It has been a month since Steph and I went to the club, and I was finally done with the semester's exams. I still have one more week due to my assigned project, and I'm done with school. I can finally graduate and then start my internship as a doctor.

We were already at the beginning of summer, making the weather so hot, and working as a part-time worker as a waitress in one of the most popular restaurants, V°I°P, didn't make it easy at all. I could feel the sweat gathering under my white shirt; my forehead needed constant wiping, and I was pretty sure my makeup was a mess at this point.

"Normani, tables six and nine, please."

"Coming right up, Mrs Smith," I said as I smiled at her, which she gracefully returned. She is the manager and a very good and kind one, which makes both the workers and the customers love her.

I walked into the kitchen to meet her as she gestured to four plates that were lined up on a stainless steel surface. I managed to balance all four plates on my hands, and I walked over to the kitchen doors and walked backwards.

I set the plates down on the second table and wiped my clumsy palms on the front of my apron. I turned to see Selena, the restaurant receptionist, welcoming and directing a couple in. I smiled when I saw they were regulars. They were given a seat. I grabbed my notepad from my apron pocket and walked up to them with a smile on my face. I flipped the notepad to get their orders.

"Good evening, Mr and Mrs Williams. Welcome to VIP. What can I get you today?" I asked, still with a smile on my face.

"Hi Mani, you look good today," Mrs Williams said, smiling back at me.

"I doubt that, but you, on the other hand, look breath-taking. Any special occasion?" I asked.

"It's our twentieth wedding anniversary," Mr Williams answered, taking his wife's hand in his and placing a soft kiss on the back of her hands as they both smiled at each other lovingly.

"That's wonderful. Congratulations," I said, admiring their love and wishing for a love like theirs.

"Thank you, I will like the steak and chips with your best red wine," Mr Williams ordered.

I jotted it down and turned to look at Mrs Williams for her own order.

"I will have the same as John," she said.

"Okay, coming right up." I went back to the kitchen to place their orders and took a little bit of a break before sending one of the male waiters to deliver their wine.

As exhausting as the job might be, I loved working here. I have been working here for four years, and it has helped me with my tuition and feeding.

"Done," Ashley, one of the kitchen staff, says.

I placed the plates on my hands and carefully walked out.

"Here you go," I say, as I lay the plates down on both sides of the table.

"Thank you," the couple replied simultaneously.

"Don't hesitate to call if you need anything. Have a wonderful night."

I left the couple to their dinner and walked to the empty table with plates on it as I tidied it up. I usually tidies up the tables before I go home.

While doing my chores, I looked around at the people in the restaurant. Some of them were couples, businessmen, and families. A family consisting of a father, mother, and daughter appeared in my sight at the far end of the restaurant, close to the windows. They were laughing happily, ignoring the hotness of the weather.

It was a happy moment, but at the same time, painful for me. My mind drifted back to my family.

I miss them so much.

After I finished with my chores, I went to the locker room to get my things and change out of my uniform into my own comfortable clothes, which consist of a sweatshirt and jeans. I know it's hot, but I feel more comfortable in a sweatshirt and jeans. I took out my phone to check if there were any messages or missed calls and saw five missed calls and one message, all from Steph. I unlocked my phone and checked the message. Due to the exams, we haven't hung out properly.

Besties: Heyy Mani, I'm planning on going to Club Violenta with a couple of friends. Are you interested?.

Me: Not really. I'm tired and would like to get some sleep. Maybe next time.

Besties: Okay, I will probably be gone before you get back.

Me: Okay, have fun, but not too much fun.

Besties: Can't make any promises?.

I locked my phone before placing it in my bag, not wanting to forget it.

I said goodbye to my co-workers and Mrs Smith before walking out of the restaurant.

It was not unusual for me to go home at this hour, and I wasn't scared. I didn't bring my car because it wasn't far from my apartment, and I liked the night walk. It was not that dark as I walked towards the direction of my apartment, praying not to encounter any perverts.

I was almost close to my apartment when I felt these feelings again. It felt like someone was watching me, and it had been going on for a month. I told myself that I was just being paranoid, but I just couldn't help it. I looked behind me, but there was no one there. Someone was following me, but I just couldn't see the person. He didn't hurt me; he just watched without doing anything. But still, I always make sure to quicken my steps .

Safety first, right? Just because he isn't doing anything doesn't mean he isn't dangerous.

I continued walking again, faster than before, and still couldn't shake out the feeling. I sighed when I saw my apartment across the street.

Before I could cross over, I left a presence behind me. I turned around and found myself crashing into a brick.

No... no. Not a brick, but a man.

"Hello Bella, I think I have waited long enough," he says, looking down on me. I don't get a chance to reply before I feel the prick of a needle against my skin, and just like that, I was out like a light.

His eyes were the last thing I saw.

