Chapter 12

While walking inside, she noticed something strange. Inside the big house, there was another passage. A separate corridor that looked completely different - darker or lighter,she couldn’t tell, it looks more private, with black doors. And 2 guards outside the door.

In her mind, she thought: _That passage must belong to him. It looks like it's not the same house, but it is. She was looking around while walking.

"Here is your room, ma'am." With that he left

Isabella walked in and immediately locked the door .

The room was massive, it screamed gold. A huge soft bed in the middle. So soft it looked like a cloud. A walk-in closet. A bathroom that looked like a spa.

For a moment, she just stood there.

This was not her world. But this was her new home, at least for now.

I have to accept it, she thought. For now. If I want to survive, I have to play along. But I will find a way to escape. I will and I must.

She walked straight into the bathroom as if in a trance. She turned the shower on, it was a little hotter than a bathing water. She stepped under it, before letting them fall.

She just stood there under the water, her hands against the cold tile.

Allowing it to wash away the tears. The fear. The pain. And the hands that had touched her.

The water was getting hotter, but she didn't move. For now, she would obey. But soon, she would run.

When Isabella finally came out, her eyes were red, but her face was clean. Then she heard a knock.

"Ma'am, dinner is ready."

She wiped her face quickly and forced her voice to be steady.

"Okay, I'm coming."

With that, she put on the same cloth Adrian had given to her.

Immediately Isabella opened her door. The smell hit her.

The aroma of food filled the hallway — rich, warm, alive. It had been so long since she had smelled something this good. Not since before the hospital. Not since her old life.

Without realizing it, she smiled. A real, genuine smile. Small, but true. Because for the first time in a long time, she was going to eat good food.

Walking down the stairs, the smell got stronger. It pulled her in. Her steps became a little faster, a little lighter. She could hear her own soft footsteps on the marble stairs.

Then she reached the bottom And her smile faded immediately she saw Adrian, already sitting at the long dining table. Alone. In a fresh black shirt, his wet hair pushed back.

She walked to the dining table, looking down at his plate — then she froze.

It wasn't well cooked.

A thick steak, almost completely raw. Deep red in the middle, bleeding onto the white plate. He cut it so calmly, like it was normal.

Isabella felt her stomach turn looking at him eating it like that

Then she looked at her plate, it was a well cooked meal.

"Can I take my food upstairs? she asked.

"not allowed" he answered, without looking at her.

She sat down, eating her food quietly. Avoiding eye contact with him.

"You will be going with one of the drives tomorrow to get some things for yourself.” his voice calm. “ and I will be introducing you to my family tomorrow night”

She froze for a second, but said nothing.

He leaned back in his chair.

"Here are the things I want you to get. The kind of styles I like. Dresses, heels. And I like the color black. So make sure to Get black dress”

She finally looked up at him. Then the note on the table

"Why black?" she asked softly while staring at the list note

He didn't answer that. He just stared at her.

"One more thing," he said, his voice lower now. "My family is not the kind you usually see. They are not nice people. They are part of the mafia world too, you know what that means right?."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice low and calm..

"I'm not taking you there to go and be emotional. weak, or innocent little girl. I don't want that. Understood?”

For a moment, the dining room was silent. She responded by nodding her head

" Good, So Isabella. Welcome to my world, where there are no good people. Only powerful people. Here in the dark mafia world. Always remember one thing….. you belong to me."

Isabella's hand tightened around her fork. Watching him walk away

He walked to the other corridor. The guards opened the black door for him.

She stared and more focused. She wanted to see what was inside. What was he hiding there?