The last person I wanted to see.

"I came here to apologize"

"Okay, apology not accepted. Get out"

"You know I was on drugs, right? I just wasn't fully aware of what I was doing. Are you doing okay?"

"I can't believe this. Are you really asking me this now? Get out. I work here,"

"Why do you have to make it so difficult? Why does it always have to be like that"

"So it's my fault?" I asked as tears welled up my eyes.

"Of course not, but if you didn't provoke me, none of this would happen! If you answered my calls and stopped with this rehab bullshit. Look, my father worked hard for years at the company just to find out he's about to lose everything, you would be upset too, right?"

"Right of course. In case any of you was in my position, I'd instantly hire a hitman to get your both of your asses," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"No one is trying to hire a hitman Eli we just need you to cooperate"

Ah yes, they need me to cooperate or else...

"I don't want to talk to you. I want you to leave, or I'm calling the police," I responded, refusing to back down.

"Why do you always have to piss me off before the conversation even begins?" Ethan asked, now with aggression. I recognized this voice well, and it terrified me. I took a step back.

I could see that Ethan was getting more and more worked up so I don't know why I felt the need to piss him off even more.

"You've lost your right to ever speaking with me again the moment you hit me," I said with voice hurt and quiet. I wanted to sound strong and confident. I wanted to hurt him the same way he hurt me. "I've never been a family to me, and I've come to terms with it"

"Shut the fuck up, Eliana. You're just a manipulative bitch nothing more. If you don't comply and give up your rights-"

"Then what?" I interrupted him.

"You will end up in a worse state than the last time," He said and took a step towards me to intimidate me. It worked like a charm. Quickly, I took a few steps back until I hit the wall. A few cigarette packets fell off the shelf.

"Sorry, I think you should leave," Mike began politely, his voice slightly trembling, unfortunately watching everything

"Stay the fuck out of it," Ethan growled.

But Mike, like me, wasn't looking at Ethan at the moment. We looked at the figure standing right behind Ethan's back.

Rafael. He stopped in front of me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Is there a problem?" He asked calmly, pulling away from me. His arm wrapped around my shoulders in protection and I could feel the warmth spread through my chest. I knew these displays of affection were just for the show. But I couldn't help myself, I felt safe in Rafael's embrace.

What was he doing here? He didn't tell me he's going to show up here.

"Who the fuck are you? Why the hell are you kissing my cousin? "Ethan asked with even more hostility.

"Boy, did you just swear at me?" Rafael asked in a voice I never heard from him before. It was pure ice. I think the temperature in the room dropped at least a few degrees. "It seems like you're in desperate need for lesson in manners,"

"What?" That's pretty much all Ethan managed to say before he was hit hard in the stomach by Antonio.

"Wait, stop," I said, not being able to watch this, but Antonio didn't stop. Antonio's hits grew stronger and more brutal.

I took a step towards Ethan but found myself in Rafael's strong embrace.

"If you intend to challenge my authority in public, don't, "Raphael whisper his warning into my ear, and I trembled in his embrace. "And stop shaking like a little rabbit, love. You're safe"

I hated violence, and Rafael was the only source of safety I had right now. I couldn't watch what was happening, so instead of fighting Rafael, I turned around to face his chest and I hugged him, closing my eyes, letting tears drip from my cheeks started to stain his black shirt that probably costed more than my monthly pension. I didn't care.

"Sorry! I'm really sorry," Ethan howled in a pathetic little voice. This made me flinch.

"Enough," said Raphael quietly, but he didn't sound sorry or concerned. Not at all. He said his command so quietly that Antonio might not have heard him.

Suddenly, I felt Raphael releasing me from his embrace and stepping away from me, moving closer to Ethan, who was now lying on the ground. Rafael crouched over him, I was surprised to see visible emotion on Rafael's face. He was looking at my cousin as if it was a cockroach he just crushed with his shoe.

"Dear boy, this is your first lesson from me. It is unforgivable to raise your hand on a woman. It happens so that this woman is my future wife, never disrespect me or her ever again, is that clear?"

"When my father finds out-" I don't know what then, because suddenly a sharp knife appeared in Rafael's hands, and he held the blade dangerously near Ethan's cheek.

"Do not interrupt me. Your father won't hurt me. Just like he is untouchable because of his position, so am I. You on the other hand not so much"

"I'm sorry"

"You won't bother my fiancée anymore, will you?"

"Yes"

"Good boy," said Rafael, and patted Ethan on the cheek with a hand covered with a black leather glove. "You may leave" Ethan did what Rafael said. He scrambled off the ground and rushed towards the door. He didn't even spare me a glance.

When Ethan was out Rafael's cold gaze rested on me. What did I do? Was he angry at me? Then I felt it. Mike's hand on my shoulder was probably a well-meaning, comforting gesture. I didn't feel his hand touching me until Rafael looked at us.

He didn't look happy.

"Who is that boy?" He asked me, not sparing Mike a glance.

"This is Mike. He's my new coworker," I said nervously, purposefully taking a step away from him.

Mike already let go of me, sensing this wasn't the best choice to keep holding onto me.

"Mike, why were you just touching my fiancé?"

"I... she just looked scared. I wanted to comfort her, I'm very sorry"

"Don't do it again"

"I- of course, sir, I am really sorry"

"If you're really sorry, get out of my sight then"

"Thank you for your help. Mike, I'm so sorry about everything," I said quickly "Our shift ended 20 minutes ago you, you should go change and leave" I reminded him. The safest place for him now was to be far away from Rafael.

"Oh yes, sure," he said and disappeared into the staff room.

Raphael and I both seemed to wait for Mike to leave.

"You!" I yelled, feeling a sudden surge of frustration, "You can't order around every person you meet. Why do you have to be so aggressive?" I asked, feeling angry and powerless. This man was so infuriating.

"Don't raise your voice at me, Eliana. No one is allowed to touch my property"

"I'm not your property," I said in frustration. Seriously, who does he think he is?!

"For the next six months you are and no one is allowed to touch you. You're not allowed to let them if you don't want me to get mad at you"

"Y-you can't order me around!"

"I already prove to you that I can. If I ever see your co-worker touching you I will make sure you no longer work here I wouldn't mind a stay-at-home wife," he said as if he was very pleased by his idea. I wanted to slap him in the face, but I knew better.

That possessive, rude bastard. I hated him right now.

"Stop acting like you can solve everything with violence and force," I said, exasperated.

"You don't need to like it, but this is how I do things. That's why you need me. Ah right, speaking of our deal. I showed up here for a reason"

He took out a little box made of green satin from his pocket.

The mysterious object appeared on the countertop. When I opened it, it revealed the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. It was made from gold, with the rhinestones surrounding the red diamond placed in the center of the beautiful design. My gaze shifted towards the signet ring on Rafael's pinky finger. To my surprise, Rafael held up his hand, so I could get a better look at it." These two rings are the pieces of the same red diamond. They're passed down from generation to generation in my family. To the eldest son and his future wife"

"Wait. I can't wear something so important to your family. Please, can we buy some cheap ring? It's just a temporary arrangement after all"

Wearing something so precious terrified me. What if I will loose it? Rafael would murder me on the spot.

"You will wear the ring I am giving you," Raphael said, and his voice indicated that it's better not to argue. "Go change, we're going shopping"

"We already have the ring, why do we need to go shopping?"

"We need to get you a dress for the engagement party on Friday"

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Hello Lovely Readers,

How do you like the story progressing so far? Is Rafael doing okay as a Male Lead? What about Eliana?

I hope you don't mind Remi, Casey and Milo being introduced to the story, I know they're new characters but I hope you like them.