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THE UNINVITED GUESTS
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2024-08-18 23:56:17"A visitor?" I echoed, my voice laced with confusion as I stood drenched in the entryway. I wasn’t expecting anyone, especially not now that I had just lost my family.
Who could it be? My coursemates? Friends or… A sudden thought flashed through my mind, and I glanced down at the ring on my finger. Could it be Miley? I gasped in shock as my heart fluttered at the thought of him. We hadn't spoke since my graduation, I was too weak to talk to anyone or pick calls. To be frank, I hadn't even touched my phone or eaten. Quickening my pace, I hurriedly squeezed the rainwater out of my hair, wiping my face as I made my way into the house. I pushed past the unsettling feeling that something wasn’t right, focusing instead on the possibility of seeing my fiancé. But as I entered the living room, I froze in confusion. The back frame of the man standing by the window was vaguely familiar, but wasn't Mileys’, I couldn’t immediately place where I had seen him before. "She’s here," Aunt Lydia said flatly, her voice breaking through my thoughts. He turned slowly, and the moment our eyes met, my knees weakened. I staggered, my breath catching in my throat, and I almost fell only to be abruptly stopped by the closed door behind me. His presence was overwhelming and commanding attention in a way that made it hard to think, let alone breathe. I couldn’t help but notice the precision of his tailored suit, the way his eyes seemed to pierce right through me, as if I were just another item on his checklist. The man standing before me was none other than the infamous, ruthless CEO whose name struck fear into the hearts of many. It was the first time I was seeing him this close. The scent of his cologne was heavy in the air, this was no ordinary man; he was a force of nature. A sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach, growing with each second that passed. Whatever he wanted, I knew it wasn’t going to be good. My voice trembled as I finally managed to speak. "W-what are you doing here?" I asked in the politest way I could think of. Russo’s gaze was piercing, his presence overwhelming. He stepped forward, his movements measured and deliberate. "My name is Enzo Russo," he said, his voice deep and commanding. “I'm sure you must have known that already.” He gestured to the couch, a silent invitation or rather, a command for me to sit. Lol, in my own house? “How can I be of help to you?” I asked, not moving an inch. Aunt Lydia, however, spoke up, her tone devoid of any of the venom she had shown at the gravesite. "He’s here on business, Cleopatra. Be nice" "Business?" I repeated, my mind struggling to keep up. "What kind of business could he possibly have with us?" Aunt Lydia sighed, the sound filled with weariness and something else I couldn’t quite decipher. "Your parents borrowed a large sum of money from Mr Russo several years ago. They promised to pay it back, but…" I shook her head, my confusion deepening. "That’s impossible. My parents weren’t rich, but they weren’t poor either. They had no reason to borrow money” I declared. “Especially not from… him,” my voice trailed off. Aunt Lydia exchanged a look with Russo, who remained silent, his expression unreadable. She continued, "The money was used to sponsor your education, to pay for everything you needed, Cleopatra. It wasn’t a small amount." My heart sank as I processed the information. "No," I murmured, shaking my head again. "That can’t be true. My education didn’t cost that much. How much money are we talking about?" Russo finally spoke, his voice laced with a cold amusement. "Ten million dollars." The words hit me like a sledgehammer, leaving me breathless. My eyes widened in disbelief. "Ten… million?" I stammered, barely recognizing the weak, trembling voice that escaped my lips. Is this some sort of prank? "Why would my parents borrow such a huge amount of money? They wouldn't have taken such risk for any reason” The silence that followed was heavy and oppressive. My mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. "They borrowed the money five years ago, Miss Benson," Russo said, each word precise, as if he were delivering a death sentence. "And in the agreement, they promised to pay it back by the 20th of this month” My heart pounded in my chest as I turned toward the calendar hanging on the wall. With trembling hands, I flipped through the pages until I found today’s date. My eyes widened in horror as the realization dawned on me. The 20th was today. My breath hitched, and I slapped my hand across my mouth, a gasp escaping my lips. I slowly turned to face Russo, the weight of his unyielding gaze pressing down on me. "Please, Mr. Russo, I didn’t know about any of this. Give me some time, I’ll find a way to pay you back." I pleaded, but Russo’s expression didn’t soften. "Time’s up," he said simply, his voice devoid of pity. “They had enough time to pay back, but not a dime was paid” My world spun around me. The gravity of the situation was finally sinking in. My parents had left me not only with the crushing grief of their loss but also with an insurmountable debt; a debt that was now mine to bear. "Please," I whispered, my voice broken. "There has to be something else we can do… something, anything.” Russo’s eyes narrowed slightly, considering me. "There is," he said after a long pause, his voice laced with a chilling calm. “Be my bride”Related chapters
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Last Updated : 2024-08-18The Mafia's Pawn THE EDGE OF DEFIANCE
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Cleo's POV“Cleopatra,” Russo said, his voice cold and measured. “The sooner you accept the reality of your situation, the better it will be for both of us. Remember, you’re here to pay the huge debt of your late father.”His words struck me like a physical blow, leaving me momentarily breathless. The reminder of the man who had always been my protector, my guide felt like a knife twisting in my chest. How could Russo speak of him so callously, reducing his memory to nothing more than a financial transaction? My father was gone, and now Russo was using his death as a weapon against me. For a moment, I could do nothing but stare at Russo, the anger and pain swirling inside me like a storm. The weariness that had settled into my bones since the accident seemed to deepen, dragging me down into a dark pit of despair. I wanted to scream, to lash out, to make him feel even a fraction of the pain I was feeling, but I knew it wouldn’t matter. He wouldn’t care.Russo’s eyes flickered as he to
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Latest chapter
The Mafia's Pawn AM I INTERRUPTING SOMETHING?
