Dance with The Most Fearful Mafia King

Sophie's POV

"So, what makes you think that we'd actually accept you as a parttime teacher here in our University?" asked one of the interviewers to me.

With my hands shaking, I took a deep breath and faced her confidently, at least that's the definition of confidence for me. Then I opened my mouth, "I am actually...err... I'm a straightA student from kindergarten up until now. And I am also running for the highest rank in our class now. I really like children and I love teaching them..."

You can do it, Sophie. No need to be nervous, you can do it, girl.

The woman and the man beside her looked at each other and nodded, "So, Laurens is your surname? Do you have any relationship with Mr. Albert Laurens?"

"Yes, he is my father."

Both of their eyes widened upon hearing what I just said. They quickly stood up and bowed their heads at me, "GGood Morning, Miss Laurens."

"NNo, you don't have to be so polite to me. I'm just an applicant here, and so I just want to know if I get in?" I asked them with my fingers crossed and my heart beating incredibly loud that it could actually jump off my chest right now.

"Of course, Miss Laurens! You are in! You can now teach in our school whenever you want to start!"

"RReally?! Oh, thank you so much, you don't know how much this means to me, thank you so much!"

"YYou're welcome, Miss Laurens, it's also an honor for us to have you here in our institution."

"I applied for a job." I simply replied.

Samantha is the oldest daughter of my father and his wife, his first and legal wife. They have two daughters and one son in total who are of course, way older than me. "A job? Why? Do you still need money even if dad's already giving you a monthly allowance?"

"It's not about the money, I really want to teach children ever since."

She just rolled her eyes, "Oh whatever, do what you want, just don't forget to do my assignments. Tomorrow will be the deadline of all of that."

"Okay."

"Hey Sophie!" there goes Sera, the second to the oldest daughter of my father. "Buy all of these, okay? I need that in my school tomorrow, and also, don't forget to go to Harold's house and tell him that I'm already breaking up with him."

My eyes widened as I looked at her with confusion, "Why don't you just break up with him in person?"

"Shut up! Just tell it to him! I don't want to waste my time with his drama again!"

Sera has the habit of dating different boys in her school, then break with them after a week, but what's worst is that I am the one who talks to his boyfriend and tells them that she wants a breakup. I always have to make up stories and find possible reasons why she wants a breakup. I just suppressed a sigh then I was about to go to my room and change my clothes when I suddenly saw Sebastian walking towards me with a smile on his face. "Seb!"

"Sophie! You need to hear this new song that I composed!" he said, enthusiastically. Seb is two years older than me and really loved music, out of all the siblings I have, he's the one I'm closest to. "Alright, I will just change my clothes and then we'll listen to it later, okay?"

"Okay! I'll wait for you at my studio."

"Okay!" then I finally opened the door of my room and went inside it with a smile on my face.

Author's POV

"Boss, please spare me, give me more time please!" a man who looks about the age of thirty was kneeling in front of a tall young man wearing a black suit and tie, holding a gun in his right hand, playing with it while looking at him. They were surrounded by many men in black suits too, smiling and glaring at each other. The room was a torture cell, different weapons and stains of blood were evident on the floor and on the wall.

There was blood on the side of the lips of the poor man, his eyes seemed to be punched so many times that it made a violet circle around it. "Boss, I will pay you next week, I swear. If I don't, then you can kill me!"

"Renzo, I already gave you one month to pay me, and now, you're asking for another week?"

"Boss, please... please forgive me..." he was already crying, the tears in his eyes and the blood all over his face were already mixing. Then the man rose up from his chair, standing before the poor guy, "You know how I fucking hate liars, Renzo. I fucking hate it whenever someone tries to fool me andd you know what I do to them?" his thick black brows rose up and his grey eyes turned dark as he pointed the gun to the man's head. "Boss...don't do this...don't..."

"Say hi to the devil for me, Renzo."

Baam.

The sound of the gun reverberated through the whole cell as blood came dripping on the floor. Vincent tossed the gun to the floor as he began walking towards one of his men and wiped his hands with a white hand towel. "Throw him somewhere, then give money to his family. Clean those mess, this cell smells fuck now."

"Yes, Boss."

Then he finally walked towards the exit with the other men following him. No expression on his face, his eyes were cold and his strong and tall frame made him look like a total mafia boss that everyone is afraid of. He has curly black hair, a pointed nose, high cheekbones, and a prominent lower jaw and chin. "Where are we heading now?" he asked his men.

"To Mr. Laurens, Sir. The CEO of Laurencio Holdings."

"That old man who pleaded for me to help him with his business?" Vincent asked, litting up the cigarette that Joe handed him, his assistant. "He wouldn't be where he is today if I didn't help him."

