THE MAFIA LORD'S FORBIDDEN PLEASURE.

~~~LEILANI~~~

"Where is that bitch?!"

She covered her mouth with her palm as she heard the holler from her father and then crawled gently to her room.

When she entered, she opened her little wardrobe and then entered it.

Thank God she was alone at home. Thank God her little brother was not home.

She settled uncomfortably in the wardrobe and then covered her mouth tightly with her hand.

He must never find her here.

She could only hope anyway.

This man always finds her wherever she hides.

She just could never get away from him.

A girl could only hope. She could only wish for help.

Help was never going to come. Maybe not there.

"Leilani..."

When she heard his voice getting closer, she pressed her lips together, closed her eyes and her breathing muffled.

Fear blanketed her.

Her whole body trembled as she felt his presence in the room.

Her heart palpitates terribly.

She could feel it in her mouth.

She clasped her sweaty palms together as tears dripped down her cheeks.

She was still healing from the previous beating that she had received from the man.

"Gotcha!"

She sat still even though she knew that the wardrobe door was open and her father was just standing a few inches away from her.

"Hide and seek is over, bitch," he said and she raised her head gently.

She sniffed as she dropped her fluttering eyes on him and then shook her head gently.

"Were you hiding from me?

She tightened her grip on her clasped hand as she shook her head.

"You crazy little bastard!"

He yelled, grabbed her hair, and then pulled her out of the wardrobe.

~~~

I screamed out as he raised his hand to hit me and then I opened my eyes.

Okay.

It was a dream. No. A nightmare.

I breathed out as I looked around the room and slammed my palm on my face.

My heart was still racing and I wished there was a way to tell this little broken heart of mine that it was a nightmare and that he was not here.

Maybe I will never recover from this.

Maybe I would always think that he was around and was going to hit me again.

This was not the life I chose but this was probably the life I would die with.

It was a good thing I was alone at the moment. If my brother had heard me scream that way, he would have been worried as usual.

Sluggishly, I got out of bed.

If that is even considered a bed- and then moved over to the bowl that I had placed in the middle of my little room overnight.

I looked inside it and sighed as I saw the water in it.

It had rained and I had placed it there as my roof was leaking.

I carried the water, moved over to the little plant I kept in the corner of my room, and poured it on it.

•You are barely surviving. How dare you think you could keep a plant.•

I sighed as my inner thought attacked me and I breathed out again.

I knew the little plant was probably vexed at me too. There was no sunlight in this room, so keeping it here was like telling it to die.

Maybe I was actually keeping the flower in the dark room to portray how much my life is withering away just like it withers with no sunlight.

Still, I wouldn't let it go.

I thought it was cute and that I could keep it.

I smacked my tongue as my phone beeped which indicated that it was time to wake up.

As usual, I had woken up before my alarm.

I guess setting up an alarm was just like an alternative when I sleep off.

Not like I could though.

I arranged my bed while I hummed gently and when I was done, I moved over to the bathroom and then began my morning business there.

It was quarter to six in the morning and I should be out of the house by six. Hopefully.

***

I looked at myself in the little, broken mirror for the last time before I moved out of the house.

I kept the key under the foot mat just in case my brother arrived home before me and then walked out of the apartment.

As I walked down the bumpy street, I hummed which was just a resort of getting my mind off my thoughts.

