Chapter Three

Salvatore’s POV

I couldn't believe it. She had probably seen that scar. My heart was pounding in my chest, my mind racing with thoughts of what she must be thinking. I had been so careful to keep my distance from her, but now it seemed that fate had other plans.

But I couldn't let myself get distracted. I needed to focus on the task at hand. As I picked up my ringing phone, I saw that it was one of my men, Marco, calling me. I answered the call, trying to keep my voice steady and calm.

"What's the problem, Marco?" I asked, trying to sound calm.

"Boss, we have a situation at the warehouse," Marco replied, his voice tense.

"What kind of situation?" I asked, already starting to feel the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders.

"There's been a break in. We don't know who did it yet, but we need you to come down here and take a look," Marco said, his voice growing more urgent. I knew that the situation must be really bad.

I frowned, wondering who could be behind the break-in. We had enemies, of course, but they usually weren't so bold as to try and break into our warehouse.

"Alright, I'm on my way," I said, ending the call and quickly grabbing my keys.

As I drove towards the warehouse, I couldn't shake the image of her out of my mind. It was like she had burned herself onto my brain, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't push her out of my thoughts.

But I knew I couldn't let myself be distracted. I had a job to do, and I needed to stay focused if I was going to protect my men and my territory. No woman can ever come between and my duties, she is just a maid and that’s it.

When I arrived at the warehouse, Marco was waiting for me, looking even more worried than he had been on the phone.

"What's the situation?" I asked, striding towards him.

"Someone broke in through the loading bay. We haven't been able to find anything missing yet, but we're still going through everything," Marco explained, gesturing towards the large metal doors at the back of the warehouse.

I nodded, my mind already racing with possibilities. Who could have done this, and what did they want? As I walked towards the loading bay, I couldn't help but wonder if this was just the beginning of something much bigger. I had to calm down and let things go smoothly.

*~*

The drive to the warehouse had exhausted had exhausted me and now I needed to have some fun. As I made my way out of my room, my eyes had landed on Melissa.

“Sir," she said with a forced smile. She was carrying a tray of food that probably contained my dinner.

I barely acknowledged her as I continued walking. But then, as I turned the corner, I accidentally bumped into her, causing the hot food to spill all over her.

"What the hell!" I yelled, not realizing at first what had just happened. But as Melissa cried out in pain, I quickly realized my mistake.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." I trailed off, at a loss for words.

Melissa was badly burned, her skin red and blistering. She was in obvious pain, and I couldn’t help but feel terrible for what I had done.

I quickly helped her to a nearby couch and grabbed a towel to help cool down her burns. "I'm so sorry," I said softly, as I tried to make amends for my careless behavior.

Melissa winced in pain as I gently applied the towel to her burns. "It's okay sir," she said weakly. "Accidents happen."

I continued to help her treat her wounds, feeling incredibly guilty for what I had done. I couldn't believe how careless I had been.

“Thank you sir!” She muttered, I didn’t say a word and walked away.

*~*

As I stepped into the club, the thumping bass echoed through my body, instantly energizing my senses. The dimly lit space was alive with vibrant lights, casting colorful beams across the dance floor. The air was thick with the scent of perfume, alcohol, and anticipation. This was the perfect place to escape from my worries and lose myself in the pulsating rhythm of the night.

I made my way to the bar, feeling a surge of confidence building within me. The bartender, a friendly woman with a mischievous smile, welcomed me with a nod. "What can I get you?" she asked over the booming music.

I leaned against the counter, scanning the crowd as I pondered my choice. "A whiskey on the rocks, please," I replied, my voice barely audible above the uproar. As I sipped the smooth liquid, a surge of courage flowed through my veins. It was time to let loose and have some fun.

Leaving the bar, I engaged myself in the pulsating crowd. The music wrapped around me, syncing with the beat of my heart. I let my body move freely, allowing the rhythm to guide my every step. Surrounded by an ocean of people, I felt a sense of anonymity, liberated from the weight of my problems.

My eyes wandered, drawn to the women who radiated confidence and allure. I approached a group of friends dancing near the center of the floor, their laughter and smiles infectious. The music provided a soundtrack as we danced together, our bodies moving in harmony. It was extricating to let go, surrendering to the moment.

I found myself engaged in conversations, flirting effortlessly. Laughter filled the air as we shared stories and exchanged playful banter. The women around me seemed to have a magnetic pull, their presence intoxicating. Each interaction was a temporary escape, a momentary reprieve from the burdens I carried. The best part was that no one recognized me as Salvatore Moretti, but as just Salvatore.

As the night wore on, I felt a subtle shift within me. It wasn't the attention or the thrill of seduction that I craved. Instead, I yearned for something deeper, a connection that transcended fleeting encounters. My heart still ached, and Melissa's memory lingered in the corners of my mind.

In the midst of the pulsating energy, I stepped away from the crowd, seeking solace in a quieter corner. Resting against a wall, I closed my eyes, allowing the music to wash over me. It was in that moment of solitude that I realized I couldn't truly escape my worries by indulging in temporary distractions.

As the night club continued to throb around me, I made a decision. It was time to confront my feelings head-on, to face the pain instead of burying it beneath the allure of the night. I couldn't continue running from my emotions forever. I needed to heal and find closure. I needed to forget about the weight on my head, I needed peace and nothing more.