004

Chapter 4

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Natalie

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A loud bang on my door snapped my eyes open, I rarely get any visitors. I sat up slowly and checked the time, and it was past two p.m.

My head throbbed, just how much did I drink?

Another bang on the door, “hold on" I said, my voice still thick with sleep.

“Open the door or we do that ourselves," A male voice said from outside, calm and threatning and my heart dropped. I walked slowly to the door, before I reached the handle my door flung open violently.

Two men stormed in, rough hands grabbed me forcing me onto my knees, “What..?!” I struggled but they were stronger.

Another figure stepped inside, he didn't rush nor did he speak immediately; he just stood there.

He was a wall of muscles, a human fortress with a chiseled jaw and piercing gaze. His broad shoulders and chest fill out his black outfits perfectly.

He was tall, around six foot three inches with a commanding presence. His cold and calculating eyes scanned the room like it was looking for threats until it stopped at me.

“Little riffraffs like you, always find creative ways to be a nuissance,” he said calmly and my breathing quickened.

"Who are you?” I demanded, my voice trembling and darkness swallowed me before I even got a reply.

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I woke up with blurry vision, I tried lifting my hands up to my face to rub my eyes but they didn't move; panic spread instantly.

I was tied to a chair. I tried to move but every part of me were bounded to the chair with a zip tie, my hands and legs, even across my chest. It felt like one wrong movement and the plastic cut deeper into my skin.

A single light flashed through the ceiling at me like a spotlight, harsh and blinding. I stilled, "Hello?” I called out but I got my voices echoes back as replies, I was definitely in a basement.

"Is anyone there?”

Silence answered me and I struggled again but all to no avail and then when I got tired and finally stilled, someone sudden spoke up.

“Goodness me! You're so noisy," the voice came from the shadows and he stepped forward into the light alongside another whom I recognized immediately.

Him, the man from my apartment. A bodyguard.

“Who are you?" I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady despite the whip hanging loosely in his hand.

He tilted his head slightly,“Leonardo Moretti. Does that name ring any bells?" He said smoothly leaning forward, face a few inches from mine and I leaned backwards instinctively, he noticed.

“You told the whole world that I was your boyfriend and now you recoil," he said as he straightened.

“What are you talking about?" I whispered, totally confused.

“There's one thing I hate; questions! But it's okay I'll answer you before you become my prey," he said snapping his fingers and his bodyguard stretched a phone at me.

Headlines, articles, photos and videos from the club, my name, his name, linked everywhere.

I felt the world tilt a little.

My eyes widened as memories came flooding back to that night. The media was swimming in oceans of the mess I created, and all these articles were either slandering him or slandering me.

“Oh my god! Oh my god! I'm sorry. I.. I didn't know," my voice broke.

"If apologies had value, people like you would be rich," he said quietly, lifting the whip slightly.

Tears burn my eyes.

Oh no! What have I done. I racked the hell out of my brain and immediately screamed at the thought of something before he could hit me.

“I can fix this. I'll do anything to fix this," I said.

"I’ll release a statement and tell everyone it was a misunderstanding," the words rushed out of my mouth.

“And you think a statement can fix a damage as this?" he asked.

"I'll do more. Anything," I said desperately, he studied me for a while

"Anything?” he repeated softly.

“Yes" I nodded and a smile spread across his face.

"Good. Let's begin with a public confession,” he said and walked out.

Moments later, his bodyguard cut the ties binding my upper body but kept my wrists secured. A paper was placed in my shaking hands and a camera is positioned in front of me.

“Go ahead" Leonardo said, and the red recording light turned on.

My throat felt dry.

"I..” I started, glancing at Leonardo who wore a sly and sinister smile, "I, Natalie Rossi, a student of New Rome University, hereby admit to compromising the values of my school and betraying the trust of my family by using a false identity to gain admission and secure a scholarship," I paused as my heart pounded heavily and sweat trickled down my face.

“My actions have brought shame to my family, who were unaware of my deceit, and have put them at risk," my hands trembled and I swallowed hard.

“I understand that my scholarship will be revoked, and I will face academic expulsion..." I stopped, snapped my head up.

"What's this? My scholarship has nothing to do with this, why would it be revoked?" I asked and there was nothing but silence.

Leonardo watched me carefully for a moment, “You don't think it won't be revoked even if it's not mentioned there," he said evenly.

“Continue or you'll have to start all over," Leonardo said.

Hot tears spilled freely out of my eyes as I lowered my gaze back to the paper.

“Furthermore, I acknowledge that my family's assets, including their business, may be subject to restitution and penalties as a result of my actions..." my voice cracked, then I turned to Lorenzo. “this isn’t right."

He laughed dryly and then crouched in front of me, “then tell me what's right. You said you would do anything, right?"

"You're going too far! This is too much,” I cried.

"Too much?” His expression hardened slightly.

“You attached my name to yours without permission. You made me a public figure in your little fantasy. Do you understand what that costs me?”

His voice never rose and that made it worse, “Continue,"

I glared at him through tears but I finished the statement, “I take full responsibility for my mistakes and can only hope to make amends and rebuild my life.”

The camera clicked off and silence filled the basement and then I realized something terrifying.

This wasn't about punishment, it was about control; the only thing that ruled among Italy's elites.

Control.