Chapter 6

Reina’s POV

The sudden noise of the door woke me up as it banged open. I sprang up in fear, trying to remember where I was till it all came rushing back.

I was in the Podolskaya territory. Mikailov’s new property. I winced at the thought as two armed men gestured for me to step forward. When I did, they both dragged me.

“Walk,” one of them said, leading me to wherever it was they were taking me.

We walked for about seven minutes till we reached what seemed like another side of the mansion. It was like there were two mansions inside the fortress.

We entered the living room, which seemed as big as my whole house back then. We continued walking till we got to the kitchen. They suddenly stopped, leaving me there immediately without a word or a glance.

My eyes scanned around. There were a number of maids. Was I assigned to the kitchen? They all turned to look at me. Most of their faces were curious and pitiful.

“Hey there… my name is Corinne,” an older woman with an apron came to me, smiling warmly.

I nodded, smiling a bit.

“Welcome… You were assigned to kitchen duty. You’ll be here now, almost all the time… You’ll cook and clean… and yes… serve,” she was still smiling.

I looked around, still aware of the stares.

“ Don’t mind it. We are all just surprised that the Boss brought in a woman himself. He has never ever done something like that before so it’s a bit surprising.” She concluded.

I’ll take you to your room and hand you your work clothes… Don’t be scared, my dear. You can come to me if you need anything. It all looks scary at first, but you’ll get used to it… if you follow the rules,” she patted my arm.

Rules? What rules? My heart sank as my mind went to a number of things she could mean.

“What is your name, my dear?”

I was about to gesture when I heard commotion. The maids and guards suddenly straightened up, moving to the living area. What was happening?

Corinne held my hand, pulling me towards the noise. “Come… he’s here.”

Who? Rai Mikailov. Who was I kidding?

He was like a god. That’s why everyone was shaking like a leaf at the thought of him being in the building. I mean, I was shaking too.

We got to the living area. Guards were lined up. Both masked men and armed ones, while the maids were at the back, their heads lowered. Corinne and I remained at the side.

Rai walked in. His aura… intimidating. The air suddenly became cold as my lips shivered. His back was turned to me as he barked orders to one of his guards.

Another noise came from ahead.

“No… no, please don’t kill me,” a man, tied, with a swollen face and bleeding, was dragged into the area.

My hands flew to my mouth in shock. He looked battered and tortured. I could swear he had lost a few teeth. When I looked at his hands, a few fingers were missing. I gasped.

“Ti prego, non farlo (I beg you… don’t do it),” he was pushed to the center in front of Rai.

He finally faced him. Sitting, he had a smirk on his face.

“Carlos… Carlos… Did you think you could run away from me? You really thought I wouldn’t find you? Huh? In my city?” his voice was low and cold, his face… Bored.

“Non uccidermi (don’t kill me),” the man pleaded, his blood staining the white tiles.

“Oh, you’re already dead, Carlos. You know I don’t forgive, nor do I forget. So let’s get straight to the point. I’m getting bored.”

“Please… please… I’d do anything, Rai. I’d be a spy… I’d do anything, but please… don’t do this…” his voice was shaking, his whole body. My heart went out to him.

I looked around, wanting to see if it was just me feeling this way. Everyone had a straight face like they had seen this a million times.

“Don’t look,” Corinne whispered, but I couldn’t help it.

I wanted to see the beast. I wanted to see how cruel Rai Mikailov was. As I saw him, staring blankly, so cold at his victim, I knew one thing. He scared the hell out of me.

“What do you think, Carlos? Look around you. These guards aren’t even a quarter of the guards I have. If I need a spy, Carlos, I have men for that,” he suddenly stood, circling him while Carlos shivered in fear.

Rai gestured towards a guard, bringing out his hand. A gun was dropped into it.

What? He was going to kill him? And here? In front of us all? I yelled in my mind, clutching my clothes tight.

“What’s your last wish, Carlos?” he said, looking at him with disdain.

“I…”

A gunshot cut him off. Then blood sprayed everywhere…on my clothes, on my face… on his face.

I gasped. My eyes widened. Then I saw the scene. The man slowly dropped dead. A bullet in his head. I started to shake as I felt a sticky liquid drip down my face.

I stared at Rai, still shaking with fear, my eyes glued to the dead man. I had never seen a dead body, let alone one killed in my presence.

I looked up. He was already looking at me. He was looking at me now and he was… smiling.

I wanted to look away, but I didn't

“There… there it is,” he scoffed, walking slowly towards me.

My heart pounded as I took in his bloody appearance. He looked like the devil… or worse. He had blood everywhere, like he bathed in it.

This was the man I belonged to now.

I took a step back unknowingly but was suddenly held by Corinne. She still had her head down.

Rai finally stood in front of me, looking down at me.

“Are you scared, Fiorita?” he said in a low, chilling tone as I shook, tears running down my eyes.

I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t even try.

He caught one tear on my cheek, His finger stayed there for a second too long before rubbing it at the tip of his finger. “You’ve never seen blood? Huh? No?”

I gasped, making choking sounds. He stared at me, his eyes cold.

I shut my eyes tight, the tears spilling, then opened them to look at the dead man.

“Look at me when I am talking to you, Petalo,” he slowly dragged my face up to his.

“Well, you should be scared, because this”…he pointed at himself, squatting to my level..“is the monster you have been sold to.”

He looked deep into my eyes like he was feeding off my fear.

He finally released my face, walking out.

“Clean this place up,” he spoke to no one in particular as the guards started to move the body and the maids brought wet clothes.

I started to hyperventilate. Bile rose up my throat. I rushed to the kitchen, throwing up whatever was in my belly till I got exhausted.

I collapsed on the floor, breathing heavily.

“Easy, easy… my dear. Calm down…” Corinne came to me.

I started to cry, shaking my head. I don’t think I would survive in this place. I don’t think I was strong enough to face this world. To survive Rai Mikailov.

That monster. That heartless beast.

I wished I could say this all out, but all I made were sounds.

“Oh dear…” Corinne looked at me pitifully, understanding my predicament. She hugged me, shushing me.

“You’ll be fine… you’ll be okay,” she whispered, patting my back.

But no… I don’t think I’d be fine.

In fact…

I was doomed.