Cleo's POV The first light of dawn filtered into the room, faint and cold, casting a pale glow across the bed. I stirred, my body stiff with lingering tension, and reached out instinctively. My hand met the cold, empty sheets beside me, and my heart sank. Russo wasn’t there. I sat up, the silence in the room oppressive. Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I forced myself to go through my morning routine on autopilot; washing my face, brushing my teeth and trying to ignore the ache in my chest. The sunlight streaming through the windows mocked the chill in my chest. It was the weekend, a day I used to look forward to spending with Russo, but given that he didn't wake me up from sleep, he should probably be at the gym. Maybe he’d come back to his senses and apologize, or maybe offering the kind of explanation I longed for after sweating out all of Isabelle's manipulations. I headed downstairs, trying to push away the gnawing unease that had settled in my stomach. Maybe I’m o
The Mafia's Pawn I'M SORRY CLEO
Cleo's POV Before I could process what was happening, he was off the bed, pulling away from me without a second glance. The warmth of his touch, the intensity of the moment, vanished as if it had never been there. I was left trembling, the cold air biting at my skin where his warmth had been just moments before. “Russo? What’s wrong?” I asked, but he was already out the door. He rushed out of the room, not even bothering to throw on a shirt, leaving me lying there in the dark. I heard him call her name again, his voice thick with concern as he disappeared down the hallway. Russo, where are you going?” I called out, trying to mask the frustration in my voice. My body was still humming with need, but I forced my legs together, willing the tension to ebb away. He didn’t answer. I bit my lower lip, the lingering warmth between my thighs rapidly cooling into a hollow ache. For a moment, I just lay there, paralyzed by a mix of emotions, confusion, anger, hurt. The remnants of pl
The Mafia's Pawn ISABELLE
Cleo's POV I forced another smile as Isabelle belched in my face, her breath reeking of alcohol. My stomach turned, and I had to fight the urge to step back. “Let’s go upstairs,” Russo said quickly, grabbing Isabelle’s arm. He looked at me, his expression almost pleading. “You don’t mind me guiding her upstairs, do you? She’s really drunk, you know.” He didn’t even wait for my response, just turned and put his arm around Isabelle again, guiding her toward the entrance of his building. I stood there, watching them. A thousand words tangled in my throat, but none of them would come out. I didn't suffer any grievances? This woman clearly knew who I was, before Russo could even introduce me. So, how come I never heard anything about her for once in the past six months? Fighting the lump in my throat, I grabbed my broken suitcase and trudged after them, my mind reeling. In the elevator, I finally found my voice. “I’ve been trying to reach you for days,” I said, forcing myself to look
The Mafia's Pawn SEQUEL
Author’s POV As we turn the page into this next chapter, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support on Cleo, Russo, Aunt Lydia, Miley and Ella's journey thus far. Their story has been one of love, betrayal, and resilience, and it is far from over. In this continuation, you will delve deeper into Cleo's evolution as she navigates the complexities of her relationship with Russo and his secret long distance girlfriend, Isabelle, explores the intricacies of her past, and confronts the challenges that come with reclaiming her future. As the bonds of friendship are tested and new alliances are formed, prepare for a tapestry of emotions that will draw you even closer to these beloved characters. This sequel is crafted to seamlessly weave into the narrative you’ve already come to know, enriching the themes and the heart of the story while unveiling fresh layers of intrigue and connection. You are invited to immerse yourself once more in their world, where e
The Mafia's Pawn THE END
Cleo's POV Russo raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his expression. “Where exactly?”I couldn’t help but smile, a sense of freedom bubbling up inside me. “To my parents’ grave.”His expression softened, the lines of uncertainty easing away. “Then let’s go.”We stepped outside, the cool air embracing us as we made our way to the car. The world felt different now, lighter somehow, as though the burdens of my past were finally loosening their grip. I climbed into the passenger seat, and he turned to me, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.“You’re brave, Cleo. Facing the past like this.”I shrugged, feeling a mix of pride and vulnerability. “It’s time to make things right and to honor them properly.”The drive to the cemetery was filled with a comfortable silence, each passing moment allowing me to gather my thoughts. As we arrived, I glanced out the window at the sprawling grounds, the rows of gravestones standing like sentinels in the soft afternoon light.“Here we are,” I sai
