CAPTIVE OF A CRUEL MAFIOSO

"How come the pictures are blurry?" Francis asks, in front of pictures placed on his desk by Jerome, Francis' friend since childhood.

Jerome: "Do you want me to eliminate the detectives?"

Francis: "Why?"

Jerome: "For doing a bad job."

"No. No need to kill them, I should have gone to see her myself, after all I'm the one getting married" Francis said, standing up revealing the dragon tattoo he has on his right arm.

Jerome: "Do you really have to marry her? You don't know her, you've never seen her, yet you want to marry her? I think you should think about it again "

Francis: "I already told you. It's father's last wish and I intend to make it come true. How are the new recruits?"

Jerome: "They're fine. Gray and Victor help them settle in and there is a guy arriving from California today, as soon as he arrives their training will begin"

"About your wedding, I still think you don't have to do it" Jerome quickly added.

Francis: "I've already made up my mind and you can't change it. Send word to the Lopez family that in five days our wedding will be and I want Cassandra here"

Knowing that he won't be able to change Francis' mind, Jerome left to carry out his orders.

Francis was standing alone in his office, staring coldly at the garden when a lady burst in.

"Have you made up your mind?" The lady asked and slowly, Francis turned to give her his attention.

"I'm getting married in five days" he said coldly.

___"So you chose to dump me, didn't you?"

Francis: "You knew all along that our relationship was temporary, Naomi"

"Why? Is it because you're the boss and I'm just a f**king slave?" Naomi yelled, feeling hurt that he chose to marry some stupid rich girl from California over her.

Francis: "You want the truth?"

"You're just a materialistic woman. Yes, you're good in bed and we had a wonderful body to body but that's it. You're not someone who can stay with one man for long, I know that Naomi.

___" Or do you think I'm an idiot? Do you think I don't know that you f*ck with my men all day long? "

As soon as he said that, Naomie turned pale.

Naomie: "These men mean nothing to me. You're the only one I love."

Francis: "Love? You know very well that word doesn't exist in our dictionary. We get pleasure from each other and that's it. "

Naomie: "But Francis I..."

"Enough! I'm getting married in five days, you've already heard everything I have to say and so, get out" Francis said in his usual authoritative tone.

Knowing that she couldn't contradict him when he was like this, Naomi left his office.

Twenty-two year old Flora MARTIN could be seen sitting next to a guy as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I told you to stop crying, you know it breaks my heart when you do" Christopher BLAKE said as he crouched down in front of Flora to take her hand.

"I want to stop the tears, I really do but the thought of you going to Italy for a year breaks my heart" Flora said as she wiped her tears as others were already rushing over.

Chris: "You know I'm leaving to make money and prepare for the future for both of us. Once I get to Italy, I'll make sure to call you all the time and when I make enough money, I'll come take you to Italy to live with me, you trust me, don't you? "

Flora nodded.

The two hug each other fiercely, Christopher pulled away, wanting to kiss her when the call for Italian passengers went out.

"This is my flight," Chris said, standing with Flora by his side.

"Take care of yourself and promise me you won't put yourself in danger," Flora said, doing her best to hold back her tears.

"I promise," he said, hugging her once more before leaving.

Flora stood there watching him and suddenly, he stopped, running towards her.

"What are you..." Flora's words were cut off as Chris claimed her lips.

They kissed passionately and if it wasn't for the announcement that was made again, they wouldn't have let go.

Chris: "I'll come back for you, I promise."

Flora knew how painful it was for them to be apart while he went to his new job in Italy. If she could, she would have made herself rich and had Chris by her side.

But as it is, they are both poor and Chris feels that he has to make money for them if they want to build a life together.

"I'll wait for you," Flora mumbles, watching Chris leave until he is out of sight.

"I feel bad, mom," Cassandra said as she sat on her bed while her mother, Crystal, stood by the window, watching her.

Crystal: "Bad? You want to go in her place then?"

Cassandra: "You know I don't want to"

Crystal: "Then why feel bad? You have no intention of marrying Francis KING but we found a solution. A solution that involves sending Flora in your place, so stop feeling guilty and start thinking of a lie for Flora"

Cassandra: "You're right and about the lie, I could ask her to help me deliver a package to someone. She'll have no idea who she's meeting until she gets there"

"That's not bad. This wouldn't be happening if your crazy father hadn't made a marriage agreement with that creepy Anthony KING" Crystal said stamping her feet on the ground in anger.

Cassandra: "They were friends and both thought they could continue that bond by marrying their children, but their reasoning is old school. They should have thought a little more, not everyone likes the idea of getting involved with a man they know nothing about except that he is the leader of a dangerous group."

"She's here, Cass. Flora is back" Crystal informed, with Flora walking into the house with no idea what they had planned for her.

