your sister daily. I will travel to and fro." She pleaded again and again.

"No more excuses. Come with me."

With that, he dragged Rachel with him.

"Leave my hand," She screamed all the way.

"Scream again and I will stitch your lips. If you don't believe it, you can try." He glared.

She kept quiet but her ankle hurt and stumbled making a painful noise.

"Why can't you take care of yourself? Here. Look up. Don't cry." Vincenzo kneeled to check.

He carried her in his arms for the third time in the day. Rachel wrapped her arm around his neck. He carefully added the end of her dress to his hold and looked at her.

"Is it ok now?" She nodded faintly in a yes.

Those eyes were getting her drunk again. She closely scanned his facial features. It made her think of Vince again and again. She couldn't forget that night how hard she tried. That man had a different effect on her.

"Finally I am acting on my promise. Good, that I didn't have to think of other ways. I am getting you for myself. I already warned you not to meet me again." Vincenzo smirked, thinking of the words in his head. He was happy to get the pet he wanted to tame.