I woke up with a ray of sunshine seeping through the window curtains. I stared at the light. Lying on my stomach, I recall the horror of last night. Thankfully, I felt nauseated but not enough for me to vomit.

I looked around my surroundings, and everything felt quiet and calm. I managed to get up from bed. I turned my eyes to the door without wasting any more time. I ran towards the door, fearing it might be locked, but let out a quick sigh when I noticed it was open. I gently opened the door, trying not to make any sound, and looked at the empty hallway before getting out of the room and cautiously descending the stairs.

The view of the house is magnificent and very luxurious, which made me wonder who the owner is.

My eyes went straight to the main door, and I gave a quick thank you to the man up there. Then I walked towards the entrance, but before I could get to the door, I heard a voice behind me.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

I slowly turned back around like a deer caught in the light and was met with dark brown eyes and curly dark hair. He was attractive.

"Sin won't like the fact that you tried to escape," he said again, empathising more with Sin, who I'm guessing is the guy who kidnapped me.

"I'm Luca, and as much as I would love to know you more, you need to step away from the door."

"Where is he ?" I wanted to meet my so-called kidnapper so that I could ask why I was here.

"He went out to handle some things. I suggest you go back to your room. I won't want you to face the wrath of Sin," he said, as various emotions flashed through his face. I don't know if it was fear, worry, or pity, but the fact that he was scared of this Sin guy makes me wonder how terrifying he was.

I moved away from the door, climbing the stairs back to my room with Luca behind me.

"I will bring something for you to eat," he said as I stepped into the room.

Luca came back with a tray filled with a plate of bread and scrambled eggs, along with a glass of orange juice, which I ate and drank with no struggle. I needed the energy to escape later. After I was done eating, he took the tray, but the sound of a click caught my attention. I stood up from the bed and went to the door, trying to get it open, but it was locked.

Great! I'm trapped inside the room.

There goes my plan to escape, but I wasn't planning on giving up now. My mind drifted off to Steph. She must really be worried out of her mind now. What if I don't succeed in escaping? What would become of me? I paced around the room for a long time, crying in fear and anger, before my eyes turned heavy and my body felt tired as I fell into a dreamless sleep.

I was awoken due to the cold tingling sensation on my face. I kept my eyes closed, trying to wash away the feeling, but it only intensified. I opened my eyes only to let out a shriek.

A shiver runs down my spine when I look into his black orb. I recognised him quickly as the same man I saw a month ago at the club. His face was just an inch away from mine, and when I tried to move, his hands held my side, making it impossible. He was smiling in a dark and evil way, making me very uncomfortable.

Was this the kind of smile he gave his victims before he slaughtered them?

A few seconds passed before he finally sat up, giving me a little bit of space. I was too scared to move. His huge form was so intimidating that it made it hard for me to look into his eyes. But he had no problem staring at me as his eyes roamed over my body, watching my every move.

"Normani Parker, hm. Normani, Mani, Ani," he chanted with amusement laced in his voice. I was surprised he knew my name but said nothing as he looked at the wall behind him.

"Do you know why you're here, Mani?" he asked, his voice calm but dangerous.

"No, just let me go," I said in a soft yet hopeful voice.

"You were so fucking sexy that night; did you know that?" He said roughly, and I felt the colour drain from my face.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his eyes were dilated. I immediately moved back till my head hit the bed board, and he moved with me.

His face came close to my right ear, and I tried not to tremble, but it was hard. His warm breath fanned my skin.

"What...what do you want from me? Why did you kidnap me?" I whispered, shakenly, trying to hold back a sob.

"Because I want you, little temptress," he replied casually, as if he were talking about the weather.

"Why me? You can have anybody you want. "Just let me go," I begged.

"I don't want anyone else. You are mine," he said calmly but coldly.

I shut my eyes, and my body started shaking uncontrollably. One strong arm held my waist, drawing me closer to him, and his other hand rested beside my head on the bed board, making my eyes snap open. I tried wiggling to get out of his strong hold. His face dipped into my neck region without any warning.

His cologne hit my nostrils as his nose started brushing against my skin. I placed my hand on his chest, which made him stiffen and tighten his hold on my waist. I felt his abs flexing, his skin hot under my hand as I pushed him with all my strength, trying to create space between us, but he didn't budge.

He started drawing patterns with his nose on my bare skin, which sent tingling down my body, and I felt mad at myself for feeling such excitement.

I was saved by the sound of a phone ringing, and I am grateful to whoever called him inwardly.

"Che cosa!" he barked, angry at the person on the other side of the phone.

"Sto arrivando, non puoi nemmeno fare niente di giusto, idiota." He ended the call. "I have to go now, little temptress, but I will be back." He placed a kiss on my cheek and stood up to walk out of the room. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as uncontrollable tears fell down my eyes.

