Chapter 279:

Two Weeks Later

Julie’s POV

I was sitting in a secluded corner of that quiet, elegant restaurant perched above the club, toyed with my silver spoon in a delicious piece of dessert that I had barely tasted. My gaze wandered through the large glass windows revealing the bustling city streets. In those moments, my mind traveled to my brother, Steve. Facing him had been difficult, but I finally gathered my courage and told him that I had completely backed out of the escape plan we had devised. He didn’t take it easily; he shouted at me out of fear for my safety, but I explained to him with a sincerity stemming from the depths of my heart that I love Robert and that Robert loves me back with a madness and that my life without him has become a series of black holes I cannot survive.

For the past two weeks, I felt like a lost child who had finally found her way in a forest of rosy dreams. Everything around me breathed a beauty and calm I hadn’t known; I slept every night safe in his strong arms, listening to his heartbeats which had become my favorite music.

He even surprised me last week by taking me on a charming romantic date, away from the noise of work and the Mafia a date that made me feel like a queen crowned on the throne of his heart. I was drowning in the well of those beautiful memories until I spotted Robert’s familiar black car gliding to a slow stop in front of the building’s entrance.

I couldn’t wait for a single second. I stood up quickly, joy dancing within me like a butterfly finding its light. I left the restaurant with near-running steps and found him stepping out of the car with his usual aura of authority. I stood directly in front of him, my chest heaving, trying with all my might to restrain the urge to throw myself into his arms and wrap my hands around his neck in front of the passersby and guards. I raised an eyebrow slightly and said in a tone of tender reproach mixed with longing: "Robert... you’re finally here! You’ve been away from me all day; it felt like the hours passed like years."

He exhaled a heavy sigh, running his tired palm over his exhausted face while casting a tender look at me: "I was buried in company paperwork and meetings, Julie... I told you before I left this morning that I had many appointments that couldn’t be postponed."

A dreamy smile etched onto my face, and I took an extra step closer to him: "I know that well, and I know you work hard... but I just missed you. I missed having you by my side."

His gaze fixed deep into mine with an intensity that made my heart pound, then he leaned in slightly and whispered in a low, eager voice: "Me too... I missed you more than you can imagine."

I clung to his strong arm, walking beside him while swaying playfully: "I want to go out today. I want to breathe some fresh air away from these walls."

He stopped in his tracks and sighed helplessly, then said seriously: "I have a lot of work tonight at the club, Julie. I can’t let things run themselves right now."

I pursed my lips in a feigned childish pout and turned my face away from him: "Then... I’ll go out alone. I won’t stay a prisoner here waiting for you to be free."

His eyebrows furrowed immediately, and the "Mafia King"’s sternness appeared on his features as he said firmly: "No, that is absolutely out of the question... the situation outside is still dangerous. Have you forgotten so quickly that you were kidnapped before? I won’t allow that to happen again."

I huffed in frustration, feeling the chains returning to stifle me: "Yes, I remember that nightmare well... but I’m tired of staying here."

Robert leaned toward my ear, his warm breath fanning my skin, and whispered in a mysterious, provocative tone: "Endure it a little longer... for tomorrow, I have a big surprise prepared specifically for you."

My eyes widened with shock and a lethal curiosity. I asked him while gripping the collar of his shirt: "A surprise? What is it? Tell me now, please!"

A mysterious smile appeared on his lips, and he shook his head: "If I told you, it would lose its meaning... it’s called a surprise for a reason, isn’t it?"

I said with a lovable grumble, shrugging my shoulders: "You know my patience runs out quickly! I can’t wait until tomorrow!"

He replied decisively, pulling away slightly while holding my hand to lead me inside: "You will be patient... now, let’s go."

We entered the restaurant, and I followed him with light steps as if walking on clouds. We began descending together via the marble staircase leading down to the secret club entrance.

He watched my movements with interest, then said teasingly: "I’ve noticed that since I gave you the passcode for the secret door, you spend all your time going up and down to this restaurant."

