Chapter 4

Lana

The room fell into deadly silence the moment Salvatore along with his men left.

My knees collapsed on the ground, I gaze my eyes around as the sense of my audacious reality slapped into my face.

Our house was jeopardized. Several household collections are on the floor including the favorite radio my mother has been taking care of for the past few years.

“Lana!” My mother cooed, she assisted me getting up whilst her soft palms wiping my tears.

“Are you hurt?” I inquired, checking which part of her body is bleeding.

On the other hand, my father can't bear to look at me. I saw how devastated he was through his face yet it didn't end there.

“Is your decision to marry Salvatore Mancini final? Everyone knew what kind of person he is.” Mom’s worried voice made me nibble my lower lip. “He’s not your ordinary rich-rich man. He’s beyond dangerous, Lana. She will bring you to your death! Oh God…”

I groaned. “What choice do I have? They will kill all of us if I don't agree.”

The whole room was wrapped in deafening silence, no one dared to speak nor break it until my father gazed into my way and showed me his remorseful stares.

“I'm sorry Lana. I shouldn't have put everything in gambling. All I want is to help both you and Christine. You've been working all your life just to… just to provide. It isn't your responsibility Lana, but mine.”

I gasped. “And do you think gambling could solve our problems? My God, dad. I thought we're done arguing with your gambling addiction!”

“Believe me, Lana, I meant no harm to our family. No one accepts me whenever I’m applying for a job,” my father held my arms, yet I retreated back to convey how his actions infuriate me.

“How am I supposed to believe in you? We were attacked by Ricardo’s men last month, demanding the money you ised to gamble. I lent you money that's supposed to fund mom's treatment, you promised you'll get it back but look at what happened! Our debts went ten fold!” I couldn't grasp myself. If I don't let these out, I'm the only one who's left depressed.

There's too much to carry now, and Salvatore is not the only person we had a huge debt to.

I nibbled my lower lip while my hand was on my waist. I'm so sick of this life where I need to make my day a night, and my night a day.

My old man couldn't bear looking at my eyes, he knew I was right and his stupidity put our lives in danger.

“We can always run,” dad affirmed.

I scowled. “You're indebted to Salvatore Mancini, dad. Do you think he wouldn't track our traces?”

His plan was a huge gamble. Running away is the dumbest thing he could offer. No one escapes Salvatore Mancini, not even a strand of hair can pass through the city’s exit without him knowing. His connections are vast, and he's entitled “King” for a reason. As much as I want to agree with what he wants, I know Salvatore can still find us.

The legend states he has a huge bruise on his face, an old fat guy, a broken and rotting teeth but it's totally the opposite.

He's clean looking, a man with glory, ash gray eyes paired with his sharp jaw, a totally big ass biceps I could've held—wait. Are you seriously fantasizing about a mob, Lana?

He almost wiped out your entire family!

“It's not impossible Lana. I know someone who can help—”

“Not today, dad,” I enunciated with a tired voice, “running away makes everything complicated.”

My mom interrupts. “What about you then? Will you really allow Salvatore to take you in as his bride? Mancini alone is powerful. He could've killed you in just one snap. We can always find money my dear.”

“I don't want to marry him either,” I said, my voice fainting whilst my eyes were on the floor. “Do I have any choice left?”

The heavy responsibility I lift everyday isn't easy. My parents didn't stop bothering me from running away but it's me who keeps refusing. I made a deal with Salvatore, and if running away means betraying our deal will result in our deaths then I'd gladly obey.

I have many plans for them. I may have six months to live, but I know my parents are scared as hell to die.

Nothing hurts more than reality slapping you, isn't it?

****

The next day, I saw no ordinary men around our house. The neighborhood was quiet, and all their windows including doors were closed, afraid these people might break in.

Salvatore’s men, it is.

I was about to leave the house early to avoid any delay when a man who's named Owen suddenly appeared right before me.

“Lana, right?” His cold tone sent shivers down my spine. Just like his voice, he bears the same dark aura he brings wherever he goes.

“Yes.”

Owen stared at me momentarily like I was some sort of subject to study. I tried reading his face yet I failed somehow until he voluntarily snapped back to reality.

“Where are you going?” He inquired.

“I have a job and it happens at night. At a club.”

His eyebrows arched, I saw the hesitation in his eyes to let me pass through. “You know you can get killed if you dare to run away, am I right?”

“I have a family to support and I need to work. The contract between Salvatore and I hasn't been sealed. My situation is not the same as everyone else's and you know it better than anyone.” I muttered calmly, seeking no trouble.

It took him a minute before he finally decided to let me pass through. Taking a step forward for a couple of seconds made me stop, then swerve around to give him my attention.

“By the way, don't lurk around freely. You're trying to scare the entire neighborhood by being scattered outside pretending to care about my family. Everyone is scared,” I reprimanded, my eyes motioning towards the neighbors whose whole house is closed.

Owen slid his one hand inside his pocket whilst ogling at me coolly. “Not my problem. I'm just following a strict order. Monitor the Licciardi residence until further instructions.”

“I’m a woman of words, I'm not gonna run.”

He smirked. “Good. My boss has been the seeker all these years, I doubt he'd let you slip off his sight.” His meaningful remark made my forehead crease but I didn’t pay much attention.

My eyebrows cocker. “What am I, a mouse?” I irritatedly asserted, his logic is useless to me.

Instead of giving me an answer, he gave me a cocky smirk he usually does and motioned his hands. “Off you go, Mrs. Mancini.”

Why are people being weird these past few days? He speaks to me as if he'd known me for so long. Hello! It's my first time living too.