Fear crept back into my chest as I realized he might try to hold hostage and demand a ransom. And I know for one that Mr. Laforteza wouldn’t lift a finger, let alone pay a di, to save .
"You can go," the man said, snapping back to reality. "We’ll talk tomorrow."
Talk tomorrow? Fat chance, I thought, as I made a hasty retreat without looking back.
But sothing about the way he watched sprint out of the building, a knowing smirk still plastered on his face, left unsettled.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing, and cleared my throat, fighting to compose myself. One lesson I’d learned in law school was to never show fear, to maintain a poker face no matter the circumstances. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to co.
But my bravado was short-lived. Panic set in, and I ntally threw in the towel. ’Nah, screw this,’ I thought, as I frantically banged on the door, screaming for help.
When no rescue ca, I resorted to the only tactic I knew that might intimidate them, despite my own trepidation. "Don’t touch !" I warned, trying to sound braver than I felt. "My father is Mr. Laforteza - he’ll co for you."
7:00 PM
The door to Mr. Laforteza’s mansion swung open, flanked by the butler, who had clearly spotted on the security caras, rendering a knock unnecessary.
"Miss Nadia," He let out with a formal tone.
"Sir Liam," I replied, already stepping inside.
I caught the faintest wince on his face; he’d never been fond of the title, but I insisted on using it as a sign of respect, despite his protests.
"I trust you had a wonderful day?" Sir Liam asked as I walked with him.
My mind went back to what happened earlier at the last firm I interviewed at, and I bit back a snort.
"Sothing like that," I told him and thankfully, he didn’t press for details.
"Right this way, miss," he said, standing by the open elevator. I stepped inside.
The elevator stopped, and when the doors opened, I faced two uniford guards who were most definitely not here to protect .
And I know that for certain, given how their hands were slightly positioned close to their guns.
Being treated like a guest in my childhood ho was a bitter pill to swallow, but I’d learned to find humor in it.
"In here," the butler said, accompanied by a soft knock on the door. "Mr. Laforteza is waiting for you."
I scanned his face for any hint of what to expect, but his expression remained neutral, giving nothing away.
"Is there sothing you need, miss?" the butler asked when I hesitated, not imdiately entering the room. I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, that the guards were now looking at again.
"No" I turn and reach for the doorknob and hesitate again. "Is he sick?"
The butler looked amused by my question. "You think he will call you here for that?"
I shrug. I can’t think of any reason he would want to see . He ntioned making dinner, but considering I was…brought to his office… I guess that’s out of the table.
I sighed and glanced at the stone-faced guards before I walked into My Laforteza’s office.
"You are late." The familiar voice of Mr Laforteza greeted imdiately when I opened the door.
"Traffic," I curtly stated as I stared at him.
The past few years had indeed been kind to Dave Laforteza. As I examined his tall fra, triangular face, and wide-set eyes, I was reminded of how little I resembled him. His blonde hair, now slightly grayer, was still perfectly slicked back. I had never seen him anything less than perfect, always impeccably put together.
But tonight, he seed off. Wrinkles creased his white shirt, and his long sleeves were rolled back, revealing a hint of fatigue.
Dark circles under his eyes caught my attention - the last ti I saw those was when my mother passed away. Normally, he took ticulous care of himself, adhering to a strict bedti routine.
Yet, tonight, not only was his appearance imperfect, but I sensed three other unspoken issues. Sothing was greatly amiss.
And that’s why, when he pointed at the leather chair in front of his desk and said "Sit," I decided to lean back against the door.
"Liam says you’re not dying," I said, aiming for a tone of indifference, but my curiosity got the better of .
I wasn’t always this way with him. Once, I had loved and respected him, but that was before he cut off completely. No allowances, no tuition paynts, not even a congratulatory ssage when I graduated. His silence had been a catalyst, bringing out this colder, more detached side of .
I knew him well enough to anticipate his expectations. When he invited to dinner, he likely assud I’d arrive early, eager to please. But I had no intention of jumping at his command. The least I could do was show up at the requested ti, asserting a semblance of independence I had built with his absence.
The elevator stopped, and when the doors opened, I faced two uniford guards who were most definitely not here to protect .
And I know that for certain, given how their hands were slightly positioned close to their guns.
Being treated like a guest in my childhood ho was a bitter pill to swallow, but I’d learned to find humor in it.
"In here," the butler said, accompanied by a soft knock on the door. "Mr. Laforteza is waiting for you."
I scanned his face for any hint of what to expect, but his expression remained neutral, giving nothing away.
"Is there sothing you need, miss?" the butler asked when I hesitated, not imdiately entering the room. I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, that the guards were now looking at again.
"No" I turn and reach for the doorknob and hesitate again. "Is he sick?"
The butler looked amused by my question. "You think he will call you here for that?"
I shrug. I can’t think of any reason he would want to see . He ntioned making dinner, but considering I was…brought to his office… I guess that’s out of the table.
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