Chapter 7 The Price Of Disobedience

• The next day, we planned to visit Leandro's parents, but before going there, we headed to the headquarters of their organization.
• I was truly amazed when I saw the exterior and interior there. The security was incredibly tight. At first glance, you might think it's just a big corporation building, but no, it's for their mafia organization, and if you're not a member or you're not invited, you will never get in.
• Leandro led me to a room. It looked like a five-star hotel room.
• "I just have a meeting to attend to," Leandro stated. "Don't leave this place."
• I followed his wishes. I wasn't allowed to protest. I didn't want to find out what punishment Leandro might give me if I didn't obey.
• Nicola was with me. Fabio went with Leandro because it seemed like Leandro had something to assign to him.
• The entirety of the floor where I was could be compared to a five-star hotel. There were rooms and leisure facilities for relaxation. Nicola let me wander, thinking it was safe for me since everyone here was a De Angelis employee.
• I noticed there was a poolside area, a casino, a gym, and various other amenities that were exclusively open to the De Angelis family. I also spotted an elevator that seemed different. I assumed you needed special access for that one.
• Inside the elevator I took, I noticed that some floors were not listed on the buttons. Only a limited number of floors were accessible through this standard elevator. Perhaps the inaccessible floors were reserved for special guests.
• The elevator opened, and I stepped out. I saw a few people, but not a large crowd. This floor resembled an office more than a hotel, unlike where I came from earlier.
• Some employees glanced at me, and their surprise was evident on their faces. A few of them whispered to each other.
• I paid them no mind. It was better not to dwell on what they might be thinking about me.
• I stopped in my tracks when I saw Leandro entering a room with a woman who seemed to be talking to him. There were men, presumably his associates, behind them.
• My brow furrowed as I caught a glimpse of how the woman touched Leandro before the door closed. My heart didn't take kindly to that sight, and my mood shifted.
• I was in a daze as I walked towards the door where I had seen Leandro and the woman enter.
• I was blocked by the men outside. I looked at them, and their astonishment was evident.
• One of their colleagues muttered something, and I overheard it.
• "That's Mrs. De Angelis. The Boss' wife."
• The two men hesitated about whether to allow me inside or to escort me out because I wasn't permitted inside.
• Why wasn't I allowed? Would I see what Leandro was doing with the woman in there?
• "Isn't my husband in there? I want to see what's going on inside."
• I knew they wouldn't harm me, so I had the courage to stand firm, unlike when I faced Leandro.
• "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but—"
• My brow furrowed, and although I had no intention of giving them a dirty look, that's what happened. The two of them let out deep breaths, nodded, and opened the door for me.
• "Thank you," I said before deciding to step inside the room.
• I hadn't even fully entered when I froze. I saw Leandro looking at me. His forehead furrowed slowly as he spotted me, while I was in shock at what I was witnessing.
• I had expected to find only him and the woman in the room, but that wasn't what I encountered.
• Leandro's conversation partners were all looking at me. It seemed like they were in a meeting, and my entry had disrupted their discussion.
• I noticed the woman, one of those who were closely examining me.
• Many people were present. Apart from Leandro and the unfamiliar woman, there were other guests, mostly men. Standing behind each seated man were uniformed individuals, presumably his associates.
• My lips trembled, prepared to apologize when I heard Leandro's voice.
• "Get out!" Leandro shouted.
• I became even more flustered because Leandro rarely raised his voice around me; he was usually calm and composed. His yelling took me by surprise.
• Leandro's eyes were piercing, while others seemed to be studying me. I even noticed someone smirking at me.
• "Is that your wife, De Angelis—"
• "I said, get out!"
• Several men entered immediately and held me. My legs felt like they were rooted to the ground, and although I wanted to leave, I couldn't. I froze in place, frightened by Leandro's shouting.
• I wanted to cry and apologize, but I didn't want to do it in front of so many people.
• "Ma'am, it's better for you to leave," one of them said.
• I allowed them to lead me away, still in shock and with Leandro's chilling voice ringing in my ears. I didn't even realize that I was outside.
• The door opened again, and Leandro emerged. He's usually very reserved, but you could feel how displeased he was. Showing up in the room unannounced had truly enraged him.
• "I'm sorry..." Even though I didn't know why he was so angry, I apologized. Was it because I had disrupted him?
• "What did I tell you? Stay in that fucking room!" His voice was restrained, but I could sense the anger coursing through him.
• Leandro was furious.
• "S-Sorry—"
• "I don't need your apologies." He forcefully closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Nicola!"
• Like a dog summoned by his master, Nicola quickly appeared, even though I hadn't noticed her presence earlier.
• "S-Sir—"
• "I gave you clear instructions about my wife." He's back to his usual expression—cold yet authoritative. Fear still grips you, especially as Leandro conceals his true feelings.
• I glanced at Nicola. For the first time, I saw her with a look of fear, and her face had almost gone pale as she gazed at Leandro. I was alarmed by this, so I interjected, even though I didn't want to engage with Leandro.
