Chapter Three

*Chapter 3: An Unwelcome Proposal*

Sandra's eyes widened as she stared at Grandpa Leo, her mind struggling to comprehend his words.

"Marry Xavier Leo?" she repeated, her voice laced with incredulity. "You can't be serious."

Grandpa Leo's expression was solemn, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "I'm afraid I am, my dear. You see, Xavier needs a wife, and I think you'd be perfect for him."

Sandra's laughter was incredulous. "Perfect for him? You don't even know me."

Grandpa Leo chuckled. "Ah, but I do know you, Sandra. I've been watching you, and I'm impressed. You're fierce, loyal, and strong-willed. Exactly what Xavier needs."

Sandra's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What did Grandpa Leo mean by "what Xavier needs"? And why on earth would he think she'd be interested in marrying some Mafia lord?

"I'm not interested," Sandra said flatly, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Grandpa Leo's expression turned stern, his eyes glinting with a hint of steel. "I'm afraid it's not a request, Sandra. It's a necessity. Xavier's position in the family is... complicated. He needs a wife to secure his place, and I've chosen you."

Sandra's anger flared, but she kept her cool, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew she couldn't outrun the Mafia, but she could try to outsmart them.

"What's in it for me?" Sandra asked, her voice laced with a hint of calculation.

Grandpa Leo's smile was approving. "Ah, you're a shrewd one, aren't you? Very well, I'll make you a deal. Marry Xavier, and I'll make sure you're taken care of. You'll have a life of luxury, and you'll never want for anything again."

Sandra's eyes locked onto Grandpa Leo's, her mind racing with the implications. She knew she was taking a risk, but she also knew she had no choice.

"Deal," Sandra said finally, her voice firm.

Grandpa Leo's smile was triumphant, but Sandra's heart was heavy with foreboding. She knew she'd just made a deal with the devil himself.

As soon as the words left her lips, Sandra felt a sense of trepidation wash over her. What had she just gotten herself into?

Grandpa Leo's smile was wide and approving. "Excellent choice, my dear. I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow at noon. We'll finalize the arrangements then."

Sandra nodded, feeling a sense of numbness wash over her. She knew she had to get out of there, and fast.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," Sandra said, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Grandpa Leo nodded, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm looking forward to it."

As Sandra turned to leave, she felt a sense of unease settle in her stomach. She knew she had to tell someone about this, but who?

She pulled out her phone and dialed Rhea's number, hoping her friend would answer.

"Hey, girl," Rhea said, as soon as she picked up. "What's up?"

Sandra took a deep breath, trying to summarize the events of the past hour. "I just got out of a meeting with Grandpa Leo," Sandra said. "He wants me to marry his grandson, Xavier."

Rhea's voice was incredulous. "What? That's insane!"

Sandra nodded, feeling a sense of frustration. "I know, right? But he's not giving me a choice. He says it's a necessity."

Rhea's voice was thoughtful. "I don't trust him, Sandra. There's something fishy going on here."

Sandra nodded, feeling a sense of unease. "I know. I don't trust him either."

As Sandra hung up the phone with Rhea, she felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to get through this, no matter what.

She walked back to her apartment, her mind racing with thoughts of the future. What would her life be like as the wife of Xavier Leo? Would she be able to find happiness in a marriage that was arranged for her?

Sandra didn't have the answers to these questions, but she was determined to find out.

As she walked into her apartment, Sandra was greeted by the familiar sight of her motorcycle, parked in the living room. She loved that bike, loved the freedom that came with riding.

Sandra's thoughts turned to her father, who had taught her how to ride. He had always been her rock, her confidant.

Sandra felt a pang of sadness, missing her father dearly. She wished he was still alive, wished he could offer her some guidance and support.

But he was gone, and Sandra was on her own.

As she stood there, lost in thought, Sandra's phone rang again. This time, it was Akira calling.

"Hey, girl," Akira said, as soon as Sandra answered. "I heard about the meeting with Grandpa Leo. What's going on?"

Sandra sighed, feeling a sense of frustration. "It's a long story," Sandra said. "But basically, he wants me to marry his grandson, Xavier."

Akira's voice was outraged. "That's ridiculous! You can't let him bully you into this."

Sandra nodded, feeling a sense of determination. "I won't," Sandra said. "I'll figure out a way to get out of this, no matter what."

As Sandra hung up the phone with Akira, she felt a sense of resolve wash over her. She was going to get through this, no matter what.

And with that thought, Sandra began to plan her next move.

As Sandra stood in her living room, she felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to get through this, no matter what.

She walked over to her desk and pulled out a piece of paper, beginning to brainstorm ways to get out of the marriage.

But as she wrote, Sandra couldn't shake the feeling that she was in over her head. The Mafia was not something to be trifled with, and she knew that Grandpa Leo would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

Sandra's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She picked it up, seeing that it was Rhea calling again.

"Hey, girl," Rhea said, as soon as Sandra answered. "I've been thinking. We need to come up with a plan to get you out of this marriage."

Sandra smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. "I've already started brainstorming," Sandra said. "But I could use your help."

Rhea's voice was determined. "We'll figure something out, Sandra. We always do."

As Sandra hung up the phone with Rhea, she felt a sense of hope wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she could get out of this marriage after all.

But as she looked around her living room, Sandra's eyes landed on a photo of her father. She felt a pang of sadness, missing him dearly.

Sandra's thoughts turned to her mother, who had always been distant and cold. Sandra knew that her mother would be thrilled about the marriage, and that thought made Sandra's stomach turn.

As she stood there, lost in thought, Sandra's phone rang again. This time, it was an unknown number.

Sandra hesitated for a moment before answering. "Hello?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then a low, gravelly voice spoke up. "Sandra Park, you're a hard woman to find."

Sandra's heart skipped a beat as she wondered who was on the other end of the line.

"Who is this?" Sandra demanded.

The voice chuckled. "Someone who's been watching you, Sandra. Someone who's very interested in your upcoming marriage."

Sandra's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. Who was this person, and what did they want?

As she stood there, frozen in uncertainty, the voice spoke up again. "We'll be talking soon, Sandra. Very soon."

And with that, the line went dead.

Sandra was left standing there, her heart pounding in her chest. Who was that person, and what did they want from her?

Sandra's mind was racing with questions as she tried to process the mysterious phone call. Who was that person, and what did they want from her?

She tried to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach, telling herself that it was probably just a prank call.

But as she walked over to her kitchen to grab a glass of water, Sandra couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

She looked around her apartment, feeling a sense of vulnerability wash over her. Who was watching her, and why?

Sandra's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing again. This time, it was Akira calling.

"Hey, girl," Akira said, as soon as Sandra answered. "I've been thinking. We need to come up with a plan to protect you."

Sandra's eyes narrowed, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. "Protect me from what?" Sandra asked.

Akira's voice was serious. "From whoever is behind that phone call. And from Xavier Leo himself."

Sandra felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought about Xavier Leo. She knew that he was a powerful and ruthless man, and she had no idea what he was capable of.

As she talked to Akira, Sandra felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to get through this, no matter what.

And with that thought, Sandra began to plan her next move.

"I'll be fine, Akira," Sandra said, trying to sound confident. "I can take care of myself."

Akira's voice was skeptical. "Sandra, you're not exactly in a position of power here. You need to be careful."

Sandra nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. "I will, Akira. I promise."

As Sandra hung up the phone with Akira, she felt a sense of resolve wash over her. She was going to get through this, no matter what.

And with that thought, Sandra began to prepare for the unknown.