"Gosh! It's been so long since I have spent a night here." I dropped on my old bed and laughed.

Rylie giggled as she folded her clothes.

"Seriously, Ry. I never thought I would actually miss this room."

It's all the same. Two beds, cupboards, mirrors, nightstands, a single bathroom, dull grey walls and those three giant metal bars on window which were previously thin metal railings. Thanks to my little jumping stunt.

"You still don't have a roommate, do you?" I asked. She answered with a quick shake of her head. "That's fine by me. I was just curious."

She shot me a look.

"Don't look at me like that." I grumbled. "You are the only one who doesn't have a roommate apart from Louisa so I just asked."

She sighed loudly, picked up her notepad and pulled out a pen from her apron pocket. Quickly, she wrote something in it and tossed it.

'I don't have any because I don't want any.'

"Is that supposed to mean that you miss me?" I asked amusedly and threw the notepad to her.

She caught it, wrote something in it and then threw it in my direction again. 'No. I simply said no new roommate.'

I scoffed. "To whom? That grandma and she agreed to you? I don't think it works like that."

She shook her head which made me frown instead. "You... You didn't tell that to Louisa, didn't you?"

She mouthed. "No."

"Capo?" I whispered in disbelief.

She nodded.

"When?"

'The day you moved back to that room.'

"You shouldn't have done that. You can easily get another roommate." I sighed.

She smiled as sat beside me then wrote. 'Nobody replaces you.'

My eyes brimmed up and I hugged her. Her hands reached for my hair and she caressed it.

"I missed you, Rylie." I mumbled and hugged her tighter. "Even though we see each other, I missed this."

She hummed in response and sniffed. "Gooo..."

I snickered as we broke off the hug. "It's either go or good and I'm assuming good."

She rolled her eyes and wiped her face. 'So how are things between you and capo?'

"Seriously?" I asked. "I come here to stay a night with you after all these months and that's the first thing you ask me?"

She smiled sheepishly. I groaned loudly. "Well, I am not telling you!"

She pouted and wrote. 'I deserve to know at least something. I was the one who who sent you back to that room. I want credit by knowing some details.'

I exhaled sharply and dropped on my old bed again. "I don't know..."

She looked at me hopefully and pressed her thumb and index finger as if begging for teeny tiny detail.

"We're good. We're fine. Just fooling around... I guess." I clicked tongue and groaned again. "It's confusing. I can't describe anything. New topic please."

She made herself comfortable by lying on the bed beside me, her notepad clutched in her hands.

"It's useless to talk about these kinds of stuff with you. You didn't even believe me when I told you about Louisa." I muttered.

'Hearing is not believing.' She wrote.

"Perfect opposite of the phrase 'seeing is believing', right? I don't wish on seeing Louisa giving a blowjob nor laughing with Adrian while he calls her Mama."

She motioned me to carry on speaking.

"And the fact that I have been completely avoiding capo's brother like a plague since that day is not helping me at all. It's a good thing that he hasn't realised it yet because once he will... I have no idea what excuse I should make up." 

Rylie snickered. 'Very good.'

I sighed deeply, finally deciding to let it all out. "I don't know much about capo and I, you know? He's fine. But there's always a fear in me that he'll return back to his old ways and I don't want that. Ever."

Rylie heaved a long sigh and squeezed my hand in assurance.

"Yeah, I know." I yawned. "Nothing will ever go wrong."

I haven't told anything about Leonardo's father to Rylie. It's for her own safety. I don't wish to add her to my ongoing mess.

"I'm thirsty." I said after a moment of silence and faced her. "Did you bring an extra jar of water for me?"

She avoided my eyes by looking everywhere.

"Rylie, I asked you something."

No answer. Great.

"You forgot, didn't you?"

Her head jerked a nod, her face red in embarrassment.

"Fine." I got up from my bed. "I'll get it myself." She grabbed my wrist, slowly shaking her head and her eyes showing concern. I chuckled. "Relax. I'm free to roam around. I'll be back soon."

I grabbed a shawl and wrapped it around my body then closed the door. Rylie went back to cleaning her bed.

I flicked the switch on when I entered the kitchen and checked cupboards for an empty jar. I grinned when I found one and kept on a stand under the filter machine then pressed on button.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching in the kitchen. The closer they got, closer my hand reached out for a knife.

