Chapter 8

The sunlight hit through the window to her face. She whimpers, bringing the duvet to cover her face. The last thing she wants right is waking up. Her hands reached out to her phone and saw it at 10 in the morning.

Melody abruptly sat up. She stared at the clock with a frown to make sure she was not dazed. She rubbed her eyes but the clock was still the same.

“10 in the morning? Okay...this is weird,” she frowns.

She glances at the door to wait for her stepfather to barge in and drag her out of the bed like he usually does. This time, nothing.

This is the first time she wakes up with peace and no one screaming at her. No pain in the morning. Waking up late. Despite her relief, she still felt worried and uneasy. It never happened to her.

Without a second thought, Melody gets out of bed and straight to the bathroom. She did her routine and once in a while, she would stop her act whenever she heard footsteps. She can’t help but be paranoid since she never had a peaceful morning.

After a moment, she pulls a hoodie on her. Their hair got brushed and now she looks fresh up. Melody got out of the bathroom and straight to her desk. She opens the desk and pulls out a lot of money.

“It better if I pay those guys. Like they said, I don’t want to get involved with them even though I don’t know why,” she talks to herself.

Melody grabs her slings bag and gets out of her bedroom.

She went downstairs only to meet Teresa who just come out of the kitchen. Soon their eyes met, and Teresa scoffs.

“Finally, here you are,” she sighs, poking her tongue on her inner cheek.

“What is it you want...” Melody asks, trying to sound normal.

“I want you to go out and buy me a pack of beer,” Teresa demands.

She frowns, “Why can’t you go by yourself?”

“I’m sorry, since when do you dare to ask me that kind of question?” Teresa asks firmly, looking at her with sharp gazes.

Melody looks away, gripping on her slings bag. It’s not like she is afraid of her but she knows, Teresa is the only daughter of Frank. If she reports something to Frank, he will do everything to satisfy his beloved daughter.

“I just...curious,” she speaks in a soft tone.

Seeing Melody change immediately, she smirks, “That's what I thought. Stop asking and just go. There will be an important guest coming here.”

“Guest?”

“Yes. That’s mean, you just stay in your room and don’t ever come out. We don’t want you to ruin it,” Teresa firmly speaks.

Melody just nods obediently.

Teresa walks away after that. She just watches her leaving and sighs. It’s not like she cares to come out. One guard walks past her.

“Um, excuse me. Where is my stepfather?” Melody asks in curiosity.

“Oh, he left this morning because he has a meeting with another client,” the guard answers.

Melody nods. She bowed her head as ‘thank you’ before leaving the house.

Damian continues working on his paperwork not caring about his surroundings. As he working on his paperwork, the door opens and reveals Victor.

“What is it?” he asks, without looking up to his friend.

“I did what you ask. I call that mafia clan to come and he will arrive any minute,” Victor said, putting his phone back inside his pocket.

“Good. Where is Matthew?”

“He is on the ground floor, waiting for that man's arrival. I ask him to escort them to the meeting room and call me if they already arrive,” Victor explains.

Damian just nods as he focuses on his paperwork back. As he did his work, Victor sat on the chair in front of his desk.

“Are you sure you want to choose this clan?” he raised a question.

“Yes, why?” Damian glances at him.

“It just...I can’t trust that clan not to do anything to you, Dam,” Victor leans on his chair, “I can feel that they have bad intentions toward you and using this chance.”

“Do you think I was just born yesterday? I know I got a lot of enemies, Vic,” Damian put down his paperwork.

“I’m just warning you. I can feel that clan is not a good one to start,” he shrugs his shoulder.

Damian knows that. He always being paranoid and alert with everyone. He smirks, “Don't worry. Just act a fool. I want to see what they are capable of. But, at the same time, be alert.”

Victor nods in obedience. Then, his phone vibrates. As he checks who is it, he gets up, “Matthew said they already arrived. They waiting in the meeting room.”

Damian nods.

They went out and straight to the meeting room down to the second floor. Damian fixed his coat while walking. The staff who walked passed him bowed their head respectfully and did not even dare to look him in the eyes.

