INCIDENTAL BRIDE: Winning A Mafia Boss Heart.

While waiting for his business partner in a pub, Ethan Sawyer's eyes carefully observed the arena. He looked at his old wristwatch, trying so hard not to lose his patience.

"She will do anything just to gain her imaginary freedom," a voice said, followed by loud laughter.

"My freedom isn't imaginary," a young female voice interrupted the gang's funny moments.

Ethan's eyes moved in the direction of the people who seemed to be having a mocking chat with a young girl.

"Did you say something?" he snarled at her.

"No, master," she answered, looking down.

"That's so nice of you," he said in a mocking tone.

He paused for a while, then moved closer to her and grabbed her by the shoulder, whispering in her ear, "Today's service will be in my bed."

The young maid clenched her fist, fuming in anger. She wanted to hit him so badly, but she couldn't find the courage to do so. She felt him press his body against her, trying to rip her dress off.

She instantly pushed him away. "How dare you? Who do you think you are?" she questioned in anger.

"I'm your owner, kiddo, and you are mine," he said, and his gang erupted in a high-pitched cackle at the absurdity of the young maid.

"Even if you own me, that doesn't give a pig-headed man like you the right to touch me," she retorted.

She gasped and brought her hands up to cover her mouth, regretting what she had said. She didn't mean to be impudent, but she couldn't control the anger and hatred inside her.

"How dare you speak to me like that? Kneel," he ordered.

The man's eyes turned flaming red. He was ready to devour her for being so insolent. The young maid stood her ground without fear, but deep down, she was begging for God to save her from her master. She had seen him go crazy on several occasions before, but not to this extent.

He brought out his whip, which he always carries along with him. He raised it high and let it land on the maid's back.

She let out a little shriek at first. Then she began to whimper, and hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She began to beg for mercy as her master continued whipping her, but he didn't look at her face. He hit her several times without stopping, which got Ethan Sawyer angry. He quietly stood from where he was sitting and walked majestically towards them.

"You little bastard, how dare you disrespect--" He was about to hit her again when a man interrupted him.

He stopped and turned his head in the direction of the voice, seeing Ethan walking in his direction. He was looking dead serious. No one missed the glaring expression on his face. The gang suddenly went down on their knees. Even the boss stopped hitting the lady and joined them on his knees.

"I'm so sorry. If I have done anything to offend you, I didn't mean to. Please forgive me," the Mafia boss said, quivering.

"Yes, sir, we are sorry," the rest of the gang apologized.

They apologized even when they didn't know their offense. Of course, who wouldn't tremble in front of Ethan? Who doesn't know of Ethan Sawyer? He is known to be the most feared and wealthiest mafia lord who does things aggressively. Even people with big status never dare to cross paths with him or think of disrespecting him.

He looked at the maid, who was breathing heavily in pain. He stood, his hands inside his pocket, while they waited for him to speak first. For a while, he didn't say anything, leaving the gang and the maid to contemplate what Ethan was about to do.

For a fact, the gang leader knew that he would be in big trouble if Ethan decided to take things personally. He knew Ethan held a huge grudge against him. He silently prayed to God that Ethan shouldn't bring up that past.

"How much?" Those were the only words that escaped Ethan's lips.

"What? You mean her?" the gang leader said with a smile. The maid was taken by surprise. She didn't expect Ethan to buy her off. She was agape, waiting for Ethan to punish him. She wished he would hit him the way he did to her. She wished this man would devour her master like a predator does to its prey.

"Yes, the maid. How much do you intend on selling her?" Ethan asked, glaring at him.

"Just a little money, $500,000," the gang leader said with a smile.

"I will pay you double," Ethan said.

The boss smiled and gave his account details to Ethan. Within a short time, the boss received the alert. He didn't believe his eyes, yet he thanked Ethan for not sending him to jail; instead, he made him richer.

The lady, on the other hand, was happy that she was free from her ruthless master. She wouldn't receive his insults and whips anymore. However, her happiness was just short-lived. She quickly remembered that she would start serving Ethan from today henceforth. Ethan was the most feared and aggressive of the Mafia lords ever known.

While she was still sitting on the floor trying to process what just happened, she felt a hand grab her right arm. She looked up and saw Ethan holding her. He didn't look at her; instead, he pulled her along as he walked out of the pub.

They stopped in front of a luxurious car parked outside the pub. Ethan's driver opened the door for them, and Ethan ordered her to go in.

"Sir, you didn't wait for Mr. Hansel, consigliere," the driver reminded him while Ethan entered.

"I'm not in the mood to wait. When he is ready, he will come on his own," Ethan stated.

"Sir, where are we heading?" the driver asked.

"Take us home; it's late," he said.