Cassandra: "Then it's time"

Flora had just walked in when she saw Cassandra and her mother waiting in the living room.

It's weird since her employers are never around at this time of day.

"Good morning Mrs. Crystal and you too Miss Cassandra" Flora said, heading towards the kitchen but they called her back, asking her to sit down.

___"Are they going to fire her? "Flora thought, squeezing her hand.

Cassandra: "I have something to deliver to someone in Italy and I want you to do the delivery"

Flora: "Italy? But I've never left the country and..."

"That's easy. You just have to give the necessary document and that's it" Crystal said cutting Flora off.

If she travels to Italy she will be able to see Chris and it will also be her first trip out of town.

Flora: "Okay I will deliver it but for how long will I be there?"

"A week, a month... Take your time, think of it as paid leave for all the service you have done us but come back as soon as you can ." Crystal said acting like she didn't want Flora to stay there long when she knows Flora will stay a long time.

"Really? Oh thank you very much, tell me what document I have to deliver" Flora said and when they told her she quickly went to get it.

"And if Flora finds out and tells Francis that she is being set up, what are we going to do?" Cassandra asked her mother.

"Nothing. I'm sure Francis would have married her by then" Crystal said with a cruel smile.

Flora in awe stares out the window as the plane lands on the soil of Italy.

Some time later, with her bag in hand, Flora walks out of the airport.

She tried Christopher's number for the twelfth time but he still doesn't pick up.

"Should she just deliver the package and leave?" Flora thought as two men in black approached her.

"Welcome to Italy, ma'am" one of them said as they both bowed to her.

Cassandra told her that two men will be waiting to escort her but she didn't expect this special treatment as she is just a simple girl

"We are escorting you to the STONE castle, you can get in the car ma'am" The guy told

Flora again, "Um, you don't have to be formal. Just like you I am also hardworking, feel free to call me by my name"

"I'm sorry but I can't do that. You are very high and I am... low. So I can't call you that" the guy said urging her to come in.

Flora got into the car and remained silent, looking at the buildings and streets of the city.

As they entered the castle premises, Flora couldn't help but notice the red roses attached to some of the doors and the building.

"Is there a wedding going on?" A smile lit up her face as she asked the guards.

She read somewhere that whenever there is a wedding in Italy, red roses are attached everywhere since they symbolize love.

As soon as the car stopped, Flora was surprised to see more guards waiting and as soon as she got out of the car, they all bowed down saying.

_____ "Welcome Madam"

What exactly is going on? Why are they giving her the treatment of a queen? Is that the package she has with her?

Just before she left, Cassandra had warned her not to open the package and now she regrets not opening it to check it.

"You're finally here. You're pretty in real life, come with me, I'll show you to your room" a lady Flora assumed to be in her early sixties said as she pulled Flora in.

Flora: "I don't need a room. I just want to see Mr. Francis and...."

"Don't be in a hurry to see Francis, he should have been here to greet you but he has something to do, he'll be with you soon and my name is Lolita but I prefer you call me Lita, let me take you to your room" Lita said as she led a confused Flora upstairs.

As Lita helped her unpack, Flora stood against the window looking out.

Flora: "I saw red roses around. There's a wedding going on right?"

"Of course there is. It's your wedding after all" Lita said and at the same time the door opened revealing a Greek God.

"Thank goodness you're here, Francis. Your fiancée just arrived, isn't she pretty?" Lolita asked the intimidating man standing at the entrance looking at her.

Francis: "Looks like Dad picked out a beautiful bride for me..."

Flora: "Huh?"

There are ten new recruits, seven of them men and three women.

Chris being one of the seven male recruits stood against a tree, showcasing the picture of Flora he brought with him when he came to Italy

When he arrived the other day his phone went off and he didn't see any other way to call Flora, she must be worried about him surely...

"Come on, gather round" Gray, the man in charge of the new recruits said as ten of them surrounded him

"Today we're going to learn how to shoot a gun. Have any of you ever killed anyone?" Gray asked, looking intimidating as always.

No one answered except for one girl who raised her hand

Gray: "So you killed someone?"

The girl shook her head in response

Gray: "Then why raise your hand?"

"It's just that she's sick, she's been pale since morning" Beth said showcasing the girl next to her.

Gray took a few steps towards the two of them...

Gray: "Being sick is no excuse for her to leave. Training continues."

"But she's sick and..." Beth couldn't finish her sentence because Gray slapped her, surprising everyone.

Gray: "The first rule in Stone Castle is that no one talks back to their leader, there are consequences if you do."

With bloody lips, Beth looks at him about to speak but the sick girl stops her.

"No, I'll be fine" the sick girl said but Beth was too angry to let it go.

