1.

Alessia

Exhausted yet excited, I finally stepped out of the airport terminal, my trolley clattering along behind me. A sharp breath escaped my lips as I took in the sight before me, my eyes wide with disbelief. Italy. I was actually in Italy, and what's more, the trip wasn't putting a dent in my bank account. Winning this all-expenses-paid journey was a dream come true, even if Italy wasn't exactly my top bucket-list destination. Still, the attraction of the country had always held a special place in my heart, thanks to the countless pictures I'd seen on the news and social media.

Just as I let the thrill of the moment wash over me, my phone rang, jolting me from my reverie. With a smile tugging at my lips, I swiped to answer, holding the phone to my ear. "Hey Mom," I greeted, my voice a mix of excitement and fatigue. "I've arrived safely. Don't worry, I'll fill you in on everything once I'm settled in my hotel room. Give Dad a hug for me. Love you, Mom."

Before she could respond, I quickly ended the call, not waiting for the stream of questions and concerns that would follow. Slipping my phone back into my jeans pocket, I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. The thought of sharing my journey with my parents was comforting, but right now, I was going to soak in the thrill of this adventure on my own.

With a grin still lingering on my face, I stepped closer to the curb and hailed a taxi. The driver began speaking in rapid Italian, and relief washed over me. Thankfully, Italian was one of the languages I had learned along with French and Spanish. I responded in kind, providing the address of my hotel. As the taxi pulled away from the curb, I settled back in the seat, ready to embrace the next chapter of this unexpected escapade.

My mind returned to the thrilling news that had landed me in Italy. The excitement had yet to fully sink in, and I found myself replaying the events that had led to this incredible opportunity. My role as an event planner at the prestigious international event management company in New York had certainly opened doors, but it was the recent high-profile gala project that had proven to be the game-changer.

Working tirelessly on behalf of a renowned fashion brand, I had thrown myself into the task of an unforgettable event. Every detail, from the elegant decor to the flawless execution of the runway show, had been planned and executed. The moment the event concluded with resounding success, my heart swelled with pride. The satisfaction of a job well done was reward enough, or so I had thought.

It was the client's unexpected offer of an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy that had truly caught me off guard. As I gazed out of the taxi's window at the unfamiliar streets, I felt a sense of overwhelming happiness. It wasn't just about the journey itself; it was the recognition of my hard work that had left me feeling both honored and humbled.

The taxi came to a halt in front of a breathtaking hotel that made my mouth drop open in awe. The sight before me was beyond anything I could have imagined. A five-star, if not seven-star, establishment greeted me, oozing luxury from every corner. As I walked towards the entrance, my curiosity grew. However, nothing could have prepared me for the extravagance that awaited within those grand doors.

As I walked into the lobby, my jaw practically hit the floor. The interior was a realm of elegance, adorned with intricate designs and a level of luxury that left me momentarily speechless. It was as though I had stepped into a world far removed from my own, and I couldn't wait to immerse myself in this unparalleled experience.

Approaching the reception desk, I was greeted by a polite woman with a warm smile. "Good evening, ma'am. How may I assist you?" she asked in a professional tone that instantly put me at ease.

I smiled back, my excitement evident. "Hi there. I'm Alessia Marino. I believe there's a reservation under my name."

The receptionist's fingers danced across the keyboard, and I fished out the card that had been given to me for my journey. My gaze shifted from the receptionist's hands to the elegant lobby around me, taking in the sophisticated decor that seemed to reflect the very essence of Italy.

After a moment, the receptionist looked up from her screen, her smile still in place. "Ah, yes, Ms. Marino. Just one moment, please." She turned her attention to a nearby laptop, her fingers tapping away as she accessed the reservation system.

My heart raced with a mix of anticipation and wonder as I watched her work. This was it, the beginning of a new adventure that promised to be unlike anything I had ever experienced.

Her smile returned as she looked back at me. "Thank you for your patience, Ms. Marino. Everything is in order. One of our staff members will be with you shortly to assist you with your room key and any other information you may need."

I nodded, my excitement growing with each passing second. "Thank you so much."

