chapter 16

LYXARIA

'why do I have a feeling that today is not going to go well.' I sat on my bed thinking.

I'm just waking up and I have a feeling that something is going to go wrong.

After my dinner with Leo we had to come back home because he had something very important to attend. I'm just so glad he got rid of that crazy girl before she could run mad.

Since I can't get this feeling away I guess I have to see what is going to happen.

When I was done bathing I decided to style my hair. It's been a long time I styled my hair.

I decided to do a sleek bun with my curly hair.

That's going to be tough. I looked at myself in the vanity mirror when I was done and I could not help but admire myself. Even though my mom left me I'm still glad I got most of her features snd none of my father's own.

Come to think of it. Lyra looks alot like my father snd he married Anna my step mother the same month my mother left and she moved in with Lyra who was 5 years and was already an evil little girl.

So that means that my father had cheated on my mother long before she even ran away. I guess I understand why she ran away but that does not explain why she left me and took my little brother Liam with her.

I was finally done doing my hair and I decided to go downstairs for breakfast.

I thought Leo had already gone to work or something because it was past 9 am but as I approached downstairs I heard voices of two men in the dinning.

I entered into the dinning room and everyone stopped talking to look at me. I stared at stranger who sat beside Leonardo. I can't pinpoint the resemblance between them but I knew it was there.

The man stared at me with distaste written all over his face.

"Good morning" I greeted. I was about to walk to my regular seat which was at the other end of the table facing Leonardo but Agatha quickly pulled the chair that was right beside Leonardo for me to sit down. I knew we were slightly on good terms but that did not mean our sitting arrangements could be changed. I've gotten used to sitting alone since I was not allowed to eat with on the same table with my father and his wife.

I took my seat and rested my hands on my thighs.

"Leo, won't you introduce this young lady to your father?" I heard the man that I was now sitting opposite to say to Leonardo.

"That shouldn't be your concern." I heard him say with a tinge of annoyance in his voice.

The man laughed loudly and stared at me with calculating eyes. It really felt like a bad idea to come downstairs.

I became uncomfortable in my chair due to his intense gaze and shifted in my seat. That's when I felt a large hand relax on my exposed thighs. I suddenly tensed up.

'what was Leonardo doing?' this is the highest physical contact we have ever had.

I really wished I had gone with my earlier choice of a jean trousers and not a short gown that goes up when I sit down.

I tried removing his hands but he only gripped it further tightening his hold. It was far from painful and it actually made me feel giddy.

I glared at him trying to hide the blush on my cheeks but he only smirked at me. His hands continued travelling up and I had to hold myself from squirming when I felt his hands move further into my thighs.

I tried to focus on my meal that had just been served my Agatha when I saw the man still staring at me.

I tried to avoid his gaze and subtly remove Leonardo's hands from my thighs but he refused to bulge.

"Son, you never told me that you have a girlfriend." I heard the man say to Leonardo again.

"Since when did I start reporting to you?" He asked coldly.

"You are meant to get married to Simone not a whore."

I felt his hands grip my thighs harder and this time he was hurting me.

"Who the hell is Simone?" Leonardo asked nonchalantly. His facial expression showed nothing but I knew he was angry because of the way he was gripping my thighs.

I knew there was going to be a mark when he stops.

"Is she not the girl that was given to one of your men as collateral for a land" Leonardo's father pointed at me.

I felt so uncomfortable. The urge to let the ground open up and swallow me. I wished my life was different

"She's the girl I want to marry." Leonardo said.

"That won't happen."

" I never asked for your opinion. Our wedding is this weekend" Leonardo interjected.

" I guess there won't be the ritual virgin stain on your wedding night since she's a fucking whore"

I was suddenly confused.

" What does he mean?"I turned to Leonardo.

He looked at me with a little conviction written in his eyes.

"You haven't told her. That she must be disvirgined on her wedding night in the Mafia but that's impossible since she is a used filthy whore."

The insults jabbed my heart. I couldn't even defend myself even though I knew this was not true. Yes my father had always seen me as a bargaining tool but that does not mean I will stoop so low to agree to his demands. The other times I was able to escape successfully and only came back when my Grandmother told me it was safe to. I was just unlucky this last time. I guess Leonardo was more powerful than the last men.

I kept my head down. I could not even face the embarrassment coming from his father.

No one ever told me what I was getting into. I knew I won't be able to adapt.

Was it so wrong for a girl to have a normal life.

I quickly stood up from my chair not caring about Leonardo's hands on my thighs and I walked out of the room.

I decided to take a walk. I was not sure where I am going to buy I just needed to clear my head.

I'm getting married in less than two weeks to a guy I barely know and now his father hates me.

I guess I can't really escape the reality of my life. I was bound to always be in pain and never be truly happy. Maybe that's why I am always left alone.

I walked out of the huge estate without looking back. The guards wanted to stop me but I guess they received a message and they held back. The moment I stepped out of the gates the tears that I've held in finally fell down.

I quickly grabbed my phone from my pocket toand called Sage.

I really needed someone to pour my heart to. Sage is like a sister I never had. She was there right from when my mother left me up until now. She even offered me a job at her company but I did not want to take it.

We are working on a secret project that can change everything.

Hopefully.

I quickly got into Sage car and her driver drove off. I knew someone was watching me from the window but I really did not care.