"Consequences you say? Tell me what consequence are you going to face if something happens to her?" Beth asks, blood running down her mouth.

Gray: "Are you still talking back to me?"

Just then, Jerome arrives on the scene but instead of interfering, he stood back watching how Gray will handle this.

Beth: "She's sick and needs attention. Is that too much to ask?" "

Gray: "Then she should have never come here if she knew she was going to be a wimp. The work we do here is not for wimps!"

Beth: "She never wanted to do this job, she applied here to be a maid and nothing else."

"Looks like the little bitch needs a beating so she can learn how to respect her superiors." Gray said as he pushed Beth, causing her to fall backwards.

"Put your head down! Put your damn head down and stop staring at me." Gray told Beth who kept staring at him.

Gray pulled out his gun, pointing it at Beth who still wasn't scared.

He would have pulled the trigger if Chris hadn't taken the gun.

Chris: "What the hell are you doing?"

Chris: "Just because you're our superior doesn't mean you have the right to hit someone, especially a girl."

"You two look like you want to lose your lives," Gray said as he pulled out another gun.

____"Gray!" Jerome yelled behind them.

"What's going on?" Jerome asked as he approached them.

"It's just a few recruits trying to get smart, but I've got this under control. Don't worry." Gray said as Chris helped Beth up.

Jerome ignored Gray's explanation and walked over to Beth who was dusting the dirt off her body.

Jerome: "You, tell me what happened?" "

Beth: "If I tell you, are you sure you won't take his side?"

Jerome: "Try first."

Beth: "A friend of mine applied to work here as a maid, but they forced her to join us, which is unacceptable in the first place. She's pale and sick and when I told her, he hit me."

Gray: "That's a lie, you..."

"Is she your friend?" Jerome asked, cutting Gray off.

"She is. Come here, Vanessa." Beth mumbled as Vanessa walked towards them.

Jerome motioned to two guards and ordered them to accompany Vanessa to the infirmary.

"A woman named Bloom will be coming to see you but make sure you get enough rest, Vanessa." Jerome told Vanessa who nodded and left with the guards.

"I think you should go to the infirmary too." Chris told Beth who shook her head as she said.

Beth: "I'm fine."

Jerome: "Your friend is right, you should go to the doctor..."

Beth: "If I can't handle a lip injury, how can I handle a gunshot? It's nothing compared to what I'll be facing in the future."

Her refusal should have angered Jerome but instead, it intrigued him.

He took out his handkerchief, and placed it in Beth's hands.

"Use it to wipe the blood. A woman should be pretty at all times" he said as he walked to whisper to Gray to handle the new recruits with care before leaving.

He stopped, to see Beth and saw her pocketing her handkerchief.

"She didn't throw it away" he thought with a slanted smile on his lips.

A frightened Flora ran as if her life depended on it, she made a turn only to collide with someone. ___"Watch where you're going

! " "I'm sorry," Flora said as she

tried to leave only to be stopped by Naomi.

"Who are you? I've never seen you here before?" Naomi said, staring at her from head to toe.

Flora: "I... I'm just a passerby. I was leaving when..."

"Liar! You're a spy, right. I'm pretty sure you were sent by one of our rivals to spy on us. Well, you just dug your own grave, Guards!" Naomi screamed and immediately two men appeared at her side.

Naomie : "She's a spy, take her to the torture room while I talk to Francis"

"I'm not a spy. You're wrong" Flora said as the guards started to take her away.

"Let's see how you deny it once you're in the torture room" Naomie said, a cruel smile creeping onto her lips.

___"What's going on here?" Francis' harsh voice echoed throughout the living room

Naomie: "I'm glad you're here, I caught a spy. She was trying to escape"

"A spy? You've got to be kidding me, let her go" Jerome told the men who immediately released her.

Naomie: "Stay out of this Jerome!"

Jerome: "Should I stay out of this? That's Cassandra, Francis' fiancée."

Naomie: "Really? Is she... That one?"

"She's the bride. Ask her if you don't believe me," Jerome replies.

Francis on the other hand wasn't even listening to what Jerome and Naomie were saying.

His gaze only focused on Flora who had probably tried to run away.

Naomie: "Is she really your fiancée?"

Francis didn't bother to answer, instead he walked towards Flora, taking her hand.

"Don't touch me!" Flora said, removing her hand from his.

"Take care of the rest, Jerome," Francis said and picked up Flora's slim body on his shoulder, carrying her upstairs

Jerome: "Isn't she pretty? "

"Get lost" she said before leaving.

Beth: "She's gorgeous. You're lucky."

Beth: "Anyway, I heard the big boss is getting married tomorrow, are you going?"

"Not interested. I'd rather stay in my room and think about Flora," Chris replies, a smile curling his lips.