My eyes widened as I stepped into the room, my mouth literally hanging open in disbelief. It was as though I had walked into a realm of pure luxury. The grandeur of the space was beyond anything I had ever experienced. Every detail, from the exquisite furnishings to the elegant decor, spoke of opulence.

As the person in charge of bringing me to my room explained the extravagances and features, I absorbed the information with a mixture of awe and disbelief. A king-sized bed that seemed fit for royalty beckoned to me, and without a second thought, I crashed onto it, my fingers ruffling the plush bedding. I couldn't help but blurt out, "I can't believe this... it's like a life of luxury I've only dreamed of."

Taking my time to explore every corner of the room, I marveled at the thoughtful touches that surrounded me. The window view, the elegant seating area, and the little details that made the room feel like a sanctuary.

However, it was the bathroom that truly ignited a sense of relief within me. The fatigue from the journey seemed to melt away at the prospect of indulging in a hot shower. I was just about to set that plan in motion when the doorbell's chime resonated through the room, surprising me.

Assuming it was one of the hotel staff, I quickly grabbed a bathrobe and draped it around me before walking to the door with a towel wrapped around my hair.

As the door swung open, I was greeted by two faces of unfamiliar men I didn't recognize. "Hello—" my words trailed off as a cloth was suddenly pressed against my mouth, and a strange smell invaded my senses. Panic surged through me as I tried to react, but the world around me grew hazy, and my limbs grew heavy.

The last thing I remembered before everything went black was the sensation of falling into a pit of darkness, my consciousness slipping away like sand through my fingers.

**

I opened my eyes to a blinding, disorienting light that assaulted my senses. A sharp pain throbbed in my head as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. The first thing I noticed was the sea of unfamiliar faces that surrounded me – men and women dressed in attire that seemed too extravagant for reality.

An air that felt both out of place and overwhelming. The scent of something unfamiliar hung in the air. Panic knotted in my chest as I looked down, my heart pounding wildly.

My hands were restrained in cuffs, and my legs were barefooted against the cold floor. Confusion and fear surged within me. What was happening? How did I ended up here? I vividly remember being in my hotel room just moments ago...

A voice sliced through the haze of my thoughts, pulling my attention toward the crowd. "Ten million," someone called out, the words echoing around me. The dazzling lights above, intensifying the throbbing pain in my head.

"Fifteen million," another voice chimed in, each bid like a jolt to my bewildered senses.

"Twenty million," someone else announced, and then the bid escalated to "Thirty million."

And then, like a tempest suddenly silenced, a voice that held a dangerous edge pierced through the air. "Two hundred million."

The entire room seemed to hold its breath, falling into a calm silence. In that suspended moment, I met his gaze. Dark, penetrating eyes locked onto mine, sending an icy shiver down my spine. The danger radiating from him was palpable, the weight of his stare both chilling and magnetic.

I blinked against the blinding lights, my mind still foggy as I tried to comprehend the scene unfolding before me. Amidst the murmur of the crowd, the speaker's voice cut through, announcing the outcome of the bid. "And the bid for today goes to the renowned Mafia lord, Angelo Santoro," He proclaimed, and a wave of applause erupted around me. My heart pounded in my chest, my confusion deepening. Angelo Santoro? Who was he? Was I being Aunctioned by a Mafia?

Before I could process the weight of his name, my body was suddenly seized, and I was dragged away from the stage. Panic flared within me, and I struggled against the strong hold of the man in the suit, my voice cracking as I desperately tried to understand what was happening. "Wait, what's going on? Let go of me!"

My words fell on deaf ears as I was pulled farther from the stage, my heart racing as questions and fear swirled together. The rush of cold air hit me as we stepped outside, sending a shiver down my spine. Before I could grasp the situation, I found myself being pushed towards a sleek black car.

A man was seated inside, puffing a cigarette with an air of effortless authority. Our eyes met, and in that instant, I felt my heart leap and stutter in my chest. His gaze pierced through me, an intensity that seemed to see right through my defenses. My mind raced to piece together the fragments of what was happening – the auction, his presence, and the chilling realization that I was no longer in control of my own fate.

"Welcome to my world, Bella." his words reached me, a low, velvet-laden voice that sent a tremor through my being.