Labyrinth of Desire

10 - Papa?

Angelina's POV

As I walk further, the pathway descends and more trees shape the way.

After a short walk, I hear the sound of free-falling water, and when I reach the end, I find a gorgeous rock formation with fresh flowing water falling through it.

There is a bench placed a short distance away from the water and a gazebo that fits perfectly into its surroundings.

I go take a seat on the bench to take in the view in front of me.

After sitting and listening to the water flowing, I hear footsteps approaching.

I'm not armed, so I get up and quietly hide behind a tree.

I see Leo walk up to the edge of the stream with his phone to his ear.

"Tell Sorona's gang that their leader is dead and that they are to report to me from now on, or they won't have a place in any mafia family," he says on the phone, sounding very annoyed.

"I don't fucking care, send his right-hand man to me by noon tomorrow. If he isn't in my office by then, it's your blood on my hands." With that, he ends the call and takes a seat on the bench.

He lets out a frustrated sigh and turns his head in my direction.

"I know you there," he calls out.

I hold my breath praying that he is
isn't talking to me.

"Angelina, you can come out. I saw you walk down here earlier." I give up and walk out from behind the tree.

"Come here," he calls me over in a calm tone, acting like what he said and did earlier never happened.

"No," I scoff holding my arms close to me, the cold breeze making me feel chilly.

"I didn't ask you, that was an order, Angelina."

"I don't take orders for the likes of you," I scoff and roll my eyes.

"Test my patience and see what happens, brat," He sounds angry, and I know I've pushed the right buttons.

I walk up to the bench and pass him, trying to leave

"What are you doing down here?" He asks, stopping me in my tracks

"I wasn't snooping; I was just looking around the garden," I say, defending myself in case he thinks I was planning to kill him.

"No need to get defensive; I was just asking you a question," he says, sounding annoyed.

He stands up and walks over to me, making me impossibly nervous. But I keep my composure

"Your brothers left early this morning, they flew back to Calabria to inform your father about you," I don't want to be talking to him, so I stay quiet, avoiding eye contact.

"Look, if you're waiting for an apology from me for earlier, you aren't going to get one, you deserved it." I look at him in disbelief.

He is staring right back at me with those dead blue eyes, waiting for a response, waiting for me to go off at him and demand an apology, but I won't give him that satisfaction.

I notice his discoloured cheekbone, it has a light red-purple colour right where I hit it.

Serves him right.

After not saying anything back to him, he sighs, gets up and goes back toward the house, leaving me all alone once again.

After a few minutes, I also head back up. Once I'm inside, one of the maids stops me.