Chapter 5

CASSANDRA'S POV~

 

The Mafia Don puffed out his chest like a peacock, his eyes alight with pride. "Well, of course, I'm here to find my future wife, what else?" he declared, his tone matter-of-fact.

 

I blinked several times, struggling to comprehend the sheer foolishness of his statement. "Are you kidding me?" I sputtered, my mouth agape. The urge to laugh hysterically, scream, and punch him in the face all at once warred within me.

 

My eyes darted to the director, who was still sweating profusely and it was then I knew this strange man was definitely not kidding. My mouth clamped shut. 

 

Slowly I approached him. The Mafia Don tilted his head, a smug grin curling on his lips as he watched me. There was something dangerous, possessive even, in his gaze, and for a split second, I shivered with a mixture of fear and something else I couldn't quite place.

 

He stood there, arms crossed over his chest, looking at me like I was some priceless treasure he had just discovered. And despite the precariousness of the situation, I couldn't help but feel a tiny flutter in my stomach as I faced him.

 

I took a few deep breaths, trying to tamp down the fiery anger that threatened to erupt within me. I couldn't afford to lose my cool, not when innocent lives were at stake. Especially the director and the receptionist who looked like they were about to die from a heart attack. 

 

But then, the Mafia Don smiled that devilish grin of his, and I swore I could feel my blood pressure skyrocketing.

 

"Mr... Man, what's your name?" I snapped, trying my best to sound civil despite the rage that simmered beneath my words.

 

The Mafia Don's grin widened, and my jaw tightened.

 

"Call me Adriano," he drawled, his voice dripping with flirtatious charm. "But you can call me yours if you'd prefer."

 

My cheeks flushed with anger, and I clenched my teeth so hard that I feared they might shatter. Adriano chuckled, the sound dark and seductive, making my blood boil even more.

 

"Don't push me," I warned, my eyes narrowing.

 

He smiled again, his gaze molten as he took two steps forward but stopped. "Oh, I'd love to push you," he murmured. "Right up against that wall over there." He tipped his chin behind me. 

 

My jaw dropped open, shock and disgust warring for dominance within me. "You are absolutely insane," I sputtered. "Why can't you just... just... ARGH!" I threw up my hands in frustration, pacing back and forth as I struggled to keep my anger from spilling over.

 

Adriano watched me with amusement, clearly entertained by my outburst.

 

"Oh, darling," he purred, "don't you know that madness can be quite beautiful?"

 

I glared at Adriano with every ounce of rage and frustration I possessed, wishing more than anything that my stare could shoot bullets and put him in his place. "If only my glare was a gun, I'd end your life right now," I seethed, my fists clenched so tight that my nails dug into my palms.

 

I could see the Director's face contort in shock as I spoke, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open as if he'd just witnessed me tame a dragon.

 

Adriano, on the other hand, appeared unfazed.

 

"Be careful, nurse," he purred, a wicked grin curving his lips. "You might just make me fall for you, after all. After all, I owe you my life, and what better way to repay you than to keep you safe...and warm, hmm?" His eyes smoldered, daring me to retort.

 

I stared at Adriano with utmost disgust, but he only chuckled, as if amused by my reaction. He straightened his collar, glancing over at the brown haired man beside him, who stood like his second-in-command before issuing a command.

 

 "Restore order to this hospital," he said.

 

"Yes, sir," Salvatore replied, his voice icy cold. 

 

Salvatore tapped the cowering receptionist with a gloved finger. "Get back to work," he barked.

 

 The receptionist scrambled to her feet, rushing back to the counter as if it were her only sanctuary.

 

I watched as the woman hurried away, her body trembling like a leaf in a hurricane and I felt maximum pity for her. Adriano chuckled, his gaze dancing over my face as if he could see the conflict raging inside me.

 

 "That's more like it," he murmured, patting Salvatore on the shoulder. "Let's not keep our guest waiting, shall we?"

 

And then Salvatore nodded, turning to the battalion of soldiers. "Restore order, immediately!”

 

"What will you give me in return for saving your life?" Adriano asked, his voice low and seductive as he drew closer to me. His tall, muscular frame loomed over me, and I fought to keep my breathing steady despite the racing of my heart.

 

Adriano lifted his hand and caressed the side of my face, his fingers hovering tantalizingly close to my skin, but never quite touching me. "For a man of my stature, a simple thank you just won't do," he murmured, his eyes gleaming wickedly.

 

"I'm a businessman," he continued, his voice taking on a playful edge. "I always demand something in exchange for my services."

 

His gaze roamed over my features, as if he were assessing my worth, and I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment under his intense scrutiny.

 

"How about...you be my nurse for the day," he suggested. "After all, you're already so skilled at saving lives."

 

"Absolutely not!" I protested, taking a step away from the imposing figure of Adriano. I was about to launch into a tirade when the Director dropped to his knees with a dramatic thud, his eyes pleading with me.

 

"Please," he begged, his voice shaking. "If you refuse, this hospital will be torn apart! You're our only hope!"

 

Adriano, for his part, simply watched the scene unfold with a cocky grin, his hands tucked smugly into his pockets.

 

I glared at the Director, my fists clenching and unclenching as if I were about to strangle him with my bare hands. Then, turning to Adriano, I spat out my words with as much venom as I could muster.

 

"Fine," I muttered through clenched teeth. "But only for today."

 

The Director made the sign of the cross, mumbling his thanks as he rose to his feet. Adriano simply chuckled, his grin widening to a positively diabolical level.

 

"Well, nurse," he purred. It seems I've won again." His eyes gleamed mischievously as he sauntered over to me, his shadow dwarfing me.

 

"And for the record, I expect my nurse to be very...attentive," he added. "You'll find I have a very particular set of needs that must be met."

 

I rolled my eyes, fighting the urge to punch him right in the face. "Don't push it, Adriano," I warned. I raised my palms to his face and I turned on my heels and he followed just after me. 

 

 

 

~                         ~                     ~

 

 

 

 

I checked his heartbeat, his eyes, his forehead, his pulse rate, his BP, over and over again. I examined him so thoroughly, a coroner would've been proud. And throughout it all, he just sat there with that damn smile of his, as if he was getting a kick out of every second of it.

 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I lowered the stethoscope and gave him a hard look. "You're perfectly healthy," I declared, my voice cold and matter-of-fact. "So why did you come looking for me?"

 

Adriano tipped his chin upwards, his expression suddenly serious. "I came to ask you out on a date," he announced, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

 

My jaw dropped open so wide, I could've used it to store golf balls. "Are you insane?" I gasped. "You come barging into my hospital, disrupt the whole place, terrorize the entire patient, and then ask me on a date? You have got to be kidding me."

 

Adriano leaned forward, his voice now deep and commanding. "I expect you to meet me after work. We'll go watch a movie. Together." His words brooked no argument, leaving no room for dissent. "Or I will carry you out of here over my shoulder. Your choice."

 

My face flushed red with anger at his arrogance. "Listen here, Adriano. I have a boyfriend," I snapped, slamming the stethoscope down on the table. "I have no interest in dating you, or anyone else for that matter. So get that through your thick skull."

 

And just like that, the air shifted. The playfulness drained from Adriano's face, replaced by an icy fury that made my blood run cold. His eyes, dark and dangerous, narrowed as he stared me down.