His Cruel Contract

Her tightly closed eyes, continued to release tears. She trembled as she felt his warmth enveloping her, yet she refrained from opening her eyes. She grasped her fists tightly and moved herself against the wall, creating distance between them.

He chuckled as he observed her attempts to prevent their bodies from making contact. He brought his face closer to hers and spoke softly in her ear,

"Angel, at the very least, grant me the privilege to touch you now."

He watched as she shivered uncontrollably due to their close proximity. Gently, he brushed strands of hair from her face behind her ear.

With closed eyes, she felt his touch on her skin, causing her body to tingle with goosebumps.

"That, I had purchased you, I am now able to touch you, right?"

Hearing his cruel words, she tightly closed her eyes and tears began to flow aggressively. She understood that he had acquired her as though she were an object, which made her feel utterly worthless, like an inanimate thing rather than a living being. He had degraded her by treating her as if she were of no value.

"But do not worry, I will not abandon you like your husband," he said.

Hearing his words, her heart tightened, as he was the one who mercilessly murdered her husband before her very eyes. She clutched her dress tightly and remained silent, still unable to bring herself to respond.

He chuckled and gently brushed his knuckles against her hand, correcting himself by saying, "I apologize, your late husband."

This caused her tears to fall even more rapidly, with an increased sense of despair.

"He's such an unlucky bastard, can't even touch you before his demise,"

Uttering these words, he firmly grasped her waist and brought her closer to his firm chest.

She emitted a loud gasp, her teary eyes opening as she stared at him, filled with animosity.

Attempting to separate herself from him, she made an effort to push him away, but he showed no signs of relenting. With an air of amusement, he continued to gaze at her intently.

He forcefully pulled her even closer, remarking,

"Why resist now, Angel? I have every right to touch you, and not just touch, I can do whatever I please with you."

Hearing his words, she tightly clenched her jaw and used every ounce of her strength to push him away.

"No, you cannot touch me. I will never allow you to do that," she sternly stated, directing a look of intense dislike towards him.

Hearing her response, he burst into boisterous laughter, callously speaking words that deeply wounded her spirit.

"I did not spend a million dollars just to see you, Angel. I purchased you for my own desires, to touch and savor, to consume," he declared, his lips inching closer to her ear as he continued,

"to destroy, to torment, to defile."

Overwhelmed by his appalling words, she began to sob, unable to comprehend how someone could possess such a heartless nature to treat another human being as a mere object.

She, too, is a human with emotions, just like everyone else, but now he is tarnishing her soul with his contemptible words and actions.

Witnessing her distraught state, his inner torment subdued and he deliberately aimed his words to strike a chord, cruelly declaring,

"And I don't even know if you're worth that much money,"

She tightly shut her eyes, biting her lips to stifle her loud sobs. She questioned her own self-respect and dignity after being subjected to his hurtful words, yet she refused to unveil her vulnerable side in front of him.

Observing her attempts to suppress her crying, he callously uttered words that pierced her heart,

"So, can we see if I'm getting my money's worth?"

Uttering this, he forcefully grabbed her hand and yanked her along. Despite her struggles, his iron-like grip on her wrist remained unyielding.

"Leave me," she shouted, for him to halt his steps.

However, he disregarded her and forcefully propelled her onto the bed.

Attempting to regain her footing, she was forcefully pushed back onto the bed by her shoulders.

"Remain still, Angel," she heard his booming voice, causing her to flinch and freeze in fear.

He approached the bedside table and retrieved his phone from it. She witnessed him dialing a number and placing the phone on speaker.

She listened as a male voice on the other end addressed him as 'Mr. Rodriguez' and engaged in a conversation with the person on the line.

"Are you still in the hospital, Wren?" he inquired, to which she heard the response 'yes, sir.'

Upon hearing the mention of a hospital, she felt a wave of unease wash over her.

Why was this man in the hospital? Could it be that he was there for...

"Tell the doctor to stop the operation of Andrew," he exclaimed, and hearing him, her world crumbling around her.

How could he be so heartless, wanting to halt the surgery?

Determined, she rushed towards him and forcefully wrestled the phone from his grip, refusing to let him proceed.

