Chapter 6

Amelia's POV.

The option he was giving sounded like moving from the frying pan to the fire.

 How could I tell him that I wanted to be anywhere but close to him? 

He was nothing like Raymond. He was a raw temptation, the kind that had you doing things you shouldn't be doing in the darkness. 

He was also dangerous. Too dangerous. 

I'd heard stories of how he punished his workers by chopping off their fingers. That kind of man was sure to chop my head off without thinking. 

But then my mother…she was still lying in the hospital, fighting for her life. Was it worth it to run away from him now, knowing I'd never forgive myself if my mother died? 

I inhaled sharply, like breathing was supposed to help me make a decision. I raised my head to meet his gaze, those green eyes bored into my face like he was trying to read my mind. And that sent shivers down my spine. 

“Let me handle everything, and in return, stand by me in vows. The choice is yours to make,” he stated, his eyes still fixed on my face.

My mind revolved around my mother, and then around Don Mateo. My eyes closed as I mentally picked back and forth.

“Fine. I accept,” the words escaped my lips, and my eyes opened slowly. 

Don Mateo gave me a very curt nod as he rounded the table, and then he pulled out documents from the big coat he was wearing. 

“Sign these,” he handed them to me, and my shaky hands clutched the papers.

Anyone in my shoes would make this decision right? I mean, I couldn't let my mother die.

But at the same time, Don Mateo was my ex's father. Wasn't this forbidden? I'm pretty sure it was. However, I had no choice. 

As I scribbled my signature onto the bottom left of every page, my heart pounded heavily against my chest, reminding me of the grave decision I'd taken. 

“Everything will be fine, Amelia. You'll survive,” I chanted the words mentally, like a mantra meant to keep me sane. 

“Here,” I stood upright, handing the documents over to him.

He took it, our fingers touching slightly. The subtle contact spreads sparks all over my palm. He withdrew his hand causally, as if he didn't feel what just happened. 

Then he turned his gaze towards the door. 

“Your mother will be moved to a new hospital, and I'll have seventeen doctors look after her.” 

My eyes widened, shock rushing through my veins like wildfire, “Really? Thank you so much! You have no idea what this means to me.” 

“ I'm simply playing my role, and I expect you'll play yours,” his voice echoed through the space, deep and laced with a price.

“What's my role?” 

I mean, that was the right question right? After all, men like Don Mateo didn't do things out of sympathy. There was always a price to pay. 

“Play the role of my woman to the letter. To do that, you have to move in with me.” 

My heart stopped for a second the moment I heard that. It was already bad enough that I shuddered at the sight of him. Living with him? That meant living in fear for the next year. 

Not to mention the fact that Raymond probably lived with him, or something. 

My lips parted but no proper sentence came out. 

I shook my head at the thought, “but…Raymond, what if he finds me at your house? What happens then?” 

Don Mateo turned around this time, and then he moved closer to me, making the distance between us disappear. 

His scent invaded my nostrils, making my insides knot with a strange feeling. His expression remained hard even as he parted his lips, “As long as you're mine, he won't be able to touch a hair on your scalp.” 

My mind clung to those words like they were my lifeline. Under his gaze, I didn't realize when I nodded. 

My breath hitched when he caught the grip of my hand. His big, cold hand was a contrast to my small, warm one. His touch was the last thing to make me feel things but my body was acting up.

“Let's go home,” he ordered, pulling me along with him.

The drive to Don Mateo’s place took hours, I wasn't sure. All I knew was that I stared at different trees and buildings until I fell asleep. 

The door on my side opened to reveal Don Mateo at the side. 

When I plopped out of the car, my jaw dropped slightly. His mansion was a perfect mix of grey and black. It looked like a building that stood the test of time. 

Don Mateo led me towards the main entrance, where four scary-looking men were standing. Two armed men stood on either side of the huge door, and they bowed their heads softly as Don Mateo walked past. 

When we got inside, dread slicked down my spine. Was it just me or did everything about Don Mateo scream danger? 

There were many more guards located at different parts of his house. That had me wondering just how often he got attacked. 

“Vale,” Don Mateo called out, making me flinch. 

A tall, fierce-looking lady with a high ponytail emerged from a room. She bowed her head, clasping her hands behind her, “Yes Don?” 

“Show her to her room, and see that her needs are taken care of.” 

Vale nodded, and immediately walked towards me, “Please come with me.” 

I followed her up the stairs, occasionally turning my back to see if Don Mateo would tag along. But he stood rooted to the ground, watching me move. 

When we got to the front of a silver door, she stretched a hand, “There's your room, Madame.” 

And with that, she was out of sight. I walked into the room, expecting it to be some basic room, but it turned out to be a room, tailored to my preferences.

Hell, even the clothes in the wardrobe were my exact size. 

My brows furrowed, how come Don Mateo knew about my size? 

Has he been stalking me?