Glancing through my phone again, I widened my eyes as I realized that I could miss the bus if I did not increase my pace, and then...I ran.

~~~

"Leila!" Freya screamed as I entered the cafe and got behind the counter.

"It's Leilani, madam," I rolled my eyes as I snatched my apron from her and then wore it.

"Is there any difference between Leilani and Leila?" Freya rolled her eyes.

"A lot. Leila means night."

"And Leilani?"

"Someone's walking in, talkative," I smacked my tongue as I moved over to the counter.

"Good morning," I flashed a smile.

"Good morning. Can I have four cups of Iced Americano to go?" She asked.

Not like it was a question though.

It's not like I could tell her that, "No. I'm not going to take your order!"

"Sure, on it!" I said as I prepared to make her order.

"Cash or Card?" I asked after I dropped her order on the counter.

"Card," she said and removed her card from the purse.

After I had finished attending to her, I dipped my hand in my pocket, removed my phone, and then browsed through my contact list.

"You better not get caught," Freya chuckled as she moved over to the next customer.

"I'll be quick."

"Hey, you better get ready to do some explanation when you get home tonight. How could you spend the night out without telling me first?" I sent the message and then returned the phone to my pocket.

"Can I take your order?" I asked the lady who stopped in front of me.

"A cup of iced latte," she said and I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

"Just a second, please," I pleaded and removed my phone.

"I'm sorry, sis. My phone was down last night. I'll be home soon. Can you wire me some cash, please?"

Tsk.

I hissed and returned my phone to my pocket.

"I'll make your order now, I'm sorry," I said and moved over to the machine.

After I had delivered her order, I nudged Freya and gestured to her that I was coming.

As I entered the room, I brought out my phone, logged in to my bank app, and then checked my account balance.

As I saw the little or no amount in there, I sighed and pressed my lips together.

Maybe when I get my paycheck for the day, I will send it to him.

He was my brother, after all. And I had placed us in this situation .

~~~LEILANI~~~

NIGHT.

"Could you not have been any faster?!"

I swallowed hard as the pot-bellied man yelled at me and then dropped his drink on the table in front of him.

"And what is this?"

"What?" I asked as I stared at the hand he was pointing at the drink.

"I asked for a dry martini cocktail!" he hollered and I exhaled.

"That is a dry martini," I answered, trying as much as I could to not raise my voice back at him.

"Since when has it always looked like this?" he frowned.

"Looked like what?" I asked.

He gnashed his teeth before he answered, "This is the one that tastes like caramel, vanilla, lime, and whatever?"

"You are talking about the whiskey sour taste, sir," I answered, tired and annoyed.

"Then why did you not get me this?!" he shouted.

What? I got him what he asked for. No?!

"You asked for Dry martini."

"I asked for a dry martini? When? I clearly stated that I wanted the whiskey... uhm whatever cocktail!"

Now. He was going to lie?

"Whiskey sour taste?" I raised my brows.

"Silly bitch, get me your manager!" he bellowed and I drew my brows together.

Bitch?

Did he just call me that?

Jesus Christ. These overbearing customers surely won't be the end of me.

"Excuse me, sir. I..."

"What is going on here?"

I was cut short when a senior worker stopped beside me.

"He asked for a dry martini and now he does not want it," I answered curtly.

"You may go. I'll take over here," she said and I nodded my head.

I moaned tiredly as I walked to the counter where orders were being taken and then yawned.

I tied my hair in a bun and then stretched my body. It was past eight in the night and I had started my shift at the bar.

If tiredness was a person, then, I am definitely one.

"Take this to the VIP room," the bartender said as I got to the counter.

"The VIP room?"

I raised my brows.

Only full-time workers were permitted to go in there to serve the people there.

"Yes, the others can't be found and that man is a bit cranky. We can not keep him waiting," he said.

"And if the manager knows..." I bit my lower lips.

"I will tell him I put you to it," he said and I pressed my lips together.

"Hurry. It's the VIP room that is away from the others. That secluded one," he said and I nodded my head.

I carried the iced bucket that had some undoubtedly expensive liquor with glass cups and then hurried away.

I knew what happened when a part-time worker served the VIP customers.

The manager had flared up, accusing her of wanting to take away his customers or something.

As I arrived at the door of the described room, I exhaled and then knocked on the door before I turned the knob to push the door open.

However, I felt my face turn cold as I entered into the room.

The manager was conversing with a man whose face I couldn't see but he was dressed in an obviously expensive suit.

My hands tightened around the cold handle of the bucket.

God, I'm not ready to lose my job.

I was yet to pay my rent and my brother's fee amongst other bills piled up

"What do you want me to do? Should I get some girls for you?" The manager asked and I stood still in my position.

Right now, I don't know what to do.

Should I rush outside, or should I proceed to serve his drink?

I kept standing like I was expecting the man to give the manager a reply so he would leave then I would do my job, but when the man did not answer and only kept browsing through his phone, I exhaled gently.

Suddenly, I felt the man's eyes on me and I stood upright and gave him a short bow.

"Uhm... your order," I stuttered.

Was I supposed to say your order or your drink?

Because right now, this man was looking at me like I had said something bad.

