LOGINShare
Chapter 16
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 17
DERRICK’S POV I stormed into the barn with my associate, Ken. The sounds of laughter stopped as soon as the maids saw me. Joan stood among them, looking beautiful as ever. She seemed more relaxed and at ease than I’d ever seen her. The sight of her made something tighten in my chest. They stood up immediately. "Good day, sir" they chorused "What’s going on here?" I asked. "We were just taking a break" Emily said "We're sorry, sir" My eyes landed on Joan. I noticed how timid and scared she looked. She was basically shaking in her spot. I could tell she was anxious with the way she played with the hem of her dress. Emily and Sarah walked out of the barn. Joan was about to leave as well until I stopped her. "Joan" I said "Stop" She turned to look at me. Her beautiful brown eyes pierced through mine, making my heart pause for a second. In that moment, all I wanted to do was just talk to her. I wanted to ask her how she was and how she was feeling. I wanted to mak
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 18
JOAN'S POVNow that I had seen my mom, I felt a lot lighter. I spent the rest of my day off going to my mom's house and cleaning it up for her. The house was dusty and a bit damp due to how empty it had been for a while. I was happy to clean. When my mom goes back home, I wanted her to meet a neat place. I was certain that she would be okay again. She had to be. The next day, it was time to go back to work. I booked a taxi and made my way back to the Stonewood mansion. It had been just a day but I missed it. I missed everyone. It was a bit weird but this place seemed like home now. The people there treated me well and made me feel welcome. When we arrived, I got down from the cab and walked through the entrance of the mansion. As I entered, I couldn't help but feel a bit excited. However, my excitement quickly gave way to confusion when I finally stepped inside. The air was heavy, and the other workers seemed to be speaking in hushed tones. Something was definitely off.I made my
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 19
JOAN'S POVI couldn’t stop crying as Lady Irene pulled me away from Sir Derrick’s office. The memories of Jake's hits and my own screams haunted me. The memories replayed in my mind like a broken record. I remembered how he would always insult me coupled with the cold look in his eyes when he would hit me. Lady Irene held me gently, patting my back with one hand and rubbing soothing circles on my arm with the other. Her touch was comforting. Her touch felt so different from the cold violent hands I remembered.“Breathe, Joan,” she whispered softly “Just breathe, sweetheart. Take it slow.”I tried to focus on my breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, but each breath felt like it might shatter me.Lady Irene took me to her room and helped me sit on her bed. I was breathing heavily, still struggling. She handed me a glass of water and helped me guide it to my lips as my hands shook too much to hold it myself. The water soothed my throat, and gradually, my sobs lessened.“That's
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 20
DERRICK’S POVI couldn’t concentrate on anything that day. It was as if my mind was trapped in a loop, replaying the same scene over and over again. I had a whole lot of tasks to get through, but my thoughts kept going back to Joan. I could still see her form in my mind, crouched down and trembling, her eyes wide with fear. She covered her body with her arms in a defensive motion. When I had shouted at her, she looked like she was having a panic attack. The sight of her like that, so vulnerable and scared, haunted me. The way she had looked at me, like I was some kind of monster, had affected me more than I wanted to admit. I felt guilty. I shouldn't have snapped at her like that but I was in such a bad mood. My deals were going sour and my workers had annoyed me previously. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on her. She didn't deserve that. “Sir, are you even listening?” Santi’s voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to the present.I blinked, trying to focus on the disc
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 21
JOAN'S POVThe next morning, I woke up feeling sleepy and disoriented. The events of the previous night weren't clear to me but I faintly remembered someone sitting next to me. It looked like Sir Derrick. For a brief moment, I opened my eyes and saw someone who looked like him leaving but I dismissed it as part of a dream. There was no way sir Derrick would be in my room, right? I mean, what would he be doing there? I shook my head, clearing the sleep from my eyes. I remembered the nightmare I had about Jake. I remembered everything vividly - his angry face, his harsh words, and the feel of his hand striking me. The memories were all too vivid to the point that it scared me. My heart raced as the memories came into my mind. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself. I couldn't afford to have a panic attack now. I needed to get up and face the day.I got dressed in my uniform quickly and headed to the kitchen. I had to make amends for my absence yesterday. Ms. Sullivan and the othe
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 22
JOAN'S POVI turned to the entrance to see who had made that comment. I saw a mature and beautiful woman walking in. She had long red hair that reminded me so much of Lady Irene’s, and her clothes were lavish and elegant. She was dressed in a flowing black down and heels. Her jewelry twinkled under the chandelier light. I was in awe of her. Who was she? Ms. Sullivan smiled and immediately stepped forward to greet her.“Madame Helen,” Ms. Sullivan said warmly “Welcome back to the estate.”I quickly realized this must be Lady Irene and Sir Derrick’s mother. The resemblance was unmistakable. She carried herself with an air of importance yet there was something about her that made me at ease. She seemed very nice. “Thank you, Ms. Sullivan,” Madame Helen replied with a charming smile. “I hope everything has been running smoothly in my absence.”“Of course, Madame. Is there anything you’d like to eat?” Ms. Sullivan asked. Madame Helen waved her hand dismissively. “Please, don’t fuss ov
