Chapter 3

The week went by in such a hassle, people going in and out the mansion with everything, decorations, flowers, tables, beautiful china, and fancy appetizers.

I happen to supervise upon all the details, chefs, waiters, and every person serving for the night. My favorite part was the centerpieces and the rose candles on every table. So sentimental !

The chandeliers were all at soft-warm lighting, every corner was clean and neat, maids were everywhere doing their absolute best, gardeners were required to make topiary, which is the art of clipping trees and bushes into architectural silhouette adding its unique charm to the yards of tulips and lilies that I adore.

I haven't seen Aria, only rarely, she's been busy all week, going through all the dresses she had to try, the make up artist, the hairdresser..as tiresome as it sounds for me, it wasn't at all for her.

My father has been making calls none-stop, sending invitations, last minute meetings and took the jet a few times as well..I mean, the usual dad I've always known. Maybe a little excited!

Aria kept reminding me of taking the time to go shop for a dress or hire someone professional to get me one, but I could care less about what I'm wearing, I have been saving this particular dress for such kind of events, I got it a couple of months ago while I was in Dubai with my best friend, Natalia, who now wouldn't be able to come to the party because she had to go with her brother,Daniel , to their sick uncle in Spain. Poor uncle Damian, I know how Natalia love him, but I really miss her.

I decided to were a strapless Versace black maxi dress with a long slit showing all of my right leg to the highest part of my thighs, I complimented it with two long satin gloves with the same color, it hugged my curves perfectly, fitted damn well to my body and boobs were firm and round than in any dress I've worn before.

I made sure to wear my Jimmy Choo black sandals to match the the look.

My hair was put up in a sleek clean bun, and I insisted on wearing my mother's three layer-pearl necklace, lastly I kept my make up glowy with a nude lipgloss that  made my lips full and plump.

While I was putting my perfume on, I heard a couple of knocks on my door, and there he was, my dad,standing on the door,w wearing his chic gray tux which was perfectly tailored for him, leaning against the door, smiling at the sight of me with his kind, wrinkled eyes.

He gave me a little kiss on the cheek and watched his eyes teared and said:

- You look just like your mother, buttercup. così bella !       ( so beautiful )

I smiled at him and put my arms around him for a quick hug and he left me for the final touches.

I escorted my room after 10 minutes or so,I found the party has already begun and guests filled the ground floor with classical music all around,lots of men in suits of different ages. The aura of them felt dangerous and mysterious, the women were much less of a number but extremely elegant with lace dresses and fascinators, which are small headpieces with fine feathers, my dad however found a special, all-men crowd and gave it his full attention and speaking to the well-known Mr.Dante Kazzo attentively.

Aria, as well, was in between her close friend, Christina, and a handsome guy, who by fact couldn't take his eyes away from her, laughing nervously, yet looking absolutely stunning with her vibrant yellow tea-length dress, and her long black hair falling on her back beautifully.

I was slowly going down the marbled stairs while I caught many impressed eyes on me, but one pair of eyes has made my heart sink to tummy core, his alluring gaze was so intense that I felt my body's temperature rising, I tried to look away but somehow even when I did I can still feel his eyes on me, my dad stood next to him while he called for me, so I walked slowly but steady with all the confidence that had left in me.

He was the tallest, most bulky man in the place, his black Armani suit was exquisitely covering his big arms, wide shoulders, and tree trunk legs. He stood like a fucking greek god statue. His gorgeous face was sculpted and his rough beard rounded off his masculinity.

That man is fine.

I kept my thoughts of him away from my actual actions and ignored his existence completely while my father was introducing me to old Mr.Dante Kazzo, who kissed my hand and complimented me, Mr Alessandro Kazzo, his even brother who did the same to me, and then to Lorenzo Caruso, then I remembered that he was the one Aria was talking to me about a week ago and, I instantly regretted my attraction to him and loathed his presence, he took my hand and pressed his lips on the back of it slowly while maintaining eye contact and said:

- Miss Lana, a pleasure.

- Thank you

I wanted nothing more than a slap on his face now !

Thoughts came back rushing in my head and how the man who I'm talking to know could have killed people with this very harsh hands of his, I turned my head away pretending to be busy looking for anyone else, I want to be far as possible from this man, my throat felt dry so I excused them and went to get something to drink, I hoped I wouldn't have to talk to him again, I got my virgin cocktail and I wandered around the crowded room, quick conversations here and there until i wanted some fresh air.