I gasped softly and giggled as I felt an arm wrap around my waist, the scent of an after shower hitting my nostrils in full force and he pulled me close to his chest.

"How did you know I was here?" I moaned softly when he nuzzled on the crook of my neck.

"Cameras." He answered.

My eyes grew big and slapped his shoulder playfully. "Were you stalking me?"

"No. Just having my usual security checking and you, little girl, are breaking my protocols."

I threw my head back, my knees slowly turning into jelly and I gave him more access to my neck, feeling his soft feathery kisses on it. "Hmm... That sounds very bad. What's my punishment?"

He inhaled deeply. "Carrying you back to your room and trapping you in bed with me for the rest of the night."

My eyes fluttered close as he began to sensually caress my arms, giving me goosebumps. Oh God, that sounded so... inviting. So naughty. It gave me hints of things he wanted to do. Things that made my thighs squeeze in anticipation.

"No." I sighed and raked his hair. "You'll ruin my night in plans with Rylie."

"But I miss you," He murmured. "I miss holding you in my arms and watch you sleep."

I blinked rapidly. The mood bubble we had created, bursted and a sly smirk appeared on my lips. I faced him, all my previous doubts about him washed away and said. "I have definitely got a stalker in the mansion. He watches me sleep and that's creepy."

The light of the filter machine turned green and it started pouring water into my jar.

He smirked. "He happens to be a very hot stalker for you."

I thought for a minute then said, "Nah. Just some stupid man who crawls into my bed every night because he is scared of monsters hiding under his bed."

"He is not!"

"That is exactly what you said on the very first night after we came back from the city, capo. You make very bad excuses."

Leonardo grinned. "And you know why."

A blush adorned my cheeks. "I-I don't mind. It's been weeks now."

"Then let's go to bed and sleep."

I shook my head. "No. I planned to spend this night with Rylie and that is exactly what I am going to do. I'm sure you can manage a night without me."

"But I do not wish to manage a night without you." He confessed.

My heart fluttered and I caressed his cheek with my knuckles. "You can."

"I do not like this torture." He grumbled.

"Sleeping without me is a torture to you? Wow. I feel so powerful. You used to sleep without me beside you, so you can do it again." I switched off the machine and took my jar full of water, avoiding a very sulky faced Leonardo Agostini. "Maybe I should make plans to spend another night with Rylie. She will be ecstatic—"

"Finish that sentence and I will lock you up with me." He growled like a man possessed by something.

"Ooh, I'm scared." I faked a laugh. Why the hell am I excited only by thinking about being locked in a room with him? It happens every night. "Sorry buddy. I am not going with you."

"Then come to the party with me."

I looked at him, stunned. I couldn't process his words.

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "I meant to say that... fuck! I didn't want to ask you out this way. I just... umm... I..." He exhaled sharply, "I just want you to... bemydatetomyparty?"

What the hell?

He saw my dumbfounded expression. "What I actually wanted to ask is..." He took the jar from my grasp and placed it on the counter. Then he held both of my trembling hands with gentle care as his eyes bore deep into mine. "Amelia, will you be my date for my own, well um, party?"

"Please tell me if I heard it right." He looked hopeful as he nodded in response. "You want me to be present at the party, at your party which is like a month and a half away from now, that same party which I have heard many people from outside will be coming over... as your date?"

"Si."

"You want me to be in a room full of strangers?"

"Not all of them would be strangers for you, signorina Jones. You will recognise some people as our own."

I gulped. "I get that. But you want me to be in the same room as your father?"

"It is a masquerade party. I am sure you must have heard it by now. Your face will be hidden and I can assure you that I will not leave your side. Even if I have to for a minute or two, which I clearly do not wish to, my brother will be there with you in a blink of an eye."

"I am sorry, but I don't want to be a burden on your big night." My heart pained as I pulled away my hands from his. "Even though I would be honoured to be there by your side and celebrate your night with you, this is not it. I don't want you or your brother to keep worrying about me all the time. It won't be good to any of us."

"You are not a burden, Amy. Not to me or my brother." He reasoned, "I would really like it if you would come. It would complete my night."

"I don't know..." I mumbled sadly and rubbed my palms to generate heat. "There is still time for that."

"You will be surprised how quickly one month and a half passes by, Amy."

"And what about your father? Though he has been MIA from my life since I served him breakfast, but it doesn't mean that he has forgotten about me. W-We both know that." My teeth chattered and I shivered violently.