I stopped walking and looked around seriously, then fixed my eyes on him and said in a sincere tone: "Do you really think about keeping me a prisoner within the walls of this club forever? I want to go out into life, Robert... I want us to leave this place and live together in a real house, a house just for us."

Robert surprised me with a short, warm, masculine laugh and nodded in agreement: "Alright, Julie... I’ll think about it seriously, I promise."

I asked him while adjusting the strands of hair that the breeze had scattered over my face: "Are you going to your room now to rest for a bit?"

He winked with a cunning that stirred my agitation and leaned in to whisper with a lovable boldness: "Why the question? Are you hinting that you want me to fuck you now?"

I felt a sudden heat invade my cheeks, turning them a deep crimson. I tapped his shoulder lightly and playfully, then said with an embarrassment I tried to hide: "Stop that crude talk! I didn’t mean that at all!"

Robert sighed deeply, raising his hand to loosen his tie which seemed to be choking him after a long day of work. His features shifted with an exhaustion he couldn’t hide as he muttered: "I need to shower immediately and change these clothes... some important clients are arriving at the club tonight, and I have to be there to receive them."

My heart sank slightly, and I painted a small pout on my face, asking in a disappointed tone: "Ugh... so you’re busy as usual... you won’t spend the evening with me?"

He nodded his head, heading with heavy steps toward the bathroom, tossing his last word before disappearing behind the door: "Yes, unfortunately... work doesn’t wait, Julie."

I began backing toward the door with quiet steps, saying loudly enough for him to hear: "Fine, no problem... I’ll go to my room now. Maybe I’ll find a companion in the pages of a new book."

He stopped suddenly halfway and turned to me as if a thought had just occurred to him. His eyes gleamed with a special spark as he said: "Wait... I almost forgot the most important thing."

I froze in my place, my head tilting with childish curiosity: "What is it? Did something happen?"

His face broke into a proud smile, a rare sight on his stern face, and he said in a confident tone: "The results arrived today... Congratulations, you passed the test with flying colors."

My eyes widened in thunderous shock. I felt my heart leap with joy in my chest and exclaimed in disbelief: "Really? Are you telling the truth? Did I actually pass?"

He nodded calmly, watching my overwhelming joy: "Yes, you proved you’re smart enough... Congratulations, little one."

I couldn’t control myself; I rushed toward him and threw myself into his arms with a force that almost made both of us lose our balance. I buried my face in his chest, saying eagerly: "Oh my God! I was so nervous; I was afraid I’d let you down or fail that cursed test!"

He patted my back with his large palm with a tenderness that sent a shiver through my body, whispering in a resonant voice: "I knew from the beginning you’d pass... I never doubted your abilities for a moment."

I pulled away from him, wearing a wide grin that reached from ear to ear, and told him joyfully: "Alright, I’ll leave you to get ready now... go on!"

He winked with a cunning, playful tone that made my face burn with embarrassment: "Alright, I’ll go... but I want you to come to my suite tonight after work. Don’t be late."

I raised an eyebrow mischievously, trying to evade his piercing gaze: "Ugh... I’ll think about it. Maybe I’ll sleep early today because I’m exhausted."

He burst out laughing with a masculine sound that rang through the room, saying in a confident tone: "You little troublemaker... stop acting. I know perfectly well that you want me as much as I want you."

I laughed loudly as I pushed myself toward the room: "Go shower and stop talking!"

I entered my room with a heart full of happiness. I threw myself onto the plush bed, pulled a book from the side table, and began drowning in its lines. It wasn’t long before my peace was shattered; the door burst open with a violence that made me jump. Olivia entered with angry steps, her features dripping with evil and hatred. She said in a voice as sharp as a blade: "Wild sow... finally, I found you alone in your burrow."