"He still owes you $900 Billion, Sir. I've heard that he is also planning to make an alliance with Mr. Romano."

Vincent almost laughed when he heard that, "Romano's in my pocket. Is he thinking that he could really start a war against me by running into people who have big debts to me too? Dickhead."

His men laughed as they opened the door of a black limousine for him. "Let's test his bravery. I'm going to play with that old hag."

Mr.Laurens was relaxing at his swivel chair after a meeting with a wellknown mafia boss in town named Pablo, he talked to him and asked for an alliance against Vincent but the man said that he couldn't do that since Vincent is his boss too. "Damn you, Hastings. Gathering all the people and making them your men. You're a real asshole, I won't let you have your hands around my neck this time."

Then the door went open, just as he was about to stand up and turn his head to see who just arrived, someone pushed him down, his face on the tiled ceramic floor. "WWho the hell

"Long time no see, Laurens."

Upon hearing that cold deep voice, Mr. Laurens already knew who it was. "VVincent Hastings?"

"Oh, so you still remember me, huh?"

"WWhat are you doing here? What do you need from me?"

Vincent laughed like a devil, then he walked towards Mr. Laurens and grabbed him by the head, effortlessly lifting him up with one arm. "What do I need from you? Are you even serious? Are you sure you don't know why the hell I am here?"

"IIf it's about the debt that I owe you, II don't have that amount of money yet... I can only pay you $900 Million for now..."

"$900 Million? What do you want me to do with that? Buy a candy?"

"VVincent, I will pay you next month, I promise you, I will pay you next month..." he pleaded, trying to take Vincent's hands off his collar, almost choking him. "Please, spare me..."

Vincent clenched his jaw as he pushed him on the wall, so hard that Mr. Hastings groaned with pain. "How many times did I hear that line today? All of the people that I talked to pleaded to me too, and do you know what happened to them?"

"NNo, no Vincent please, I will definitely pay you, I can even do whatever you want me to do..."

"By the way, I've heard that you tried to talk to Romano and Pablo, is that true?"

Mr. Laurens' eyes widened, "WWho told that to you? II didn't

"Vincent... NNo, this company still needs me... my people still needs me... my family needs me..."

"And satan said that he needs you now too."

"NNo, Vincent... I could give you everything... I can be your servant... I will give you everything just not this company..."

"Aside from this company, what else do you have?" Vincent asked, playing with the trigger of the gun, still pointed at the poor man.

"II have 200 yatchs, 300 mansions, cruises, II have three daughters! You can marry one of them if you want!"

Vincent laughed, "You are offering your own daughter to me? is that how desperate you are?"

"JJust don't kill me..."

Vincent thought for a while before opening his mouth again, "Are your daughters beautiful? Or they look like you too?"

His men laughed from behind him. "TThe youngest is the most beautiful among them..."

"And you will give her to me?"

"YYes..."

"Okay, show her to me tomorrow. No, bring all of your daughters to me. Bring them to me tomorrow night. If you don't do what you promised, I wouldn't hesitate to kill you this time."

Sophie's POV

As soon as the bell ring for the dismissal, I immediately took my backpack and was about to leave the classroom when my professor suddenly called me, "Miss Laurens."

"MMiss?"

"Can you tell Mr. Jacobs to meet me at my office?" she said, fixing her eyeglasses. She's a beautiful woman at her 20s, our professor in literature, my favorite subject. I quickly nodded as I clutched my books to my chest. "Yes, Miss."

"Thank you."

Mr. Jacobs was our school doctor here in our University. He's handsome with his blonded hair slicked back, his deep emerald eyes that could melt someone who dares to stare at him. He also has the body of a Greek God which make all of the girls here drool over him. And if you ask me if I like him, is it so obvious?

I first met him during my first day here in this University, he approached me because I got lost and didn't know where my building was then he told me where and even accompanied me until I finally found it. I thought he was my classmate too because he looks too young that's why I got surprised when I knew that he works as the official University doctor here.

My heart started beating so loud when I saw Mr. Jacobs sitting on his usual swivel chair writing something on paper. He was wearing an eyeglass that he used to wear which made him look intelligent and attractive to me. How can he sit there, just write and look incredibly handsome? I wonder if he already has a girlfriend, I wish he's single. "Err... Doctor Kristan..."

He stopped writing and looked at my direction, a smile immediately appeared on his face as soon as he saw me. "Sophie!"

"GGood Morning, Doctor Kristan." I smiled sweetly, a smile that I will never show to anyone but him. He stood up and walked towards me, his smile didn't vanish. "How are you feeling? Is there something I can help you?"

