Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
“I’m not -“
“Please!” Rhea cut her off, coming to grab her hand, “You have to help me out,”
“I’m sorry,” the lady snatched back her hand, running off before Rhea could even stop her.
“Seriously,” Rhea cursed with a great sigh. What was she going to do? Committing suicide was now out of the question – she didn’t want to die anymore. Why should she give up on her life that easily? There are so many people in the hospital wishing for the free air she’s breathing. Life was precious!
Perhaps, she was making a huge deal out of nothing. Lukas made it clear that this was a trap for Elijah. Perhaps, this was going to be an exchange like she sees in the movies; her life for the weapons.
Who knows Elijah must be somewhere ready with Marvel’s weapon and waiting for her arrival.
She peeped into the bag, the clothes were fine. Lukas must be dressing her up to hand her over to Elijah. That must be the reason why, Rhea held on to that hope.
With no other choice left, she went into the bathroom where she freshened up and put on the flowered blouse and pants Lukas got her. She put her hair in a ponytail, Rhea needed her hair out of the way if the exchange calls for a fight.
Now she thought about it, would the exchange even go successfully. What if Lukas goes back on his promise of giving her to Elijah after he returns the weapon. She knew Elijah, he was a just and honorable mercenary, unlike the sly Lukas.
No, she had to think positively; everything would go well.
It had to go well.
Steaming hot breakfast was waiting for Rhea when she made it out of the bathroom.
“Enjoy your meal,” A different staff member said to her and left before Rhea could even understand what was going on. Why was everyone avoiding her? They couldn’t even look her in the eyes.
It was highly suspicious.
Was something in her face? Rhea even checked her forehead just to be sure.
Although the nerves were beginning to wear on her, she had not eaten since last night so her appetite was stirred. Aside from that, Rhea had to be ready for action if things go wrong during the exchange – and that can’t happen on an empty stomach. What if she faints from dizziness?
Hence she dug into the meal and ate everything without a single remainder. She didn’t even realize she had a huge appetite until now.
Done, Rhea lay back down on her bed to rest. She had eaten so much that she couldn’t even stand. Gosh, her stomach was full.
Staring at the ceiling, Rhea tried not to think about the journey ahead because she was honestly scared. What if her thoughts of Lukas giving her to Elijah in exchange for his guns was wrong and Lukas was selling her off instead – just like her family did.
No, Rhea refused to think about that scenario. She had been shielded in Lukas’s mansion for so long that she had forgotten about Big Joe and his crew. Were they still searching for her or had they given up already?
…..
She had no choice but to push the matter to the back of her mind. At a moment like this, she had to have faith. Rhea wanted to believe that there was more to Lukas than he shows and the gentle side he revealed to her last night does really exist because…. she was tired of trusting people anymore.
Rhea really hoped that Lukas was different – she was putting the last of her hope on him. This was the last time she was going to believe in humanity.
It was a long time before the staff came into the room to clear the utensils and with her, came two guards as well. Rhea’s stomach clenched, this was it.
“You have to come with us, Miss,” One of them said and she stood up without protest.
But her sight was active, searching for a trace of Lukas. If the exchange was truly going to hold today, Lukas would be present. So where was he?
Rhea didn’t find Lukas even when they passed the living room, so she surmised he was waiting for her in one of the rooms downstairs. However, when they headed in the direction of the foyer, that was when she knew something was off.
“Where is Lukas?” She asked, stopping abruptly on the last flights of stairs.
“Move it,” The other guard gruffed, applying pressure on her back which was a signal for her to continue moving but Rhea stood her ground.
“I need to see Lukas!” Her voice was firm and she tried to push past them but they blocked her path with their burly and intimidating bodies. They didn’t even budge.
“It was Lukas’s order to get you downstairs,” said the first man that seemed a lot nicer than his other partner.
“Is that so? Where is Lukas then? Is he downstairs? I bet not. Let me see him now!” Rhea shouted at them. This was so frustrating! Why wouldn’t they let her see Lukas?
“I need to see Lukas! He needs to make that order in front of me?!” She said.
“Really?” The other guard snorted, “Who do you think you are?” He nudged her on the chest and his partner stood in the way with a warning,
“Stop it, Samuel,”
“Why should I?” The man named Samuel asked, full of disbelief.
He went on, “Who does she think she is? Just because she shared the boss’ bed, she now thinks she’s special? After what happened last night, we should be putting a bullet in her head!”
Tears stung Rhea’s eyes and she had never been embarrassed in her entire life. They all think she was a slut. Still, her ears couldn’t help but pick up on the information the man dropped.
She asked, “What happened last night? Did something happen?”
But the men turned in her direction immediately with a look that made her gulp. It almost seemed like she wasn’t supposed to know about that.
“It’s time to go,” the kind one said with no smile.
“No,” Rhea shook her head vigorously, “I need to speak with Lukas even if for a minute!”
Without warning, the second guard named Samuel scooped Rhea and threw her over his shoulder as if she weighed nothing.
“No! Let me down! I need to see Lukas! Get me, Lukas, this instant! I want to see that asshole!” She was screaming, beating Samuel on the back yet it didn’t hurt him one bit.
They didn’t slow down until they reached the luxurious foyer where they dropped her on the ground and Rhea was sincerely hurt by the gesture.
After the dance last night, she thought they were good. But then she must be a fool to think she could buy over their loyalty from Lukas with just a dance.
Angered, she stood up only to notice that they acknowledged someone’s presence. Thinking that it was Lukas, Rhea turned around with great speed only to suffer the shock of her life.
Blood drained entirely from her face and it seemed like Rhea would faint very soon as she came face to face with Kenith.
Her heart skipped a beat and it began to pound so hard she thought it would leap out of her chest.
“Y-you!” A startled gasp left her mouth.