Chapter 3

Amelia's POV.

The rays of sunlight peeled into the room, making my face wrinkle from the heat. 

The softness of the bed felt so comfortable until I opened my eyes. The room smelled like lilies and an expensive cologne, and the sleek white walls looked nothing like my apartment.

I perked up the bed, confused as to how I got here as there was no one in the room but then a door creaked open and the man who stepped out made me freeze.

Don Mateo.

The most feared Mafia Lord in the city, and my ex’s father.

His name rang through the walls of the underworld for his ruthlessness, and his promiscuous lifestyle.

My jaws dropped as my eyes raked his godlike features. His green eyes glowed like pearls, and his muscular frame fit in nicely to the black shirt he was wearing, his jawline was so acute and his height was not only intimidating but sexy.

If I didn't know he was my ex’s father, I'd never have known he's a middle aged man.

“You're awake,” he said calmly, walking towards me.

That snapped me out of my thoughts, “You–what are you doing here?” I asked as my body trembled with every step he took closer.

He pressed a knee over the bed, leaning closer, “You were kidnapped, and I saved you.”

His words sent the memories flooding back in, from how I was kidnapped to how I had pressed myself against the figure who saved me.

Shame crept up my neck as I quickly lowered my head, noticing the change in clothes.

I didn't want to ask the question but from the way my core felt sore, I knew we had sex.

Fuck.

“I'm sorry, it was a mistake–I didn't–”

“Sure? I think you enjoyed it,” He replied, smirking with a wink that made my insides flutter with excitement.

My head dropped as my hands grabbed the sheets anxiously.

I shouldn't be reacting to him like this, but I couldn't help myself either.

“It was a mistake. I was under the influence of some pills and you–” I lifted my head to meet his eyes, my brows now arching with annoyance.

“You took advantage of that!”

His eyes darkened, and I immediately wish I didn't utter those words as he stared at me but then he leaned back, fixing his hands into his pants.

“You can't ask me to resist when you were literally all over me, kissing me and–”

“Please..please spare me the details,” I muttered, covering my face with my hands as guilt rippled through my insides. 

He sighed, “You can pretend it never happened, Raymond doesn't have to know.” He stated, like he was talking about something casual.

Hearing him mention Raymond made my heart flutter with pain as the painful memory of him throwing me out replayed in my mind.

But the pain soon hardened into resentment, my jaws clenched, to hell with him!

“Ring ring!” My phone vibrated the nightstand beside me, I picked the phone, and my breath stopped for a second the moment I went through the message.

“Your mother's health is deteriorating, please come to the hospital as soon as you can!” 

Doctor Mary's message sent me into a frenzy of adrenaline overload as I bolted out of the room without giving my father-in-law another glance.

When I got to the hospital, I ran straight to Doctor Mary's office. She was going through a patient's file when I arrived.

“Glad to see that you arrived immediately you got the text,” Doctor Mary said, dropping the file in her hand as she adjusted her glasses.

“How–how is she?” I asked, steadying my breath in anticipation of her news.

“She's not doing very well. Her surgery needs to take place in the next three days or…” 

“How much do we need?” I asked immediately, not wanting to hear the rest of what she had to say.

“Half a million dollars?” she stated, making the tremor in my legs increase.

Where on earth would I get that kind of money in such a short amount of time? 

I bit hard on my lips, “I'll get it soon.”

And with that, I left the hospital, feeling like my world was going to end right there. 

My hands pressed on my chest as I walked because my pounding heart was contributing to my weak legs. My shoulders dipped as I occasionally looked back to the hospital, wondering what I should do.

I can't go back to Raymond.

And I didn't even have a job– the one I got, I stopped going after Raymond promised to take care of things for me.

Maybe if I went to my old job at the restaurant and explained to my boss, he'd borrow me the money while I worked for him? 

That sounded like a good idea though I knew I'd be working for the next three to four years to cover up such an amount. 

~

“So you think you can just walk in here and tell me some bullshit story about your mom and I'd let you in?” Natasha questioned, frowning at me.

In my desperation for a solution, I forgot that if you'd been off work without permission, you'd not even be considered to resume work talk more of being borrowed money.

My eyes grew moist but I kept my shoulders squared, “I promise I didn't leave my job on purpose. There were reasons for–”

“Reasons like going to lavish money with your boyfriend right?” She cut me off, making my brows arch with surprise.

She scoffed, “You think I don't know? You better get out of here before I call the security.” 

I shook my head, “No ma'am, please listen to me. I promise, the situation is critical. If you can just–”

“Security!” Natasha barked, eyeing me as she called out to them. 

Before the security men got to me, I sluggishly walked out of the room on my own.

The evening breeze washed over my skin as I walked down the street with no direction in particular. 

The tears I'd been holding back started flowing freely as the thought of losing my mother came to mind. 

After my father abandoned us to marry his mistress, my mother had been the only one who cared for me, she was my only family.

We'd done everything together right from when I was twelve, and now that I was twenty three, I wasn't ready to let go of her just yet.

As I cried my heart out while thinking of my next plan, I heard faint footsteps behind me.

I glanced over my shoulders with wide eyes but there was no one in sight.

Feeling like I was being followed, I hastened my steps, but I heard footsteps again. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to find no one in sight.

But I wasn't convinced.

Someone was following me for sure, and I needed to get out of here before they got to me.