• "Don't blame her. I left even though Nicola sternly told me I couldn't. I was in the wrong, Leandro."
• Leandro just looked at me and didn't say a word. He shook his head in apparent disgust at what had happened.
• "Go back to your room and wait for me," he said and then turned away from us.
• Nicola gently pulled me aside. I could feel the coldness in her touch, so I raised my gaze to her. She had her back to me, so I couldn't see her expression.
• We were waiting for the elevator when I heard two gunshots.
• I immediately turned and saw that the two men who had guarded the door and let me in earlier were lifeless. I was left in shock, while Leandro acted as if nothing had happened and re-entered the room. Did he just kill them?
• "Ma'am, let's go," Nicola urged.
• I could sense the tremor in Nicola's voice, so I let her guide me. However, my attention was still fixed on the two men Leandro had just shot. Their lifeless bodies were now being cleared away, with two other men taking their place.
• Did they die because of me? Because they allowed me into the room?
• I gasped with the realization. I looked at Nicola, who was staring into space. Will the same fate befall her because Leandro thinks she defied him and let me in?
• People will die because of me. Even if I'm the one at fault, the people around me will pay for the mistake I made. The realization hit me hard; my face turned pale, and it felt like all the blood had drained from it.
• Until I returned to the room Leandro had left me in earlier, I was in a daze.
• "Ma'am, just stay here. If you need anything, I'll be outside," Nicola politely said, bowing her head before heading toward the door of the room.
• I stood up and followed her. I was afraid of the thoughts racing through my mind. Will Leandro do to Nicola what he did to those two men earlier, thinking she allowed me to enter? Who are those people inside the room?
• "I'm sorry for what happened earlier. Leandro even scolded you. I'll talk to him—"
• "You don't have to apologize, Ma'am. It's my fault for allowing you to leave even though Mr. Leandro instructed me so firmly," she said respectfully before leaving my room.
• My shoulders slumped because of what happened. I never expected things to turn out like this.
• I sat weakly on the bed. It was a harsh slap of reality for me. Leandro is a part of a mafia organization, and he's the boss. This is how he punishes those who make mistakes in his world. He doesn't show mercy; he's ruthless. Taking a life means nothing to him. It's the easiest and quickest way for him to clear his path and eliminate anyone he sees as an obstacle.
• What if the time comes when he realizes that I'm a burden too? Will he erase my existence as well? I'm not accustomed to this kind of life. I never witness killings in my daily life until I became his wife. I don't know how I can bear watching someone die in front of me without being haunted by guilt even if I'm not the one who took their life.
• Will I ever get used to this? I don't know.
• I don't know which is worse, seeing other people pay for my mistakes or being victimized and beaten because of it. Which one is better? My life with my father or my life with Leandro? None. Both are living hell.
• The door opened, and Leandro entered. He must be done with his meeting.
• I just stared at him in silence. I was afraid that anything I said might anger him further.
• Then I remembered Nicola. I stood up and tried to walk out to make sure she was outside and still alive.
• Leandro blocked my path. I looked at him, and I immediately regretted it because his fiery eyes pierced right through me.
• "N-Nicola?" Did he do something to her? I hope not. I might not be able to handle it if three people died today because of what I did earlier.
• Leandro didn't answer, and my body trembled. Adrenaline rushed through me, and my brain was sending signals.
• I held onto Leandro's clothes and stared at him directly.
• "Nicola, Leandro? Did you do something to her—"
• "She's outside."
• I let out a sigh of relief. My chest felt lighter, and I released him. My breath was still hitching. I was caught between anxiety and relief. Thankfully, she's alive.
• "I didn't intend to shout at you earlier. It was an impulsive action," Leandro sighed deeply. "Now you know the consequences of your actions, Bella. That's why I told you to behave and follow my words. People around you will be the ones to suffer if you try to defy me again."
• "W-Why them? Why not me if I make a mistake?"
• "I'll give you your punishment, but I won't ignore those who threaten your safety or put you in a dangerous situation, Bella. Your safety will always be my priority. Nicola and those two men guarding the meeting room just put you in a life-threatening situation, and for that, they need to be held accountable."
• Leandro is capable of anything. He has no conscience, and he's heartless. He's like squashing insects every time he takes a life. I don't know what he did before, but based on what I witnessed today, this man has no heart.
• But wait, did he just say life-threatening? What was life-threatening about what happened earlier? I bit my lip, putting off asking about Nicola.
• "Will you do something to Nicola? She's been good to me. Please don't hurt her. She's not at fault. I'll take her place." I'm more used to other people hurting me not the other way around.
• I couldn't look Leandro directly in the eye. I was afraid he would see my current expression.
• "No, not yet," he paused briefly before speaking again. "If you're done preparing, we'll go now. Mom and Dad are waiting for us."
• I quickly followed Leandro, fearing that something else might go wrong if I defied him again.