Oh God, there goes the most handsome man I have ever seen in my life. Can I just tell him that I'm not feeling well because my heart seems like it's about to jump off my chest right now? "NNo, doctor. Miss Perry wants to see you at her office."

"Oh, well thank you for going here. I will go there immediately."

"Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. I will be going now." I said, averting my gaze from his. He then patted my head and smiled, "Thanks, Sophie."

I was touched by an angel! What an honor!

"You're welcome Mr. Jacobs... hehehe... ssee you tomorrow..."

"See you, Sophie."

Then I finally started walking towards the door, still waving at him. I could just literally sit there and watch him breath for all my life. Did that sound creepy?

I heaved a deep sigh when I closed the door, smile still on my face. Oh, Mr. Jacobs, can you just be mine?

If only I could have him, but that's impossible. I'm just a student, I don't have anything to boast about except from my grades. But I promised to myself that one day, when I finally have my own job and I finally have enough money, I will go back here and confess to him. I hope I have a chance.

"Teacher Sophiee!!!" Laila, one of my students came running to me as soon as she saw me enter the kindergarten. She's always excited to see me that's why I'm always excited to go here and see her too, I really love kids. "Laila!!!"

Just when she was about to run towards me, a man suddenly walked past her, and so she fell onto the ground after bumping on the man's legs. "Leila!"

I quickly ran towards Leila to see if she was okay, "Leila, I'm so sorry, are you alright?"

"Teacher... SSophiee.... waaaaa...." she then began crying. "Ssssh... stop crying Leila, it's alright. Don't cry now, I will buy you an ice cream okay?" I guided her to a nearby bench and have her sit there as I glanced at the man to whom she bumped on to. He was just casually walking with his hands in his pocket as if nothing happened. What a rude man he is, not even apologizing to a kid?! Is he even a human?!

With my blood boiling and my fist shaking with anger, I walked towards that man and grabbed him by his arm to stop him from walking, "HHey Mister!"

He stopped walking when he heard my voice, he looked at my hand that was holding his arm and finally faced me. My eyes automatically widened as soon as I saw his face and realized how tall he was that he's already towering me. His cold gray eyes stared intently at me, I can't even see any emotion on his face, iis he a robot?

"What do you want from me?" he asked, then I realized that I was still holding his arm and so I immediately let go of it and stared back at him as I gulped. What is happening to me? Why does his aura feels intimidating? He's definitely not ugly because HE IS SO HANDSOME as hell but I don't know why he looks fearful even though I don't really know him yet. "LLeila... the kid who bumped on to you a while ago..."

"What about her?" his brows are now furrowed as if he's turning impatient.

"Why didn't you stop and ask her if she's okay? She's a kid, you should've at least said sorry."

He looked at me as if I was crazy then a smirk appeared on his face, "Hey woman, do you even know who you're talking to right now?"

Sophie’s POV

“II don’t care who you are but all I know is that you can’t just leave a kid crying after hurting her.” I said while maintaining eyetoeye contact with the Greek god standing before me with his expressionless face. He looks only as young as me but why is he so tall?

His right brow raised as he looked at me, “So you don’t really know me?”

“I don’t know you, okay? Do I even have to know who you are?”

I don’t even know where did I get that bravery. I just stared at him although my hands were already shaking. His eyes were sharp and I think I could already die with his glare. “You’re quite brave, huh? Well, let’s see where your bravery would take you.”

Without any warning, the man grabbed me by the waist and pressed his lips on mine. My eyes widened and I froze in place. I placed my hands on his chest to push him off but he was so strong that it became useless. He forcefully parted my lips with his tongue and I just found myself closing my eyes as if I was enjoying it. When he finally let go of me, that’s when I realized what just happened. I raised my hand and slapped him on his right cheek. “YYou bastard! WWhy did you do that?!”

“Thanks for the dessert, see you around some other time.” He said as he turned around and started walking away. I badly wanted to stop him and punch him in the face but my feet just won’t cooperate. I was just looking at him with my mouth open until he finally stepped inside a black limousine together with his men laughing. I balled my hand into a fist as I yelled at the top of my lungs, “YOU PERVERTED ASSHOLE!!”

“Teacher Sophie!” I only stopped cursing that man in my head when Laila suddenly approached me. I knelt down and carried her in my arms.

“II’m sorry, Laila. Are you alright?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, Teacher Sophie.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. That man, the man kissed you a while ago. Is he your boyfriend, teacher Sophie?” Laila innocently asked without even knowing how her question automatically made my face blush.

I wasn’t able to answer quickly. “LLaila, let’s just go inside already okay? For sure your other classmates are already waiting for us.” I changed the topic.

“Okay…” my everobedient student replied.

