Labyrinth of Desire

8 - Intimidated

Angelina's POV

When I wake up, I'm engulfed in a comfortable bed surrounded by huge, fluffy pillows, and a thick duvet.

My head is killing me, so I sit up and look around. I'm in a massive bedroom, probably the same size as the apartment I had been staying in for the past few months.

It has massive cupboards lined along the wall and a vanity at the far end of the room, where a closed door stands next to it. There's a chest of drawers next to the wall and a set of ceiling-to-floor block-out curtains.

When I look to my right, I see a glass of water, two pills, and a note placed on the nightstand. My arm is wrapped in a white bandage, and I'm wearing a large black t-shirt. Suddenly, all the memories from last night come flooding back into my mind. The club, the man that shot me, my brothers, sleeping on Leonardo Rossi's shoulder. Shit, how did I even land up here?

I reach over to my right and pick up the note.

"Dear Angelina,

I hope you slept well; I left a glass of water and 2 painkillers next to the note on the nightstand for you to take for the pain. I had one of the maids change you and wipe your makeup off last night. The boys and I were out till about 7 pm today, but Leo is home; if you need anything, just ask him. His main office is on the third floor to your right and down the hall. We will fill you in on everything when we get back. There is a set of clothing in the bathroom along with all the things you need to freshen up. Your phone is on the vanity.

I'll see you later bug.

Love Aless."

I'm surprised that he remembered my nickname from when we were younger. When I was seven, I was running around the garden laughing and screaming while being chased by Julio; the rest of my family busied themselves on the balcony and around the pool, and then I caught a bug in my mouth and accidentally swallowed it.

From that day on, I earned myself the name bug; it was an embarrassing inside joke but it stuck.

I get out of bed and head for the vanity where my phone is and pick it up. I check the time to see that it's already 1 p.m.

Once I set my phone down, I go into the bathroom. It's a massive space with a freestanding bathtub and a massive shower that could probably fit ten people in it.

There's a huge basin sitting on a counter that's held up by a double cabinet.

There's a set of clothes, bath products, and a toothbrush neatly placed on the counter.

I lock the bathroom door and heat the water in the shower.

I undress my wound and take off my clothes, then I get in. 30 minutes later, I wrap a towel around myself and change into a very large t-shirt and plaid pants.

When I get out of the bathroom, I put my shoes on and leave the room. I walk down the grand hallway to the stairs and head for the first floor.

I see an old-looking man walking in my direction, and I stop him.

"Hello, would you mind showing me where I can find Leonardo's office?" I speak. He looks at me with a confused look.

"Ehh- Mi dispiace signora, non parlo inglese," (I'm sorry madam, I do not speak English) He speaks in Italian.

"Oh, nessun problema. potete dirmi dove posso trovare il signor Rossi?" (Oh, no problem. can you tell me where I can find Mr. Rossi?) I reply in Italian.

"Ah sì, vieni con me," (Ah yes, come with me) he replies.

We head down an unfamiliar hallway, he leads me to a big door that's closed.

"Don Rossi ha la porta chiusa, non vi consiglio di entrare," (Don Rossi has the door closed; I don't advise you to enter.) The elderly man says and leaves instantly as he sees me go to knock.

I knock on the door and hear a gruff "Come in." I push the large door open, close it behind me and look up to find the one and only Leonardo Rossi seated at his desk, wearing a dark suit, with an Apple MacBook in front of him.

I take a few small steps toward his desk, and then I stop.

When I look at him, his eyes are still set on the screen in front of him, while he types furiously on his laptop; I'm afraid he might break it.

"Cosa vuoi?" (What do you want?) he says with his deep voice, still focused on the laptop "Uhh," I can't find the words to form a full sentence. He looks up noticing that it's me.

"Oh you," he says with a bored expression, his eyes diverting back to the laptop once again

"I was won-," He cuts me off.

"You can go downstairs to the kitchen and ask one of the maids to make you something to eat,"

"No, I wanted to ask where I can find a first aid kit, I need to wrap my arm up," I say, motioning to my arm that has a bright red hue around the wound and a few stitches.

"Angelina, vero?" (right?) Leonardo says; my name rolls off his tongue so perfectly. He stands to his full height and walks across the room toward me.

"Y-yes, that's my name," I almost stutter. I never stutter; why the hell am I stuttering?

He comes to stand right in front of me, towering over my 5'6 figure.

"How old are you, Angelina?" he asks me, his blue eyes boring into my brown ones.

"Nineteen," I reply quickly, watching his eyes scan my face for any trace of a lie.

"Now tell me, where is it that you have been for the past seven years?" he says, coming closer to me. I take a step back, and he takes one toward me.

"I-I can't tell you that," I stutter again.

What the Fuck.

"Why is that?" By now, he has me backed against the wall.

"I don't know you," I reply, the tension between us so thick it could be cut with a knife.

"Yet you're the one standing in my house, under my roof" I stay quiet.

"Are you intimidated by me, Angelina?" he speaks again.

"No," I say, standing straight up. I'm not intimidated by him; he is just tall and big and handsome, like really, really handsome.

He leans toward me, his arm extending outward. "Hmm, come with me," he walks past me, opening the door, and I let out a shaky breath.

I follow behind him, as he walks toward the familiar west wing of the house. He places his hand over a sensor, and the door opens; he enters a brightly lit room, and I follow behind him.

"Wait here."

He disappears into another part of the room, leaving me to fidget with my fingers while I stand at the door and wait for him to come back.

𖤐⭒๋࣭ ⭑

Miss Confident isn't so confident anymore... Let me know what you think so Far?
Have a FANTABULOUS day/night!

Word count: 1212

N. J.