"You can't do that! How could you be so heartless? He's just a child!" she angrily shouted, her frustration boiling over. Stopping the operation midway could put the child's life at risk.

His smug smirk in response only fueled her anger further.

"I can, and I will," he coldly replied, snatching the phone back from her grasp.

Desperate, she clung onto his hand, her fingers gripping tightly as she pleaded,

"Please, don't do this. He's just a child, he hasn't done anything to deserve this. Please don't stop the operation," she begged, a sense of desperation and fear present in her voice.

"But Angel, your pleas only make me want to do the opposite," he sneered, causing her to go rigid with terror.

No, he couldn't possibly follow through with this. She would do anything to save her brother.

She again pleaded with him, her voice trembling with fear and desperation, "Please, I will do anything you ask of me, but please let my brother's operation proceed. Please!"

Tears continued to stream down her face as she lowered her head and closed her eyes, hoping that her pleas would be heard.

"Anything?" she heard him ask, her heart pounding in her chest.

She looked up, nodding desperately, and said, "Yes, anything. I will do anything you ask, but please don't do anything to him."

Her desperation was palpable as she pleaded with him.

He let go of her hand and, with a cold detachment in his voice, spoke into the phone.

"Don't stop them," he said, before abruptly ending the call and throwing the phone onto the bedside table.

She watched as he retrieved some papers from the same table, his actions filled with an unsettling sense of purpose.

He approached her, his hand outstretched, clutching those papers, and said...

"Take a look at these papers and then decide whether you want to sign them or not, I don't believe in pressuring anyone into doing something, so please read every word on these papers carefully."

He leaned in closer to her, looking deep into her eyes, and continued,

"I don't want to hear later on that I did something to trap you or touched you without your consent, or worse, raped you."

Having said that, he held her hand and placed the paper in it.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she reluctantly took the papers from him. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, suffocating her.

She couldn't help but feel a surge of worry and fear as she began to read the contents of the papers.

Each word pierced through her like a knife, draining the color from her face. The room felt colder, her body completely frozen with a mixture of dread and disbelief.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued to read, her entire being consumed by a painful numbness. A sense of vulnerability washed over her, leaving her feeling exposed and helpless.

She couldn't shake off the nagging worry that her consent was being taken away from her, that she was being forced into something she didn't want.

Her body went numb, as if every part of her had ceased to function, while an excruciating sensation engulfed her, especially in her chest.

Her tear-filled eyes meticulously scanned each word on the papers, desperately hoping that she might read it wrongly but, the more she read, the undeniable truth became apparent.

Her breathing became erratic, her face flushed, and her trembling hands lost their steadiness.

Just as she was about to lose her grip and succumb to her emotions, his firm hand enveloped her wrist, preventing her from falling.

She shifted her teary gaze from the papers to him, only to witness her heart shattering even more painfully.

His sinister smile and the satisfaction gleaming in his darkened eyes reflected the depths of her vulnerability and brokenness.

"I don't just want your body, but I want every part of you in every way possible, Angel," he uttered, moved closer to her and bent down to her level.

"Now, what is your decision?" he whispered hoarsely against her face.

"Are you willing to sign these papers and permit me to possess every single aspect of your existence?"

Hearing him, she merely locked eyes with his ruthlessly calculative gaze, maintaining complete silence.

"Will you be my wife with the condition that I have complete control over your body and can do anything I want with you, anytime, anywhere, Angel?" he inquired, looking directly into her eyes, and added,

"And you won't have any right to stop me, you'll willingly consent to everything I say and do to you, regardless of how delicate or forceful it may be..?"

She listened to every word he uttered, refraining from responding until he brushed his thumb lightly against the corner of her lips and then delicately wiped it across her lower lip.

His intense gaze met her shattered hazel eyes as he spoke those words to her.

"Will you consent to signing these papers in order to safe your brother, Ana?"

Bringing his face closer to hers, he softly whispered on her lips,

"Will you be willingly changing your name from Angelina Ricardo to Angelina Rodriguez?"

A tear rolled down her tear-filled eyes, each of his words piercing deep into her heart.

Her face transformed in a wide smile as she watched the children happily playing in the kids park in her beloved Flower Hood Orphanage.

