Chapter 7: A mighty ROD

Lexi's POV.

My eyes parted slowly as I seeped back into consciousness. I turned on the soft bed and stretched like a cat. My legs vibrated -evidence of a good night's rest. I sat up while rubbing my eyes.

For a split second, the plush room I was in seemed foreign to me. Until the events that led me there last night flooded my mind.

I remember leaving the family mansion in Leonardo's limousine. We did not say much to each other throughout the ride to his mansion. Just that he warned me not to get close to Greta.

I slid off the bed, almost tripping as I had forgotten that it was so higher above the ground than most beds I was used to.

I made my way to the bathroom to freshen up.

I needed to meet with Leonardo. I should have brought up the topic of our deal while we were heading home together but I figured that he would not want to talk about it with his driver around.

I had begun my part by getting married to him and putting on a facade for our relationship. I needed to know when I would get my money.

Additionally, I needed to know how long the marriage would last. Oh gosh! I gripped my toothbrush with frustration. I should have asked him these before I agreed to get married to a stranger.

I should have expected a few shockers yesterday. Nothing could have prepared me for when I discovered that Luca was related to Leonardo. That explained why he had also wanted to get married to me in haste.

I took water in my hand and rinsed my face. I felt exasperated. Because of my carelessness and desperation, I had gotten myself into a dangerous crime family, married to a man with unknown but a handful of enemies.

And my father. He must hate me by now. First I ran away and then I called him out of nowhere to come to a wedding he knew nothing about. Yet I did not give him an explanation, only ordered him to be whisked away by some unknown men.

I am a terrible daughter.

But I was going to take care of all that today.

I left the bathroom, deciding to head straight for Leonardo's bedroom.

I opened the door and shrieked, almost jumping out of my own skin in fright.

“Good morning ma'am. Sorry for startling you.” An old man said in a solemn voice.

“How long have you been standing here?” I asked after taking a while to collect myself.

“I just got here and was just about to knock, ma'am.” He answered.

I gave him a suspicious gaze.

“Your breakfast is ready ma'am. Come with me to the dining hall.” He said without an ounce of expression on his face.

He was the same man who showed me my bedroom last night. Was he some kind of android?

I nodded frantically and he turned around. I followed him behind as he took me down the stairs.

We arrived at a large space with a lengthy table and multiple chairs. There was only one tray of food at the edge of the table.

I sat down, looking at the food strangely. I glanced at the old man but he was already on his way out of the dining hall.

I sighed then glanced at the meal with the corner of my eye. For a moment, it crossed my mind that it could be poisoned. Leonardo might want me gone since he had gotten what he wanted, which was his position as Don. So he might have no use for me anymore.

But that could not be, if he wanted me dead, I am certain I would be by now.

I took the spoon and scooped the food.

As I ate, I saw the old man coming out through a door.

“Excuse me,” I called, he paused. “Can you take me to Leonardo? I need to speak with him, it's urgent.” I asked.

“Master Morano is currently not here, but he’ll arrive soon.” He said. I let out a frustrated groan.

Now what Mafia related business is he up to?

The Mafia. From what I have heard in my several months working at the casino club, they are very dangerous people. I had even witnessed a gang war right there in the casino.

It was gory. Bodies littered the floor, and the place smelt of blood and sulfur for weeks. It took the cleaners and workers weeks to get the place whole again.

I finished my meal and while contemplating whether to take the dish to the kitchen myself or wait for the old man, he showed up out of nowhere.

“I'll take that.” he said and carried the tray.

“Thank you.”

I rested my back as my eyes scanned the massive dining hall. This place alone was as big as my entire house.

I faced the living room behind and looked at the entire span of the mansion.

Leonardo could not be the only one living there, I was certain. It was just as huge as the family mansion or almost. But I haven't seen anyone aside from the old man in there since I came.

I walked through the lonely hallway, taking in the beautiful wall frames. I walked into the large living room, simple but expensive looking.

The place felt neat but lonely. No one had been there for a long time.

I traced my fingers on the clean walls. The scent of the house was nice and the feeling was relaxing.

I felt a small bump on the wall and a beep followed. When the straight section of the wall lit up in blue, I gasped.

I turned around, trying to make sure the old man was not lurking around in any corner.

I leaned closer to it, hoping I had not set off something I was not supposed to. Then I saw buttons signs similar to elevator buttons.

Is this an elevator?

To satisfy my curiosity, I touched the first button -the open button. To my amazement, the wall slid open to one side. I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands.

Wow!

It's so sleek!

Again, I looked around for the old man. When I did not see him, I stepped into the elevator and the door slid shut. There were three numbers indicating the floor numbers. I touched the third one but nothing happened.

I was about to touch it again when the light that outlined the “1” button suddenly went to “2”.

It was already moving and I did not even feel a thing. My heart was pounding against my ribcage in unexplainable excitement. An elevator in a mansion! I felt more than exhilarated.

Finally, the “3” button was outlined and a small Jing indicated I had arrived at my destination. The elevator slid open and I stepped out.

Unlike the first floor which had more lights, here it was dimmer. But not in a dulling way, just serenely.

I walked down the long hallway. There were several doors but they seemed shut. Until I saw one which was left open a bit.

I walked in.

When I was taken to my bedroom, I thought I had entered a queen’s room. Now, it just felt like I had walked into an emperor's fucking bedroom.

It was huge!

The main room was in another section which I could see at a distance. I had only walked into the office section.

The table and couches. The shelf and the chandelier. Everything was breathtaking.

I went to the neatly arranged table where I saw a small picture frame.

I squinted my eyes. Was that…I gasped. It was Leonardo and two other older people. A man and a woman.

His parents?

He looked a lot younger in the picture, perhaps his late teens. But his distinctive eyes could not be mistaken.

It then dawned upon me. I did not see his parents at the wedding. There were a number of relatives but his parents, who were important personalities, did not show up.

All of a sudden, I heard some footsteps behind me and I swerved around. My eyes met Leonardo, wiping his head with a towel.

The frame dropped from my hand as I gasped. But it was not only the suddenness of his appearance that shocked me. He was right before me, stark naked like the day he was born.

Water droplets clung to his skin, trickling down his chest.... and... a mighty rod dangled before him.

I froze.