Lethal Love: A Mafia Redemption

CHAPTER: 04 Deal.

REINA

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Is this guy serious? Did he get hit on the head while fighting off my kidnappers? What is he talking about!?

"No! I don't even know you, and you want me to date you? Are you mad?" I asked, my voice filled with disbelief as I finished off the spoonful I was holding. He glanced at me and chuckled. Then he took my plate and gave me a second serving.

As embarrassing as it was, I couldn't refuse because I was starving. I hadn't eaten properly at our family dinner last night.

"I just find you amusing, and this is a huge opportunity for me. Imagine a famous model and businessman dating the daughter of the most influential man in Gazina," he replied, smiling at me. His smile was somewhat odd, clearly hiding some unsavory intentions.

"No, I don't want to be connected to any show business. I want my privacy," I protested, but it seemed to have no effect on him.

"Okay then, a private relationship as you wish," he said, still pushing for us to have a relationship.

I couldn't help but feel bothered by his smile. How do I explain it? His eyes disappear when he smiles, and he has a dimple on his right cheek. But why do I get chills every time he smiles at me? I don't know why, but I feel anxious.

It's obvious he just wants to be connected to our family. I know this strategy all too well. I've had my heart broken several times because of my past relationships where the only intention of them was to become part of our family.

All they wanted was my Dad's wealth, not me.

"I said NO! Don't you understand, NO?" I snapped irritably at him while devouring this delicious food. If there's one thing I could appreciate about this man, it's his cooking.

"Alright, fine, I was just joking. I just saw that I could use you as a cover for the fake news linked to my name," he replied. He untied the apron from his waist, hung it up, turned off the stove, and grabbed his phone.

"Let me call your parents so they can pick you up, or should I just have my personal assistant drive you home?" he asked.

I quickly shook my head and stopped him. I didn't want my Dad to find out because I'd definitely be grounded again, and they'd have Leo watching over me 24/7!

"No, please, no! Can you just have your personal assistant take me home if it's alright? My parents can't find out about this," I pleaded. I can't let my Dad interfere in my personal life again and restrict what I want to do because of this incident.

"Why not? What if your kidnappers come back for you?" he asked and only then did the memories of last night flood back into my mind.

"Speaking of kidnappers, have you had them arrested? What happened?" I inquired. He leaned against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms.

"I cleaned up your mess, don't worry. No one knows about the incident because I didn't want it to hit the media. But how will you avoid such incidents again if you don't seek help from your parents? If I were you, it would be better to tell them what happened," he replied, pointing to his phone, signaling that he was about to make a call.

I nodded, left alone in his kitchen, my head bowed and a deep sigh escaping my lips. He had a point, but the thought of losing my freedom was unbearable. I hated having someone shadowing me every moment. I despised every move I made being monitored and reported to my father. It felt suffocating, like being in an open cage with my feet shackled by chains.

Sure, my father allowed me to go out and do what I wanted, but it was always limited, and my bodyguards were a constant presence.

I didn't want people to talk about me. I hated the attention.

This problem wouldn't end until I found out who was after me. I had a gut feeling it was the same person behind all these incidents.

"Are you done eating? Get ready; Jeremy will be here to pick you up in a minute," he replied, glancing at his wristwatch. I found myself staring at him—Delvin, was it? The name echoed in my mind as I glanced back at the business card he had handed me.

"Mr. Delvin, right?" I asked, my voice steady as he turned to me, a smile creeping across his face—a smile that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Just Delvin," he corrected, and I nodded, the tension thickening in the air between us.

"How can I pay you for your help? Any assistance is fine, but let's skip the part about wanting a relation-s**t," I added, trying to inject a bit of humor into the moment. His laughter filled the space as he sauntered over to where I was seated.

"Then a dinner date it is," he replied, leaving me with no choice but to agree to meet him again for dinner.

Well, there's probably nothing wrong with another encounter. After all, I owe this man my life; if it hadn't been for him last night, I would undoubtedly be dead.

"I can trust you, right? You won't tell Dad about what happened—or anyone in my family for that matter?" I asked, seeking reassurance. I was desperate to avoid any escalation of this chaos.

"Yes, if that's what you want. I can keep a secret—but it's not free, hahaha," he added with a laugh, a glint of mischief in his eyes as I shot him a narrowed gaze. I knew it; this man was up to something. What could he possibly want from me?

"Okay, deal," I replied, extending my hand in front of him. He looked surprised for a moment, then took my hand eagerly, sealing our agreement with a firm handshake.

"Deal."

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"Thank you, Sir Jeremy." Delvin's assistant smiled at me after he opened the car door, and now I stood in front of our university campus, having asked him to drop me off at the dorm to keep my condo a secret from Delvin. It was too risky; I couldn't just trust someone I had just met.