I watched as he scrutinized my body and I twitched my lips upwards.

What is he doing?

"What are you standing there for?!" The manager's voice threw me off guard and I shook my head.

"Drop it and leave! I will serve him," he snapped and I nodded my head.

"Sir, as I was saying..."

He continued as I dropped the basket on the table.

While I removed the drink from the bucket and dropped it on the table, I could still feel this man's eyes latching lustfully on my body.

This was one thing I hated about working at a bar.

"I don't think that is necessary," finally... his voice came up.

"S... sir?"

"I think I found one already," he said and I raised my head unconsciously.

"Sir?"

"Yes, her."

I dropped the glass and then creased my brows gently together.

He was indeed referring to me!

"Me?" I placed my hand on my chest and then raised a brow.

"Yes," he said, his eyes pinned rather dangerously on mine.

"S... she is a worker, sir," I heard the manager say.

"I know," he said curtly, still not getting his eyes off me.

Really?

YOU KNOW?

"I will have her tonight," he added.

My eyes widened at his words and unconsciously, I asked, "Have who?"

~~~KILLIAN~~~

She let out a small sigh, and I raised my head to look at the person whose presence seemed to change the atmosphere of the room.

"Uhm... your order."

I scrutinized her as she said. Her hand gripped the handle of the bucket rather tightly and it showed just how lost and nervous she seemed at the moment.

I watched her for as long as I could. I stared at her. Observed her.

Her eyes kept fluttering and her lips continued to twitch even though her body remained unmoved.

She seems like a temptation... even though her body is not fully seen.

When Mike yelled to her to drop the bucket and leave, she finally moved out of the dark and into my view.

Now, I could see her more better.

She does not look like the women I'm seen with... or the ones I am expected to be with. Those women don't look sweet. Or fed. Or innocent. Or anything like her. They look slender and thin like they need to. That fits their world. My world.

"I don't think that is necessary," I cut Mike short, while I still had my eyes pinned on the little sweet girl.

While I ignored his low voice, I said again. "I think I found one already."

You could tell that the lady knew I was referring to her as she stared at me and I looked at her back.

"I will have her tonight," I said.

"Have who?"

When she asked me, my brows raised and I tilted my head gently.

Did she just ask me a question?

"Uhm... Leilani... you should..." Mike started and she turned to give the man a look.

So, she is Leilani?

"Excuse me?"

"He said..." Mike stuttered and I shook my head.

I was about to talk when she turned to look at me and dropped the little bucket on the table in front of me.

"Sir, are you drunk?"

I raised a brow at her question and only stared at her.

Drunk? I have not even had a drop of alcohol yet, sweet lady.

"If you needed a whore, you know where to find one. What makes you think I am interested in serving you in bed?"

"You can't?" I twitched my mouth upward.

"Why would I?"

"Leilani, you can't talk to him that..."

"Why? Is he the president? Even the president would not ask for something so ridiculous as this!" She cut him short and moved back.

My eyes followed her movement and my mouth raised upward.

It is interesting. This lady is.

That stupid uniform does not show off her shape, but even with the thick fit, there is no hiding her curves. I stared at her ass as she turned around to leave the room and then sighed.

Her gorgeous ass is framed by the tight trousers making me wish that she was in a silk dress. Or in a slutty dress-- only to wear around the house. Maybe for me.

Oh, fuck.

I'm going insane.

I hate that I am thinking about a girl that I have just met in less than five minutes.

"I am sorry, sir! I am going to teach her a lesson and..."

"When does she close for the day?" I cut him short instead.

"S... sir?"

I finally moved my gaze away from the door the lady just walked out from and turned to look at him.

"When does she close for the day?" I asked again even though I hated doing that so much.

This man does not know me.

He only knows that I am some grumpy billionaire who runs an investment company.

Heaven knows I would have twisted his tongue with my bare hands the moment he kept blabbering around.

But I could not do that.

The plan is to keep maintaining this facade.

I am just a billionaire. Only that. Nothing more... at least to these people.

"I will make sure I fire her so that she does not..."

"Why would you do that?" I raised a brow.

"She just... insulted you."

"What time does she close for the day... I asked you," I raised my brows. This time, my voice slightly raised like I was pissed. Of course, I am.

"11 PM," he answered.

"Leilani, yeah?"

"Yes, sir."

"Now, serve my drinks."

