Chapter Four- Yield

CHAPTER FOUR

Shirley's POV

My room? Did he just say my room?

Would I be living with him in this house, alone?

I froze for a second as riotous thoughts attacked my head. Then, ungluing my feet from the ground, I scampered after him.

As we walked through the corridors of Lucas Gambino's mansion, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. The signs of wealth surrounding me felt suffocating, like a gilded cage trapping me in a world I didn't belong to.

Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I turned to Lucas. "What do you mean by 'my room'?" I asked.

Lucas shot me a cocky smirk, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Unless you plan on spending the night in my car, I suggest you come inside."

I rolled my eyes in frustration. "That's not what I meant," I grumbled under my breath, trailing after him as he led the way.

Finally, he stopped before a pristine white door, pushing it open with a flourish. "Here you go," he announced, gesturing for me to enter.

I stepped into the room, and was immediately struck by its beauty. The air was heavy with the scent of jasmine and sandalwood, and soft golden light spilled from a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The centerpiece of the room was a lavish four-poster bed, draped in beautiful sheets the color of moonlight. Plush pillows adorned the headboard. A crackling fireplace in the left corner cast a warm glow over the room.

Near the window stood a very large, beautifully carved vanity, beautiful even though its top was completely bare. A plush armchair sat beside it.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as I took in my surroundings. For a moment, I allowed myself to forget the dangerous man that stood behind me.

His voice quickly pulled me back to reality. "Sleep well, Rocco." He murmured, then closed the door behind him.

*******

The next morning, I was woken from my sleep by the thin slant of sunlight that escaped into the room through the window. I groaned and stretched lazily, feeling more rested than I'd ever been.

Then my eyes flew open in alarm. Where was I again?!

Kicking the covers aside, I rose from the plush bed and quickly stepped outside. It took me a moment to remember that I was in Lucas Gambino's mansion.

I kept walking down the hall silently. Soon, I found myself at the top of a grand staircase, overlooking the foyer below.

It did not take me long to spot Lucas Gambino, who stood conversing with another man at the foot of the staircase. I could not tell what they were discussing, and that was just as well. It gave me ample time to stare at the god that was Lucas Gambino.

Mr Gambino was a vision of masculine perfection, with long, sleek black hair that pooled at the top of his head in a neat man bun. Every movement, from the flex of his arm as he gestured at the man, to the taut stretch of his shoulders, was fluid and purposeful. But it was his piercing glacier blue eyes that held me captivated, like icy pools of intensity that bore into my soul.

I could almost have fallen in love with the man, if not for the fact that I knew what a beast he was.

Lost in my reverie, I barely noticed when Lucas looked up and saw me. With a gesture, he beckoned for me to join them downstairs, and I obediently made my way down the staircase.

As I approached, Lucas turned to me with a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Good morning, Rocco," he greeted.

Why do you call me that? I wanted to ask. Instead, I grunted "Morning."

"A moment, please." Lucas Gambino turned back to the man beside him and fired off a bunch of instructions. I took the opportunity to steal another glance at him, admiring the way the morning light caught the subtle contours of his chiseled features.

After a moment, Lucas turned back to me, his gaze probing. "Come with me," he said, gesturing for me to follow him.

I trailed after him as he led the way down the hall to his study. He motioned for me to take a seat, and I complied, settling into the plush armchair opposite his desk.

"Now, woman," Lucas began, his voice low and commanding. "We need to talk about your debts."

"I told you I'd pay." I grunted. "All you need to do is give me a few weeks, and I promise—"

Lucas arched an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "You've been saying that for seven months now, Rocco," he reminded me. "And yet, I have not seen nor heard anything from you. Tell me, where is your father?"

Embarrassment made my cheeks flush a bright pink. "He...he is out of town."

"Oh, is he?" Mr Gambino's Impressive eyebrows shot up. "My spies tell me he ran away and left you to source for the money to pay off the debt yourself."

"My father's debt has nothing to do with me!" I protested.

He placed both elbows on the tabletop and leaned towards me. "Now see, Rocco, I do not accept excuses when it comes to my money."

My heart raced as I met Lucas's intense gaze, feeling a magnetic pull between them that I couldn't quite explain. There was something undeniably alluring about him, from the way his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief to the confident tilt of his head.

For a brief moment, I found myself lost in the depths of his gaze, my mind swirling with conflicting emotions. But Lucas's words soon broke through my reverie.

"And to get my money back, I would do everything possible."

Feeling a surge of defiance, I squared my shoulders and met his gaze head-on. "I would do whatever it takes to repay you as well."

"Oh, Rocco!" A flicker of amusement crossed Lucas's features before he leaned back in his chair, a mocking smile gracing his lips. "In that case, you can start by working for me."

My eyes widened in surprise at his unexpected proposal. Work?!