The Mafia's Pawn WHAT NEXT
She flinched, unable to meet my gaze as the truth unraveled before us both, heavy and undeniable. For a moment, a flicker of remorse crossed her face, but it was gone just as quickly, replaced by the twisted self-justification that had driven her all along."Cleo, you don’t understand," she hissed, her voice wavering. "I did it for survival. You don’t know the pressure, the weight of everything I had to endure. Your father was... useless to me. I needed control, or we’d have been left with nothing."My hands clenched, the anger simmering hotter than ever. "So you took everything from him and from me just to save yourself?"She bit her lip, struggling to hold onto her composure, but she was visibly cracking. "I… I did what I thought was best. I didn’t mean for it to go this far," she murmured, the hint of vulnerability almost pitiful if it weren’t for the years of pain she’d caused me.Russo stepped closer, his presence casting a shadow over her. "And Ella?" he asked sharply, his tone
The Mafia's Pawn DAWN
The echo of Ella’s threats lingered in the quiet of the morning, her footsteps fading down the path. I leaned against the gate, taking a slow, steady breath, steadying myself after the charged encounter. My cheek still stung from her slap, but the ache only served to solidify the resolve that had been simmering inside me for so long.As I walked back to the house, Russo stepped into the hall, his brow furrowed as he looked me over. “Did she hurt you?” he asked, his voice calm but with a flicker of anger beneath.I shook my head. “She tried. But she’s not worth it, Russo. Not anymore.”He nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint, approving smile. “That’s the Cleo I know.” He led me toward the kitchen, where he already had a steaming cup of coffee waiting, knowing I needed a moment to regain my composure.I took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through me, grounding me. “She’s going to keep coming back, you know. Ella won’t stop until she thinks she’s won, no matter what she
The Mafia's Pawn POINTING FINGERS
Cleo's POV My head was pounding, still foggy from sleep, when a loud bang echoed through the house. I shot up, barely able to focus as I tried to shake off the drowsiness. My vision cleared just enough to see the small screen that connected to the outside security camera. Ella was standing there, seething with anger, her face twisted in a way that sent a warning through my veins.I was expecting her anyways, but not so soon. I adjusted my clothes, trying to mask the unease creeping up my spine, and went to the gate. As soon as it opened enough to let her in, Ella stormed forward, her fury radiating like a wave. Before I could even get a word out, she slapped me hard across the face, the sting sharp and immediate.“Where are they, Cleo?” she demanded, her voice icy and controlled. “Where’s my mother? Where’s Miley?”My mind raced, but I kept my expression steady, meeting her furious gaze with as much composure as I could muster. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my voi
The Mafia's Pawn THE REVEAL
Cleo's POV The leather seat in Russo's car was cool against my back, a stark contrast to the fiery adrenaline that still surged through my veins. I leaned back, trying to gather my thoughts, but my mind was still replaying the scene in that hotel room with Miley. The look on his face, his shock, his fear was something I’d savor for a long time. Russo glanced over at me from the driver’s seat, his sharp eyes assessing me before a smirk curved his lips. “You know, you looked stunning in that wedding gown,” he teased, the hint of laughter in his voice. I scoffed, rolling my eyes but unable to suppress the small smile tugging at my lips. “If you’re that invested in how I looked, you could’ve at least given me a proper wedding,” I shot back, raising an eyebrow at him. “Even if our marriage is just on paper.” Russo chuckled, his deep laugh filling the car. “So be it,” he said, his voice taking on a playful edge. “Let’s have that grand wedding, Cleo. White doves, a choir, the works.
