*Bound By Lies*

© Parchments and Quills

The night smelled of rain and gunpowder. Somewhere beyond the balcony of the Romano estate, thunder rolled like a warning, but Cassian didn’t flinch. He’d grown up in the kind of silence that came after violence — the kind that taught him storms were only loud when they had nothing left to destroy.

 He poured himself a glass of white wine and watched the amber light catch in the reflection of the window. Naples was spread out below, glittering, deceptive — a city that worshipped beauty and hid its rot beneath marble and money. Just like his family. Just like him.

 His father’s voice still echoed in his head. “You’ll marry the Sandler girl. It’s time we merge the families, Cassian. No questions.” Cassian had asked none. He’d learned long ago that questions didn’t change orders. But that didn’t mean he accepted it.

 He’d seen a picture of her once — Maria Dominic Sandler. Calm eyes. Soft lips. The kind of beauty that looked like a mistake in his world. Her file said she was Eighteen years of age, educated in Florence, with no criminal affiliations. That made her dangerous. Innocence always was.

He turned the glass in his hand and took a sip. An arranged marriage. The words were older than sin, dressed in modern suits and bloody contracts. It wasn’t about love. It wasn’t about money. It wasn’t even about peace. It was leverage — and the Romanos never shared power without getting something back.

 Cassian didn’t want a wife. He wanted solitude. And the irony burned in his chest because solitude was exactly what he was about to lose.

 A soft knock came at the door. Tristan Felix, his right-hand man, stepped inside. His dark suit was tailored, his expression sharper than usual. “Your father’s waiting in the study,” Tristan said. “The Sandler’s confirmed arrival in three days.”

 Cassian nodded, setting the glass down with a muted clink. “Good,” he said. “Let them come.”

 Tristan hesitated. “You’ve read her file, right? She’s not—” Cassian cut him off with a look. “I don’t care who she is.”

That was a lie.

As Tristan left, Cassian’s phone buzzed. A message from his father. Dinner. 8 PM. We arrive at Sandler's place tomorrow–Behave.

 Cassian exhaled slowly, the word– behave, tasting like a warning.

  ****** The Sandler's Mansion *******

"Go to your room Ria" Dominic and Maria were having a chat while fleets of black cars appeared in the Sandler's Mansion.

"And why should I go to my room father"

"Just listen to me, I have guests"

"So you expect me to go to my room, when there are fleet of cars, which obviously carries dangerous people– I mean what if they came to attack you, I can't be an orphan yet, I'm not even 18 yet" The father and daughter kept bickering as usual, while fleet of cars kept coming in, occupying the Sandler's mansion space.

Maria finally made her way to her room, as a tall, well-built man in black suit directly came into the Sandler's Mansion with a few bodyguards while the rest were outside. He didn't even need an invitation to sit like a king on one of the gold framed arm chairs.

"You're welcome Mr Romano" Dominic– Maria's father greeted the seated man with full respect

"Let's just go straight to the point" he gestured to Dominic with his hand showing that his greetings had been acknowledged.

"Of course, You and my daughter had been engaged right before her birth. She was supposed to get married on her 18th birthday, and fortunately she's turning 18 in two weeks" Dominic explained as he forwarded the contract agreement made before Maria's birth.

"I believe she's tamed, because I wouldn't mind sending her dead body back if there's any probl–" Cassian Romano couldn't even complete his words as he was interrupted by the eavesdropping Maria who couldn't control her mouth.

"What? Hey Mr Mafia man, you should be happy that I am considering agreeing to this marriage, but now, you are threatening to send my dead body, who do you think will die first, huh?"

"SHUT UP MARIA SANDLER, you should be begging for your life for eavesdropping on an important conversation like this and here you're confronting Mr Romano" Dominic shunned his daughter quickly. From the way Cassian looked at her, no emotions it was almost like she had challenged him– it was at that moment she knew she fucked up and the only thing ringing in Maria's head was; “Did I just confront the Don of all dons, God I'm sorry for pouring insects into step mother's shoes, I'm sorry for cutting the sleeves of stepbrother's meeting suit, please save me this once.”

TBC

*Bound By Lies*

© Parchments and Quills

No one is as happy as Maria's stepmother for the marriage between her and Cassian. She always wore that fake smile on her face.

“Mother —mother” Veronica's son called out.

‎Veronica standing beside her dressing mirror looked so distressed.

‎What is it? she questioned

“‎I didn't expect you to let Dad give Maria out so easily, how are we going to cope if she is married off?.

‎”Aha aha!” she laughs sarcastically.

“What a fool I gave birth to huh?”

“‎Am not doing her a favor either, I heard the man she is betrothed to is the most feared man in the Mafia world, a scorned and heartless man, with Maria's character she stand no chance to survive more than her wedding night, if that is even possible...

‎

‎ **********

Maria's pov

“‎I can't imagine getting married to that grumpy guy”.

“‎Everyone is so happy marrying me off to that heartless man, how do I survive, I even dare to challenge him the other day, how am I going to live with him without my head being snapped off, with my mouth always putting me in trouble, ah!”

‎ A knock at the door interrupted her thought,

“‎Who is there?” she frowned

“‎Am sorry for disturbing my lady, but your presence is needed at the hall”. Said a servant.

“‎I’m coming give me some minutes, I will join them”

‎

‎

‎ *******

CASSIAN'S POV

“After the very encounter between Maria and I, I can't get her out of my mind”.