This place had been her home for as long as she could remember, and she cherished every moment spent here. The sisters at the orphanage had shared with her the tale of her discovery as a baby and the unwavering care she had received since.

She didn't have anyone else besides the people at the orphanage, but to her, they were her family. She harbored a deep affection for each person, reciprocated wholeheartedly by their endearing love. They all affectionately called her 'angel' because she had a pure heart and soul, as reflected in her given name.

Everyone often describes her as being too pure for this world where malicious individuals still exist. She is sheltered and doesn't have much knowledge about the outside world or the people in it.

She is not someone who easily socializes; she is quiet, kind-hearted, and never has ill intentions towards anyone.

She always has a longing to learn about her parents, but sadly, they told her that she was left alone at the gate, tightly bundled in a white infant towel, so they have no information about her origins.

It saddens her greatly not knowing anything about her parents, and she also feels a sense of anger towards them for abandoning her here.

She spotted the exciting little boy running towards her and tenderly held her wrist in his small palms, exclaiming,

"Angel, come let's play!"

Upon hearing his words, she bent down with a cheerful smile and said to him,

"Andrew, why don't you go and play? Your sister is eager to meet our mother."

Playfully, she pinched his cheek, and he responded with a whine, yet he persisted, saying,

"Angel, pretty please! Andrew wants to play with his sister!" He then displayed his adorable big puppy eyes, capturing her attention.

Unable to resist, she couldn't help but shower his cheeks with kisses before assuring him, "My baby, your sister will come and play with you; just wait a few more minutes, and I will join you."

Hearing her words, he nodded his head with delight and scampered off to join the other children in their play.

She entered inside, with her wide smile as she approached the head sister, hugging her and asked, "Mother, you called me."

As soon as they broke the hug, she grew anxious hearing the head sister's words. "Angel, I want to ask your consent for something."

Confused and concerned, she furrowed her brow and asked, "What is it, Mother?"

With a heavy sigh, the head sister looked at her and said, "Angel, I want you to get married."

Shock and disbelief washed over her, causing her eyes to widen.

"Mother, what are you saying?" she asked, unable to comprehend the request.

Desperate, she pleaded, "Mother, I don't want to get married now."

The head sister tightly gripping her palm and, said "I want you to marry someone who can assist us in our current situation."

Her frown intensified and a sense of fear overwhelmed her upon hearing the sister's words.

"What's the matter, Mother? Why would we need any help?" she questioned, perplexed by the statement.

She knew that the orphanage was financially stable and devoid of any pressures or problems, so she was taken aback by this unexpected revelation.

"We've kept something from you," the head sister disclosed, causing her eyes to widen.

"What is it, Mother?"

But what she heard left her shaken to the core.

"Andrew, has a heart problem and he needs immediate surgery."

Worried and overwhelmed with emotions, her eyes welled up with tears as she heard the news of Andrew's heart problem and the immediate need for surgery.

The thought of her dear brother suffering from such a condition made her heart ache with pain. Despite not being related by blood, he held a special place in her heart, making this news even more distressing.

"We don't have enough money for it, so we asked for help from one of the partners of this orphanage."

However, her worries only grew as she learned that they did not have enough money to cover the cost of the surgery and anxiously awaited the next words, seeing her mother gulping hard.

"The partner asked for your hand in marriage as a condition for funding the surgery."

The head sister revealed and, that moment, she felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her.

She knew she would do anything to save her brother, even marry a stranger. But deep down, she couldn't help but feel sad and concerned about her mother's decision to give her away without knowing anything about this man.

"I will marry him, mother," she calmly expressed.

The head sister embraced her and tenderly stated, "My dear, you will have the opportunity to meet him and determine if you wish to proceed with the marriage. I will not impose this decision upon you."

Withdrawing from the embrace, she continued, "Your well-being is my foremost concern. Even if you choose not to marry him after meeting, I will wholeheartedly support your decision, and we can explore alternative means to secure the necessary funds."

These words made her happy as she realized that her opinion actually mattered in this marriage and her sister wasn't pressuring her into anything, even though it was necessary for them and their brother.