It’s not like Damian cares about it.

As they reach the meeting room, Victor pushes the door open for him. The chattering inside of the meeting room abruptly stops. His existence is enough to make the atmosphere become cold.

“You must be Damian D’ Angelo,” one man gets up.

“I am. What a funny question,” Damian said, deadpan. He sits in the big chair, looking at them one by one.

“Yeah, silly me. Who didn’t know one of the most powerful mafia? Known as a tyrant,” the man chuckles.

His gaze fell on him. This must be the boss since he’s the only one who sits. His guards standing behind him while Damian only has Matthew and Victor, standing behind him looking professional.

Even if only two of them, somehow it still gives the others a dangerous vibe.

“May I know your name?” Damian calmly asks.

“Of course, Mr. Angelo. I’m Frank Garson, it’s such an honour to finally meet you,” Frank chuckles.

Damian’s eyes keep on him, slowly taking every detail on him. As if, he could see through him.

“I’m sure you got something to talk right? I mean...you wouldn’t have to call someone to meet you. I heard that you are not an easy person to meet,” Frank smiles and leans forward on the table.

“You guess it right, I do have something to talk about,” Damian said, “I heard you take over this clan because the old owner died, am I right?”

Frank let out a small laugh, “Yeah. He is my best friend. I marry his wife and take over this clan. Now, she died also and the only one left is me,”

“Hm. I see. You have a daughter, true?” he asks again, slightly tilting his head.

“I...do. Why, Mr. Angelo?” Frank frowns as his daughter becomes a topic out of a sudden.

“Well...I’m not a person who loves to waste time. So, let me get this straight up,” Damian sighs, pausing for a moment before starts talking again, “I want to marry your daughter.”

The statement shocked them. Frank looks at him stunned not knowing what to say. This is not what he expects from Damian. A powerful mafia wanted to marry his daughter?

“My...daughter? I—I’m sorry, you must be joking, right?” Frank frowns.

“I told you. I’m not a person who loves wasting time,” he repeats his words.

Frank still can’t believe it. He keeps his gaze on that guy, “Still, why it out of sudden?”

“I know you must be suspicious. But I just need to get married to expand my territory,” Damian crossed his legs.

“It sounds like the benefit goes to you, it didn’t balance,” Frank glares at him. “If I let you marry my daughter, what will I get?”

Damian smirks a bit. He looks at Victor and gestures to him something. Victor nods slightly and puts the file in front of Frank.

“What is this?” he frowns.

“This is the agreement between us. If you let me marry your daughter, I get my benefits and you will get a chance to improve your clan,” Damian explains.

“How so?”

“A lot of mafia clans wanted to cooperate with me. You are the lucky one. Any clan that cooperates with me will be under my protection, my help and my clan,” Damian explains again.

Hearing those statements from him makes Frank interested. He stares at the file for a moment. If he agrees then his clan will be the same rank as Damian. That will give them a great opportunity to become even more powerful.

Something clicked in his mind.

But, if he got to kill Damian and takes over his clan, he will become even more than that. Frank knows, that by letting him marry Teresa, the chance to have everything is high. The greedy and stupidest takes over his mind.

He is done being looked down so taking over and killing one of the most powerful mafia, will change his life.

“If you say so...I agree,” Frank smiles as if he didn’t have any bad intentions.

Damian who could see through him just slightly smirks. A mouse finally falls into his trap. He wouldn’t do anything if Frank didn’t make a move on him. But, he could see this man had something in his mind.

“That’s all. You can go now. I will come to your place tonight to meet your daughter,” Damian informs with a flat tone. As if, he didn’t even look forward to it.

If this was not because of his father's stupid requirement, he wouldn’t do this.

“Sure, Mr. Angelo. I’m more than happy to work with you,” Frank smiles and leaves with his guards. The door shut closed.

Matthew sighs and leans on the table, “That was smooth,”

“He sure got a bad intention on you, Dam,” Victor scoffs.

“Yeah! I thought it was only me who could see that glint in his eyes,” Matthew chimed in.

Damian chuckles lowly.

“He is no match for me to fight with,”