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 23
DERRICK’S POVThe entire day, I couldn't get Joan out of my mind. No matter how hard I tried to focus on the tasks at hand, my thoughts kept drifting back to her. It was maddening.I still felt like a fool for checking on her while she slept. Hearing her murmur another man's name in her dreams ignited a rage within me that I couldn't understand. Every time I remembered that incident, I'd literally feel my blood boil. Why did it bother me so much? She was just a maid. I couldn't have feelings for her. Could I?My emotions were all over the place, and I hated it. I'd never experienced anything like this before. Usually, I was in complete control, but Joan... Joan was different. She made me feel things I didn't want to feel. And I fucking hated it. My mother has summoned me to her playroom after I was done eating. While I ate, I had to endure the torture of Joan standing not too far away. I noticed her occasional glances at me. I ignored her, even when she greeted me. I would try to av
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 24
JOAN'S POVWhen I left Madame Helen's playroom, I came back to the kitchen to finish up my work. Ms Sullivan, Sarah and Emily left to finish up some errands for Madame Helen. I cleaned up the kitchen while they were gone. As I scrubbed the kitchen counters, my mind wandered back to Sir Derrick. I wondered why he didn't like me. Things between us were supposed to be professional so it shouldn't really matter if he liked me or not. Even at that, I just... I wanted him to and I didn't know why. Why was he so cold and mean? He gave me mixed signals. One day, he's saving my life literally and another day, he's telling me to get out of the room just because he doesn't want to be in the same space as me. What goes on in that head of his? I wish I knew. Why wasn't he like the rest of his family? His relatives were so polite and nice but he... He was different. And I couldn't help but think that there was a reason for his indifference and coldness. He seemed to have a special kind of coldne
Latest chapter
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 49
JOAN'S POVIt was well past midnight when I slipped downstairs to the kitchen. I couldn't sleep so I decided to get a glass of milk to calm myself down. Just as I got the milk I needed, the muffled sound of voices caught my attention. I could hear a low argument coming from down the hallway. Curiosity got the better of me as it always did and I found myself walking closer. I stayed behind a pillar, straining my ears to catch every word.It was Derrick and Henry. They were both arguing about something. "You're hiding something, Derrick." Henry said "How long do you think you can keep it a secret?"Derrick’s response was calm "You have no idea what you're talking about, Henry. Stay out of my affairs, or you’ll regret it."I held my breath as I pieced together what little I could from their exchange. It was clear there was a rift between them. Just then, the sound of footsteps approaching shocked me. I ran back to the staircase, making my way up as silently as possible. Once I was in
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 48
JOAN’S POVIrene and I planned to spend the day getting our hair and nails done. I wasn’t the type to do this often. Hell, before I got engaged to Derrick, I couldn’t remember the last time I got my hair done. I usually did it myself. But Irene kept pleading for us to have a girl’s day out together. And how on earth could I say no to Irene?As soon as I stepped through the doors of the salon with Irene, my jaw nearly dropped. I’d never seen anything like this place before. The walls gleamed with soft pink wallpapers and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Everything here screamed luxury, from the fluffy chairs, to the bright vanity mirrors, the marble counters and even the stylists. Women walked around wearing robes with glasses of champagnes in their hands. They talked quietly as they were pampered by the workers. Irene noticed my awestruck expression and grinned. “I told you, Joan, this place is worth the hype. Nothing but the best for us.”“I can see that”“Don’t be too su
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 47
JOAN'S POVOne night, I accompanied Derrick to a dinner with the governor. The governor’s mansion was breathtaking. Everything here was sophisticated - the paintings, the chandeliers, the high ceilings, the wide hallway and the house itself. As we stepped through the entrance, the chandeliers sparkled above us on the marble floors. I tried not to gape but it was hard not to. I was in awe of thewhole place. It looked like something straight out a movie. Beside me, Derrick walked with confidence. His posture was straight and his expression was unreadable as always. He hadn’t spoken much on the drive over. Not like he ever spoke to me anyway. But now, as we walked through the crowd of high-profile guests, he seemed even colder. The dining room was already half-full by the time we reached our seats. As I took a look around, I couldn’t help but notice the familiar faces scattered around the room. The governor, several senators, and even the President of the United States who was seated
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 46