However, the girl, whose name happened to be Leah, was agape, waiting for Ethan to ask her a question. She was dying to have a conversation with him to thank him. She looked at Ethan's face; he wasn't smiling, neither was he angry. His expression was unreadable. She used to have the ability to read people's expressions, but with Ethan, everything was void. She couldn't tell if he was angry or happy. She wanted to know if he bought her out of pity or something else. Something else? Leah thought.

What's the matter with me? How can a powerful man like Ethan buy her because he likes her or something? I'm just a slave, she thought.

She glanced at Ethan and realized he was looking at her. She turned her face away in a split second, trying to avoid eye contact with her new master.

"Being too inquisitive isn't what a good maid should do," Ethan's baritone voice stated.

Inquisitive? I literally said nothing, Leah thought.

They finally arrived in front of an estate, which was obviously Ethan's house. He alighted from the car as Leah followed. They entered the living room, which was overly luxurious, just as other wealthy persons' living rooms would be. Entering the living room, Ethan and Leah were welcomed by two of his men.

One of them whispered something into Ethan's ear, and the other nodded in agreement as if he knew what Ethan would say. Leah seized this opportunity to observe the frame, which was at the far left end of the living room. It contained a photograph of Ethan and four other people who seemed to be his relatives.

Leah looked around, but there was no sign of other maids or servants. She wondered why he didn't buy any servants or employ any house help when he lived in such a big house.

Ethan told one of the men to show her the room where she would be staying. He told her to go anywhere in the mansion but in his room. He looked really serious about it. He threatened to kill her if she even by any chance got close to his room.

Leah knew he was serious about it and he could eliminate her if she dared to disobey him. She nodded in agreement to his command. She has been a servant for over twelve years; she has never broken any master's rule.

"Come with me," Ethan said to his consigliere who happened to be Dominic.

______

The door cracked open as soon as she turned the knob. She sighed deeply as a sign of relief. Today must be her lucky day, she thought. What would have happened if Ethan hadn't come to her rescue? What if she didn't fight back? Would she have served her master in his bedroom? Many thoughts clouded her mind. She felt irritated imagining herself having sex with her previous master.

She looked around the room, observing everywhere. The room was less luxurious than the living room. It was painted white and royal purple. She walked close to the huge wardrobe at the right end of the room. It was filled with different clothes, shoes, and bags. You could tell from the look that they were expensive clothes. She knew what expensive clothes looked like, even if she didn't know much about fashion.

Leah wondered whose clothes belonged to. Why would he buy female clothes and keep them when there is no one living with him? Do they belong to his wife? Is he divorced or what? Leah tried so hard to stop herself from thinking about the origin of these clothes.

At the side of the king-sized bed was a locker and a wooden stool. An oversized mirror was mounted on the wall above the locker. She drew one of the lockers open only to find it filled with cosmetics. The other was filled with different body sprays, deodorants, and perfumes.

The last of the lockers contained expensive boxed jewelry made of silver, gold, and diamonds.

After some minutes of touring the whole room, Leah became tired. She decided to take a hot shower before going to bed. She made sure to lock the door properly before undressing herself and going into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she came out of the bathroom with a blue towel wrapped around her. Her ebony black hair was made into a ponytail. After drying herself, she began to hunt the wardrobe for a suitable dress.

She finally found a red nightgown which seemed to be the only dress that was her size.

(The next day)

Ethan woke up very early in the morning. He always wakes up so early to catch up with his busy schedule. The first thing he does is to work out. Since it was rainy, he decided to work out until the rain stopped.

He was heading to the gym, his hands in his pocket. He paused, noticing some footsteps behind him. He looked around, but there was no one. He continued walking, not bothering to check who or what was following him.

He took a left turn into one of the corridors. Someone was actually following him. The figure appeared to be a man wearing a face mask. His identity was hidden.

Getting to the gym, the anonymous man couldn't find Ethan. He peeked through the glass door but couldn't find him. Suddenly, Ethan attacked him from behind

He landed on his back as Ethan brushed him off the ground. He quickly grabbed him by the hand and held him in a difficult position such that he couldn't move.

"How dare you sneak into my house? Who sent you?" Ethan asked.

The anonymous man struggled to break free from Ethan's grip, but his efforts were futile. He finally gave in, ready to talk.

"I said who sent you?" Ethan snarled at him.

"I mean no harm," he stammered, nearly in a whisper.

"So what are you doing here?" He continued, choking him as he resisted.

"I came to warn you about something," he said, and Ethan let go of him instantly.

"What?"

"You are in danger," the anonymous man said.