Damn to upcoming winter season to hell.

"I do know tha—Amelia, are you feeling cold?" He asked in concern.

I laughed nervously and tried to cover myself more with my shawl. "I wasn't planning on staying out of my room for so long."

He muttered a string of Italian curses and embraced me in his arms. A surge of heat flew in me and I felt warm in an instant. I liked how he is always warm and comfortable for me. My teeth chattering slowed down. He grabbed my hands and rubbed it gently then blew air in it. He repeated this procedure several times, his eyes never left mine. "You are freezing, Amy. You should have worn more warm clothes." He blew air in my hands and continued rubbing it. "Feeling better?"

I nodded slowly and tried to pull away from him again. He didn't let me go. "Leonardo, I can't... I really wish to, but I can't come to the party nor have the tremendous, amazing and beautiful chance of being your date for the night. You should take someone else. There are many other women—"

"I don't want other women, Amelia! Try to understand my situation here." He held my face firmly yet there was a care in it, "I want you. Apart from everything else I have worked for and I am getting, I want you too and I have finally realised that."

"I don't want to argue about this." I mumbled.

"We are not arguing."

I exhaled heavily, removed his hands from my face and held it. "For an instance, just assume that I'm in the party. Some person comes up and asks me about who I am and how I am related to you. What am I supposed to say then? That I was kidnapped and sold like a piece of clothing which your father bought? Because that is the truth. You will be the main centre of attraction that night, capo, and me being with you will not do any good."

"We'll think of something. We'll come up with a cover story for you."

"I don't want you to do that, Leo." I whispered softly. "Just for once. I'll be in my room, studying or maybe I'll spend that night with Rylie because everybody will be having a night off."

My heart shattered into million pieces when I saw the hope in his eyes vanish. I don't understand why he is not understanding the real problem here. Going to the party with him, surrounded by people, his father will get suspicious of things going on under his nose. I don't want anything to ruin his night, especially by a single act of carelessness which is bound to happen if I attend. Heck, I probably sounded like a hopeless lover who has the whole world against her but I didn't care.

Lover? Wait, what am I even thinking? I don't... do, I?

"Please." He begged. My eyes watered and I shook my head. "There is no point in holding a party in my name if you are not there with me."

"You will not do anything like—"

Time stopped when he silenced me with his lips. It was like everything in me was calling out for him. I couldn't keep my hands off him. I didn't want to keep my hands off him. His wet tongue deep inside my mouth, his harsh hot breath gave me shivers and his touch set me on fire. I couldn't get enough of him. I can never get enough of him. Ever.

"Leo," I murmured.

He lifted me up and placed me on the counter, both of us catching our breaths.

"Please, please, please, please." Is this me or him? It sounded just like him but I couldn't believe my ears. "Come with me, mio amore."

My... what? I really don't like it when he speaks his country language in times like these. It's high time that I start taking advance Italian speaking classes.

"I really want to, but it's for the best that I don't come to your party, Leonardo."

My heart rate spiked up when we heard the kitchen door creak and some faint noise of a person walking away. Quickly, I got off the counter and Leonardo hid me behind him.

"What was that?" I whisper yelled.

His expression became ice cold hard. "Someone was here."

He took out his gun from back of his pants and stealthily, took a few steps ahead.

I picked up my shawl which had fallen on the floor during our intense moment. "Leo! Where are you going?!"

He looked over his shoulder. "Keep that knife close, little girl. I'll check outside and see who it was."

In a flash, I pulled out of a knife from its stand and covered it with my shawl and watched him walk near the door which was half open. I don't remember closing it and if Leo had closed it halfway then I would have surely heard him at the very beginning.

My breath hitched. None of us left the door like that.

"Capo?" I whispered. He looked over his shoulder again. "Be safe."

He smirked. "Always."

Then very slowly Leonardo walked out of kitchen, his grip on his weapon firm and steady, leaving me alone.

Who the hell can it be at this hour? It is quite obvious that no woman has the guts to be present at this hour except me and occasionally Rylie. If it were Rylie, then she would have actually barged into this place and clapped her hands in excitement, feeling proud to catch us red handed.

Every second felt like an hour while I patiently waited for Leo to come back, safely and when he did, he was as clueless as I am.

"Nothing." He said. "It's empty."

"Maybe it was one of the men who decided to check the place but left as soon as he heard us?" I suggested.