"Mother, don't worry! I know you wouldn't have even mentioned this if you didn't think he was right for me. So, I don't have any problem with it."

The head sister was filled with concern as she listened to the girl's response.

Despite her worries, she attempted to advise the girl again, emphasizing that she did not have to go through with the marriage if she didn't want to.

However, she shook her head and reassured her mother, saying,

"I have complete trust in you, mother."

Upon hearing these words, the head sister embraced the girl once more, her eyes welling up with tears.

She couldn't help but feel disheartened, knowing that she was manipulating this innocent soul and betraying her trust.

✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯

The sweet little boy sat in her lap, happily playing with her long hair as she gently swung back and forth on the swing.

She couldn't help but feel a sense of fear as she lost herself in her own thoughts. It was hard for her to even fathom anything bad happening to this precious soul, who was just barely five years old.

He was so innocent and pure, a truly angelic child. It just didn't make sense for something like this to happen to him.

"Angel.."

Hearing his soft voice, she looked down and smiled at him.

He too beamed at her with his toothy smile, "Why is your hair so long, angel?"

He asked her with his baby voice in bewilderment because her hair is so long and thick.

Maybe she got her hair from her mother, but she didn't even know anything about her parents.

She tried not to think about them and with a wide smile she said to him, "You call me angel, you know, baby?"

She asked him and in reply, he nodded his head cutely.

So she smiled and said, "Because angels have long hair, and when you call me angel, I too get blessed with long hair."

Hearing her reply, he smiled wide and said in his enthusiastic voice, "Angel, your hair is so beautiful!"

She chuckled and kissed his whole face, "Not more than my baby's hair." saying this, she ruffled his hair.

She can do anything for this little boy, even if she has to marry a stranger for him.

They both emerged from their adorable sister, brother moment as they heard the voice of the head sister.

"What are my two cuties up to?" she exclaimed with a smile.

Both of them turned their heads towards her, and the little boy sitting on her lap quickly got down and ran into the head sister's embrace.

"Andrew, be careful," the two women said simultaneously.

He hugged the head sister and proudly proclaimed, "Mother, we were playing on the swing."

The head sister smiled upon hearing his words and gently said, "Alright, that's enough playing for now. It's time for both of you to come and sleep."

She spoke to them in her motherly tone, but upon hearing this, the little boy protested, "But Mother, Andrew wants to play more."

Despite the little boy's whining, the head sister shook her head, picked him up, and said, "Enough playing. Come angel, let's go inside."

Hearing the head sister's voice, she nodded in agreement and they all walked inside together.

The little one was still whining in his mother's arms, pleading to be put down, but they all knew he would run outside if she did. So, she gently shook her head and they all proceeded to walk into his room, carefully placing him in his bed.

After much whining, he finally fell asleep, and the two women quietly left his room.

As they walked out, the head sister turned towards her, saying something that sent shivers down her spine.

"He came here to see you."

She was taken aback, wondering why he would come to see her, especially at such a late hour.

She felt a wave of nervousness as she approached the door to meet him alone. Her hands grew sweaty as she waited for his permission to enter after knocking the door softly.

Her heart started pounding when she heard him say "come in."

With racing heart, she stepped inside and saw the man's back facing her.

As he heard her footsteps, he turned towards her and she caught a glimpse of his face.

He walked towards her and extended his hand, introducing himself "Daniel Ricardo."

Feeling an even stronger surge of nerves, she gulped and with slightly trembling hands, placed her hand in his softly, saying,

"Angelina."

Loyalty

It is the foremost attribute that enters their world, holding great significance.

Lorenzo Rodriguez, the sole heir to Matthew Rodriguez, who reigns as the infamous Sicilian mafia boss, exudes cruelty that surpasses even his father's notoriety.

Born to a Spanish father and an Italian mother.

When his father arrived in Italy during his adolescent years, he was unlawfully transported through child trafficking.

It was there that he encountered Luca Antino, the notorious mafia boss of Italy.

Astonished by the young boy's assertiveness and ruthlessness towards those who harmed him, the mafia boss took a liking to him.

The mafia boss himself took on the responsibility of training the young boy to be even more ruthless than himself.

Alessandra Antino, the sole daughter of mafia boss Luca Antino, fell in love with the man who supported her father in every situation.