I wasn’t able to focus on what I was teaching the whole time because of what happened. Good thing my students didn’t notice that. I rode the bus going home and went straight to my room as soon as I arrived. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. Erase that incident in your mind, Sophie. Just pretend that it didn’t happen, okay?

Then I snapped my eyes open. “Did I just… did I just let a stranger kiss me?”

I let a stranger kiss me?!!! How dare he do that to me?!

That was my first kiss… the kiss that I wanted to experience with Mr. Jacobs… Now it’s gone… I already gave my first kiss to a stranger.

I lay down on my bed and hugged one of my pillows as tears began running down my face. “My first kiss… that bastard…”

“Sophie? Are you already there?”

I suddenly heard dad’s voice coming from outside of my room. I hurriedly sat up and wiped my tears away before walking towards my door and opened it. “DDad?”

“I’m so glad you’re already here, Sophie. Can we talk for a while?” dad asked.

“Sure dad, have a seat, please.” I said as I pulled a chair for him. I sat on the couch and looked at him. “What is it, dad?”

Dad straightened his back before looking at me, “Sophie, there’s actually something that I want you to know. Wait, did you cry?”

“HHuh? NNo, I didn’t. My eyes just look like this whenever II feel sleepy…”

“YYes, dad. By the way, what is it you want to tell me?”

He heaved a sigh then he looked at me. He seemed to be hesitating about what he was going to say. “Sophie, listen very carefully. II think it’s already time for you to get married.”

“WWhat? Get married?”

“I know how hard for you to stay in this house, Sophie. Your stepsiblings treat you like a servant, don’t you get tired of that? Don’t you sometimes wish you could just leave here and be free? I mean, I just want you to be happy, Sophie.”

“Dad, I’m still seventeen and I am still studying. I don’t have any intentions of getting married to someone and I—I don’t even have a boyfriend.”

“I can suggest a man.” He suddenly said which made me look at him.

I furrowed my brows, “DDad? You’re really planning to have me get married already? But I don’t want to get married to anyone yet, daddy. I want to finish my studies first, I want to fulfill my dreams, I want to make you proud, aand I want to marry the man that I really love.”

“But I think—

“Dad, I’m fine, okay? I know you’re just worried about me. Don’t worry, I can do it all, I can serve my siblings, I can study and work at the same time. There’s no need for you to worry about, okay?” I said as I smiled at him. “By the way, would you like me to make some coffee for you?”

“No, I’m fine Sophie. Just take your rest already, I know you’re already tired. By the way, we’ll be having a family dinner tomorrow. You know that restaurant we used to eat at?”

I nodded, “Yes. But, do you we have any occasion tomorrow?”

“Yes, I would like you to meet someone. Make sure you’ll go there after your work, okay?”

“Okay.”

Dad stood up and patted me on my head, “Just always remember that I love you so much, Sophie.”

“I love you so much too, dad.”

Sophie’s POV

Everyone was already sitting on their chairs, talking to each other when I finally arrived with my hair all over my face because of running my way just to make it on time. ”SSorry I’m late.” I said as I sat next to Sebastian. He smiled as soon as he saw me.

“It’s alright, Sophie. At least you came.” Said dad.

“Can you see yourself right now, Sophie? We’re having dinner with a very important person and you’re there wearing a white tshirt and a pair of black jeans with your hair looking like you just woke up?” my stepmother suddenly said to me.

I lowered my head, “I’m sorry, I just came from school so I wasn’t able to change my clothes.”

“It’s alright, Sophie. Even if you wear rags, you’d still stand out.” Sebastian suddenly said so I nudged him when I saw Sera and Samantha glaring at him.

“Are you a fool? You just look like us so if you say that we’re ugly, it’s like you’re saying that you’re ugly too.” Samantha retorted.

Dad suddenly cleared his throat. “Stop that childish argument, okay? Our visitor will finally arrive soon so fix yourselves.”

“I’m still wondering who that visitor is.” Aunt Natalie said.

“You’ll meet him later.” Dad just replied.

I fixed my shirt and combed my hair using my fingers. Me too, I’ve been thinking about that visitor. I wonder who that is because he seems to be so important to my father. Although I can also see him drinking some water every minute, he looks so nervous and I don’t even know why. “Sophie, I have composed a new song again, you should hear it!” Seb whispered to me.

“Really? Can I hear it now?”

“Sure!”

Seb then took out his phone and was about to put his earphone in my right ear when we suddenly heard loud footsteps coming in our direction. Everyone of us turned our heads towards the entrance of the restaurant. Dad suddenly stood up and so we all followed him.

Men wearing black suits were walking towards us. They all look familiar to me, I just can’t remember where I saw them. “They look like a gang, or maybe agents,” Seb whispered.