"Have you spoken to him?" Mr. Hansel asked. Mr. Hansel was the head of the Panther gang, a gang well known for transporting illegal goods: drugs, machinery parts, guns, and dangerous chemicals in and out of the country. He had some kind of business with Ethan lately, but things seemed not to be going his way.

"No, sir. He left before I got to the pub," his assistant replied (Steve).

"What? How dare he?" Hansel roared.

"Sir, I heard from a reliable source that he is trying to double-cross us," Steve said.

"He is trying to double-cross me? I knew Ethan wasn't trustworthy," Hansel growled inwardly.

"Sir, you don't have to worry. I will talk to him," Steve said, trying as much as possible not to anger Hansel.

"No, if he's decided to play games, then let's blow the whistle and see what his next move would be," he smirked.

"Sir!? Picking a fight with Ethan isn't the best thing to do. You know that man has a temper. Besides, he is the only person who can help us with this deal," Steve quivered inwardly.

Hansel glared at him, still quiet.

"I'm not fighting anybody..... I have bigger fish to fry," Hansel smirked.

**(Ethan's estate)**

"Who did you say sent you again?" Ethan asked.

"I overheard my boss yesterday. He is plotting against you-" he stuttered.

"Leave," Ethan commanded without knowing who the man was. It was of no use anyway. What was Hansel planning? I thought we had a deal? Why is he so sensitive about that container anyway? My part was to make sure the container was delivered safely. So why would he think I need that container? Except there is something valuable to me in that container.

"Master, your food is ready," Leah called, interrupting Ethan's thoughts.

Ethan turned to face Leah, who was still wearing her nightdress. Her ebony-black hair flowed over her shoulders. She stood, staring motionless at Ethan.

"When did I tell you I was hungry?" He said with his head facing the ground.

"I must prepare your meal, sir," Leah insisted.

"Don't assume any role, young lady. Don't do anything until I ask you to. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir," Leah felt lumps in her throat.

Ethan stood up and walked past her without saying anything. He was looking frustrated but wouldn't admit it. Leah knew something was wrong with him. She heard their conversation. Somebody was trying to kill him. But why?

He never allows me to do anything. He doesn't even allow me to at least talk to him. As heartless as my previous master was, he still let me talk to him when he needed someone to talk to.

Leah sighed and left.

**(Hansel's office)**

Hansel was sitting in his office with his back turned to the huge office desk. He was motionless, lost in thought. He stood up abruptly, smashing the glass of red wine on the floor.

"Guilty conscience?"

He was frightened by the unexpected voice. He immediately knew who it was. He turned and saw Ethan standing by the door

"What are you doing here? How did you get in?" He blurted out.

"Why are you sounding strange? You should know I'm here for business," Ethan says, taking one step at a time.

"Oh yeah! Business. Why don't you take a seat," Laughing awkwardly.

"I don't have time for that, Hans. I just came to advise you not to do anything stupid."

"I have no interest in your container. All I need is my payment once the deal is done," Ethan added.

Hansel was frozen, speechless, still trying to process what was happening. He knew Ethan was a man of his word, but for some reason, he couldn't trust Ethan with this container.

"Well, if that's the case, then I have nothing to fear. Like you said, you have no interest in my container."

"When will it arrive?" Hansel added.

"Tomorrow or next. I will text you the exact location when it's ready," Ethan says.

He left without saying any other word.

It was raining heavily, and Ethan still hadn't returned. He left so early in the morning with his consigliere and two other men. His driver was home already, as were the men who accompanied him.

How can a man be so adamant? Why would he choose to come home late when his life was in danger? Because he is a very powerful man, so many people will be conspiring against him, Leah thought.

Why am I being restless? Who knows what he is doing out there now? He is probably in a motel spending time with other women now. Who am I to worry about him anyway? I'm just his servant.

It was getting darker and darker, but Leah couldn't sleep. She would roll from one side of the bed to the other. She was done with all the chores but she wasn't feeling tired for some reason.

She decided to use this little opportunity to tour the whole house. She went upstairs to the second floor. There were so many rooms that she couldn't count. She would open the door quietly and peek to see what was inside. All the rooms were empty except one.

It was like a library, better still, a fortress of books. The books were covered in dust and cobwebs. She took one of the books and sat on an old couch in the library. She was so into the book that she didn't know when she fell asleep.

Ethan walked into the library only to meet Leah sleeping. He stood there for a minute observing the mysterious woman in front of him. He moved a little closer to get a better view of her.

Why is she sleeping here instead of in her room? Should I wake her up? No, that wouldn't be right. Should I carry her? No, that's not right either.

He moved slowly towards her. Ethan abruptly halted, his expression shifted into something else as if he had seen a ghost.

Leah's eyes were open, staring endlessly at him.

"Sir......"