She expressed her affection to her father, who then arranged her marriage to Matthew Rodriguez without any objections.

Despite Alessandra's unwavering love for him, Matthew only prioritized his work and did not reciprocate her feelings.

Nevertheless, she relentlessly tried to maintain their relationship, and eventually, they had a baby boy named Lorenzo Rodriguez.

His mother exhibited unwavering affection towards him while his father also held deep love for him, albeit unable to devote ample time to his spouse and child.

Nevertheless, he strived to be a commendable father figure, instilling values in his young son from a tender age and providing him with essential knowledge.

Yet, his mother harbored no desires for his son to follow in his husband's footsteps or be consumed by the treacherous world of organized crime.

Tragically, everything took a somber turn when his mother met a gruesome demise when he was merely ten years old.

Thereafter, he gradually adopted traits akin to his own father and grandfather, displaying even greater ruthlessness.

By the time he reached the age of eighteen, his father entrusted him with the helm of their mafia enterprise, bequeathing to him the reins of illicit activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and political manipulation and connections.

His father, Matthew Rodriguez, assumed the role of mafia boss following the retirement of his maternal grandfather, Luca Antino.

Due to his father's illness, Lorenzo Rodriguez inherited this position, as it is customary within the family to pass it on to the eldest son of the future generation.

Consequently, Lorenzo now holds the title of mafia boss in Italy.

It is undeniable that his reputation instills fear in the hearts of all. His name alone is sufficient to evoke fear and command respect from every individual. In his world, royalty takes precedence over all else.

The man seated before him, who previously held the position of trust, has now revealed himself to be disloyal.

This ingrate had disseminated classified details regarding the transportation of narcotics to their adversary.

Consequently, it is this very individual who will endure the consequences for his treacherous actions against his mafia boss, assuming full responsibility for the repercussions to ensue.

Subsequently, he arose from his own perch and firmly grasped the knife situated upon the adjacent table.

Unrelentingly, he advanced towards the seated individual who suffered from visible signs of merciless physical abuse: a heavily bruised countenance and swollen features.

His hands were securely bound behind his back, whilst incessant bleeding ensued from the knife that had been forcefully embedded within his thigh.

He stood in front of the man and spoke with conviction, stating,

"Loyalty has always been the foremost aspect of my personal history."

He then leaned forward, making eye contact, and continued,

"However, you have betrayed me. I implore you to suggest a fitting punishment for your actions."

With a gaze fixed upon the man's swollen face, he awaited a response.

"Don, ple.." before the man could utter any words of remorse, his face was abruptly sliced by a knife, resulting in a piercing scream.

He proceeded to carve open one side of the face, reaching all the way to the jaw, finally retracting the blade as the agonized screams continued.

"Forgiveness is not a concept I entertain, therefore you may request a punishment that will result in a painfully imminent demise," he casually declared, as he nonchalantly took the knife and placed it against the other side of his face.

The man trembled with fear for his life, and once again attempted to plead with him, uttering the words "Don, I'm sorry..."

However, the sound that escaped his lips was a throat-piercing scream, as he mercilessly opened the other side of his face with the knife and cruelly grinned at him. Blood forcefully flowed from the wound in his face.

"Your entire body will be subjected to my knife until you express your preferred manner of death," he said with cruelty, accompanied by a sinister chuckle.

That man who is restrained in the chair is pleading for his life and beseeching "Don, I have a family, please grant me forgiveness this one time," he implored.

However, instead of leniency, his desperate plea is met with a gruesome display as his chest is pierced open.

The man emits screams of intense agony and eventually pleads, "Take my life, Don, end my suffering with your gun, kill me."

Upon hearing his anguished cries, the mob boss, with a satisfied smirk, remarks,

"It's not as difficult as you might think, is it?"

He then walks away, leaving the man to his fate.

The boss retrieves his concealed gun and mercilessly fires a shot straight through the man's forehead, finally relieving him of his excruciating torment.

"In my world, I will remain unbetrayed, I will not extend my forgiveness towards acts of betrayal,"

He uttered through clenched teeth, directing his gaze towards the man who, nonchalantly observing the scene as though it were a cinematic spectacle while smoking.