Then they form a line and made a way in the middle. A tall man started walking in the middle, only his footsteps could be heard. He was wearing a black tuxedo vest that perfectly fitted to his bulky and masculine body. His black hair was slicked back, and it was shining as if it has been waxed. He was holding a cigarette in his right hand while he was puffing a smoke.

I stared at his face, and that’s only the time I knew who he was. My eyes widened as I pointed a finger at him. “YYOU?!”

Everyone looked at me, including the man. He looked surprised upon seeing me too, he threw his smoke to the ground and smiled cockily. “We meet again.”

“DDo you know him, Sophie?” dad asked me.

“Yes daddy, he was that man who—” I wasn’t able to continue what I was saying after realizing that it was so embarrassing. “I mean… yes, we already met yesterday…”

“Daddy? You mean, that woman is your daughter too?” The man asked daddy.

Dad nodded, “YYes, she’s my youngest daughter.”

“Your daughter, huh? She doesn’t look like you.” Said the bastard while looking at me. I glared at him and looked at my dad who just nodded to me and smiled.

“Why don’t we have a seat first? This restaurant serves delicious food, I’m sure you’ll like it, err….”

“Vincent. You can just call me Vincent.” Said he.

Aunt Natalie nodded with a smile, “Vincent, what a handsome name. My name’s Natalie, I’m Albert’s wife. And these two girls here are my daughters.”

“HHi Vincent, I’m Stephanie.”

“And I’m Sera.”

The two of them were looking at Vincent, smiling, but the bastard just ignored them and shifted his gaze to me instead. “Why don’t you introduce yourself too?”

“I’m Sophie.” I said without looking at him.

“Sophie, beautiful name.” he said.

Dad cleared his throat again, “Should we order some food already?”

“TThat’s right, let’s call the server.” Aunt Natalie agreed.

Minutes have passed and we already started eating. I couldn’t focus on my food because I can feel Vincent staring at me from his seat. That mere fact already makes my blood boil in anger. “He looks like a Mafia Boss, don’t you think?” Seb whispered again to me.

“You’re right, he looks like a nymphomaniac.” I said then we both laughed.

“By the way, Albert, have you told them already the reason why we’re here?” Vincent spoke again. Why does he talk like that to my father? He doesn’t really have manners and respect.

Dad almost choked so I handed him a glass of water. “Thanks, Sophie.”

“Just eat slowly, dad.”

“Oh, so you haven’t said it yet?”

“Said what?” Aunt Natalie asked.

Vincent crossed his arms. “Your husband owes me a huge amount of money. He couldn’t give me his company so we came into a different agreement instead.”

“DDad owes you money?” I asked as I looked at my dad to confirm it. “Is that true, dad?”

Daddy looked at us especially to me before nodding, “TThat’s true.”

“But that’s impossible dad, we don’t have debts. Why don’t you just pay him? We have lots of money anyway.” Said Seb.

“So sorry to say but even if you pay me with all of the money that you have, it wouldn’t lessen even fifty percent of his debt.”

My eyes widened. “DDad, is that

“Yes, that is true. I owe him everything, VVincent was the one who helped me build our company. We got to build that because of him…”

“Dad…”

“But what agreement did you have if we can’t pay you that huge amount of money?” Aunt Natalie asked.

Vincent leaned on his chair with his arms crossed, “He said he’s willing to give one of his daughters to me.”

All of us were shocked. We all looked at daddy and he just lowered his head, confirming it. “Albert, how can you do that to our daughters?!”

“Daddy! Why did you do that?! You agreed to this man?!” Seb yelled.

“I’m so sorry… I had no choice… I’m so sorry…” Dad kept on mumbling.

Vincent suddenly stood up, “So, can I have the payment now?”

“Vincent… can we just talk about this? II already changed my mind, II’ll just pay you. I don’t care if you take my company from me… just don’t…don’t take any of my daughters away from me…” Dad pleaded.

“You should have said that earlier. I changed my mind now; I don’t want money because I have that already. I want your daughter.” Vincent said.

“VVincent…”

“I’ll get that woman beside you.” Vincent said while looking at me.

Sophie’s POV

“I won’t go with you!” I yelled as Vincent started to walk towards me.

One of his brows rose up. “You have no choice, baby. Your dumb father owed some money from me and he offered you as the collateral.”

I looked at my dad. “DDad please… II don’t want to go with that man!”

“Sophie…. VVincent, can we just talk about it again? CCan we—

“Are you trying to fool me?! We already had an agreement and now you’re saying that we should talk about it again?!” Vincent snarled which made all of us shiver in fear. His loud yet deep voice reverberated through the restaurant.

