Chapter 4_ THE UNCLE AND THE NIECE!

Kate widened her eyes to see Bob at the doorstep, and at that moment, She felt surreal to finally see her uncle whom she had been looking for.

“Come in, you might help this go more smoothly." Lucas said to him and Bob stepped into the room and closed the door. 

“Well, Kate, this is more exciting than being back at the office, isn't it?" Kate's uncle said, with a grin, as If he helped his niece hit the jackpot! 

“You—-” At that moment, the pieces fell into place for Kate and she couldn't help the sourness that developed at the back of her throat.

"This is why you insisted that I come here tonight. You are the one who recommended me for this scheme!” Kate asked, not believing her doubts and the truth in front of her at the moment.

"That's right.” Bob said and nodded as he confirmed her deduction.

And immediately, the tiny shred of hope Kate was hanging onto dropped like a fallen balloon. She couldn't help the feeling of being used, betrayed and hurt.

Tears welled up in her hazel eyes as she gazed at her Uncle, “H-How…..How could you? I'm your niece for crying out loud! You shouldn't have involved me in your mafia games just because you're involved or needed a way out to save your ass. You should have at least talked to me once, You disappoint me Bob.” 

Bob blinked his eyes as he looked at Kate, the girl who had utmost trust in him and had always respected him, uttered his name for the first time and even looked at him with contempt, Bob felt his eyes twitch and he tightened his grip on his hands. 

Lucas decided to step in, seeing the tense air surrounding the Uncle and the Niece.

“He owed my father a great debt, so I called in the favor. Loyalty is valued above all in our line of work, If you weren't aware. You can imagine how things will go If he reneges on the deal now."

His polite phrasing makes Kate’s blood run cold and she shivered, understanding fully well what the context of his words mean.

“Do I even have a choice?" 

“Why would you want one? Anyone with sense would see what a good deal this is. A few months of playacting and then you can move on with your life, richer than you’d ever be from working that job of yours." Lucas said, as he looked straight at Kate but she could barely bring herself to reciprocate the gesture. 

“Do you understand now or do I need to explain it with smaller words? Lucas taunted, purposely wanting to anger her so he could see that look in her eyes again.

Kate gritted her teeth, ‘I swear he is asking for a punch in the jaw.’ 

She took a deep breath as she reigned in her anger and spoke, "I understand your point but I don't take marriage lightly.”

"Excuse me?” Lucas asked, lost.

"You should only marry someone because you truly love them— Not because it's a convenient way to inherit your business.” 

Lucas' lips curl up, "What a naive point of view. Marriage doesn't require love to perform its function, and besides, It won't be a real marriage so there's nothing for you to be concerned about.” 

Seeing the hesitation on her face, Lucas delivered the last blow to her.

"Keep in mind that there's a target on your back now that you have been introduced as my fiancee. With the announcement made public, I’m the only one that can keep you safe from my enemies.” 

Kate swallowed a hard gulp down her throat as she realized that she had been trapped the moment he announced her as his woman.

‘If I turn him down, would I even get out alive? No no no! I can't risk that, Once there is life, there's hope…..

She takes a long deep breath before looking Lucas in the eye, “Alright, I’ll pose as your fiancee until this is over.” 

"Excellent!” Lucas clapped, and his expressionless face cracked a smile for the first time that night but Alas, it was a crooked smile that felt more genuine. 

He walked to the door and opened it, “Ace, come in here." 

Kate then sees the kind man from earlier enter the room with a smile on his face and she finds herself smiling back at him. 

“Good to see you again." Ace said and Kate nodded at him.

"Ace will act as your bodyguard.” Lucas announced, after saying that, he turned to Ace and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't let her out of your sight."

“Got it." Ace nodded, then turned to Kate and bowed, “After you."

Kate looked back at her Uncle who seemed downcast, probably feeling guilty or something but she walked out with Ace without looking back once at him again.

After knowing what would befall her Uncle If he didn't agree to help Lucas, she wasn't really mad at him anymore but that didn't mean she didn't feel hurt by his actions.

She needed a space of her own to think about tonight. It had been one of a night of crazy roller coasters for her and she needed to get her bearings and come to terms with the changes in her life before she could face her Uncle again. 

‘What does the future hold for her?’

‘She’s somehow involved with the mafia now whether she liked it or not.’

Ace escorted Kate to a blue spot car and opened the door for her as she climbed in.

On a good day, she would have gushed over the sports beauty and admire it since she loves sports cars so much. But she wasn't in the mood for that.

Once they were both inside the car, Ace starts the engine and pulls out of the parking lot. 

“We are not staying for the party?" Kate asked. 

“Lucas is concerned about your safety. I'm taking you to your apartment." Ace answered as he looked up at the road ahead and the information he got to Kate's apartment.

“I see." Kate nodded and looked out the window. ‘How did it come to this?’ 

“Hey." Ace called out softly to her. She looked over to him and saw him giving her a reassuring smile.

“I know he can come across rough sometimes, but He's a man of his word. He will never hurt you, I can promise you that." Kate nodded and found herself trusting his word, despite him being a Mafia too.

“Do you work for Lucas?" Kate asked, curiously.

Ace smiled and responded, “I’m his best friend, I belong to a different family, a smaller one you probably haven't heard of."

“Why do you hang around him, then?"

“We swore an oath to each other years ago. The mafia code is unbreakable, you know?" 

“O–Oh I see." Kate said and shook her head. She couldn't imagine someone like Lucas swearing an oath with anyone.

The car went silent until they got to the familiar Neighborhood where Kate lived, NewDawn. 

Ace walked Kate to her door, “Will you be alright from here?" 

“Yes, of course!" 

“Gotcha! Remember you might feel like you're in over your head, but Lucas is the sort of guy you can count on. And now, you’ve got me watching your back too." 

“Thank you, I’ll try to remember that. Goodnight." Kate said quickly, and closed the door with a bang afterwards.

‘She wanted to be alone, in the comfort zone of her room.’ 

She laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. ‘This feels like it's been the longest day of my life.’ 

‘What must Matteo be thinking now that I’ve been officially introduced as a mafia boss’ fiancée?’

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't find a way out. She closed her eyes and tried to stop thinking so much 

After some minutes or so, her restless thoughts settle down as she drift off to sleep.