Chapter 5

• Nathaniel.
• " The hell are you doing here?" I snap, angrily walking to the guy.
• " Nothing. I thought I saw her cry" Reed shrugs and I glare at him.
• Is this the reason he brought that bitch here?
• "Also, this just came in." He hands me her phone, and it's a message from 'boss'. I am yet to reprimand him for touching her phone until I see the content on the screen.
• I read the message with furrowed brows and chuckle.
• "What do you think she will do?" Reed murmurs and I am thankful the sounds of the shower are blocking her from hearing us.
• What will she do? I am not sure. If we had a past together then someone must have intentionally sent her to me. I have a handful of enemies which is not surprising at all.
• But why hasn't she shown up to me in five years? If at all we were that close. She would have approached me right? Did we break up or something? Damien mentioned that I fucked her and left.
• This is interesting.
• " It's a test. Let's see how she performs" I whisper, motioning for him to follow me out.
• It's strange though. My assistant went missing after I told him to look into her. Where did he find her anyway? Someone wanting to kill me is not news to me but why use her?
• And who the fuck is this boss? Is it some competitor?
• What will she do though? This is my only chance to know where I belong in her heart. It's clear she hates me and I would love to see just how much.
• Minutes pass, hours pass and there is no sight of her. I don't leave my office. I stay still and wait for her to come for me.
• Thirty minutes to midnight, the door finally slowly opens and I don't turn around. For some reason, my heart is pounding in anticipation.
• I might be hesitant to harm her but if she lays a finger on me, she will end up hurt badly. If she kills me tonight, my men will haunt and end her without a second thought, even Reed who seems entranced by her beauty.
• Deep down, I want Ella to trust me. I want her to look into my eyes and hesitate to pull the trigger. That is the only sign I want. That will prove that we actually meant something to each other even though I don't remember.
• Light footsteps approach me and softly halt beside me. I don't look up either and from the clean scent reaching my nose, I don't doubt it's her.
• "Leon" a soft voice reaches my ears and I am compelled to look up.
• I expected to meet a gun aimed at me or a dagger descending to my neck, but instead, I am met with puffy vulnerable eyes.
• Fuck, I feel the urge to pull her to me. Hide her in my strong arms, kiss her forehead, and assure her she will be safe with me. That no one will touch or use her when she is in my embrace.
• I want to make sure she never cries again but I can't, I am five years too late.
• Ella deeps her hand at the back of her shorts and I expect her to draw a gun but instead, she hands me her phone.
• I know the words the message contains but I can't let her know that. It will blow the little trust she has in me.
• "Will you do it?" I return the phone after glancing at the screen, and she sighs taking a seat opposite mine.
• "What do you think?" She murmurs with a low sniffle and lays her head on my desk. " I was born and raised in a wicked world and I should have known better than chew more than I could swallow. I knew not to go against your parents, but you told me to trust you. Look at us now" She stands up and gestures between us with a sad chuckle.
• "You don't even recognize me. How will you know how much I have lost and suffered just for loving you?" Ella shakes her head and finally draws out her gun.
• I don't react. I remain calm as I stare at her.
• "So tell me, Leonardo Russo, why won't I kill you for a dollar cheque?" Ella darkly chuckles and for the first time, her eyes are not tender anymore. They hold hate, rage and most of all, she's hurting. Her body is literally shaking and her teary eyes are making me uncomfortable.
• "My brother was your fucking best friend. Austin begged me to let you go but I refused. Your bitchy mother killed them, and she didn't rest until I was completely ruined. Do you think my love for you is enough to overlook the hate I feel for your fucked up family?" Ella forces the words out as more tears effortlessly roll down her pretty face.
• "Why didn't you approach me? I lost my memories but you didn't, why didn't you come to me?" Ella chuckles and tucks away her gun.
• "And say what? Your lavish engagement party was the talk of the town. You left me naked on your bed and disappeared, and then a month later, you got engaged to Samantha, would you have believed any word I said.? Would you have chosen me against your family?" She shakes her head and turns away to wipe her tears. I hate seeing her like this.
• "Give me some time, okay? I will find a therapist and see if they can help with my memories" I sigh leaning back in my seat. I should have done that sooner but I didn't know she existed until she appeared. I don't understand why I can't remember anything about her when I remember everything else.
• "No need for that. I don't want to go back to my past. Furthermore, it will hurt less when I finally end your wicked family. Everyone who laid their filthy hands on me will experience a painful end" Ella leans on my desk and with every hateful word coming out of her mouth, her tears follow suit "This is my promise to you, Nathaniel Russo"
• Fuck, watching her hurt is the most uncomfortable sight to see.
• "I need a job. You are rich and I am sure you can fix me somewhere" The girl in front of me suddenly composes herself but a traitorous tear falls anyway.
• "You don't need to work a day in your life. I will take care of you" I assure but she quickly shakes her head.
• "I don't need your money or your pity. I only need a fucking job" Fuck, why do her hateful words make me uneasy?
• "Of course, the position of secretary is vacant in one of my companies. Whenever you are ready." Ella simply nods and walks out, leaving her phone in my hands.
• Picking up my phone, I dial a number I know so well. "I want a detailed report on what happened to Valdez family five years ago. Everyone involved should be mentioned too"