“SSorry… I already changed my mind. II don’t want to give my daughter…”

We were all surprised when all of a sudden, Vincent pulled out a gun and pointed it at my father’s head. “You know I hate people who break their promise. Now, just choose. Will you give me that woman or I’ll blow your brains out?”

“Father!”

“Honey!”

“No! Please no!” I yelled. “I’ll go with you! I’ll go with you, just don’t kill my father, please!”

Vincent shifted his attention to me and smiled cockily. “Are you sure?”

“Sophie…” Seb was already crying.

“II will go with you so please drop that gun!”

“Fine.” He said as he put his gun back in his pocket.

Aunt Natalie and my stepsiblings ran towards daddy and hugged him.

“Let’s go now,” said Vincent as he grabbed me by my hand but I stopped him.

“CCan you just let me get my things in our house? Can I sleep there and be with them for one last time?” I asked which made his brows furrowed.

“What?”

I bit my lower lip. “Please… I will go with you tomorrow… I promise…”

“And do you think I believe you?” he said.

“You should believe, I’m saying the truth. I’m not planning to escape, I just want to be with them for one last time… please?” I pleaded as tears started to run down my face.

Vincent stared at me for a while before he turned around and started walking. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. Just make sure I’ll see you there or I’ll surely kill your father. Even if you try to escape, I have my people to find you.” He threatened.

“II promise. Just kill me if I lie.” I said bravely.

“Let’s go.” said Vincent to his men. We were just looking at them as they started walking outside the restaurant. I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Sophie, are you really sure about this? You’re going with that killer?” Seb asked me while we were inside my room. I was already preparing all the things that I will bring tomorrow.

I looked at him. “I have no choice, Seb. That man could obviously do everything he said. He’s a mafia boss, we don’t have any chance to fight against someone like him.”

“It’s all dad’s fault. If he didn’t agree to have an agreement with that man, then you won’t have to do this!”

“No Seb, don’t blame dad. For sure he just did that for us. He didn’t have a choice.”

“That’s why he voluntarily offered you to that man?! Sophie, you don’t know that man, what if he does something bad to you? What if he kills you?!”

I shook my head. “I won’t let that happen, Seb. I’m sure he won’t kill me.”

“How can you be so sure? You don’t even know that man.”

“I just know. And if he ever tries to do something bad to me, I’ll make sure to punch his face or kick his precious treasure down there.” I kidded thinking that Seb would laugh, but he didn’t. He just looked at me with a sad look on his face.

I then moved closer to him and gave him a hug. “Everything would be alright, Seb. You don’t have to worry about me, I can take care of myself. And besides, you can always visit me, or maybe I’ll ask him to let me go here to visit you then we’ll listen to all of your new songs.”

“I don’t think he would even allow you to go back here.”

“He will Seb, he will. Trust me.”

After few minutes, someone started knocking on my room’s door. “Sophie, are you still awake?”

“YYes dad, I’m with Seb.”

Seb stood up and walked outside as soon as dad entered my room.

“Dad. IIs there something you want to tell me?”

“Sophie… I’m so sorry… I’m such an awful dad… I’m so sorry Sophie, I hope you could still forgive me… No, don’t forgive me. This is all my fault, I shouldn’t have made a promise with Vincent… it’s my fault, Sophie… I’m so sorry…”

I embraced him in my arms. “No, dad. I understand you, it’s not your fault. I know you just didn’t have any choice. I don’t want you to get hurt too…”

“I should have just let him kill me; I should’ve just let him take everything that I have…”

“That will never happen. Please don’t say that dad, I don’t want you to get hurt. I’d rather suffer while living with that man forever than seeing you hurt.”

Dad gently moved away from me and cupped my face. “You really are the best daughter I could ever have. Just like your mother, you are so kind. I don’t know what face can I show you… I’m sorry Sophie, I’m really really sorry.”

“Don’t worry about me, dad. I’m not mad at you.” Tears started streaming down my face. “II just want you to know how much I love you, dad. I’ll no longer be there beside you all the time so please take care of yourself. Sera, Stephanie, and Seb need you. They are all counting on you. I will always be your daughter, right?”

“Of course, honey. You will always be the best daughter I could ever have.”

Sophie’s POV

“I already served the breakfast, let’s eat now!” I merrily said as soon as I was done preparing our food on the table. They were already sitting at the table with no emotion on their faces. “What’s the matter? Why do you all look so sad?”

“Are you really going there, Sophie? I mean, can’t you just stay here?” Seb said to me.

“Are you crazy, Sebastian? Do you want that man to kill us all?!” Aunt Natalie retorted.

