It is the last day.
My heart pounds with the speech I have been forced to give, my manager's words echoing in my mind: smile, thank them and appear grateful.
I scanned the audience trying to look for him but I couldn't find it, my face hardened. The memories of my mouth on his cock were wild. I shook my head and sighed.
All eyes were on me staring intensely, cameras flashing, the chandeliers alive, with soft music coming from the live band.
I grip the podium, my smile feels glued. "Let's get over this" I murmur for my hearing alone
"Ladies and gentlemen" I begin, my voice steady though my stomach twists. "Two days ago– we wouldn't be here without your support, appreciation and donations. Your undefined show of care made all of these happen and on behalf of the cast and crew, I thank you for your generosity."
Applause. My throat burns as I'm shocked at how well the lies came out. The cameras flashing, capturing the moment.
I continue, my hands on the wood. "The film would be a reflection on your money that was donated and the people who would now have shelter, foods, clothing, education and—"
BANG. The bullet pierced the wall behind me. My words freeze, screams erupted and chairs overturning.
Another shot fired and the glass shattered above my head.
For one dizzy second, I think it's fireworks but the smoke coming out from the curtain behind me and the sight of security men shouting into radios. I'm the target
My chest seized, my brain shut down, legs frozen and lungs locked, the memories from five years ago came rushing back. I tried to snap out of it but all I heard was his cries– his face dripping with blood. People were running and screaming but I couldn't.
The next thing I felt was arms. A weight slamming into me, pinning me down behind the podium. My cheek presses against the cold muscle, the smell of dark cologne and smoke filling my senses. His hot breathing fanning my face, bringing me back to presence.
Him. The Mafia Prince
His voice curls against my ear, smooth
"Stay down"
My pulse is hammering as his body covers mine. Bodyguards swarming and security running. When the noise fades into the distance, he lifts his head, eyes into mine. He saved me.
"From this moment" he murmurs, his lips brushing my cheek. "You're mine"
I shove at his chest. "Get off me. I don't belong to anyone". But he didn't bulge– I felt the hug got tighter.
"No" soft groan coming out from his mouth.
"My manager– he is looking for me" I tried to distract myself from smelling his cologne.
Amusement glinting in his eyes. "Nobody cared about you when they knew that the bullet was coming at you. Your fans, your manager and the little world you believe got your back isn't here saving you but I am. You need me"
I swallowed. "I don't need you" I whisper , thinking it sounds like a lie.
"You can't survive in this industry alone," he replies, voice low. "I'll give you everything you have been denied– money, power, protection. All I ask in return ...." His fingers graze my jaw, tipping my face up. "Is that you sign yourself to me"
I jerked his hand away from my face, heat flooding my cheeks. "You're insane"
He smiles. "No Ethan. I want you"
—
The hotel is silent, guards posted outside, him inside my room with me. My manager tried to come but was dismissed with a single nod from him. Now it is just and the air is thick.
The Mafia Prince sets a folder on the table between us, sliding it toward me
"What the hell is this?" I asked.
"Contract." He said smoothly. "A public partnership. Fake engagement, if you prefer the term. To the world you're mine. That means no one touched you– not the paparazzi, your studios, your management or the men who fired at you tonight"
I stare at the neat documents, my mind racing with thoughts. My hand trembled as I reached for it but I snatched it back.
"I'm not signing my life away"
His eyes narrow slightly. He leans forward, elbows on the table. "Look outside Ethan. Reporters are ready to tear you for answers. The director? Already consider dropping you. You have two options: walk to the world that don't love you or stand beside me, untouchable"
My throat burns. He makes it sound so simple, so logical. My pride screams no but the weight of everything else– my bills, failing responsibility, almost getting killed, career– presses me down.
I whisper. "Why me?"
He smiled. "Because you're mine. Always have been and I'm not losing you again"
Too intimate. Too certain.
"I hate you" i breathe
"I know," he replies. "Sign"
Silence stretches, my body still trembling from what happened. My pen shakes in my hand as I press it onto the paper.
When it's done, I drop the pen, fingers numb. The Mafia prince rises, he rounds the table, stopping behind me. His hand slides onto my shoulder, firmly.
He leans down, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
"Good boy" he whispers, and the words shiver down my spine, electric and humiliating all at once. "Now the world will know who owns you"
He kissed my neck, biting me softly as I moaned. Gosh!
Was I desperate for his touch?. My breath shutters, face flushing as shame came.