Sofia.
I was hesitant when I received Bruno Amato's message to meet him. My dealings with the Amato pack had not been pleasant and I knew that meeting with them could lead to trouble. However, I had no choice. They were holding something over my head and I needed to play along if I wanted to stay alive. After dressing up in a black leather jacket with a white tank top underneath. I paired the top with dark skinny jeans and ankle boots. My long brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun, and I had minimal makeup on except for a bold red lipstick.
The venue where I met Bruno Amato was a dimly lit, secluded bar tucked away in an obscure part of the city. The air was heavy with the scent of cigarette smoke, and the atmosphere was tense with the unspoken threat of danger. The bar was small and cramped, with just a few dingy booths lining the walls, and a scattering of tables and chairs scattered haphazardly throughout the room. The lighting was low, casting everything in shadow, and the only source of illumination came from a handful of flickering candles scattered around the room.
The decor was sparse and uninviting, with peeling wallpaper, stained carpets, and dirty windows that let in only a faint glimmer of light. The furniture was old and battered, with threadbare cushions and sagging springs, and the whole place had the air of neglect and decay. The bar was manned by a surly, grizzled bartender with a permanent scowl etched on his face, who seemed to be nursing a grudge against the world.
Despite its shabby appearance, the bar was surprisingly busy, with a mix of rough-looking patrons huddled together in the booths, nursing drinks and muttering amongst themselves. I felt uneasy as I made my way through the crowd, my eyes darting nervously from side to side, but I knew that I had no choice but to go through with the meeting.
Approaching Bruno, I couldn't help but notice his well-fitted navy blue suit, accentuating his broad shoulders and muscular build. The suit hugged him perfectly, while his crisp white shirt and neatly knotted black tie added to his commanding presence. His polished shoes added an extra touch of sophistication. Despite the casual setting, Bruno's formal attire exuded power and authority. I felt a twinge of intimidation as I wondered if his appearance was intended to send me a message.
Gleaming with satisfaction, Bruno gestured for me to take a seat. Nervously, I obliged, unsure of what he had in store for me.
"You seem nervous, Sofia," he spoke in a low voice. "Are you afraid of me?"
Trying to maintain my composure, I responded, "I'm not afraid of you, Bruno. I simply dislike how you've been treating me."
He laughed at my response, clearly amused. “Oh, I’m not treating you badly, Sofia. I’m just making sure you understand the consequences of your actions.”
"What do you want from me, Bruno?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. Bruno leaned in close to me, his breath hot on my face. "I want to know how you are faring with the job that was assigned to you, is it not high time? Were you expecting to be given a year to get a little dirt on Deangelo or anyone of his pack? So yes, shoot something tangible already! I want graphic details, Sofia.” Bruno said, his tone cold and commanding.
I hesitated, not sure if I should give him the information he wanted. But then I remembered his threats and knew that I had no choice. The sight of him alone made me feel uneasy, and I could not help but feel that he was enjoying my discomfort. He greeted me with a smirk on his face, making it clear that he had the upper hand.
I feel a shiver run down my spine at the intensity of his gaze. “I don’t know if I can do that, Bruno. It feels like a betrayal to Deangelo.”
He scoffed at my words. “Are you even hearing yourself? Oh! So now you want to play the most righteous card? Where was this Deangelo when you were being treated like an animal at the psych hospital? Why did he not come to your rescue then, uh? You’ve already betrayed him, Sofia.”
I tried to back away when I noticed one of his men moving towards me, but he was able to grab me roughly by the arm nonetheless. I winced in pain but tried not to show it. I felt the tight grip on my arm, his fingers digging deep into my skin. He dragged me across the room with ease and another man came up behind me and shoved me forward, causing me to stumble and almost fall to the ground. My heart raced with fear as I realized I was at their mercy.
I tried to move away, but their grip only tightened, and I knew there was no use in struggling. They pushed me forward until I was standing in front of Bruno, who was looking at me with a cold, calculating expression. I felt a chill run down my spine.
“I.. I.. just don’t-”
I was unable to finish speaking, because another one of Bruno's men came up behind me and grabbed me by the shoulders again, pinning my arms behind my back. He twisted them painfully, causing me to wince in pain. Another one stepped in front of me, towering over me and making me feel small and vulnerable. He stared at me with cold, dead eyes that sent shivers down my spine.
I tried to struggle and break free, but the man holding me was too strong. He dragged me closer to Bruno, who was still sitting in his chair with a sinister grin on his face. I could feel his hot breath on my face as he leaned in closer. Suddenly, the man holding me shoved me forward, causing me to stumble and fall to the ground. I hit my knees hard, and a sharp pain shot up my leg. The man grabbed my hair and pulled my head back, exposing my neck.
“Please, Bruno,” I plead. “I’m trying to fix this. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
He leaned in even closer, his eyes dark and menacing. “You don’t get to decide that, Sofia. I do. And if you don’t come up with something useful, I’ll make sure you pay for your mistakes and make Deangelo whom you are trying so hard to impress hate you so much that he would even think of slicing your throat himself.”
I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes as I tried to hold back my fear. “Please, do that, Bruno, don’t let him know of this, that is the bane of my existence. I’ll do whatever you want.”
"Please stop," I begged, my voice trembling with fear. "I'll do whatever you want." I repeated.
But Bruno just laughed and ordered his men to rough me up even more. They kicked me in the ribs and punched me in the stomach, and I felt like I was about to pass out from the pain.
Finally, they released me and I collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. Bruno stood up and looked down at me, a cruel smile on his face.
He smirked triumphantly. “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. Just remember, Sofia, you belong to me now. Now you’re mine, and you’ll do what I say. Do not make me even repeat this ever again!”
I pulled away from his men and stumbled out of the room, feeling numb and distraught. I could not believe I had gotten myself into this situation, and I had no idea how to get out of it.
When I arrived back at the Ferrari residence, I quickly went to Luca's room to find him. I was still feeling agitated and anxious after my encounter with Bruno and his men. I needed to find a way to protect myself and my love.
When I saw Luca, I immediately started threatening him about his secret crush on Elena. I knew it was a low blow, but I felt desperate. I needed to keep him on my side, no matter what. I told him that if he didn't lie to Deangelo about who broke into the study, I would reveal everything about his feelings for Elena.
Luca didn't seem to be intimidated by my threat. He stood his ground and told me that he was going to tell the truth, regardless of the consequences. He also mentioned how he had helped me enough and that I needed to find my own way out of this mess.
Feeling defeated, I knelt down in front of Luca and begged him to reconsider. “You had better just kill me should you tell Deangelo about me snooping around in his room, Luca, because I would be dead anyways.” I said to him.
Luca was taken aback by my words, “you are really very crazy, aren’t you? You should have been patient enough to go through the proper treatment required.” He simply said to me and then he walked away, leaving me alone and desperate once again.
I just knew that I had to come up with a new plan to save myself from the dangerous world of the Amato family.