++*+*

Translations

Che cosa (what)

Sto arrivando, non puoi nemmeno fare niente di giusto, idiota-- (I'm coming, you can't even do anything right, idiot.)

SIN POV.

"PL...please, have mercy."

What an arsehole.

If he thought his pitiful plea was going to make me spare his pitiful life, he was so fucking wrong. He had already messed up when he tried stealing money from me and passing information to my enemies. I am the fucking boss of the Italian Mafia. Even when people hear my name, it sends a shiver down their spine. They would piss their fucking pants just by the sound of my name.

Nikolai Violante.

But I prefer being called Sin.

People were scared of me, and they were right to feel that way. Only an idiot would dare to challenge and mess with me.

"Please, ha...have mercy," the man in front of me begged again, as if that was going to change my mind.

"Then you should never have betrayed the boss in the first place." Jason, one of my men, shouted out at him before kicking him hard in the stomach. He groaned in pain, coughing out blood.

Such a fucked-up attitude.

As one of us, he should have known that there was no way for him to escape these. My man is as brutal and cruel as me. The monster

I squatted in front of him. He was still lying on the floor holding his aching stomach. I must say, my man got him good, but he whined like a girl. What a sissy. I grabbed his hair, forcing him to look at me. He was practically in a mess. His face was covered in his own blood, and his eyes were black. very disgusting.

"Santiago!" His body flinched, trembling at my voice. If he was so scared of me, he should have thought twice before betraying me. "You understand the consequences of stealing and betraying me, don't you?" I asked, my voice calm but terrifying, scaring the shit out of him.

"Answer me," I growled, making him wince.

"Y-yes, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I swear. " He replied, trembling.

I sighed. Just how many times have I heard these statements from him in just one night? This guy really knew how to get on my nerves.

I grabbed his hair tighter, bringing his face towards mine. "I don't show mercy, and you knew that when you swore an oath to join this agreement," I said, and he mildly shook his head. I smirked and turned my head towards Luca, my second in command, as if he understood what I wanted. He nodded and brought out something from his trouser pocket, then placed it on my palm.

A gun.

Santiago immediately tried to get out of my grip but failed miserably. I moved the gun and directed it at his forehead. I could feel his face turning white and his eyes widening as he cried profusely.

I gave you so many chances to come clean, I suppose, and you fucking blew it. You had the guts to challenge me. You thought you could escape from me, trying to mess around with me, knowing full well the kind of beast I am." I spat angrily at him.

"Please, p-please, Sin. I beg you. Please don't. " I stood up with the gun still directed at him.

I was tired of this game.

I want to end his life.

The monster inside me was asking to be released. I gave in to the urge to spill his blood, to blow his brain out and dance in his blood. I clicked off the safety of the gun and shot him three times, in his chest, stomach and forehead. I handed the gun back to Luca.

"Sbarazzati del corpo!" I ordered my men.

"You seem to be a little tense. Why don't we go to one of your clubs and blow off some steam?" Luca said. He was the only one who got to talk to me that way, and he knows when not to cross the line. We've been best friends since we were little, and I trust him with my life .

We both walked out of the warehouse to the car. Luca took the driver's seat, and I sat beside him as we drove to one of my hotels. I didn't really feel like going, but I could really use some distraction right now.

Luca went to get us some drinks as I walked towards the VIP section and sat at one of the seats when one of the whores I fucked, Tasha or Sandra – I couldn't care less – clutched onto my arm, trying to get me to fuck her.

Luca said, handing me a drink in a glass. "Whisky for you, Sin; I know how badly you need it.

"Ho cos tanta voglia di piantare un proiettile in testa a questa troia."

Luca let out a laugh. "Calmati Sin, ci sono molti testimoni." I rose from my seat and looked down at the people dancing and having a good time. I took a sip of my drink. My eyes scanned every face on the dance floor until they landed on one particular blond hair in a tight black dress, dancing teasingly, catching the eyes of every male in the club. I wanted so desperately to see what she looked like, and I got my wish when she turned towards my direction, shaking that sexy body of hers.

My breath seized as I took in her beauty, and I must say, she looked fucking divine.

She turned around like she was looking for something until her eyes met mine, and we stared at each other in a trance, but it was broken when a girl, whom I'm guessing is her friend, tapped her on the shoulder. They both went back to the bar.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. It's like I felt some kind of pull I could not explain. She turned around to look at me, saying something to her friend as they both stood up and walked towards the exit of the club.

I still couldn't take my eyes off her as I wished for her to look at me one last time, and she did. A smirk grazed my face, and I raised my glass in a cheer. Mine.

My little temptress.

++*+*

Translation

Sbarazzati del corpo (Get rid of the body)

Ho cos tanta voglia di piantare un proiettile in testa a questa troia. (I so badly want to put a bullet in this slut's head.)

Calmati Sin, ci sono molti testimoni qui – (calm down Sin, there are plenty of witnesses).