Chapter Two

I tilted my head to the source, only to find a likewise unfamiliar face. His power and dominating aura pervaded the air as he approached.

“Lorenzo?” Giovanni's brows contorted in disbelief.

He was a towering six feet two tall and had well-built abs, like those of someone who frequented the gym. His well-sculpted jawline and the stubble hairs that grew at his moustache and beard complemented this charm, giving him a grand look, despite the fierceness etched on his scarred face. Giovanni was obviously no match for him.

“How dare you attempt to hit her?” Lorenzo threatened, with gritted teeth and a tightly clenched fist, as though ready for a fight.

His hands reached for my waist possessively. I froze at the spot as I felt his hand wrap around my waist. It was unusual, especially how I felt at ease with his gentle touch so easily.

Giovanni, seeing the fierceness in Lorenzo's face, took some steps backwards in an unexpected submission. His palms grew a little quirky. Lorenzo quickly retrieved the rod from Giovanni and put it away.

“You’re making a mistake! These people don't deserve your cruelty.” Lorenzo spoke, in a voice laced with sympathy and chivalry. “How much do they owe you, by the way?”

“Two thousand bucks! Can you afford to risk that?” Giovanni replied boisterously. “Maybe you should learn to mind your business!”

“Just that?” Lorenzo snickered. “Now, send their belongings back in! Silly fool!”

“Not before paying the rent!” Giovanni insisted, a stern look appearing on his face.

“Don't be stupid, man!” Lorenzo's jaw tightened.

Gazing at me, Lorenzo said, “I'd leave with Isabella now. I'll send in the payment later.”

“Leave her alone! She's going nowhere with you!” Mum protested, fuming silently.

Lorenzo took a deep sigh and pulled out his latest model smartphone from his pocket, dialling a strange number that picked up at the first ring.

“Hello boss! How can I help you?” The person on the other end spoke as soon as the call connected.

“Get me the money box quickly!” Lorenzo said, with an undeniable authority and hung the call immediately.

Mum and I stood in awe as a young man, probably in his twenties walked over to him in a matter of seconds, with a large silvery white box. He bowed in reverence and presented it to him.

Lorenzo slid the box open, revealing bundles of hundred dollar bills neatly stacked in it. My eyes widened with shock at the sight of it and my mouth watered. So did Mum's.

'Lorenzo is no doubt a wealthy man!’ I muttered under my breath, wishing he'd gift me some of the money in his possession.

Lorenzo pulled out two bundles and flung them at Giovanni. Giovanni was too stunned to react. He gazed on with a reddened face, seething with jealousy and anger. He muttered some inaudible words to his men, who gradually began replacing our few belongings they had sprawled across the sidewalk back to the room, and left angrily.

Turning to face Mum, Lorenzo said in the calmest voice ever, “Can she go with me now?”

Mum exhaled and kept silent all of a sudden. She seemed puzzled by the strange arrangement. Same way I did, but I couldn't question it. I had no right to. I was the sacrificial lamb that didn't dare to open its mouth.

“Well, your opinions never mattered anyways,” he shrugged and began moving away with me, together with the man who had brought in the money box.

“Please! Let her stay with me!” Mum called back at us.

Lorenzo paused in his tracks and trailed his steps backwards. He drew closer to the man with the money box and took out three bundles from it. He threw them at Mum and she stood astounded.

“Thank you sir,” she breathed, her wariness turning into gratitude.

“Would you let me go with her now?” Lorenzo reiterated, with a smirk this time.

Without waiting for a response, he walked away swiftly with me in his arms, like I was a piece of property he had just purchased. Mum couldn't bear to lose me. She hurriedly followed me from behind. She didn't stop until she was hoisted into the second car that accompanied ours.

Meanwhile, in the car, Lorenzo placed his hand on my lap teasingly. My heart beat very fast. I felt uneasy under his lustful gaze and touch.

“Leave me alone!” I yelled shifting away from him uncomfortably.

“Don't tell me you don't like it,” he grinned cunningly.

“I don't like it and I don't want you!” I retorted, wishing he would concur.

“Would you prefer to be thrown out to the streets then?” he taunted.

I ignored him. I didn't know what to say.

Seeing my quietness, he reminded, “Look, I'm here to protect you. But you owe me now!”

His last words stuck to my ears even after I was dropped off at a strange magnificent mansion. I really did owe him. I'd have been battered to death by Giovanni, if he hadn't shown up to my rescue.

“Now, here's what you'd do,” Lorenzo drew me closer to him, cutting me off my disturbing thoughts. “Marry me!”

I gasped, shock rippling through me. I couldn't believe my ears.

“What?!” I heard Mum's voice from behind. “No way! There's no way she'd get married to you!”

“Shut up, woman!” Lorenzo warned. “Like I said earlier, your opinions don't really matter here!”

Gesturing at his men, he instructed, “Take her away at once!”

The two hefty men seized Mum by the means of her legs and hands and took her out of the mansion. My heart raced with thoughts as I watched them carry her out.

“Isabella, you have to marry me!” He demanded, with a hint of authority.

From the expression on his face, I couldn't tell if he was actually giving an option to say no, but I felt somehow compelled to say yes.

“Well, you can't possibly say no. You're mine already. Your dad already sold you off to me!” Lorenzo disclosed, smiling sheepishly.

“What?!” I blinked my eyes in disbelief. I was left undone.

No no no… Dad can't do this to me! It can't be true. It just can't be!