I heaved a sigh. “Aunt Natalie’s right, Seb. That guy is powerful, I think he’ll really do what he said. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Come on, don’t be such a pretender now Sophie. We all know you were so happy when she chose you. That man is freaking hot and super handsome, who wouldn’t want to go with him?!” Samantha suddenly said.

“She’s right! For sure you’re so happy now because you wouldn’t have to wash the dishes, prepare our food and clean our rooms anymore!” Sera added.

“That’s not true, Sera, Samantha. I’ll never want to go with that man. I just don’t have any choice…”

Samantha rolled her eyes. “Just say it and don’t pretend, we won’t be fooled by your innocent facade. Pretending to be so innocent and doesn’t care about hot and goodlooking guys when the fact is, you’re such a flirt!”

“Sebastian, stop talking like that to your father!” said Aunt Natalie.

“Enough now! Stop fighting in front of our breakfast, okay?! It’s Sophie’s last day here so why don’t you just at least show her some gratitude for serving you for so many years!” dad yelled. “I know it’s my fault, okay? But what can I do? We can’t do anything about it anyway, we can’t just let that man steal the company.” Dad lowered his head. “I didn’t want this to happen, okay? And don’t worry Sophie, once I finally get to pay my debt, I’ll take you back from that man, I promise.”

I reached for dad’s hand. “I’ll hang on that promise, dad. I’ll wait for you.”

“I’m sorry, Sophie…”

After eating breakfast, I finally started packing my things. Tears kept on running down my face while I was getting ready to leave. I looked around my room and remembered how long I’ve been staying in this house. I already made so many memories in this room, in this house, and with the people inside it. I can’t believe I’ll have to leave it someday when I lived my whole life here. “Miss Sophie…”

I quickly wiped the tears in my eyes when someone suddenly knocked on my door. I fixed myself and put all my clothing inside my bag before I stood up to open the door. I was surprised to see our maids standing by the door while crying. “WWhat are you guys doing here?”

“Miss Sophie… we already know the truth. You’re going to leave us already, right?” Patricia asked, she’s the youngest maid in our house, the one I’m also closest to.

I averted my gaze to hide my eyes, which were being filled with tears again. “II need to leave for now. BBut don’t worry I will come back when everything turns well. I promise I will come back, and I will visit you here more often too.”

“Miss Sophie, we’re going to really miss you.” Jaycel added while crying. I wiped the tears from her eyes and hugged her.

“I will miss you all too, I’ll surely miss you all…”

I have been so close with all of our household staff here in the mansion. I’ve been with them more than I have been with my stepsiblings that’s why they are really important to me.

“Take care of yourself there, Miss Sophie. Promise us, please…”

“I promise. I will take care of myself and so you have to take care of yourselves too, okay? And also, please take care of them, especially Seb and dad. I won’t be able to stay here with them anymore so please do that as a favor from me.”

They all nodded. “Yes, Miss Sophie, we’ll take care of them for you.”

“Thank you…”

We hugged each other one more time and we cried our hearts out before they were finally called by Aunt Natalie. “Sophie…”

“Dad…”

Dad walked towards me and embraced me in his arms. “I’m really sorry, Sophie. Please forgive me…”

“Dad… I already told you that I’m just alright. You don’t have to say sorry, okay? Just take care of yourself. I’ll be okay.”

“Oh, my daughter Sophie…”

“I love you so much, dad…”

“Hey Sophie, the man’s already here.” Aunt Natalie suddenly said so dad and I moved away from each other.

I looked at dad. “I’ll be going now, dad.”

“Take care of yourself, Sophie. I’ll take you back, just wait for daddy, okay?”

I just nodded with tears filling my eyes. “I will.”

I turned around and walked outside my room carrying my bag with me. As soon as I stepped outside the mansion, I saw so many men in black suits standing by our doorway while looking at me. Two of them walked towards me and took my bag. “Please get inside the car, Miss Sophie. Boss is already waiting for you inside.”

“OOkay…”

I was about to get inside the black limousine when Seb suddenly called me. “Sophie! Sophie wait!”

“Seb…”

He ran towards me, and we embraced each other. “I will miss you, Sophie…”

“I will miss you too, Seb… Take care of yourself, okay? I will visit here some other time…”

“I’ll take you back, Sophie. I’ll take you back from that bastard, I promise you. Just wait for me, Sophie. I’ll work hard…”

I moved away from him and kissed him on his forehead. “You are the best sibling I could ever have. You are the only one who treated me like a real part of your family… I will miss you, Seb…”

“Me too, Sophie… me too…”

“What the fuck are you still doing there? Can you stop that damn drama and get inside this damn car?!” the man suddenly opened the door of the limo and yelled at us. “Get inside now, woman!”

