The Mafia King’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 8

Nayana

I stare at myself in the mirror but the woman who stares back at me is almost unrecognizable. I'm wearing a black strapless gown that is not very flattering but hugs my figure perfectly.

My hair is styled into a chic bun on top of my head with a few tendrils swirling around my face and neck. My brown eyes is more yellow because of the smokey-eyed make up I have on.

To anyone Outside, I probably look like a posh princess but I'm pretty much certain that there are servants living in a better condition than l am. Father warned me to look as presentable as possible for his daughter's engagement party.

Some part of me wanted to disobey his order but I found myself dressing up and putting makeup on my face.

I’ve never cared about these things, mind you.

Or maybe it's because you know Leonardo will be there?

That little demon voice in my head whispers. I pinch myself hard and wince at the sharp pain on my thighs. Since he dropped me home six nights ago, I promised myself not to think of him and if I mistakenly do, I must punish myself by pinching my skin harshly.

Well, my arms and thighs are covered with countless tiny bruises.

At this point, I can't go a minute without thinking of that man and as much as I've tried to stop, I realize that it is virtually impossible because of my secrets that he holds over my head.

Is that all though?

Ugh! I really need to stop this! Why do I keep thinking about someone I clearly hate? Someone that is extremely dangerous?

Before I have any more chance to berate myself for going against my own orders, my phone dings on the table.

I excitedly walk to it because I know who is definitely texting. I pick up my phone and groan when I see the shattered screen that reminds me of how my evil step- brother damaged it days ago when he cornered me by the staircase. There's black ink covering some parts of the screen but at least the speaker still works. I open my text message app and see Gwen’s name on it.

Gwen: Hey baby girl, I'm about to leave home with

my folks. Did you end up wearing the dress I sent you? say yes please!

Nana: No baby, I'm sorry I wanted to but the color matches with my sister's and you know how she gets when someone else dresses similar to her. (Smile Emoji)

Gwen: Oh who gives a f*ck about that b***h? I'll let this go for now but next time you better wear whatever I gift you or this friendship is over! (JK) anyway, see you soon!

Nana: See you! (kiss emoji)

I carefully tuck my damaged phone into my tiny purse. I love this black shiny purse because my mama owned it. This is one of my mother's possessions that I got to keep before my father flushed everything else away.

A sharp knock on my door startles me and I slowly walk to it and open it to find.. Miguel. My father's top body guard and my best friend. Well, former.

We are almost the same age with him being a few months younger than me, but his energy and maturity makes him seem way older.

"Hey, Nana." He says, smiling at me with his eyes going over my figure. "Wow, you look amazing tonight"

"Thanks."

Once upon a time, Miguel was my biggest crush and the boy I wanted to get married to in future. I used to joke with him, telling him I can't wait till we're both free from my family so we could start a life somewhere else together and he always said he couldn't wait too.

All that changed after I saw him having s*x with a girl in his room and my heart tore into pieces. I never thought I would get over him but I guess the problems I'm facing right now are so tough that I don't even think about the boy I nurtured a childhood crush for.

"Hi, um.. why are you here?" I ask, unsure of why he's here to see me after disappearing for weeks.

"Your father wants me to take you to the party. He left a few minutes ago with his wife and your siblings."

Of course. I am not even surprised anymore. Whenever we are going out, father likes leaving me behind like I'm some outcast. It used to bother me before but now, I hardly care about it. Infact, I like being away from my insufferable step-family.

I nod at Miguel and proceed to stare at myself in the mirror one last time before following him.

He watches me warily all the way to the car. The ride to the party venue takes about fifteen minutes.

When I get there, I'm shocked to see the place packed with a lot of people even though the hall is quite wide. Every corner of the hall room screams luxury. The lights are dim and the air smells of exotic perfumes and expensive alcohol.

"Wait here," Miguel says, placing a hand on my bare shoulder. "The official announcement hasn't begun. I will get you a drink." He starts to walk away.

"you didn't even ask what drink I want" I call after him mainly because I don't want him to leave me standing by myself. I can't see my father right now but I can see my step family. Bella has been giving me weird looks since I arrived and Luca just smiles creepily at me.

"I know you only drink red wine, Nana." Miguel responds without turning back but I hear the smile in his voice.

Darn him for knowing me a little too well.

My eyes roam the hall room, looking for someone I shouldn't be looking for.

But can I help myself? No.

Am I a stubborn, hopeless fool? Yes.

I really need to get my s**t together and look for a way to be freed from that man. I need to find any weaknesses or secrets that will give me an edge over him, if not, I am just Swimming in shark Infested Waters with no protectio.

"Who are you looking around desperately for?" I almost jump at the sound of my step-sister's malicious voice from behind. An exhausted sigh escapes me.

So much for staying away from my toxic family.

"Why do you care about who I'm looking for?" I whirl around to face Isabella who's glaring at me like she wants to remove my head from my body.

Seriously, what is her problem?

"You think I didn't catch you watching my future husband like you wanted him to be yours last week? I know you're a desperate w***e but you better not get any ideas about my man, hear me?" Bella's voice drips with malice.

I chuckle at her unbelievable words. So she noticed me looking at Leonardo but didn't notice him looking at me? What a clown.

“Look Bella, I don't give a f**k about you and your fiancé and I would rather be any where but here if I had the choice" I say with a scoff

"Of course. You don't belong here. You belong in the gutters and very soon, that is where 'll send you"

My head gets hot with anger at her words. I know Bella never liked me but the hatred I'm seeing in her eyes towards me is alarming. I don't know who is worse between her and her brother.

I open my mouth to give her a befitting reply but get interrupted by my friend's cheery voice.

"Hey, girl! I was just looking for you." Gwen says, pulling me into a hug without caring that my step-sister was talking to me. Gwen knows I'm not good with them and she dislikes them even more.

Thankfully, Bella just scoffs and walks away from us. Gwen pulls back. "Good thing she left because I was one second away from scratching her eyes out." I giggle at my friend's words. Gwen is a menace when she wants to be and she has always been fiercely protective of me. If she truly knows half the s**t I’ve been going through at home, I'm convinced she'll find a way for me to leave there and move in with her.

She has indirectly suggested it a couple of times but I don't want to be a liability to someone else. I won't be able to live with myself and that's why I work part time and study hard to be able to afford a comfortable life away from my family.

"Hi, Gwen. Oh wow, you look so good." She's wearing her pink gown, similar to the one she sent me and her short blonde hair is shining against the light.

"Wait, I thought you were coming with your folks?"

"Oh yes! They're here somewhere. I want you to meet them. Come on. "

Gwen drags me along the hall room. I see her mother and father standing very close to each other, their arms interlinked as they converse with Someone who's backing me and Gwen.

“Hey, Mom, Dad, meet Nana falcone, my bestie!" Gwen says with excitement as we walk into their midst, interrupting their conversation with...leonardo Voss.

Of course I should have known it was him they were talking to when the exotic scent of cedar and mint that only belongs to this scary man hit my senses. But I didn't want to believe it would be him.

Ugh! must I run into this man every time?

I watch the moment his bored expression switches to surprise and then keen interest as he stares at me head to toe.

A small smile forms on his perfect lips and I have no doubt that Gwen has recognized him from that night because of how she's glowering at him.

"Well, if it isn't Mr brother-in-law who can't seem to leave his sister-in-law alone."

Gwen comments in a not-so-quiet voice.

Oh, just kill me with a rock immediately.

***