Chapter 2 Into the Lion's Den

Amelia

Four days had passed since the incident with Leonardo. Today was Wednesday, and with my mom still struggling to find a job, I decided to step up and look for one myself. But fate wasn't on my side, unfortunately, after trying at least seven places, I still had no luck.

I sat down on a bench by the street, defeated. How did everything in my life get so bad? I thought to myself. I got up and decided to try the next company on my list.

As I walked, i decided to call Leonardo for some encouragement.

"Hello, leo-" i started, but before I could finish, a black Lexus screeched to a halt in my front.

The door opened, and three huge men rushed out and grabbed me.

"Let me go! Help! Help! Someone, help! Leooooo!!! I screamed at the top of my lungs but no one came to my rescue.

"Amelia? Amelia, what's happening?"

Leo's voice rang from my phone.

Before i could talk, one of the men snatched the phone from my hand, dropped it on the ground and stomped on it.

The other man used a white handkerchief to cover my mouth, and before i knew it i blacked out.

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I woke up in a dark room, my head pounding. My hands and legs were tied to a chair. A tall figure sat in the shadows facing me.

"Who are you? What do you want from me? Let me go, please! I don't have anything to offer you!! I yelled my voice shaking with fear.

"That's not a polite way to speak to a stranger, Amy" the figure said in a deep husky voice

He stood, stepping into the dim light. My breath caught in my throat. He was tall, dangerously attractive, with a sharp jawline, and dark tousled hair that gave him a rugged look. His gaze was intense. His piercing eyes seemed to see right through me. He was wearing a black trouser and a black t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up revealing his muscular arms. I swallowed hard as I raised my head to look at him. Everything about him was screaming danger.

I swallowed as he looked at me. He grabbed me by the neck. My breathing hitched as he leaned closer, his voice low and menacing.

"If you want to live to see tomorrow, i suggest you listen to me and follow my rules, Amy". He smirked devilishly and released me, leaving me gasping for air.

"W-what do you want from me sir? I assure you I'm the wrong per-person". I stammered trying to catch my breath.

"Silence". His voice cut through my words like a knife. "You don't speak unless you're spoken to. My maid will tend to your and you're to obey without question. If you don't, your head will be served as dinner tonight". He added and walked out of the room

I swallowed hard and immediately burst out into tears thinking about what just happened. "Why's this happening to me?" I said to myself

A few minutes later, the door creaked open and a woman, probably in her late thirties, walked in. Without saying a word she untied me and gestured me to follow her which i did.

She led me down a dimly lit hallway to an empty room.

"This is where you will sleep", she said flatly. "Don't bother asking questions. I'm not allowed to tell you anything. But here's a tip, you can scream as much as you want, non one will hear you".

With that, she left, the door clicking shut behind her.

I slid down to the floor, my legs too weak to hold me up. Tears streamed down my face as i thought about my mom. "What if she can't find me? Who will help her out? What about Leo? All sort of thoughts ran through my head as I drifted off to sleep.

THE NEXY DAY

(Amelia woke up sore and hungry. She could see the sun shine through to small window in the room telling her it was morning. She shivered on the cold, hard floor, wrapping her arms around herself. The sound of the door being unlocked broke the silence, and her heart ponded as the man from yesterday-Lorenzo-walked in, the maid trailing behind him)

Lorenzo

I stared at the fragile figure sitting on the floor, her eyes filled with pain and fear. I flicker of satisfaction ran through. I enjoyed seeing my captives in misery.

I nodded to the maid, signaling her to proceed. Withiut hesitation, she splashed a bucket of cold water over the girl.

Amelia let out a loud scream, her body jerking from the shock.

"And this is your welcome gift to hell," I said with a devilish grin, watching her as she sat drenched, trembling and silent.

My gaze lingered on her, noticing how the wet fabric clung to her petite frame, revealing her perfectly sculpted figure. As i studied her, she stood up suddenly, surprising me with the fire in her eyes.

She stormed up to me, her small stature insignificant compared to mine, yet she exuded a surprising courage.

Before i could react, she slapped me. Hard. My head turned with the force of it.

I slowly looked back at her, fury blazing in my eyes. "How dare you, you insolent little human! Who gave you the permission to touch my face?" I growled, my voice dangerously low.

She trembled, clearly terrified, but her voice didn't falter as she spoke.

"I-I'm Amelia. And how dare you treat me this way, you...you pervert! I don't know what you want with me, but I won't let you treat me like a slave. I'm not your property!"

I stared at her, astonished. Nobody had ever dared to talk back to me like this-not to Lorenzo De Luca. Yet here she was, bold and defiant.

A slow, amused chuckle escaped my lips. "You don't know what you've just done, Amy. Nobody talks to Lorenzo like that and walks away Scot free"

Without another word, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving her soaking wet and shaken.