"No. I don't think so." He fished out his phone from his pocket. "If it were one of my men, he could have heard us from the passageway itself. I need to check the cameras of the passageway."

"There are no cameras right outside the kitchen." I blurted.

He paused. "How did you...?"

I grinned sheepishly. "Perfect planning to escape, remember?"

He shook his head in amusement and turned his mobile screen horizontal then watched it very intently. I was trying to get a peek at it but my efforts went in vain so I watched him curiously. So apart from that security control room, his phone also has the access to cameras here. Interesting.

His concentration vanished and his expression turned into something very unreadable. I assumed he found something.

"And? What is it? I mean... who is it?"

"A man." He answered.

"I had no idea." I deadpanned. "Who is it? One of your men?"

He breathed heavily. "No."

Something dreadful settled in my heart. "Is it Adrian?"

He remained silent. Oh, God no. Not Adrian. Not any of those men.

"Please don't tell me he is your..."

"Padre."

He showed me the screen. The video was paused. It showed me a man wearing a deep blue night suit and holding an empty jar of water. I recognised the place. It was right outside the passageway of kitchen. The ones which connected the main halls of this mansion. Same black hair like his son and it had grey outlines. I couldn't see his face though. He was facing sideways and the jar was covering his visible portion. It was clear that he had covered his face on purpose. 

"Shit." I hissed.

He knows.

"It is my fault. I should not have held you longer here." Leonardo gripped his hair in frustration and took deep breaths. "I called you my... and he heard that. Cazzo! He heard us both."

His father knows. Ha.

"I need to inform my brother about this. We have to think of something fast before he comes after you. I will not lose another woman in my life!" He started pressing on the screen and before he could call his brother, I grabbed his wrist. "Amelia, what are you—"

I sealed his lips with a passionate kiss. He groaned softly and responded me back with equal fervour. I grabbed his shoulders for support as he swept me off my feet by wrapping his arms around my waist. I moaned. Our tongues dueled and it gave me dizzy spells. I felt incredible. I felt complete with him. Nobody else mattered to me except him and I was pouring it all in this sweet, mind blowing, heart fluttering kiss.

"I don't have a dress to wear at the party." I confessed shyly.

"That should be least of your worries, signorina." He murmured, his voice thicker than usual and pecked my lips. "I just want you."

"Your father can rot in hell for all I care. He never scared me."

"That's good." He hummed. "He can't do anything as long as I am with you and you're stuck with me for a very long time."

"What if I plan to escape again?" I asked boldly.

His eyebrows raised up. "Then you will be trapped with me whether you like it or not. Remember, nobody leaves this mansion without my permission."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "That sounds very cruel of you, capo. Even though being trapped with you is very inviting, I have to give it a thought."

His eyes darkened and he licked his lower lip in a very slow manner. "I would be waiting for it though I do not wish to be alone in my own party."

"Aw, you poor man. All alone in a room full of people." I cooed.

"I can assure you that I won't be alone. An amazing woman just agreed to be my date. I will take her to dance." Joy bubbled in my laugh as he twirled me. "I will show off her real beauty to the entire world for a night then keep it to myself forever."

"That sounds very promising, signore. But I have to burst your bubble because I can't dance." I giggled.

"Cannot dance?" He gasped in surprise. "I thought you used to ballet."

"There is a huge difference between ballet and waltz. Besides, I hardly attended those classes. It bored me to my core so I preferred skipping it." I said.

"That sounds exactly like you." He smiled. "As long as you don't step on my shoes."

"I'll try my best." I whispered. He grabbed my hand and placed a chaste kiss on my knuckles. His simple gesture made me smile. Everything about him made me smile.

I already do, don't I?

"I should get going." His face fell. "Don't look at me like that! I was supposed to be back to my old room long back."

He didn't say anything and simply nodded in understanding.

I took my jar and walked out of the kitchen, not forgetting to give a quick peck on his cheek and wishing him a very good night. As usual, I saw a bright shade of red crawling up from his neck. He'll never get used to this.

I had almost reached the staff quarters when I realised that someone was following me in the shadows. I knew who he was and he knew that I knew. It is high time that I take matter in my own hands. Spending an amazing time with Leo, to be there for him irrespective of things going on was the main reason for my acceptance to be his date. I turned back and faced an empty hallway. My other reason... was the man hiding in the shadows.

"Dance with me at the party, will you? It would be an honour to finally meet you in person."

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