Chapter 2 Velvet Noose

Minutes passed because a man in a black suit opened the door without making eye contact and asked Aria to follow him. Aria followed him out, till they got to another part of the mansion. The air in this side smelled faintly of expensive polish and trimmed grass. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and continued following the man.

The front doors were thick and guarded. Two more men stood on either side, dressed like security personnel. Inside, the space was clean and quiet. White walls, dark wood, polished floors. The hallway stretched forward, lined with closed doors. There were no family portraits, everything was coldly elegant.

"This way," the man said.

She followed him through the house without speaking. They passed a dining room, a kitchen with staff, and what looked like a private office with a wall of bookshelves. Every space was spotless. The staff didn't look at her, no one dared to smile, everyone moved quickly and with purpose.

They stopped in front of a staircase. "Your room is upstairs and someone has already brought your clothes. You'll be expected downstairs at 7 for dinner. Don't be late."

"What if I am?" Aria asked.

The man didn't respond as he just walked away.

She climbed the staircase alone. Upstairs, the hallway was long and silent. At the end, a door had already been opened for her. Inside was a large bedroom with a bed far too big for one person, a vanity, and a built-in closet. A suitcase she didn't pack sat on the edge of the bed. Her name was on a luggage tag. As she opened it, her clothes were folded inside.

They had gone through her things.

She checked the drawers but everything had been prepared, her undergarments, shoes, toiletries, they were all arranged. There was no sign of clutter, It was like stepping into a hotel room designed specifically for her, but without her permission.

She walked to the window. Outside was a stone courtyard and a small garden enclosed by a high wall. Beyond that, only trees and fences, there were no visible exits.

She sat on the edge of the bed. Her chest felt tight and she literally couldn't reach anyone. She didn't know what part of the city she was in and no one explained what came next. Her father hadn't called or sent a message. He had sold her into this place and vanished.

A knock came on the door as a woman entered. She looked to be in her forties, with her hair pulled back and a sharp expression. She held a tablet and a small box.

"I'm Anna," she said. "I handle the house and personal arrangements."

Aria didn't answer.

Anna continued without pause. "This box contains a contract. It outlines the marriage agreement, expectations, and conditions. You'll sign it before the wedding. A legal copy will be provided afterward."

"I didn't agree to anything." Aria murmured loudly.

"You don't need to agree. You only need to follow instructions."

Aria stood. "Are you guys forcing me?"

"No one is forcing you," Anna said. "You're here to protect your father. If you leave, he suffers. If you stay, the debt is forgiven, that's the arrangement."

"And if I refuse to marry him?"

Anna raised her head slightly. "Then the De Luca family will consider the agreement broken. I suggest you consider your options carefully."

Aria looked down at the box. It was black with no logo, a very simple box but she didn't touch it.

Anna placed the tablet on the nightstand. "Dinner is mandatory and please wear the dress hanging in your closet, someone will come for you before it rings for dinner."

The door closed behind her. Aria exhaled slowly. She opened the closet. Inside hung several dresses, most of them formal, nothing she would have chosen herself. She picked the plainest one, it was black in colour and sleeveless, it was fitted for her but looked kinda simple. She didn't want to stand out, she just wanted to get through the evening.

At exactly 6:50, another knock came. This time, a younger woman stood there, her expression was very neutral. "Follow me, please." That was the only thing she said.

Aria followed her down the stairs, through another hallway, and into a large dining room. The table was long, it was made of dark wood, with a formal place setting on each end. Leon sat at one end, already dressed in another designer black suit, his sleeves rolled to his elbows. He didn't even raise his head when she entered.

Aria sat opposite him and there was no one else at the table.

Food was brought in by staff, which consisted of grilled meat, vegetables, fresh bread and wine. No one explained what was being served, though she recognized some of it but she didn't touch the wine.

Leon cut his food with steady movements. "Did you settle in?"

Aria didn't answer.

He looked up. "You'll need to get used to answering when spoken to."

She stared at him across the table. "I'm not a servant."

"No," he said. "You're a responsibility."

"And how long do I stay that way?" Aria asked, dropping her cutleries.

He didn't answer immediately. He continued chewing his food, then swallowed it and wiped his mouth.

"Until you understand how this world works." Leon finally said.

"I didn't choose this." Aria coldly said.

"You didn't choose this but this chose you. There's a difference."

Aria pushed her plate away. "Why me?"

Leon leaned back in his chair. "Because your father owed more than money. And your name solved a problem."

"So now I'm a solution." Aria said raising her brows

"For now." Leon said before going back to his food.

Aria sat back as she had lost her appetite already. "I'm not going to be obedient." Aria murmured but loud enough for Leon to hear.

Leon raised an eyebrow. "I don't need obedience, I only need your presence. You're here to show alliance, so It doesn't require emotion."

"Then what does it require?" Aria asked with a smug on her face.

"Discipline, awareness. And discretion." Leon replied as silence fell between them.

After a moment, Leon stood. "Tomorrow, you'll be briefed on the ceremony. It won't be public, so don't be nervous and you'll speak with a lawyer. After that, your legal status will change."

He walked toward the door, then paused and glanced back. "You can cry, fight, or resist but none of it changes the outcome." He then left the room.

Aria just sat alone, she looked down at her untouched food but there was no appetite, her chest was aching and her head was spinning. The house was not peaceful even when it was noiseless.

Everything had been planned already, she had been brought into a system that functioned without her consent.

She stood up and left the dining room, following the path back to the stairs. She didn't need a guide, the house was designed with straight lines and few choices. Every hallway led to the same place as no doors opened unless they were allowed to.

Back in her room, the box sat untouched on the nightstand. The tablet beside it waited for a fingerprint scan.

She changed out of the dress, folded it, and placed it on the chair.

Then she sat on the bed and turned off the lights. She lied down and was just staring at the ceiling.

Her life had been taken, traded and repackaged. And tomorrow, it would be sealed with a signature and she knew that nothing couldn't stop it.

She closed her eyes and tried as much as she could to cry but no tears came, but deep down her heart was crying and bleeding.