I got to the spacious terrace, it was a lovely quite evening, the weather was windy a little made the bushes sway slightly as I watched our huge garden and the moonlight reflecting on the lake at the distance, a manly, seductive perfume's aura surrounded me, that scent wasn't yet to be unfamiliar since I just smelled it almost an hour ago, I turned around only to find Lorenzo inches away from me, starring right into my soul with his dark brown chocolate eyes, his body temperature was so warm, but his appearance was so cold in such a troubling way.

After a long minute of silence I felt his hand on my waist and a jolt of electricity ran through my body, that move startled me and I tried to get away from his strong grip without making a fuss about it, afraid any one would hear us.

I said angrily with a siren gaze:

- what the hell are you doing ? Get your hands off of me

- Why so angry, kitten ?

- Don't call me that ! Now get your filthy arm away from me, jerk.

- You don't tell me what to do, kitten.            

Don't make me do something you wouldn't like.

- One more word and I'll scream,you pervert !

- Try me, scream kitten, and this place turns into a battlefield ..only your daddy will be drowning in his own blood.

- What ? What the hell are you talking about ?

- Well, guess what, most of these men are my men, so if you don't do exactly what I say, guns will be pointing on every person here

I almost chocked when I saw him pulling out his gun and I couldn't but part my lips with no words coming out of my mouth

- cat got your tongue now,I see

- W-what are you talking about ? My family is in danger because of you ??

- No, your family will be in danger because of you, so be a good girl and do as i say

- What is it that exactly want ? Money ? My dad can give you all what you need !

He chuckled in a scary way and replied:

- money ? Oh you pure little Salazar, you think I am coming here, for money ?

- Then what is it that you want, I'll give you anything, just leave me and my family alone.

- Well, I can't leave you, but I might leave your family alone.

- What ? Why wouldn't you leave me ? I've done nothing to you, asshole.

I yelled.

- Watch your fucking mouth.

He said while holding my chin with one hand.

- Listen, I don't know you. I have never met you. and i am sure I don't want to see you ever again.

- How unfortunate for your hopes.

- What ?

- You won't get rid of me !!

- What ? Why ?

-  Because by tomorrow we will be married, baby.

I chuckled confidently on his ridiculous remark

- ahh, something funny ?

- You're a stupid piece of shit, you're a psychopath !

- Careful. You wouldn't wanna piss me off, no-one in the world would wanna piss me off.

- I don't fucking care, just get your hands off of me and get the fuck out.

A smirk arrogantly spread on the corner of his mouth

- oh you're definitely coming with me, now !

- What ?

And in one sweep of motion he carried me on his shoulder while I screamed while putting all my force into my fists while trying hit his back, he carried me as if i weight like a dried leaf, he climbed down the stairs of the terrace, he grabbed his phone of his left pocket and called someone and said:

- I got her, 15 minutes and leave the party !

And without waiting for a reply he hung up and spanked me to hush me from screaming, and I sensed my panty's getting a little wet, only to be cut off from my own thoughts by him saying:

- stop screaming, no one will ever hear you, so save it !

- You fucking prick, leave me alone !

He spanked me again only to say from under his breath:

- I love a feisty woman, but you're in desperate need of a punishment.

I kept on punching his back and screaming for help, He put me on the ground right next to his car and I tried to run but with no success, he held me by my waist again and made me arch my bare back against the cold car door and chained my two wrists with his right hand while the other stayed on my waist and his deep angry voice almost made me pee myself.

- Didn't I tell you to shut the fuck up ?

Tears are now collected in my eyes ready to fall any second while I tried to catch my breath, his fresh breath is now mixed with mine and my heart kept beating insanely fast, my adrenaline is almost at its peek, he drew even closer to me and I felt his stoned body against me, his bulged dick was rubbing against the lower part of my stomach, and the tension grew even stronger, I couldn't think of anything, my mind was as blank as a piece of paper, I tried opening my mouth to say anything but I just couldn't.

- I am not gonna repeat myself twice, disobey me, and your family is dead, understood ?

My tears fill out of fear not from him, but for my dad and Aria.m, I decided to go along with whatever he's doing just to give daddy time to prepare himself and to come and get me, there had to be a way or another to escape this nightmare.

I nodded cautiously and he finally released me, but quickly grabbed my arm harshly after opening  the passenger's door of his black Alfa Romeo 4C Spider and threw me on my seat and closed the door, climbed on his side of the car and sped through the gates of the mansion, leaving a full cloud of dust behind us.

As if were ghosts.