He could see through those eyes. It held so many questions that he couldn't answer. The innocence in her eyes made his heartless heart beat. She was indeed a beauty.

He knows the marriage is not about love or companionship– but something far from that, he can't get her off his mind. A few days from now he will be a married man.

‎

Tristan has been so close to Cassian since they were five so he knows what goes on in his mind.

“So you find her attractive? " he gloated.

‎Cassian looked at him, “Get me my cigarette”

“‎But you know she will be yours a few days from now” he was trying piss Cassian off.

“‎She is already mine” . The word mine came out more like a claim than a word.

“Chill, I am not taking her, she is yours, but you know she has a sharp tongue?”

“‎I can tame that”.

“‎She is not one of those scoundrels you deal with Boss”.

“‎I don't care”

Cassian stared into space looking at nothing in particular, trying hard to get her off his mind.

“Boss, do you think I should get some of her….”

“Don't talk about her anymore Tristan if you love your tongue” Cassian muttered slowly and dangerously. And that quickly ended the conversation about Maria. But it definitely didn't end the thought.

Tristan swallowed hard and nodded slightly.

“Get me all the activities going on in the club, I need some time alone there”.

TBC

*Bound By Lies*

© Parchments and Quills

Cassian puffed out smoke from his mouth. He smirked as he recalled her words.

"Hey Mr. Mafia you should be happy that I am considering agreeing to this marriage"

"She's bold" he muttered and dumped the cigarette on the ashtray.

"Let's hit the club," he said as he turned to Tristan.

"Sure boss," Tristan replied.

He walked out with Tristan trailing behind. They headed to the garage where cars of different models and colors displayed like it's an auto showroom.

He picked the black Lamborghini and was about to open the car door but Tristan beat him to it.

"I'm driving" Cassian said coldly

"But bos..."

"I'm driving and that is that" he said calmly but in a commanding tone.

"Ok boss" Tristan said whilst bowing and headed for the passengers seat. Cassian hopped into the car and brought the engines to life. He quickly zoomed out of the mansion.

THE SANDLER'S MANSION

   Veronica was in her room sitting prettily in front of the mirror while maids attended to her. She kept smiling as she thought about the marriage between Maria and Cassian happening some days from now. The door opened and Mr Dominic stepped in. Quickly, Veronica changed her mood, she kept her head down and pretended like she was sad.

"Leave" she told the maids as she gestured with her hands for them to leave which they did immediately.

"And what's making you so gloomy?" Mr Dominic asked, coming closer.

"Oh I just can't believe that our one and only Maria is getting married to Cassian" she said keeping a long face but inside her she was the happiest. Words can't explain that.

"I know darling but we just have to accept it" he added but deep down inside him, he did it for reasons best known to him. He went closer, grabbed her waist and gave her a neck kiss to comfort her. "Let's go to the hall, Maria's waiting" he whispered. She nodded and they both left.

Maria was already waiting in the hall, chatting with Mandy on her phone before Dominic and Veronica came. She rolled eyes when she saw them.

"Darling we need to talk" Dominic said as they approached her.

"There's no damn thing to talk about!" Maria spat

"Oh and FYI I'm going out with Mandy, I need to chill somewhere" she said and stormed out. Veronica folded her fist to suppress her anger. "She needs to be tamed," she muttered under her breath.

       ***MOONLIT CLUB***

The club is one of the most popular in town. It's always filled 24/7. There are strippers dancing on the poles while men spray them with money. As usual, the place is crowded with people dancing to the rhythm of the music, some getting drunk, some making out shamelessly in corners. Some ladies can be seen walking around nakedly displaying different sizes of b**bs.

   Cassian was seated amongst the crowd, he wasn't really interested in anything happening right now. Just smoking from his weed and watching a slut who's touching herself in front of him. Tristan just stood behind him with his face unfazed. The slut proceeded to romance his chest but Cassian held her hand midair

"Don't" he warned and the girl gulped, his grip on her hand so tight she could feel bones cracking.

"Now leave" he ordered and the girl rushed out. At the same time, Maria arrived with Mandy both cladded in short black skinny gowns which hung to their body and served as second skin. Maria's gown was shorter and stopped in her mid thighs, she wore black thigh high boots and her hair was styled in a bang. Mandy on the other hand was wearing a high heel and she styled her hair in a pony tail.

Both of them were looking hot and gorgeous, especially Maria with her hour glass shape. Guys couldn't stop staring. They sat down at a table directly opposite Cassian's.

"Boss, is that not Maria?" Tristan spoke up and that made Cassian look up. He squinted his brows and frowned when he saw her outfit. He stood up and walked straight to their table, he got there and roughly pulled Maria up. " Argh you maniac, what are you..." she was cut short when she looked to see Cassian's glaring eyes at her.

"What the f**ck are you doing here?" He asked still holding her

"It's none of your business!" Maria said glaring back at him

"Hey dude let her be" Mandy said but that was her only mistake

Cassian hit her neck with his palm and she passed out, falling with a loud thud on the floor which caused everyone in the club to turn in their direction.

"Mandyyy!!" Maria screamed

"How dare you? Why? You heartless freak! I f*cking hate you" she screamed but Cassian chuckled

"What were you expecting? Prince Charming?" He smirked.

"You belong to me, get that into your stupid skull" he said, having a full look at her outfit.

"I'll never belong to a monster li..."

Her words were cut shut when Cassian's lips came down crashing on hers. He kissed her roughly and devoured her lips causing people to gasp.

He claimed her like his possession which she is and she let out a tiny moan.

TBC