Bound by Betrayal (The Mafia King Captive Bride)

My head was buzzing as I took in the sight of Mason standing in front of me. His shoulders were hunched, his hands crammed in his pants pocket. His hair looked crazy like he hadn’t been taking care of it for a long time. It reminded me of how I always comb and style it whenever we go out. As the memories rushed back, I instantly shut my eyes, fighting back the feelings. When I reopened my eyes, they slowly trailed speechlessly down his neat clothes-a pair of blue jeans and a plain white shirt with a canvas.

He looks absolutely amazing, just like always. I was still in shock, and I went completely slack, causing my phone to clatter to the floor. “Miss…” the boutique owner suddenly muttered, though she was kind enough to catch the phone before it hit the ground.

“Here, your phone… Miss,” the woman muttered, looking confused. Reaching my trembling hands forward, I quickly snatched it before turning back and rushing back to the dressing room. “Ash……” I heard my name followed by manly footsteps.

“Wait, Ashley,” I didn’t wait for him to say another thing before I locked the door in haste, holding my racing heart. I leaned my back against the door as I slowly slid down.

“Ash….

“Sorry, sir, but you just can’t go inside,” I heard the boutique proprietor say. “Why… I mean, I need to talk to her?” My body trembled at Mason’s voice.

What’s going on with me? I can still feel it… Do I still love him? It’s always been him, he was my fiancé!! A lone tear secretly rolled down my cheek.

“According to the rules of this boutique, I don’t know you, dear, so you need to leave.” the woman maintains.

“Excuse me,”

“She came here with her husband, I can’t leave my client in the hands of a stranger. Besides, I believe you know the husband,” she finishes, and I hear Mason let out a sigh.

I stayed put, not saying anything. The scene that I witnessed when I came to visit him on that day in his house after the incident at the hotel replayed back in my head – him and Olivia. “He messed up,” my subconscious snapped, but I just shook my head. I think I wronged him… I wronged him! And I just can’t stand him out there. I don’t think I’m ready yet.

As I stood there, my mind was filled with conflicting emotions. Part of me wanted to confront him, to demand answers on why of all the girls in this world it was Olivia that he chose. But another part of me hesitated, unsure if I was truly ready to face the truth. It was a difficult decision to make. The memories of our relationship played like a movie reel in my mind, reminding me of the love we once shared. But alongside those memories, fear and regret crept in. What could have been my fate now assuming I didn’t sneak out with that betrayal of a friend…. I will be happy now, right? I won’t be trapped in this depressing situation, right? These thoughts swirled around, leaving me feeling torn and uncertain.

****

A few minutes passed and I was still plunged on the floor, sighing as I stood up. I know that he might have gone by now… I couldn’t help but wonder what he came to pick up from this boutique. Was it his or for Olivia? They seemed all lovey-dovey at the party that day. Maybe they are dating now….. I smiled, sadly swallowing the sudden lump in my throat.

KNOCK. KNOCK

A faint knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, computing myself. I answered, “Yes,” from the closed door, “You have stayed too long there, miss and your guard is here,” the boutique proprietor said.

“Guard…” I mumbled before opening the door. I had already changed back into my former clothes. “Please let me pack it,” she said, taking the clothes from me before walking away to put them in a shopping bag.

“Please, miss, the boss demands for your presence in his car,” a hefty man walked up to me. Following my gaze, his eyes stopped at the clothes the woman was packing inside the shopping bag on the counter. “Please, to the car, I will get the clothes,” he said, earning a nod from me. I thanked the boutique proprietor once again for her help and bid her farewell.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I quickly glanced around the boutique, hoping to catch a glimpse of Mason, but he was nowhere to be found. Feeling a bit uneasy, I gulped hard and walked out of the boutique towards the waiting car. The guard opened the door, and I stepped inside.

But to my surprise, Damien was already seated in the car, holding a bouquet of rose flowers in his hands. I couldn’t help but look at the flowers and then back at him. When suddenly his cold voice pierced the silence, sending shivers down my spine. “What took you so long?” he asked, his voice filled with an icy tone.

I felt a mix of fear and confusion wash over me as I secretly stared at him. He was leaning his head against the car seat with his eyes closed. I watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down though I couldn’t deny that his sudden question caught me off guard. I hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words to respond. “I… I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I didn’t realize you were waiting. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”

“I… I was just checking out the clothes,” I lied, my words stumbling out of my mouth. I could feel my heart racing as he slowly glanced at me, his eyes filled with doubt and a smirk playing on his lips. As he looked away, the smile vanished, replaced by a ruthless expression. “I really don’t like being lied to, but I’ll let it slide… for now.” My heart pounded nervously, and the driver’s expression mirrored the tension in the air.

However, a silence stretched in the car before he suddenly cleared his throat. “Send a treaty partnership collaboration to GadgetGeeks company. They’re right up there in the world’s best electrical gadget manufacturing chart, just behind Powertech. We need to partner with them. And again before I forget, it’s important to let them know that I am now the sole owner of Powertech so that the signing and everything will go faster,” he said, finishing with a deadly smirk. Then, he muttered, “Alexander…..!!!” repeatedly in a muffled sing-song tone before clenching his teeth in anger.

“But… I don’t know how to reach them,” I said, nervously fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. He glared at me sharply and hissed, “You’re so dumb. I’m sure Michael told you what to do.” I sighed and nodded, feeling the tension in the car.

“Be quick!” he shrieked at the driver, who jolted nervously in his seat. “Yes, boss,” the driver replied with a nod. As the car started moving, I swallowed hard and tilted my head, staring out of the window. Mason’s sudden appearance flooded my thoughts again. My eyes grew dull as the driver picked up speed. Everything in my life now feels gloomy and depressing. This isn’t the life I imagined for myself, but fate seems to have led me to this dark place…… to the furthest end of the depressing part of the world.

I might have been a fan of Damien Albrecht, but the man sitting beside me was not the person I had idolized. The man that I have been stalking all over the internet. He was someone else in reality – a poisonous monster! And even though I owed you, Mason, I wasn’t sure I could trust you either. Sighing, I wiped the lone tear trailing down my face, I felt like I was caught between two impossible choices, and I didn’t know what to do.