Chapter 5

Another waiter appeared with our order, "I apologize for the delay," he said with a polite smile as he laid the plates down.

"Thank you," I murmured, barely glancing up. 

He nodded, and walked away, leaving me alone once more. I didn't touch the food, my eyes remained locked in the direction he'd gone,

Doubt was still raging inside me, and I had no idea if I was even doing the right thing. On one hand, I wanted to trust my instincts, but on the other, I feared for my life and Dad's.

I should go and see what he was up to. With that decision in mind, I threw the napkin on my lap back on the table, and rose to my feet. 

I was careful not to draw attention to myself, my footsteps brisk. The hallway was quieter, the bass of the lounge music fading as I trailed him at a distance. 

Neither of them seemed to have noticed me. 

I followed them until they walked into a room, and I crept closer, the alarm bells ringing in my head. 

I was just going to have a look and then go back. That was all. 

Luckily for me, the door was left slightly ajar so I could see what was happening inside the room with ease. Aside from Giovanni and his two bodyguards, there were three other men including the host who welcomed them. 

The bright smile on the host's face was gone, replaced by a menacing glare that scared me. Two of Giovanni's men stood on either side of a man slumped to his knees. 

His shirt was bloodied, and one of his eyes was nearly shut. 

What in the world was happening? 

"You've got some damn nerve," Giovanni hissed, eyeing the man like he was filth, "Running off with my money?"

The man was whimpering, his entire frame trembling, and my heart tightened. 

"If I weren't on a date right now, I swear I'd rearrange your face myself."

I didn't know what was worse; the way everyone else casually watched the brutality happening, or the fact that Giovanni was the one who orchestrated it.

"Please!" The man wailed, dribbles of saliva mixed with blood leaving his mouth as he spoke, "Please, don't kill me," he grabbed Giovanni by the ankle, helplessly begging. 

Giovanni kicked his hand off, and stomped on his fingers, the sound of knuckles cracking echoing in the air. I winced, clutching the front of my dress in desperation,

"How dare you touch me with those filthy hands!" 

Giovanni leaned forward, his face darkening, "When you see me in your next life, run," He moved with efficiency, swiping the gun from the guard standing next to him and releasing the trigger. 

Bang! 

The man's body fell backwards, landing on the floor with a harsh thud. My eyes widened in horror, and my palms flew up to conceal the gasp that was about to spill. 

His lifeless face was facing me, the visible hole left by the gun gaping in his forehead, and I stumbled on the floor. 

"Clean it up." I faintly heard Giovanni's voice, and realized that he would soon come out.

I had to leave. Panic shot through my chest, as I gathered myself and dashed out the hallway. If I were being honest, I was terrified that he would wipe me off if he realized that I was peeking. 

I didn't know how I managed it but I returned to the table without breaking a sweat. I hurriedly placed the napkin back on my lap, and relaxed into the chair. 

My heart rate was slowly returning to normal but the horror of what I'd just seen remained. 

I didn't even notice when Giovanni settled back on his chair, his face a mask of nonchalance. 

He was a monster. I realized with terror, a monster who was capable of taking a life without feeling remorse. 

If I hadn't witnessed it myself, I wouldn't believe that the charming man in front of me was capable of such. 

Dad was right. Giovanni Orlando was a man no one wanted to mess with. 

"I'm sorry for making you wait," He mumbled, adjusting his tie, "Shall we eat?" 

I bobbed my head, picking up the fork and digging into the intricately arranged dish. I took a bite, and momentarily forgot what I'd just seen,

A wanton moan slipped from my mouth causing me to blush in response. Giovanni didn't seem to mind, in fact there was a smirk on his face as he watched me.

"You should try the wine," he pulled the bottle from the ice bucket and uncorked it. I watched as he poured a generous amount into the large cup and I swirled before taking a sip. 

My eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. The burst of flavor that followed after the wind touched my tongue was nothing short of ecstasy,

"What is this?" I whispered, greedily taking another sip.

Giovanni laughed, "My favorite wine."

"It tastes wonderful," I told him, and he offered an appreciative smile. 

Giovanni suddenly leaned forward, a small spark of interest glimmering in his eyes, 

"So what did you want to tell me?"

I nearly choked on the food I was eating, raising the napkin to prevent chunks of the appetizers from flying out of my mouth.

"Shit!" He swore, handing me a glass of water, "Are you okay?"

I bobbed my head, but tears were already starting to pool in my eyes. I gulped down the water, feeling instant relief,

"Thank you," I croaked, pushing down the last bit of cough, "I'm sorry, that was embarrassing."

Giovanni shook his head, "Don't apologize, it happens to all of us."

How was he able to do this? I wondered. 

He played the role of your normal fiancé so perfectly, he didn't even seem the least bothered that he'd killed someone inside the same building where he was eating. 

Was he truly that ruthless?

"I'm listening, Dahlia," his voice echoed again, and I stiffened, "What were you saying?"

I plastered on a fake smile, shaking my head, "I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy spending time with you."

No. There was no way I could tell him the truth. I was sorely mistaken, and Dad was right,

They had to be on Giovanni's good side no matter what. 

His lips broke into a smile, and he reached for my hand, swiping his thumb back and forth,

"Me too, Cariño."

This was the only to survive. I had to keep fooling the Mafia Boss, and pray that luck would be on my side. 

I definitely didn't want to end up like that man.