Chapter 5 Beneath the surface

Lina awoke to the soft sound of rain tapping against the windows, the soft, rhythmic patter a stark contrast to the chaos that had consumed her mind the night before. The weight of Giovanni's words still lingered, his presence haunting her even in her sleep. She rolled over in the massive bed, the cool sheets wrapping around her like a shroud, offering no comfort. The mansion felt emptier than ever, despite the grandeur and constant movement. It was as if the walls themselves were watching her, waiting for her to make a mistake.

She hadn't heard from Giovanni since their dinner, and she wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse. She spent the morning in her room, trying to distract herself with books she couldn't focus on and endless pacing that only made her anxious. Every time the door creaked open or a staff member passed her door, her heart would leap into her throat, wondering if this was the moment Giovanni would demand her attention again.

But hours passed with only silence. It was strange, the calm after the storm. She couldn't help but feel like something was coming-something inevitable that she couldn't escape.

Just as she was beginning to allow herself a brief moment of respite, a knock at the door broke the silence.

"Miss Romano," a familiar voice called from the other side.

Lina stiffened. It was Luca, Giovanni's ever-present shadow.

"Come in," she replied, her voice steady despite the tension tightening her chest.

The door opened slowly, and Luca stepped inside, his usual unreadable expression in place. In his hands, he held a silver tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a small envelope.

"Giovanni requests your presence," Luca said simply, his voice devoid of emotion. "He has something he wants to discuss with you."

The message was clear. Giovanni's power over her had never been more evident than in this moment. He didn't need to say anything himself. He sent Luca, his message carried through another man's silent authority.

Lina nodded, her hands instinctively reaching for the coffee, hoping it would steady her nerves. She sipped the hot liquid, its bitterness sharp against her tongue. As she placed the cup back down, her gaze flicked to the envelope Luca had placed on the table beside her.

It was unmarked, no name or insignia, but the weight of it seemed too heavy for something as trivial as a letter. She hesitated for only a moment before she tore it open, the paper unfolding easily in her hands.

Inside was a single, simple note: "In my office. Now."

Lina's stomach twisted, but she knew there was no escaping it. She stood up, smoothing the dress she'd been wearing and collecting her composure. Luca's eyes never wavered, his gaze locked on her every move.

She nodded at him, silently acknowledging his presence, though he had already turned to lead the way.

The hallway seemed even longer than before, each step echoing louder, the sound of her heels clicking against the polished marble floor reverberating through the silence. As they passed through the grand corridors, she noticed the absence of the usual staff, as if they were all deliberately hiding away, watching from the shadows. It felt like the mansion was holding its breath, waiting.

When they reached the office, Luca stopped just outside the door, giving her one last cold look before he opened it for her.

"Giovanni is expecting you," he said, his voice as impassive as ever.

Lina entered the office, her heart hammering in her chest. The room was massive, dominated by dark wood and floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the view of the sprawling estate. Giovanni stood by the window, his back to her, his silhouette outlined against the stormy sky.

For a moment, she simply watched him, taking in the way the storm seemed to match the turmoil in her mind. The tension that had been building since their first meeting was about to reach its peak, and she had no idea what he was going to do next.

"Come in, Lina," Giovanni's voice broke the silence, low and smooth, like dark velvet. He didn't turn to look at her, but she could feel his gaze on her, heavy and intense.

She stepped further into the room, the door clicking shut behind her. The room seemed even more imposing now, the power within it palpable. Giovanni finally turned to face her, his expression unreadable. There was no warmth in his eyes, no softness, only the same steely command that made her feel as if she were at the mercy of a storm.

"You look... uneasy," he observed, his voice tinged with something like amusement. "I imagine it's difficult to adjust to the pace of things here."

Lina refused to be intimidated, though her stomach fluttered with nerves. "I'm doing fine," she said, the words coming out more sharply than she intended.

Giovanni's lips curved into a slight smile, but there was no warmth in it. "Is that so? I'm glad to hear it. Because I want you to understand something, Lina." He took a few steps toward her, his gaze never leaving hers. "This world-my world-isn't for the faint-hearted. It's not a place where people like you come out unscathed."

She tilted her chin up, matching his gaze. "And what does that mean for me?"

Giovanni didn't answer immediately. He took a slow, deliberate step closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied her with a mixture of amusement and something darker.

"You think you can resist, don't you?" he said, his tone dropping to a whisper. "You think you can fight me, fight my world. But the reality is, you have no choice, Lina. You'll bend, or you'll break. But either way, you will be mine."

His words struck her like a slap, the weight of them settling over her chest. For a moment, she thought she might suffocate under the pressure of it all. But then, something inside her snapped.

"Why?" she asked, her voice trembling but defiant. "Why me? What is it you want from me?"

Giovanni's smile widened, though his eyes remained cold, calculating. "You have something I need," he said, his voice dripping with both power and control. "And I intend to take it."

Lina's blood ran cold at his words, her heart beating erratically in her chest. She could feel the shift in the room-the subtle change in atmosphere, like the calm before a storm. But even more than that, she felt something deep inside her shift as well. Something that told her she couldn't let him win. She wouldn't let him break her. Not yet.

"I don't belong to you," she said through gritted teeth.

Giovanni laughed, the sound dark and menacing. "We'll see about that."

For a moment, silence reigned between them. She could feel the weight of his stare like a heavy chain around her neck, binding her in place.

"I'll leave you to think," he said after a beat, his voice softer now, almost condescending. "You have much to learn, Lina. And I'm the only one who can teach you."

Lina watched as he turned away, moving toward his desk, his back once again to her. She felt small, insignificant in the face of his power. But beneath the fear, something else was growing-something fierce, untamed, and full of defiance.

"I'm not your puppet," she muttered under her breath, though she wasn't sure if she believed it yet.

Giovanni didn't respond, but she knew he heard her. His silence spoke volumes.