Chapter 4 An Offer From The Mafia I

The afternoon sun hung high on the following day. Rose worked her usual morning shift, engrossed in the documents on her desk, paying no mind to the young man seated at the adjacent workstation. “Rose, how about coming to a party at my place tonight?” Great asked, his eyes still fixed on his computer screen as his fingers tapped away at the keyboard. “I’m busy,” she replied flatly, not even sparing him a glance. Great had been pursuing her ever since she joined the company, though she was far from the only woman he flirted with. To him, she was just another trophy to add to his collection. “But you’re almost done with your work, aren’t you? I think we should get to know each other better,” Great said, his tone implying more than mere friendship. Rose sighed before finally turning to face him. He was undeniably handsome—dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a chiseled jawline. Many women in the office dreamed of being with him. But not her. “Let it go, Great. I think it’s better if we just stay good friends. Don’t you agree?” She smiled sweetly, standing up with a stack of documents and a thumb drive in her hand. “Friends? We could be so much more. I mean, like a couple. A real one!” he insisted. “Honestly, it’s best if you stop trying to push this. It’s not going to happen,” she said firmly before walking away, leaving him staring after her with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. Rose handed off her files to the department head and returned to her desk, resuming her work. Great, however, kept watching her. “Maybe someday you’ll realize you need me around,” he muttered. “Stop, Great. What you’re saying is pathetic. If you want to keep your job, get back to work—our boss is watching you,” Rose said bluntly, glancing toward their supervisor, who was indeed eyeing Great suspiciously. Chastised, Great turned back to his screen. Rose shook her head and focused on her work. Her phone buzzed with a message. She picked it up and read it: “I’ll be back late tonight. If I finish early, I’ll head home right away. —Aunt Sofphia.” A smile spread across Rose’s face. Aunt Sofphia treated her like a daughter, even though they weren’t related to blood. Sofphia could not have children of her own, and Rose’s parents had died in an accident when she was too young to remember. By 6 PM, Rose began packing up her things. Great approached her again. “Rose, are you sure you don’t want to relax tonight? A party could do you some good,” he suggested, clearly hoping she’d change her mind. “No,” she replied firmly, giving him a polite smile. “But I want you to come. It’s at my house,” he tried again, undeterred. “No, thank you. Enjoy the party,” Rose said with finality, her tone leaving no room for argument. Great could only watch in disappointment as she shouldered her bag and walked out. Rose stood at the bus stop, waiting for her ride home. As the bus pulled up, she noticed something peculiar: a sleek black car parked nearby. Inside were two men in dark suits, their eyes fixed on her as she boarded. When the bus began to move, the car followed. Her chest tightened with anxiety. All the way home, the car trailed behind, its presence unmistakable. By the time she reached her stop, her heart was racing. Rose stepped off the bus quickly, glancing around nervously. She walked briskly, trying not to draw attention, but the unease wouldn’t leave her. Just as she reached her front gate, relief washed over her. The car was no longer behind her. She exhaled deeply and turned to enter the house, only to freeze in her tracks. Standing in front of her was Antonio. “Running from someone?” he asked, his voice cool. Rose tried to back away, but the two men from the car now stood blocking her path. It was him—the man she had tried to seduce in the casino last night, only to be ignored. Why was he here now? “You!” Rose forced a smile, though her heart pounded with dread. Antonio’s expression remained as unreadable as ever, making it impossible for her to gauge his intentions. “You look shocked. Or is it because you’ve deceived others before, just like William? Antonio’s voice was sharp, and her stomach dropped when he mentioned William’s name. “Well, Rose?” “What are you talking about?” she replied, feigning innocence with a sweet smile. “Don’t play dumb. Drugging someone is hardly innocent,” he said coldly, his piercing gaze unwavering. The chill in his tone made her feel unsafe, and the fact that her aunt wouldn’t be home until late only deepened her unease. “I don’t understand what you mean,” she said, maintaining a calm facade despite the panic building inside her. Antonio took a step closer, his commanding presence overwhelming. “I have a proposition for you,” he said, his tone steady but firm. Rose frowned, uncertain of what he meant. “I want to hire you,” he said finally. He had spent hours contemplating his decision, but something about her intrigued him. “Hire me?” Rose echoed, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. “Yes. I’ll pay you three times your current salary,” Antonio said. The offer was tempting—undeniably so. But… “No, thank you. I’m fine as I am,” she replied with a polite smile. “‘Fine as you are’—working as a…” Antonio trailed off, his tone pointed. Rose stiffened at the insinuation but forced herself to remain composed. Taking a deep breath, she replied, “That’s my choice.” Antonio studied her, his sharp gaze probing deeper than her words. He knew he was treading a dangerous line, but he couldn’t ignore his growing interest in her. “Fine,” he said at last. “But if you change your mind, you have one day. I’m leaving for Italy the day after tomorrow. If you agree, my men will pick you up.” He handed her a small card. “Call me if you decide.” Rose eyed him warily. The sudden appearance of a stranger offering her a job made her uneasy. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not trying to sell you off,” Antonio said, a hint of dry humor in his voice. “Thank you, but no,” she said firmly before turning and walking into her house. She didn’t see the flicker of disappointment in Antonio’s eyes as she disappeared inside.