Chapter 15: Endless Charade

Chapter 15

Her face paled, goosebumps formed on her skin. What kind of punishment was he talking about? The glint in his eyes—sinister—it definitely wasn’t a good kind.

If she could get out of this alive, she would never even look in the direction of those glass doors ever again. 

She suddenly felt a warm liquid roll down her head, reminding her that she had hit her head on a stone and the wound hadn’t been taken care of yet. Her knees stung from how hard she had fallen too; she had scraped her knee, and it had begun to hurt really bad.

Her knees began to weaken, her eyes spun, and her body suddenly went lax. He let her head fall on his chest as she became unconscious. 

………

The loud chirping of the birds made her lids fly open. Her eyes took in her surroundings—she was back in her room. Had it all been just a terrible dream? Leone had been in it, which made it more like a nightmare for her.

Her hands flew to her head to feel the small bandage. She checked her knees, and they were bandaged too. It had been no dream, all right.

The last thing she remembered was talking to Leone in the garden. How she had gotten back to her room was still a mystery to her. It had to be Leone. Why would he do that right after saying he was going to punish her?

Her eyes flew wide. Had he told Domenico and the Don that she had been trespassing in the garden that late at night? Oh no. Worry marred her forehead.

She had no idea what they would do to her if that was the case. Up until now, she had been treated like nothing but an esteemed guest, but the look in their eyes told her it would only take a snap of their finger for her to find herself behind iron bars in the dungeon.

Oh dear Lord, what would she do now? She had been unlucky—she didn’t find the exit, and not to talk about the trouble she had gotten herself into.

She had learnt before that staying in bed wouldn’t save her from the nosy butler. She quickly got out of bed and had her bath before the maids would arrive.

She wore a long gown that went past her knees. Thankfully, the wound on her head was something that could be hidden by her hair, and just like she had predicted, she heard a knock on the door. It was the butler.

He was a bit gobsmacked to see she was already dressed up, even when she had the habit of sleeping in. Anna didn’t miss the look of suspicion that passed through his eyes.

Her heart dropped when he told her she would be having breakfast with the Don. She wished she could just lie that she was sick in bed, but this butler had seen her alive and well.

She cracked her brain for ways to get out of this, but nothing came up. She cleared her throat and then returned her gaze back to the butler.

“I’m really not hungry. I had a big meal last night, and I think I might have indigestion,” she dug her fingers into her nails, mustering a smile that only came out tight.

She saw him arch his brows. Did he not believe her? “Very well then,” he nodded, and Anna finally let out the breath she had been holding in.

However, her face fell at his next words. “Boss Domenico and the Don simply want to have a talk with you, ma’am, so if you’ll be kind enough to follow me.” He stretched out his hand in the direction of the stairs.

Domenico?! When did he return, and why did it have to be so soon? Her hands became clammy at the newfound information.

A talk? Her face paled. And this butler—damn him! Not left with a second option, she nodded, her back stiff as she made her way down the stairs.

The butler tailed behind her but at a polite distance, and Anna felt his eyes on her back, like if he wasn’t careful, she’d slip out of his watch. Anna wished she could, but she couldn’t. 

Her heart raced as she approached the dining hall. Did Domenico not have another weapon vault Leone could set on fire for her? She would even be more than glad to do it herself if that was what it took to save her neck.

There was no saving for her now. She finally got to the large dining hall. Her eyes fell on the Don, who sat at the head of the table, and Domenico, who sat beside him. And then Leone—he was here too? He sat two seats away from them.

Why didn’t the butler tell her Leone would also be here? She was beginning to not like him. Her fingers became cold—so did her feet.

“You don’t plan on standing there, do you, Anna?” The Don’s eyes nearly made her want to enter the ground.

She had been so lost in thought she didn’t realize how long she had been standing there.

“I’m sorry,” she quickly apologized, while slightly bowing her head.

She made her way to the table, and the butler drew a chair out for her. Unfortunately, it was one directly in front of Leone. This butler was a real thorn in her flesh.

She reluctantly sat down, feeling the weight of Leone’s gaze on her. Not just Leone, but Domenico and Enzo stared at her also.

She had hidden the wound with her hair, and the only thing that could save her now from immediate death was if Leone hadn’t told them already.

She mustered a small smile at Domenico, who returned it with a hard glare. She swallowed.

It was unlike her, but she wished he had gotten hit by a bus during his trip. But here he was again. Blood drained from her face at the thought of being put under the same predicament with him again.

Odd to say, but that was the least of her problems right now. She had to stay alive in order to face that problem.

“How was your night, Anna?” Enzo asked calmly.

“It was fine,” Anna mustered a smile.

After that, silence reigned in the room. Her brows arched in confusion. Did Leone really not tell them? He really didn’t. She silently sighed in relief.

“Did you hurt your head?” She looked up to find Leone staring at her. This devil! Her blood ran cold.