Chapter 5

Melanie p.o.v

I came down from the car, everyone around including the securities were staring at the car in awe. I mean, I had the same reaction when I saw the car and be told it was my ride to work.

A freaking Rolls Royce!

I shook my head inwardly, if only they knew the situation I've landed in. They won't be gwaking at the car, I was brought here with.

"Good day at work ma'am." The driver saluted.

"Thank you." I said, barely above a whisper. The driver seem like a decent person, but since he works for a Mafia organisation I can't trust him.

Looks can be deceiving, right?

The hospital's familiar entrance loomed before me, giving me the sense of normalcy I desperately craved.

My heart heavy with the weight of Adriano Alfonso's control. I knew from now on my life will never be like before.

As we walked through the hospital corridors, colleagues greeted me with friendly smiles. Oblivious to my newfound prison.

"Chloe, Mr. Thompson wants in his office right now." A colleague told me in the change room while I was trying to change to my work uniform.

I had a moment of deja vu.

I froze, my scrub top half-over my head. What?

My stomach dropped. Flashes of the scene from just a day before when Dr. Thompson had requested to see me in his office surface in my mind. And that was what led to my predicament.

"Did he say why?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"No idea, but he looked urgent," my colleague replied, rushing out of the change room.

My mind racing, I finished changing and made my way to Dr. Thompson's office. The familiarity of the hospital's corridors now felt suffocating, knowing Adriano's influence lurked around every corner.

As I entered the office, Dr. Thompson's usually warm smile was replaced by a tense expression.

That was not a surprise, because I hadn't expect him to be all smiling with me after what happened yesterday. I'm sure Dr. Danny must have reported back to him what had occurred during our private operate, and why I didn't came back with him.

"Sir, you called for me." I went straight to point not wanting to be here for long.

Dr. Thompson was standing in front of his desk, his back was to me but he turned to me.

"Melanie, I—" He was about to respond but was interrupted.

"Leave us, Doctor," A familiar commanded.

I've heard that voice somewhere but I couldn't place I had heard. I stretch a bit looking behind Dr. Thompson.

And sitting on the director's seat like he own the place, was none other than Adriano Alfonso.

"You?" I shudder visible, his cold eyes from when he killed the man in cold blood resurface in head.

Suddenly, The air reeked of intimidation.

Dr. Thompson hastily departed, leaving me trapped with the infamous Adriano Alfonso.

"I asked for you, Melanie."Adriano's gaze never left mine, his eyes piercing. "Melanie Jones, from Taxes. Roselyn and Sam Jones for parents, little brother Danny. Did I miss any family member?"

I froze, my soul left my body. Don't tell me he did a background check on me.

"My family_"

"Take a seat, Melanie," he commanded, his voice low and menacing. "They are not harmed... Yet. But they will be if you act disobedient." He smirked.

I hesitated, my legs trembling, but I forced myself to sit.

Adriano leaned back in Dr. Thompson's chair, steepling his fingers.

"Your shift ends at 5 PM everyday. A car is on standby to bring to work and take you back."

My heart sank.

"Like a caged bird?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Adriano's smile was cold.

"Don't think of anything funny, need I remind you of the consequences of disobedience."

I swallowed hard.

"And what about my work?" I ventured.

“You’re at work right now, I haven’t stopped you yet,” he said.

How on earth could I have gotten myself into this mess?

Just yesterday, I was happily going about my day with my only concern being whether or not I was gonna get retained after my internship year.

Now I had a crazy mafia leader sitting in my boss’ office like he owned the place and doling orders to me.

Not to mention threatening my family as well.

This just had to be one big nightmare.

“Cat got your tongue, little nurse,” Adriano said, bringing me out of my daze.

"My name is Melanie and I'd implore you to use that when you want to address me," I blurted when my eyes widened.

Not just by my words, but the fact that I even had the guts to say it at all.

To my surprise, Adriano's face slowly turned up in a smile.

“Feisty, I like that. But that won’t get you very far with me, little nurse.”

"You can always let me go instead of holding me prisoner in your house," I said.

He shook his head. “Like I said. You belong to me now.”

“I belong to no one,” I argued but he carried on like he didn’t hear me speak.

“And I never let go of what’s mine,” he finished.

“I hate you,” I whispered.