Chapter Three

Sleep was not as easy coming as before, who swims naked in the middle of the night. The warmth of the night air already got overpowered by a strange breeze. I spent most of the hours in the night watching my boss swim naked, now, that image seems to hunt me anytime I close my eyes. I folded myself under the duvet, clutching the edges tightly.

What have I gotten myself into 

Several attempts to drift into dream land were all futile,  I decided to go downstairs to get a cup of water or probably milk.  I picked up my purple robe and wore it over my flimsy night wear. I slipped my feets into my flip flops and walked out of my room slowly and cautiously, I paused a bit outside my door trying to make the decision of either proceeding downstairs or going over to little Colleen's room to make sure she was okay. 

I stepped into Colleen's room, turned on the light to find her awake. She was sucking on her thumb quietly, this baby was just the most peaceful baby I've ever met. I wonder what Luca might be doing right now, cause he hardly sleeps at night. Luca Stefano Romano was my little Nephew, born by one of the ladies my step brother kept in his Harem. My step brother Lorenzo Stefano Romano who was just like his father, my father.  The one who they call wrecker in the mafia world, Mateo Enzo Romano an Italian Lord,  feared by all, with maximum enemies which increased day by day. 

I am a full blooded Romano, my mum was formerly a slave before her status quo changed to that of a Concubine, from there I was conceived. I grew up with guns and knives, I was well trained enough to defend myself. I detested guns, but I was very good with knifes. Hopefully my family would never find me here, I did a great job in convincing Alberto a capo,  to help me escape, with the change of name and all, I'm free from the life I never bargained for. Even though I have a feeling it would not last, nothing last long,  but this little freedom I have is to be thankful for. 

"Having  troubles with sleep? " a familiar voice broke into my thoughts.

I turned around and came face to face with Mr Peterson. His upper body was bare, he only had on his Pajamas bottom. The sparse of dark curly hairs on his chest were wet from the swim he just had, he had in his hands a towel which he wrapped on his neck as he stepped closer to me. 

"Yes, I find it hard to sleep in new places on the first night." I said out loud, hugging my body tightly. I lied, but it was partially the truth, I could not tell him I watched him swim naked or I saw him naked.

"Oh!  That explains, hope you eventually get used to this place." he replied. 

"Of course I will." I pinched the bridge of my nose as I raised up my head to meet his gaze.

My eyes roved over his body, I couldn't resist the urge to check him out, Mr Okorie Peterson was well built, it shows he works out a lot. His smooth Caramel skin,  his pointed nose bridged a symmetrical face, his full lips looked as if they were begging to be kissed. The way he was staring at me, paying attention to me did something to the pit of my stomach.

"Are you sure you are okay? " he asked. I nodded my head like a dummy. Biting and gnawing on my lips

Why do I have a feeling I was putting this innocent family into danger by coming here, I will have to leave here before my family ever finds me and  that can be anytime.

  The whole of the Italian underworld would be in search of their only runaway principessa, I'm sure they would have all been sworn into secrecy the Omerta, because letting it get out was like giving a free ticket to the enemies, not only would they also want to look for  me to get back to my dad. I would also be passed around for biddings or even taken to an harem. 

I could picture dad,  torturing and killing those who reported of failure. That brought tears into my eyes, a splashy tears came through, sliding down my cheeks and dropping to the ground.  I've always wished to be like the normal kids, no involvement with the mafia world but if only wishes come true. 

"Are you crying? " Mr Peterson asked, that question almost released the water works threatening to spill out in a rush. 

I forced a laughter which made me laugh and sound like an hyena. "I'm singing." I replied, wishing I was actually singing and not about to cry. 

"That's not funny," he replied, stepping more closer to me. He held my hands in his large hands. There was something calming about the way he held my hands. I shut my eyes, enjoying the magic that felt surreal.

"What happened?"he asked. I raised my eyebrows up in confusion, before finally realising he was referring to the stubs in my hand,  the spots where two of my middle fingers were missing. I removed my hands from his, that was the punishment dad gave me for my last unsuccessful escape. Two fingers of my right hand was chopped off and I spent two months in the torture room with dead bodies, bloods, I saw obscene things. Eyes being ripped out of enemies, teeths being plugged out of betrayers. 

"Are you okay?" Mr Peterson asked again. 

"I got into an accident while I was a little girl." I lied, forcing a smile.

"Oh!  That must have really hurt?" he said, I could notice the disbelief in his eyes. I silently prayed he doesn't ask anymore questions. 

"Colleen finally slept." he whispered, moving towards his daughter's and giving her a kiss on her chubby cheeks.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's go get a glass of chilled lemonade, you can even read some books. I have all Colleen Hoover's book in the library."  he added. 

"Sure,  anything that will keep me occupied." I replied. 

******