I sighed with intense frustration, setting the book aside while trying to maintain my composure: "What do you want now, Olivia? Don’t you get tired of stalking me everywhere?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

She advanced toward me with threatening steps, her eyes gleaming with a sadistic spark: "I am at the peak of my anger right now, and I feel an overwhelming desire to shatter this beautiful face... I want to hit you a little to discharge my hatred into you."

I closed the book firmly and stood up to face her, my posture strong: "Olivia, listen to me carefully... I am no longer the old, weak Julie you could hit whenever you pleased. Things have changed."

She didn’t respond with words; instead, she pulled a small, sharp knife from her dress pocket. Its blade gleamed under the lamp light in a terrifying way. She said as she toyed with its edge with her fingers: "I want to play with you a little... let’s see how much your delicate skin can endure the touches of this knife."

My body instinctively retreated toward the edge of the bed. I felt a coldness seep into my limbs and said in a voice that began to tremble despite myself: "Olivia, what is wrong with you? Have you completely lost your mind? What do you think you’re doing?"

She drew closer, her eyes burning with a deep-seated grudge: "Yes, I’ve gone mad, and the reason is you! Because you refuse to stay away from Robert, and because I’m tired of waiting... tired of waiting for the day he gets bored of you and sells you to the first buyer."

I tried to maintain my remaining calm and said with feigned strength: "Robert will never sell me. He loves me and I love him... accept this bitter reality, Olivia, and leave me alone."

She snarled cruelly, waving the knife: "He will... trust me, he will sell you just as he sold others before."

I said with a clear threat: "Aren’t you afraid of his reaction? Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Robert everything you’re trying to do now? He will crush you without mercy."

She burst into a disgusting, mocking laugh and said: "Go on, tell him... and I, in return, will tell him an interesting story about little Max... I’ll tell him that he is head over heels in love with you."

My body went rigid, and shock paralyzed my thinking: "What nonsense are you talking about? Max is my only friend here!"

She continued drawing closer, her voice dripping with venom: "I’ll tell him that Max doesn’t take his eyes off you, and that I’ve seen him in suspicious moments staring at the details of your body in fact, I’ll swear that I saw him hugging you and touching your hair with clear desire."

I shouted sharply: "Stop weaving these disgusting lies! Max loves me like a sister, and I love him like a brother, nothing more!"

A sinister smile appeared on her face as she said coldly: "I’ll go further than that... I’ll tell Robert that Max tried to kiss you in the hallway, and that he confessed his great love to you."

I let out a muffled scream at her face: "This is all pure lies! You’re making up stories from your sick imagination!"

She said with a threat dripping with evil: "If I say this to Robert in my confident tone, he will believe me immediately, Julie... and you know very well how Robert’s madness and possessiveness are. Can you imagine what he will do to your little friend? He will tear him to pieces, and no one will ever find his body."

I felt a real terror seep into my veins like cold poison; I know Robert’s lethal jealousy. He only accepted Max’s presence because I had difficulty convincing him of our innocent relationship. If Olivia planted these poisonous doubts in his head, it would be the end of Max in seconds. I said in a broken, weak tone: "Fine, Olivia... calm down. I won’t tell him anything... just keep that cursed knife away from me."

But she didn’t retreat. Instead, she drew closer, extending the knife toward my face. I leaped onto the bed in indescribable terror and ran toward the door like a madwoman. I opened it and started running through the hallways, heading toward the upper floor, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest from fear. I found no safe place except Robert’s office; I entered quickly before she could spot me, but I found it empty.

With desperate speed, I ran toward the massive wooden desk and crawled under it, curling up into a ball.

I was trembling like a bird in a stormy night, placing my hand over my mouth to stifle my ragged breaths so no sound would escape. I knew exactly how bad Olivia was, and her capacity to hurt me physically and psychologically without blinking an eye.

Suddenly, I heard the door open with a terrifying quietness... then came the sound of Olivia’s sharp high heels hitting the wooden floor, approaching with a measured slowness toward the desk. She said in a mocking tone dripping with threat: "Julie... you little mouse... do you really think you can hide from me here?"