JONAS' POVI adjusted the tiny camera in the button of my shirt. I angled it just right before I slipped back into the dining room. Derrick and Joan were already seated. The silence between them was so thick I could practically feel it from across the room. They sat on opposite ends of the long table, hardly looking at each other while they ate. They didn't behave like a real couple. So far, there was no hint of affection, no evidence of warmth that might prove Henry wrong. Maybe he was right. Maybe this whole marriage was just a carefully constructed facade.I kept my eyes down, trying to busy myself with minor tasks as I positioned myself discreetly nearby, hoping to catch a clear shot of any interaction. Derrick buttered his toast in silence. Joan, on the other hand, stirred her tea absentmindedly. Her eyes were distant as if she was lost in thought. She looked fragile, almost vulnerable. Just as I thought I’d finally have a few minutes to observe, Ms. Sullivan appeared out of now
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 45
JOAN'S POVI sat on my bed, taking a look around my room. It was funny how much my life had changed in a few months. It's funny how things can change in the blink of an eye. The room was lavish, yet suffocating, and I often found myself feeling lost within its walls. Especially when the man I was supposed to call my fiancé kept himself as distant as a stranger. But that was the role I’d signed up for, wasn’t it? Pretend to be the girlfriend of America’s most eligible billionaire and make it look convincing.Only, Derrick didn’t make it easy. Not in the slightest.Today had been an exhausting whirl of decisions. Dresses, flowers, venues—it has taken me the whole day. I'd met up with the finest wedding dress designers and the best florists in the country. Irene had been by my side. She had been supportive as always. Her cheerful attitude helped to keep me grounded. She was good at calming my nerves, and I needed that because Derrick’s frosty demeanor had left me feeling colder than I
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 44
HENRY'S POVI sat back in my new apartment, the leather of the couch squeaking as I shifted to get more comfortable. A week ago, I never thought I’d be here, living in a space twice the size of my old rat-infested dump, but there I was. And it was all thanks to Sir Henry. I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a slow breath as I watched the rain trickle down the windowpane. It had been a whirlwind since Sir Henry Stonewood approached me with his offer—a life-changing deal that pulled me out of a sinking ship and straight into this luxurious high-rise.The terms were clear: find the truth about Joan and Derrick’s relationship. Sir Henry had been specific in his instructions—he didn’t just want rumors or speculation; he needed proof that their so-called “relationship” was nothing but a sham. The first few days were quiet, but now, things were picking up. I'd noticed that Joan and Derrick were a lot more careful in public. It seemed real enough. It was more than enough to convince an
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 43
JOAN'S POVAs the limo pulled up to the entrance of the gala, my heart raced. The moment the door opened and Derrick stepped out, the blinding flashes of cameras made my pulse quicken. He turned back toward me, offering his hand. His dark, commanding presence seemed to make everything around him fade, as if he alone controlled the scene. I hesitated for a second, not used to this kind of attention, but then I took his hand and stepped out into the madness of flashing lights and voices calling out his name.The photographers didn’t hesitate to capture every second, their cameras snapping away furiously as Derrick wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. His grip was firm—possessive almost—and I couldn’t help but feel the electricity between us. I knew this was all for show, a public display for the paparazzi and the high-profile guests that awaited us inside. But that didn’t stop the warmth that rushed through me at his touch.“You alright?” he asked in a low tone as he leane
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 42
JOAN'S POVI sat in front of the vanity mirror. The bright lights made the room feel warmer than it actually was. The makeup artist’s hands moved expertly across my face, dabbing foundation, brushing my cheeks with blush, and carefully lining my eyes. I could see the reflection of the glam team bustling around me, working on my hair and choosing the perfect jewelry. A strange knot of excitement formed in my stomach, tightening with each passing minute. I knew what was coming—tonight was a public event, and I’d be accompanying Derrick. Both of us would be attending a charity gala tonight. It would be the perfect soft launch for our relationship.Derrick. Just the thought of him made my heart race with a mix of butterflies and nerves that I could never quite shake. Every time I thought I understood him, he would do something to throw me off balance. But there was no denying the pull between us. Even now, as I sat in this chair, my thoughts kept wandering back to him.The door creaked
The Mafia's Contract Chapter 41
JOAN'S POVThe day went by fast. It was filled with wedding preparations. If I saw one more wedding brochure, I just might scream. I barely had time to breathe these days, let alone think. I wasn’t used to this kind of life—always in the spotlight, constantly scrutinized. The wedding, though just a contract on paper, felt too real sometimes. It wasn’t love that brought Derrick and me together, but necessity. And yet, here I was, preparing for a wedding that felt more like a spectacle than anything else.By the afternoon, I decided I needed a break. I hadn’t seen Miss Sullivan, Emily, or Sarah in a while. I missed them. They were the people I bonded with when I started working here as a maid, and in many ways, they still felt like my family.I headed down to the kitchen, hoping to find a bit of peace away from the madness. The second I walked in, the smell of baked bread and herbs hit me. Ms Sullivan looked up from kneading dough. Her face lit up when she saw me.“Joan, there you are!
