The back door led to a narrow alley, shrouded in shadows. The air smelled of stale garbage and damp concrete, a stark contrast to the air of luxury Elara had just left behind. She shivered, feeling suddenly vulnerable, exposed.
“Relax,” the man said, his voice a low rumble, a hint of amusement in his tone. “We’re almost there.”
He led her down the alley, his presence a commanding force, even in this grimy setting. Elara walked beside him, her gaze fixed on the ground, trying to ignore the prickling sensation on the back of her neck.
They arrived at a heavy steel door, set into a wall of crumbling brick. The man pressed a small, silver button, and the door slid open with a hydraulic hiss. A wave of warm, humid air washed over Elara, carrying with it the scent of cigar smoke and something else, something metallic and pungent.
The man gestured for her to enter, his expression unreadable in the dim light. Hesitantly, Elara stepped into the dimly lit space, her heart thumping in her chest.
The room was large, with high ceilings and thick, dark walls. It was sparsely furnished, with a worn-out sofa in the corner and a large oak desk that seemed to be the focal point of the room. Men in dark suits moved about the space, their conversations hushed, their movements fluid and practiced.
“Welcome to my world, Cinderella,” the man said, his voice low and dangerous. He reached for a bottle of whiskey on the desk, pouring himself a drink. “You’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Elara’s eyes widened in alarm. She’d heard tales of the Mafia, but this was different. This was real, tangible, and terrifyingly close.
“Who are you?” she asked, her voice trembling. “What do you want from me?”
He chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that sent shivers down her spine. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he said, taking a sip of his drink. “For now, just enjoy the view.”
He gestured towards the large window that looked out over the city. From her vantage point, Elara could see the glittering lights of the metropolis spread out before her, a glittering tapestry of humanity. It was a world she had always dreamed of being a part of, a world she now felt trapped within.
“You’re like a delicate flower,” he said, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her breath catch. “Lost and vulnerable. But I’m here to protect you.”
Elara wasn’t sure if she believed him. The world he inhabited was a far cry from the safe, predictable life she’d known. But there was something about his gaze, something about the way he spoke, that gave her a glimmer of hope, a hint of a possibility, a possibility that she wasn’t sure she was ready to embrace.
Elara stood by the window, gazing at the city lights, her mind swirling with a cocktail of fear, fascination, and a strange sense of anticipation. The air in the room was thick with a sense of hidden danger. Every whispered conversation, every rustle of movement, sent a shiver down her spine.
“You’re a smart girl,” the man said, his voice a soft caress against her ear. “But you’re playing a dangerous game.” He stepped closer, his gaze intense, his presence a magnetic force.
“I didn’t choose to play,” Elara replied, her voice small and hesitant. She turned to face him, her heart thumping against her ribs. "I was brought here against my will.”
He chuckled, a dark, dangerous sound. “No one is forced into this world, Cinderella. You have choices. You always have choices.”
Elara’s brow furrowed, her mind struggling to make sense of his words. She was trapped in a world she didn’t understand, a world where danger lurked around every corner. And he, this enigmatic, powerful man, was the one who held the key to her escape.
“Who are you?” she asked, her voice a shaky whisper. “What is this place?”
He stepped back, taking a seat at the large oak desk, his eyes never leaving hers. He reached for a silver cigarette case, offering one to Elara. She shook her head, her lungs already feeling tight from the smoky air.
“My name is Alessandro,” he said, his voice smooth as velvet. “And this is my domain.” He gestured around the room with a wave of his hand. “This is the only world I know, Cinderella. It’s the only world I want.”
Elara felt a wave of confusion wash over her. She didn’t understand him, not really. He was a puzzle, a contradiction of darkness and light, power and vulnerability. He was the wolf, and she was his prey, but there was something about him, something captivating and alluring, that made her hesitate to fight back.
“What kind of game do you play?” she asked, her voice a mere tremor.
“A game of power, of survival,” Alessandro replied, his gaze burning into hers. “A game where only the strong survive.”
He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. “And I,” he said, his voice low and dangerous, “am the strongest.”
Elara felt a chill run down her spine. She was in over her head, but there was something about Alessandro, something about the way he looked at her, that gave her a glimmer of hope, a flicker of something that could make her trust him.
He reached for her hand, his touch warm and surprisingly gentle. “You can trust me, Cinderella,” he whispered, his eyes full of an intensity that both terrified and intrigued her. "I'll protect you. I'll“make sure you’re safe.”
Elara wasn’t sure if she believed him. But there was a strange pull between them, a connection that felt both dangerous and exhilarating. She took his hand, her fingers trembling slightly. This was a game she didn’t understand, a game she didn’t want to play. But somehow, she knew she had already begun to play.
YOU ARE READING
Cinderella meet Mr. Wolf
Lupi mannariMy life is full of mistakes and regrets but I have one thing in my life that I won't regret. At first, I blame myself for knowing you that I wished I never knew you and never loved you so that I'm free from heartbreak. But now, I want you to know...