...

___"Put me down!"

Flora kept screaming as Francis carried her into a room.

He pulled her to her feet and immediately she started towards the door but Francis stopped her.

"Don't touch me, killer" she said as she walked away from him.

Flora: "What did you just say?"

"You heard me! I saw you, I saw you kill that man. Who exactly are you? What are you? This place is freaking me out, I want to leave, let me go!" Flora yells at him and that caused him to pull her into his arms.

"It's up to me to decide when you leave and it's not going to happen soon" he said while staring at her coldly.

Flora couldn't take it anymore, she burst into tears, screaming her pain and frustration.

Being the one who doesn't know how to comfort someone, Francis lets her cry.

He walked her to the bed and made her sit down while he stood against the window, looking at her.

He didn't know why but something about her...

She's someone who doesn't care about anyone but here he is worried about her.

___"You know, this wedding was planned. Normally you should have been ready for a long time"

"I told you, I'm not Cassandra. Why don't you believe me" Flora said while sobbing.

"Still with that? Well, how about we call your mother to confirm what you 're saying" he suggested.

Flora: "Are you really going to do that?"

"If it can clear things up, then let's do it. If it turns out that you are telling the truth, I will let you go and if it turns out that you are lying, I will make you pay. One thing I hate the most is lying" Francis said and Flora nodded quickly

"Let's call them. They will clear things up and I can leave" Flora said wiping her eyes.

"My phone battery is dead, do you mind calling them?" She added and he took out his phone to call, dialing Crystal's number.

Crystal answered on the third ring and immediately, Flora took the phone from him.

"It's me Flora. I'm here in Italy and there was a mistake, can you tell Mr. Francis that I am not Cassandra but Flora your housekeeper. He seems to think I am Cassandra" Flora said, knowing that Crystal's answer will clear up the misunderstanding.

___"Who is Flora? I clearly don't have a maid named that and stop fooling Francis, Cassandra. I know you don't want the marriage, but it's decided and there's nothing you can do about it, marry him and be his wife."

Crystal's response stunned Flora.

Flora: "W... What are... you saying. This is Flora talking to you not Cassandra."

"Will you stop the lies? It's one thing to not want to get married and it's another to keep pretending to be someone else. Why doesn't Francis do something about it? Why did he let you use his phone?" Crystal said and Francis took the phone from her.

"I'm sorry, Crystal. I just wanted to clear things up. Since you're coming tomorrow for the wedding, I suggest you bring some things to Cassandra. See you tomorrow" he said and ended the call.

Flora: "H... How can she? It's a lie, Crystal is lying to you"

"I thought I told you I'd make you pay if it turns out you're lying" Francis said as he put his phone on the table.

"I'm not lying" Flora said as she slowly backed away, her heart beating fast, wondering what he's going to do to her.

He kept getting closer to her and it made Flora run towards the door but it was closed.

She turned around, staring at him helplessly, hoping he wouldn't kill her.

___" He killed that man without any mercy, he'll surely do the same to her "

Flora thought as she turned around, banging on the door, praying that someone would come to her rescue.

She started screaming when she felt his hands on her, he spun her around like a doll, his arms tightening around her like a steel band.

"P...please ...don't kill me" Flora said, her gaze on his chest, she didn't dare to look him in the eyes.

She felt his hand against her neck and for a while she was afraid he would strangle her but instead he lifted her face up forcing her to look at him.

Flora couldn't bear to look at him and so, she closed her eyes.

__"Open your eyes, open them and watch how I'm going to make you pay for your lies" he said softly and slowly, she did as he said.

As soon as her eyes were open, he showed up and claimed her lips.

Flora's eyes widen in shock, she pushed his chest but that caused him to pull her hand away to place it against the door above

Flora was helpless against his kiss, every time she clamped her mouth shut he bit it forcing her open to him

She had never been kissed like this before Flora thought as he let go of his hand to pull her closer his kiss grew hotter and hotter

When he trailed kisses down her neck Flora found her voice and pushed to his chest once more.

___"Don't do this! Please."

Although it came out in a whisper, he heard

Francis pull away from her, trying to control himself.

"Whether you like it or not, we're getting married tomorrow, Cassandra," he said, turning to her.

"Once you're my wife, I won't listen to your pleas, you and I will be a couple in every way, including sharing a bed. Rest and don't think about running away, two guards will now be positioned at your door" he said as he took his phone to leave but he turned around.

___"If you try to run away, pray to your God that I don't find you. Otherwise I'll kill you"

"See you tomorrow" he said and left the room.

Flora slowly fell until she was in a crouching position.

She's going to marry him tomorrow and there's nothing she can do to stop it.

"Chris, where are you?" Flora whispers, tears sliding down her cheeks.