I looked at Seb once more. “Goodbye, Seb…”

Sophie’s POV

My mouth automatically went agape as soon as I stepped out of the limousine. Right in front of me was a vast mansion, I don’t think it was a mansion, more like a palace, I can say. We have a somewhat big manor but this one’s different. “Stop standing there and follow me inside.” the mafia boss nonchalantly told me as he started walking towards the mansion’s entrance.

I came back to my senses, then I followed him inside, and there I saw so many maids and butlers lined up while lowering their heads. “Margarette.”

He called out a name and one maid raised her head and walked towards him.

“SSir?”

“Bring Sophie to her room. And also, give her a change of clothes.”

The maid nodded. “I understand, Sir.”

“Go with her.” He said to me.

“OOkay,” I said without looking at him.

After that, he started walking upstairs while his men were following behind him. I wonder what are they going to do upstairs?

“MMiss Sophie, please come with me.” the maid said to me with a sweet smile on her face.

“OOkay.”

I just followed the maid until we reached a room upstairs. She opened the door for me as we came in. It was an immense room with pastelcolored walls and pieces of furniture. There was also a gigantic crystal chandelier hanging on the ceiling, which made it look more sophisticated and classier. “Miss Sophie, this room would be your personal room from now on. The bathroom is over there while the walkin closet is on the left side of this room near the balcony.”

“Thank you. Err... may I know your name again?”

“My name is Margarette, Miss Sophie,” she said with a huge smile on her face. She was a cute woman with auburn short hair right above her shoulders. She has two cute little dimples in the corners of her smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, Margarette. I’m Sophie by the way.” I said as I reached for her hand.

She nodded and accepted my hand. “It’s so nice to meet you too, Miss Sophie. By the way, Miss Sophie, you should take a bath and change your clothes now. The other maids are already preparing your dinner downstairs and of course, Sir Vincent doesn’t like it when someone comes late.”

“II understand. I’ll be taking my bath now. See you later, Margarette.”

“See you later, Miss Sophie.”

As soon as Margarette went out, I heaved a sigh and sat on the bed. My new room is way bigger than the room that I have in my dad’s house, but I’m more comfortable there. I don’t even know if I could sleep peacefully in this room. That man, that mafia boss who brought me here, I still don’t know what he’s planning to do to me. I’m scared, I’m super scared, but what can I do? I don’t want to risk my family’s life just for my sake.

I took my mom’s photo inside my bag and put it above the side table. “Mommy, please guide me. I still don’t know what waits for me here but I hope dad and my siblings will be okay. I will be strong mommy, I know it would be hard but I will be strong.”

“II’m sorry I’m late,” I said when I arrived at the dining hall. The mafia boss was already sitting there, crossing his arms while looking at me.

“Take your seat and let’s eat.” He said, with no emotion on his face.

The table was so long as if there would be a feast. I sat on the other end of it while he was sitting on the other one. I wonder if his servers always serve as many foods as we have a right in front of us now.

“From now on, you’ll be living in this mansion with me. You can do anything you want, wander around, shopping—anything. If you need some money then tell it to me.”

“II’m still studying, and I have a parttime job.”

“Then quit your job.” He nonchalantly said.

I looked at him with my wrinkled brows. “There’s no way I would quit my job!”

“You don’t have the right to yell at me, woman.” He said with sharp eyes.

“II apologize… but please, just let me do my job. That is the only thing that makes me happy. Please let me work, I promise I would work here in your house too.”

“Call me Vincent.” He suddenly said, which made me look at him.

“HHuh?”

He put his cutlery down. “Call me Vincent from now on. Fine, I’ll let you work but after that, go home straight here. I’ll be assigning two bodyguards to look after you.”

“II understand, thank you…”

“And if it still isn’t clear with you, I didn’t bring you here just so you could live the life you had before. Once you become my wife, you will finally become my property. You have to stay beside me and follow everything that I’ll tell you to do.”

“WWhat? MMarry you?!”

“That’s right, you’ll be my wife. And you can’t complain about anything because this is all your father’s fault. If you don’t want to marry me, then let me just kill your father.” He said sounding so natural.

My eyes widened. “No! Don’t do that! I will follow everything that you’ll say just promise me that you’ll never hurt my family!”

“Sure, I won’t hurt them as long as you promise to obey my orders.”

“II promise. II will obey all your orders…”

“That’s my girl.” He stood up. “By the way, our wedding’s already tomorrow, so some people are going to show up here tomorrow to get you dresses. Make sure you’ll come home early.”

“Tomorrow?! BBut—

“That’s an order.” He said before he finally walked away.

That night I just cried and cried inside my room. Tomorrow would be my wedding with that jerk, and I don’t know what would happen after that. He said that I need to obey all of his orders or else he would kill my dad.