LEA
The moment I heard that voice, a cold wave of fear washed over me. I turned around slowly to look at the person who just called my name. My heart beats fast when my eyes land on a very tall man with broad shoulders and long legs—he surely works out. I cannot see his face clearly because it is dark—he switched his car lights. I have never seen this figure before nor heard his voice—not even in the market.
"Lea Romano, GET IN THE CAR NOW!" he says with a commanding voice. I realized I have been frozen in place ever since. There is something about that voice, something dark—it is commanding, demanding authority. I want to speak and tell him to leave her alone, but I cannot find my voice. He knows my full name; maybe he is one of my parents' family members that never visit us. I hesitated for a minute but still got into the car. After what those boys tried to do to me, I don't feel safe here. Where is this man taking me?
"I—I…" I just stutter, not knowing what to say. He just gave me a cold stare—I found myself shaking so hard. I don't think I have a choice here—I cannot even think of running. I get in the car, hugging myself, trying not to choke on my own sobs. He slammed the door behind me and entered into the driver's seat without a word. This man looks scary. He started driving without asking me what happened. He didn't ask where I lived.
I kept my eyes on my trembling hands. Deep down I do not care about what will happen to me—it is better than being married off by your own parents, right? Every few seconds, the headlights caught the wet stains on my cheeks. Hopefully he wouldn't notice—but he did.
"You shouldn't be walking alone at night," he muttered, not looking at me, just his deep and cold voice echoing through. As if I had broken a rule he wrote, specifically for me. My throat became dry as I tried to answer, "I—I wasn't planning to …" He cut in before I could even finish my sentence: "It doesn't matter; you won't do it again." Why did that feel like a fact? Or a threat. Somehow the way he said it sent a shiver through me.
MEANWHILE, AT LEA'S HOUSE
"Lea, dinner is ready." Silence. She called again, but still no answer. She thought maybe because Lea was still mad at them. She stepped inside Lea's room. She thought she would find her curled up, reading as always. She knows her only daughter always reads books whenever she is sad or angry. The bed was empty, the window fully open, leaving a cold draft brushing the curtains.
Her heart dropped. "Marco!" she shouted for Lea's father. "She's not here." Lea's father rushed in to see why his wife was shouting. He was shocked to find their daughter not in bed and the shower not running. His wife is sweating. Within minutes she was pacing, her hands trembling as she called Lea's friend Giulia. "Giulia, is Lea with you?" She kept quiet for a second, hoping to hear a yes—but "No, Elena, I last saw her in the afternoon. Why? What happened?" She hung up; that wasn't the answer she was hoping for. Panic and regret were written all over their faces. They shouted and blamed each other for their only daughter's disappearance—until the roar of an engine echoed outside, bringing them back to their reality.
LEA
He was overspeeding, hence why we arrived within a few minutes. I am still shocked, but I cannot even ask him how he knows where I live. I fear this man with everything in me. The car came to a stop; I stepped out and saw my parents standing at the doorway. As soon as she saw me, my mother ran toward me and pulled me into a tight hug—I could barely breathe. My father appeared behind her, his eyes filled with relief. "LEE," she said, her voice shaking. "What were you thinking?!" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Where did you go, Lea?" My father asks. Why are they acting like they care when they do not even care about my freedom, my happiness, and my opinion about this arranged marriage?
"I found her walking alone, and it won't happen again," he said calmly, yet the last part felt like it was a command. My parents nodded like a child after being scolded. Why are they acting like this? Do they even know this person? I do not blame them, though this man right here has an aura! "Come on in; we want to introduce you guys to each other," my mother said, looking at me. Who is being introduced to whom and why…
"I do not have time, Elena," he said coldly. Wait…why is he calling my mother by her name? I mean, she's way older than him. On a normal day my mother would have screamed and cursed at anyone who dared call her by her name, but today she didn't. She just stood there, looked at him, and smiled awkwardly.
"Here is the contract; Lea has to sign it." "In a week, I'll take her to my house. She will stay there until the wedding arrangements are done," he added, then shoved a document into my father's hands—he turned his back to leave, no goodbye or anything a normal person would do. What a jerk!
"Hey, you! You don't get to disrespect my parents like that!" I said firmly. He turned and glared at me with his cold eyes. My whole body went rigid—I shouldn't have said that. He turned and left, disappearing into the night. "Who was that?" I ask. Before they could even answer, I started to think about the contract, the disrespect, and the fact that he knows my house and name. Could he be Massimo? The mafia man
"MASSIMO?" my mother's breath caught. My father swallowed hard. I guess I got my answer. How am I supposed to get married to a scary man like him?
We went inside the house. They told me they want to talk and make me understand the whole situation. Their words lifted a weight off my chest. To clear the debt, I'd only have to be married for a few years—after that, I could return home and continue school. My anger faded; suddenly everything felt reasonable, forgivable. I even signed the contract. And they promised he'd allow visits, so I won't lose my time with Alessio.
I slept very well yesterday, and I am really glad my parents and I are on good terms. I switch on my phone and find a million messages from Alessio asking me whether I managed to escape. I text him, "Hey, our plan failed—but I am back home." He replies really quickly, "Hey Lea, I was so worried about you—we can still make another plan." He doesn't get it; there is no plan. I have accepted my fate. I called to inform him that we should meet at our usual place. He responded with happiness, not realizing there is nothing for him to be happy about.
I prepared to go and see him. Today I wanted to surprise him and make it earlier than him, and I did. He arrives, and I could see him smiling from a distance. I will miss him so much. "Hey Lea," he said, hugging me. I melt into his embrace while taking in his scent—my favorite of all time. We talk for hours, laughing and holding hands. The mood turns sour when I let him know that I have accepted the marriage. He doesn't look happy, yet he still had the strength to hold my hand. He says he will wait for me.
A week later
The week passed. In a haze of goodbyes, lingering hugs, and quiet tears. Everyone I loved gathered to see me off, pretending they were strong. Pretending I was, too. Today is the day. Massimo arrived with his men. They loaded my few belongings into the car. I watched my parents fade through the window as we drove away. My best friend is here too, and she is looking at me with teary eyes. I will miss her so much.
Massimo's mansion appeared out of nowhere—literally rising from the middle of the emptiest land I had ever seen. No houses nearby. No shops. No roads except the one leading straight to him. I was trying to focus, but I ended up sleeping along the way. He is sitting next to me, yet no one has uttered anything to the other. The mood is tense. I cannot even cough freely.
I woke up when I heard the car stop. A huge gate stood in front of us, opening automatically. We drove forward to another gate, and then a third. Only after that did I finally see the massive mansion ahead of us. The mansion is huge, shadowed by towering trees. There are security guards everywhere, and the minute he stepped down, they all bowed. "Why are you still in the car?" he asks emotionlessly. I got down and followed him. I could hear whispers and feel eyes boring into my back. I kept my gaze fixed on the floor, moving as if I were invisible. We entered the mansion, and I followed him to a room. The space was enormous, the walls painted in a dark, lifeless shade, and the air seemed to swallow warmth. Every step I took echoed eerily, and the cold seemed to seep into my bones. After a few minutes, he left, telling me he would return soon. Alone, I cautiously wandered the room, trying to take in its emptiness.
"Hey! You! Maid! What are you doing in my man's room? This room is off-limits!" A sharp, angry voice cut through.