Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Alice’s POV

My muscles tensed, the pen feeling heavier than it should. I stared at the thick, high-quality paper before me, analyzing every single word. All it took was my signature and our bond would be sealed. My fingers shook, a bead of sweat forming on my forehead.

“You’re hesitating," Klaus muttered, a flicker of something unknown crossing his features.

“I’m thinking,” I replied, biting my lip.

“No. You’re afraid.”

My grip tightened on the pen.

“I shouldn’t trust you.”

“No, you shouldn’t,” he stated flatly. “But you need me.”

My breath hitched. He was right. I lowered my pen, and finally signed the marriage certificate.

“Now, you’re mine, Mrs Gambino,” he whispered, his hot breath against my ear. “Let’s go home.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, a sharp pit in my stomach.

A fortress-like house came into view, screaming power and outrageous wealth. An unsettling feeling rose in my chest as I looked at the black iron gate and surveillance-mapped walls.

Walking in, the potent smell of cigarettes invaded my nostrils. My heels clicked against the marble floor, the sound echoing. Everything here felt too big. Too quiet. As if I was being watched.

“Mrs Gambino, sit,” Klaus ordered, his low voice having a sharp edge to it. “My name is Alice,” I spat, sitting on a soft black sofa.

“Alice,” he repeated. I hated the fact I loved the way he said it. It sounded sweet and…intimate. Before I could say a word, the door swung open.

“Boss. Here’s the traitor,” a big, bulky man said, bowing his head in reverence as he dragged a man covered in blood and scars. Klaus turned, facing them. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room dropped, cold radiating from him. I shivered, chills trickling against my skin.

“You thought you could run,” he chuckled, his gaze locked on the man. “Forgetting you made a deal with the devil.”

“Please. I’m sorry,” the man said, his teeth chattering with fear. “I…I never wanted to back out of the agreement.”

“Yet. You did,” Klaus replied, his expression unfazed. He was calm…too calm as he played with a pistol. “Now, you pay the price.” With that, he lifted the gun, the bullet piercing through the man’s head. The man fell to the ground, blood running from his temple.

A heavy, dead silence descended. I froze, my breath caught in my throat. The sound of the gunshot replayed in my head as my ears rang.

“Clean it up,” Klaus said, as if discussing the weather. When I turned, he was already watching me. His gaze, intense and unblinking like a predator. The room felt hot, and I couldn’t help but fan my flushed face with my hands.

“What’s wrong, Alice?” he asked, an amused smile playing on his lips. “Feeling uncomfortable?”

“No…I-I’m fine,” I stammered, digging my nails into the sofa.

“Are you sure?” He asked, his tone gentle, scaring me more. “You don’t look too good.”

“Where’s the restroom?”

With a snap of his hand, a maid arrived.

“This is Hannah. She’ll attend to all your needs,” he gestured, his gaze never leaving me.

“And Hannah, this is the new madam of the Gambino family. You have to treat her with respect and loyalty. Or else.” He paused, leaning in. “You know what happens.”

“Yes, sir” Hannah replied fast, her legs shaking.

She bowed before turning to me. “Please, ma’am. Follow me.”

I stood up, about to follow Hannah but a grip on my arm forced me to stop. “And Alice, have a wonderful evening,”he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Ye-yes, sir.”

“Sir?” He repeated. “I’m your husband.”

The word “Husband” made my stomach twist, the truth of my situation sinking in.

“Goodbye, Klaus.”

“Try again. I want something…sweet. Pleasant to the ears.”

“Have a nice day, dar…darling,” I managed to say, the words leaving a bitter taste on my tongue.

“Much better. I’ll see you soon…in the bedroom,” he finished, a smirk playing on his lips.

I froze, clenching my fists. Then, I walked away hurriedly. Only one question rang in my head: what the hell did I get myself into.

Hannah took me to a room that was extremely big. A delicate crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting warm light. A king-sized bed was placed in the middle, adorned with a plush, layered bedding and Egyptian cotton pillows. It was painted purple, my favorite color. “Did he know? Or was it just a coincidence?” I asked myself. Opening the wardrobe, I gasped. New season luxurious clothes and bags stared back at me.

With a bow, Hannah left, leaving me alone. I sat on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “Did I make a mistake?” I sighed.

My gaze fell on the newspaper on the table. I picked it up, and my breath hitched. It was a picture of my obituary. My head throbbed, feeling heavy. My fingers tightened around the paper.

Grabbing the phone beside me, I immediately went online.

The report was everywhere. Alice…dead. Killed by a group of armed robbers. Suspects arrested.

It was too clean. I was easily erased.

I hadn't even recovered from the shock before I saw something else that sent a jolt of electricity through me.

It was a post.

“I’m so delighted the two love birds Michael and Victoria are finally getting married next week!” Someone tweeted.

“It’s going to be the wedding of the century.”

“Are we all going to pretend he wasn’t engaged to Alice? How could he move on so fast?”

The world tilted. I bit my lips, my nails digging into my skin. Then, something in me shifted. Something cold. Deadly. A slow smile formed on my lips.

“Guess I have a wedding to attend.”