"Tell them to take care of his mess, Vito,"

He acknowledged his boss directive, nodding obediently.

With a sigh, Lorenzo left the hideout and made his way into his grand mansion.

He proceeded to the interior of his office in his huge mansion, and settled onto his seat, letting out a profound sigh.

Briefly closing his eyes, he was abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door, prompting him to open his eyes and respond to the visitor in an indifferent manner, stating, "come in."

He observed the maid as she entered the room and offered a respectful bow before addressing him as 'don Rodriguez'.

She said that his presence was requested in his father's room by the doctor in charge.

In response to the maid's message, he acknowledged her with a nod and gestured for her to depart.

He proceeded to rise from his seat, contemplating the events that had transpired, and made his way out of his own room.

Upon entering his father's quarters, he noticed his father reclining on the bed while the doctor stood nearby, engrossed in conversation.

The arrival of an individual prompted both persons of the room to divert their attention in that direction.

The doctor expressed his respect by bowing his head and addressing him as "Don, Rodriguez".

Hearing this, he nodded and inquired, "You requested for my presence, doctor?"

In response, the doctor confirmed, "Yes, don, I need to discuss your father's health condition with you."

He nodded, indicating for the doctor to proceed.

"Don, your father's blood cancer is rapidly spreading and may result in death within a few months. I strongly urge you to take his health condition seriously and diligently adhere to the prescribed medications."

After hearing the doctor's words, he let out a sigh and nodded.

Observing the nod, the doctor once again expressed his respect with a bow and said, "I will take my leave now, don."

Upon hearing this, he nodded again, signaling for the doctor to depart.

After the doctor exited the room, he approached his father and took a seat beside him on the chair placed beside the bed.

"You must prioritize your well-being, father," he said calmly.

Turning his head to the side, his father said in a cold tone, "I want him dead."

Hearing his father, he clenched his jaw and, with gritted teeth, retorted

"Father, I've been trying to track that bastard, but we can't reach him."

He saw his father's face turn into a scowl, and he clenched his fist even tighter, when he heard his father say,

"I'm hearing the same from you, Lorenzo. I give you my position because I thought you would reach him, but that still hasn't happened. It's really frustrating."

Hearing his father's words, Lorenzo clenched his jaw tightly and, once again, heard him declare,

"I want that bastard dead before I die."

With that, he closed his eyes, signaling for his son to leave the room.

Lorenzo got up from his seat, pissed off, and stormed out of his father's room. He headed straight for his office and slammed the door shut.

Ever since becoming the don, he has been attempting to locate that detestable man, but that bastard hiding like a fucking pussy.

Fuming, he gritted his teeth and called his capo, shouting into the phone,

"What the hell were you doing, Marco? I need to know where that bastard is."

He was seething with anger.

"Hey, man, calm down," Marco replied, "I still don't have any information on him."

Lorenzo shouted again, "Then what the hell have you been doing? Screwing around with some whore?"

His anger growing, he gritted his teeth as he heard Marco chuckle on the other end before responding,

"Come on, man! You didn't even let me take a leak in peace. How do you expect me to hook up with any girl?"

Upon hearing his words, his anger reached its peak and he angrily threatened over the phone,

"You fucker, you're gonna regret it when I see you,"

The person on the other end of the line responded with laughter, so he tried to warn him, "Marco..."

"Alright, alright, but I need to tell you about something important "

Hearing his words, he became alert and inquired, "What is it?"

"I found out that he has a secret daughter that he's keeping hidden from everyone."

When he heard Marco's words, he clenched his jaw and asked him,

"I want all the details about her."

"Within a day, don't worry."

Hearing Marco's response, he abruptly ended the call, tossing his phone onto the table before taking a seat in his chair and proceeded to twirl around in his chair, lost in his own thoughts.

Suddenly, he heard a ding sound, alerting him a phone notification.

He grabbed his phone from the table and, saw Marco's message had appeared on the lock screen. He opened the text box to see...

╭────────────╮

Marco:

She is chilling in France

╰────────────╯

Reading the message his face twisted into a wicked grin as he said,

"I'm on my way, baby girl"