Chapter 03: Strip

Lily's POV.

As I waited for my flight to the United States, my mother tried to console me. "I'm helpless, Lily, and I am so sorry for everything that is happening to you. On the bright side, you will have the opportunity to complete your schooling before getting married. Just try to look at the brighter side, dear," she said, her voice filled with sadness.

Look on the brighter side? What kind of ridiculous notion was that? My world was in darkness.

School? What a joke. They were probably lying to me. My entire existence felt like a lie.

"Lily, please don't give me the cold shoulder. I know I'm not the best mother you could ask for, but I couldn't do anything. I just couldn't. You know how your father was... he's..." My mother's voice trailed off, her words choked with emotion.

"Mom, please, don't make this harder than it already is. I have nothing against anyone. Just leave me alone. I'm as helpless as you are. Please, Mom, don't stress about it," I pleaded, forcing a smile, even though my head was spinning. I watched as tears clouded my mother's eyes. It pained me to see her cry, but I didn't want to break down in front of her. It would only make everything worse. I knew she felt terrible seeing her daughter go through the same ordeal she once endured.

"You'll be fine, Lily. Please, be fine," she muttered, her voice filled with sorrow, and she began sobbing once again.

"You stupid woman, why are you bent on creating a scene here?" Grandma interjected angrily, and I shot her an ugly look. I knew she would make life miserable for my mom. I wished I could help her, but as it turned out, I was equally helpless.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine, and I'll make sure to stay in touch," I assured her, my lips trembling, as I hugged her tightly, desperately trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

"I'll miss you," she sobbed, and as the announcement for my flight departure echoed through the airport, I knew I would miss her terribly. I also realized that I might not see her again anytime soon. The world of the mafia was cruel, and my late father was part of it.

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As I stepped out of the car that had brought me to my new family's house, my mouth fell open in awe at the sight of the enormous villa before me. Our own house had always seemed huge, but this was on another level of huge and beautiful.

I wasn't surprised, though. After all, my husband-to-be operated and owned one of the largest mafias in the world.

"This way, ma'am," the hulk-like man who had picked me up at the airport said, gesturing for me to follow him.

As I entered this new world, I knew my life was about to change, though I couldn't predict whether it would be for the better or worse. Most of the mafia dons I had encountered were cruel and hardened individuals.

"Welcome, young miss. Please follow me," a young girl greeted me with a warm smile, taking my bag from the guard.

"What's your name?" I asked, glancing around the vast, empty house. My heart still fluttered nervously. I hadn't been prepared for this day, nobody had ever told me anything about marrying a man—let alone someone who was the heir to one of the most feared mafias in the world.

"My name is Agnes. I work as a servant here," she replied politely as we stepped into the elevator.

"Where is everyone, Agnes?" I inquired, gripping the fabric of my gown tightly. I had never been given any information about my new family. I didn't know what to expect.

"The family gathers on rare occasions for important events. The master lives here alone, but sometimes other families come to visit or spend time before departing," she answered softly, her voice meek. Agnes seemed young and polite, but only time would tell if she was a talkative person like Lisa.

I wanted to ask more questions, but I doubted she would provide detailed answers. There were undoubtedly rules governing every mafia family, and I was sure this one was no exception.

As the elevator doors opened, I couldn't help but think about Agnes's words. The Mafia family didn't seem to find my arrival significant, and that realization sent a wave of sadness through me. But I pushed those thoughts aside, reminding myself not to overthink it.

We stopped at a massive door, and before Agnes could knock, I began to hear moans. "Oh yes! Harder! Please... baby, go faster..."

Agnes's hand froze in mid-air, and she quickly turned to look at me. I arched an eyebrow and gave her a questioning glare. "What's wrong?" I asked, puzzled by the sudden change in her composure.

"Um... nothing, young miss. Can I take you to another room for now?" Agnes stammered, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

"What's wrong, Agnes?" I pressed, and the moans gradually subsided. The girl inside seemed to be quite vocal, unlike the man involved.

"I... I want to take you to..."

"Get out!!!" a thunderous masculine voice bellowed, and commotion could be heard from the room.

Agnes and I exchanged startled glances. Fear filled her eyes, while my own was filled with curiosity.

Just as I was about to inquire further, the door swung open, and a naked figure was hurled out. Agnes turned away instinctively, and I glanced over to see a weeping, naked woman sprawled on the ground.

"Here are your clothes!!!" a male voice boomed, and the woman's garments were thrown at her.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I slowly turned my head towards the door, only to be met with a pair of piercing blue eyes staring back at me. His face was sweaty, but he still looked undeniably attractive and his body was hidden by the door.

"You...," he said, his intense gaze fixed on me. I took a deep breath and instinctively took a step back.

Who was this man?

"Why the fuck did you bring her here, Agnes?!" He suddenly shouted angrily, startling me in the process.

"I'm... I'm sorry, mas..." Agnes stuttered, her voice trembling with fear as she bowed before the man before us.

"Get out!!!" he bellowed, his words slicing through the air and I creased my brow.

Agnes fled, the naked woman trailing behind her, leaving me alone with the man.

I was about to look when a strong hand gripped my arm, pulling me into the room with a forceful motion. The door slammed shut behind us, the sound reverberating in the silence.

Anger boiled inside me as I veered to face him, my voice shaking with anger. "What the hell was that for?" I demanded, my frustration barely contained as I faced him head-on.

But my anger faltered as I realized he was completely naked. I averted my gaze, a flush creeping up my cheeks as embarrassment flooded through me.

He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "You'll have to get used to the sight, girl," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "You'll be seeing a lot more of this from now on."

Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to make sense of the situation. Why hadn't anyone prepared me for this?

"And watch your tone when you speak to me," he warned, his voice laced with menace as he turned to face me. "Understand?"

I nodded silently, my heart pounding in my chest as I met his intense gaze.

"Good," he said, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he released me.

As he moved toward the bed, I tried to avert my eyes, but they were drawn to him like a magnet. His body was a work of art, every muscle rippling beneath his skin as he walked. And the raven tattoo on his back... it confirmed my worst fears.

That's Draco!

A gasp escaped my lips as the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. How did this happen?

"Lily," he called, snapping me out of my daze. I forced myself to meet his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Answer me when I call you!" he snapped, his tone sending a shiver down my spine.

"Yes," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heart.

"Pleasure your fiancé," he commanded, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he settled onto the bed.

My mind reeled in disbelief. Pleasure him? Surely, I had misheard him.

"What?" I stammered, unable to comprehend what he was asking of me.

"Strip, Lily," he commanded, his voice dripping with coldness as he settled on the bed. "I want to see what my family is forcing me to marry."

I felt my cheeks burn with humiliation and fear. This couldn't be happening. Not to me.

"I... I.. Can... I can't do that." I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms as I struggled to hold myself together because I know the mafia hates to be disobeyed.

An animalistic growl left his mouth, followed by a sharp raspy order,

"I SAID, STRIP!!!”