~~~

I sat in the car and glanced at my wristwatch for the umpteenth time. It was almost Eleven which means that Leilani would be out of there very soon.

Catching myself waiting on her, I sighed and dropped my head on the headrest.

What the fuck am I doing?

That woman... why the fuck should I do this- to her?

Hold on, doing what?

I've not even done anything. I just wanna see her come out.

I convinced myself and then nodded my head.

'What is your business with wanting to see her come out?'

My intrusive thoughts attacked and I sighed again.

I must have sighed at least a million times today.

Then, she walked out of the bar and my face unconsciously lit up.

I smacked my tongue as I scrutinized her from afar. She has taken off the damn uniform and is wearing a ripped Jean and a purple top.

Can she not wear a dress?

That fucking Jean is hiding her features!

Still, I watched as she removed the band she had used to tie her hair in a bun and let it fall over her shoulder.

She kept her phone in her pocket, tightened her grip on her backpack, and then turned to walk.

I wish I could have just packed beside her and be like, 'Hop in, sweet girl.'

Not like she would agree, so I will just watch. No, follow.

As she walked further down the street, I turned on the engine and then began to drive... slowly behind her.

I kept following her while I made sure I kept a good distance away from her, and that my car headlight was not turned on.

What am I doing?

I asked myself again as I followed still.

'You said you just wanted to see her out of there,' My intrusive thoughts mocked me.

"I will just follow her till she reaches down the street or probably gets a taxi," I defended myself.

When she finally got to the main road, I stopped my car and then watched her.

"Who is she waiting for?"

Suddenly, the thought that she might be waiting for a man suddenly hit me and I hissed loudly.

If I see any man near her right now, I swear, I am gonna pluck his eyes out with my fucking hands.

Okay... this is not an obsession. I am only looking out for her.

Finally, I watched as the bus arrived and she got on it and I sighed.

Why is she getting on that thing that is packed with a lot of people?

As the bus moved, I drove.

There is no fucking way I am letting her out of my sight.

A loud ringing came through the car speakers, and I sighed as I saw the caller ID.

King.

Alexandro King. My damn fucking best friend.

I removed my hand from the steering and tapped the screen on my dashboard to receive the call.

"Dick, where the fuck are you?

This asshole.

I let out a grunt, wondering if I should answer before I said, "I'm somewhere between Brooklyn and Brownsville."

"What? When are you coming?" He asked.

"C... coming?" I tilted my head while I kept my eyes on the road.

"Shit head, did you forget?"

Ah. We were supposed to meet by twelve in the morning.

"No, I did not."

"Are you on your way?"

"Not exactly."

"Where are you?"

"Dude, I will talk to you later. I am very very busy right now," I said as I dropped my eyes swiftly on the bus.

"Busy?"

I hissed as I saw the bus take a turn and then breathed out. "If I miss that stupid bus, I will put a fucking gun in your damn skull."

"Bus? Hey, Don, where are you?"

While he is the only one who dares to address me by my surname, I am the only one who dares to address him by his surname too.

King.

"I'll meet you in an hour... or more," I said and tapped the screen to end the call.

* * *

Finally, the bus stopped and Leilani got out of the bus which made me breathe out in relief.

I watched as she entered the dark street opposite where the bus had dropped her and then drove gently after her.

I can't afford to get caught when I'm almost finding out where she stays, so I turned the headlights off and drove gently.

I mean, I could have taken the easy route.

Find out about her. Know where she stays. Everything about her without following her around.

I could have had it easy that way, so, why the fuck am I following her around.

'Stalking.'

My intrusive thoughts corrected and I hissed.

It took up to ten to fifteen minutes of her walking before she finally came to a stop in front of a house.

Deep down, it pissed me that this woman had no idea that I had been following her since she left the bar.

How could she be so naive and stupid?

I pulled my car a bit away from her and watched as she climbed the stairs of the old house and then watched as she pushed the door open.

The lights were on... and she didn't use a key so I'm assuming someone is in already.

She's got a roommate?

Sure that she had entered fully, I twitched my mouth and drove the car gently to the front of her house.

Slowly, feeling successful about my little stalking, I raised my brows.

"So, this is where my Leilani lives," I grinned and then drove away.