CHAPTER FIVE

Elena

The heat of his rough palms clashed with my cool face and I tasted the metallic tang of blood that immediately warmed my tongue.

"You dare run away from me?" The don thundered. " Just like your parents" he grabbed my cheeks and squeezed them together, crushing my teeth and gums "you want to become a pain in my neck? Huh?", He yelled jerking me.

I squirmed in pain and under his grip, but I didn't let it show. I sustained my firm gaze but I knew that I should be cowering, or maybe I just didn't care at all, how strong this man was and what he could do to me.

"I'm sorry" I managed to croak in-between clenched teeth.

"Stupid bitch" he hissed and released my jaw.

He stormed out of the room and immediately he slammed the door behind him, I fell to the floor in defeat as the tears I held back poured like a river down my cheeks and neck unto my black dress.

"Darn it" I cursed as I struck my thigh with my fist.

"I should be far away from here right now" I said as I began to undo the pins holding my already disheveled hair in place.

The events of my wedding night flashed in my head, making me blink back hard, forcing more tears down my face.

I sat infront of the mirror and stared at my face. I traced my hands down to my now bruised lip and down to my neck.

Blinking back, I wiped my tears with the back of my hand.

'You can't cry girl, you can't'

I said to myself as I sobbed even more. My own words of consolation did me no good as the small stream of tears turned into a raging river and it was all I could do to stop myself from wailing.

I broke down on the dressing table, holding it for support as I let my heart out. I cried until my tears could only come in choked sobs.

After the streams of tears stopped rolling down my face, I looked up at my now puffy face in the mirror.

'Get yourself together, Elle'

I said to myself, first in my mind

'Get yourself together.....Elle',

I said out louder to myself, but my voice cracked.

I cleared my throat and looked around. The jar of water in the room was empty. Feeling parched, I headed to the kitchen to get some water.

As I approached the door, I took a deep breath and twisted the handle of the door hoping I wouldn't see my worst nightmare. But instead, I saw him, Rafael, coming out of the Don's study.

I immediately shut the door, and waited, confused at myself as to why I even needed to shut the door.

I guess I didn't want him to see me like this, all puffy faced and bruised.

After a while I opened the door, hoping he had gone, this time, he was infront of me

INFRONT OF MY DOOR!

What was he doing here? Did he see when I shut the door the first time? Is that why he is here? Or has he come to gloat?...

My mind raced as I contemplated what to do. Immediately, I shut the door in his face, wincing internally. I stood still hoping he wouldn't actually knock and he didn't. Thank God.

My heart was thumping so hard I could hardly hear anything else and I slumped to the floor leaning on the door.

Why should I be scared if he saw me like this? Ugh!!.

I groaned internally almost pulling my hair out.

After a while, I opened the door slowly and peeked out, poking my head through the small space I opened up.

He was gone, good.

I heaved a sigh of relief and stepped out.

****************

THE NEXT MORNING

I straightened the little wrinkles on my dress with my hands as I looked at myself one last time.

Hair, check

Dress, check

Jewelry, check

And Face...

I stared at my slightly bruised lip having nothing to conceal it with.

Face, check.

I smiled stiffly to myself. I wasn't going to break so easily.

I headed down to the kitchen which seemed like an underground section of the manor.

"Hi, Celine right", I greeted the help, still remembering the name she gave me when she welcomed me from my wedding. I shuddered as I shoved the thought of that day out of my head.

"Yeah", she nodded, smiling. "Anything I can help with?".

"Just breakfast" I answered. "Some toast and coffee, preferably Americano."

"Coming right up" she said , wiping her hands on her apron and she took up the cup of coffee she was preparing.

"Oh, who is that for?" I asked her.

"Mr Canto"

"Uhhh, Mr Canto? Who is that?"

"That's what everyone calls him, you know ,Rafael" she said with a knowing nod.

"Oh I see", I said as the realization hit me

"Um where is he?", I asked her before I could stop myself.

"The study, why?"

"N.. nothing, thank you", I paused then added, smiling sheepishly "can't wait for that breakfast", which I immediately regretted as soon as it came out of my mouth.

In a short moment, Celine was back and about to make my breakfast while I waited in the dining area.

I liked that all the guards were only stationed outside and none dared to enter inside, else I would have to stay in my room all day.

If I was going to spend the rest of my life here, I should at least worry about only one person.

Sitting at the side of the enormous table, I thanked Celine as she brought my breakfast.

"You're welcome," she beamed.

I stared at the food with hungry eyes. My tummy immediately grumbled in response to the sight before me, and I realized I hadn't eaten since the morning before.

I immediately started digging into the toasted bread.

"At least you eat with that mouth", a voice from behind me said.

I stopped, my mouth full, as I turned to look at the person behind me.

It was Rafael, leaning by the door frame, his hands in his pockets.

My eyes raked over his sleek but muscular physique as I took in every detail of his torso and his arms etched into the thin fabric of the shirt he was wearing.

I swallowed my food as I sized him up. Looking back up to his face, I noticed the curly hair dancing over his face.

"Um, what do you mean?", I asked looking away after noticing the odd contortion of his face when he realized I was staring.

"Your lips were bruised remember?", He said casually walking up to me and sitting at the table.

"Well, I need to eat if I want to stay alive", I said and resumed stuffing my mouth with food.

"Not because you want to run away?"

I stopped eating and turned to him, glaring menacingly at him.

"Well I would advice you not to do that." He said casually but I could almost taste the warning behind those words.

"Well it didn't work the first time so..." I shrugged and chuckled nervously, still concentrating on my food.

"And it won't work....ever", he looked at me intently.

This time I stopped eating. I took a big gulp from the glass of water before me and sat now facing him.

"You have no right to tell me what to do"

"I do actually", He took out an apple from the bowl on the table and bit into it. "The Don left you in my care, temporarily of course"

"Left me? What do you mean? Did he go somewhere?"

"Not anywhere that should concern you but he'll be back in a few days"

I unconsciously heaved a sigh of relief.

"You're happy?"

"Uhh...it's not like that I..."

"You're allowed to be happy, I can tell you what to do but not what to feel". He said meaningfully.

I gave him a dry smile.

His countenance changed as he began to look at me, almost in pity.

"This would normally not concern you", he started, "but I have information concerning the attack and who killed your parents. Since they're your parents, I think you deserve to know even if it's a matter between the Don and the capos".

I could feel my eyes widen in their sockets as I looked expectantly at him.

"Well, what is it?"

"We may have found the person who ordered the attack but we don't know for sure if he is the culprit". He paused "but for now what I am sure of is that It wasn't a random attack. And whoever they were, also wants you dead."

I felt my muscles tense as he looked intently into my eyes, probably waiting for an answer or reaction of some sort.

"That's okayy, I understand",I muttered.

"You do know what this means right?. You can't act rash".

I glared at him like an angry child.

"Keep your head low and maybe you'll survive", He said standing up. Then slowly and steadily he walked closer to me and bent his head to look at me properly.

"And if you try to run again, I will find you and bring you back". Then as swift as a sword, he turned and headed out.

His words still echoed in my head. This wasn't a random attack?.

I stared at my half eaten breakfast, my appetite vanishing as the fear washed over me.

Someone was out to get me, to kill me and by God, even if I knew who it was I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even protect myself and had no one to even lean on. The loneliness creeped into me and I hugged myself tight.

A chill swept over me as I stood up, abandoning my food. I entered my room and locked the door. Pfttt, Like it would protect me.