"Take care, Ms. Reina. I'll be on my way," Jeremy replied, giving me a nod. I waved back as he drove off, leaving me standing there.

As I made my way to the dorm, I spotted Abby waiting outside my room. She looked relieved, and I was grateful she made it back last night.

"Rei! Where have you been? You left your bag and keys in the car! Thank goodness Charles came to pick me up. I was worried sick about you! If you hadn't shown up, I would have called Raymon by now," she exclaimed. I pulled her toward the door.

"Shhh—keep it down, and whatever you do, don't mention that! You know how protective brother is; I'd be grounded for a month," I complained as I took the keys from her hand. I quickly unlocked my dorm room and stepped inside, dragging Abby along with me.

"So, what really happened?" Abby asked, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Charles said he spotted me in your car at the parking lot, but you weren't there." The worry etched on her face was impossible to ignore. Abby knew all too well about the kidnappings I'd experienced recently. In fact, she had nearly been caught up in the last incident because she was with me.

"I was kidnapped in the parking lot by two guys. They were pretty amateur, so I managed to escape," I explained, and I could see her nearly pulling her hair out in stress.

"OMG, Rei! I really think you need to have Leo back by your side; you need a bodyguard! What if next time it's a pro who tries to kidnap you? Do you think you could escape again? And how did you manage to get away? Did someone help you?"

I sighed deeply and walked into the kitchen to grab a drink. I knew my lips would be dry from all the details Abby would extract from me.

"Okay, okay, let me explain," I replied, recounting everything that had happened, from the moment I'd approached her at the bar to the ride home with Jeremy.

"Are you serious!? Delvin Aoi! Girl! I don't know if you're super unlucky for getting kidnapped again or super lucky because Delvin Aoi was the one who saved you!" Abby exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat as if flames were licking at her. Her excitement was palpable, disbelief etched across her face. Was he really that famous?

"I don't even know him. You know me, Abby; I'm not into showbiz. The only time I hear about the latest gossip is from you, and I can easily delete it from my mind," I replied, a hint of irritation creeping into my voice.

"I know! So, I wouldn't be surprised if the next guy you talk to is an actor, and you don't even realize it! Oh my gosh! You have to give me his number! I'll reach out to him for your next date! And you better get me an autograph, okay?!"

My brow furrowed at her suggestion. Was she really trying to set me up with that guy? I didn't even know him!

"No! I have no plans to date him; it's just dinner! That's all I owe him," I shot back at Abby. Without missing a beat, she grabbed her phone and opened i********:, where all the latest posts from her favorite artists and social media influencers awaited her.

"Look! Just look at how handsome the man who's become your superhero is. This is the guy you're about to waste, Rei! So think it over! Use your brain," Abby lectured, shoveling her phone in my face. That's when I saw just how famous Delvin really was.

He had a staggering 2.7 million followers on Instagrey, and I couldn't deny he was a professional model; every picture of him was downright mouthwatering—no, wait, I meant utterly professional.

"If you think he's using you because of your family's wealth, girl, I'm telling you, just make it a mutual deal. Use his body, too! Wahahah!"

I recoiled from Abby, suddenly startled by her laughter. Sometimes, I really wondered how this woman became my best friend.

"Stop it, Abby. Get some help. I'll schedule a check-up for you with a psychiatrist, and please, don't mention this to anyone. Remember, I don't like attention," I replied, walking over to my closet to change my clothes.

"Ugh, here we go again. Don't be such a people pleaser. You're too worried about what they'll say and how they'll notice you. Let them talk. If someone bullies you again, stand up for yourself this time. What happened to you before won't happen again, Rei," Abby said, her tone serious enough to make me pause in my search for an outfit.

I know I'm not the person I used to be, but the scar of my past still lingers in my heart. Yes, I admit I'm a people pleaser; I fear any negativity that might be thrown at my name. But it's the only way I know how to protect myself.

"Our semester's over, and it's vacation time! You need to relax. Why don't we book a ticket out of the country? Charles and I would love for you to join us," Abby suggested, her excitement palpable. Look at this girl—has she forgotten why I was kidnapped last night?

"Aren't you two fighting? You were crying your eyes out just last night, and I really don't want to be the third wheel. So, no thanks," I replied, pulling off my shirt. We both caught sight of the large gash on my knee, wrapped in a bandage.

"Oh no, Rei, that's definitely going to leave a mark," Abby exclaimed, and I couldn't help but scoff in response.

"It's no big deal. I don't have a choice. This scar is much better than dying," I replied, stepping into the bathroom.

"But you're still coming with us, right?" she called after me, and I just shook my head in resignation.

"No thanks!" I replied, turning on the shower.

"Then I'll just message Delvin Aoi!" Abby shouted from the living room, causing my brow to furrow as I twisted the faucet.

"What did you say!?" I yelled back, and she responded triumphantly, "Message sent!"

TO BE CONTINUED