Chapter 3: Are you stalking me?
Chapter 3: Are you stalking me?
[Sofia]
~~~~~~~
Something had to be wrong with me. What was I thinking? Why did I trust a stranger so easily? I glanced down at my naked body and cringed at my impulsiveness. Without wasting another second, I jumped out of bed, dressed quickly, and grabbed my phone from the bedside table. I dialed the number I’d memorized, praying he'd pick up.
After a few rings, a deep voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi! This is Sofia De Marco," I said, my voice trembling. "I'm... I’m your daughter."
There was a long pause. "Sofia?"
"Yes! I’m here in Italy," I rushed, trying to mask my nerves. "I came to see you."
"You're here? Give me a moment." I heard papers shuffling on the other end.
"Dad, I’ve wanted to meet you for so long. I have an address, but I need directions."
"Text your location. I'll send someone to get you." He ended the call.
Thirty minutes later, a firm knock echoed through the room. I opened the door to find a tall man in a dark suit.
“Miss Sofia?”
“Yes?”
“I’m here to take you to Boss Giovanni. Please, follow me.”
I grabbed my purse and followed him through the lobby to a sleek black car. Inside, the leather seats were soft, but my nerves kept me tense. What would my father be like? Would he be the man from the photos, or someone different?
Ten minutes later, the car stopped at a mansion with tall iron gates. I stepped out, my heart pounding. There he was, waiting at the top of the staircase—my father.
His features were sharper than I expected, and his dark hair was slicked back.
“Sofia,” he called with a husky voice. “You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman.”
I hesitated, eyeing him from the bottom of the stairs. He looked different from the photos my mother had shown me—older, but there was something cold in his eyes.
“Father,” I said, moving forward. “It’s so good to finally meet you.”
He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
A uniformed guard opened the door, and my father gestured for me to enter. I stepped inside, gazing at the high walls and luxurious furniture.
"Father, do you own this place? I had no idea you were this wealthy. I always wanted to meet you. I had to know who you were."
His expression hardened.
“Sofia, your mother never mentioned you would come. After I left, she cut off contact, and I moved on, but I always thought about you.”
I was silent, unsure how to respond. Mom had always said he wanted nothing to do with me.
Suddenly, his phone rang, and he glanced at the screen, his brows furrowing.
“Excuse me,” he muttered and stepped away to answer. “Hello? No way!”
A few moments later, he turned back, his jaw tight. “I have to go. I don’t know when you’ll see me again.”
“What? What’s happening?” I panicked as he moved toward the hallway.
“Stay right there! I need to grab a few things.” He rushed through the living room while I stood frozen, confusion washing over me.
“Why? What’s going on?” I called after him.
“I’ll explain later,” he said, “Stay inside until Lucas arrives.”
“Lucas?” I repeated. "Who is he?"
“My best friend. He’ll keep you safe while I’m gone.”
“Wait, gone? We just met, Dad!”
He stopped and looked at me. For a split second, his eyes held fear.
“You shouldn’t have come here,” he mumbled.
“No, you can’t say that. I want to go with you!” I pleaded.
“Sofia!” He barked. “It’s not safe for you out there. Trust me. Lucas will be here soon.”
“You want me to stay here with a stranger? What’s going on?” I demanded.
Without answering, he rushed into a room, then returned with a duffel bag. He headed for the door.
I moved in front of it. "Father...or Giovanni, or whoever you are, you're not leaving until you tell me what's going on. Why do you think it's unsafe for me?"
He shook his head. “I don’t have time. If you want me alive, let me go. My men will keep you safe until Lucas arrives.”
His words only confused me more. Desperation clawed at me. "No, I won’t let you go!”
He gently pushed me aside and opened the door.
“You can’t leave me here!” I cried.
He turned back, eyes hard. “When I’m gone, don’t trust anyone except Lucas. He’ll protect you.”
Then, he left, slamming the door behind him. I stood there, lost.
Minutes dragged by as I paced the living room, heart pounding. I’d found my father, only to lose him again. Something terrible was coming, and I didn’t even know what it was.
Finally, I heard the crunch of tires on gravel and the sound of a car door slamming. I rushed to the window and saw a familiar face stepping out of a black car.
Lucas.
My stomach dropped.
"No...no...no," I whispered.
There’s no way the stranger I slept with last night was my father's best friend.
I wiped sweat off my brow, watching him approach. His dark brows furrowed as he entered the house. I glared at him.
“Where’s Giovanni?” he asked, not at all surprised to see me.
"Are you stalking me or something?" I snapped. "What are you doing here?"