My normal chapter has around 1k words and this has over 2500 so you can see it as a double update you've been asking about ;)

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When Sofia entered her oldest brother office he was sitting at his desk. It was a late evening. His black suit jacket was neatly hung on the leather couch, he was wearing a white shirt with its sleeves rolled up and black pants. Sofia got the impression that he was really tired.

"Where is your essay?" He asked as he looked up, she came empty-handed.

Oh right, an essay. The essay she didn't have.

"Straight to the point, huh?" she made an attempt to sound funny but she just sounded nervous. And a small smile she has made looked like a grimace.

"Right, I don't have all day, where is it?" Alessandro asked calmly.

"I don't have it. Give me something else to do" Sofia ordered. Shit. She meant to ask but it came out as a command. Oops. Alessandro raised his eyebrows.

"Sofia, it might be a good time to let you know that I find your attitude disrespectful," he said in a quiet voice, his dark-brown eyes narrowed.

"I can't write" she blurted out stupidly.

"You may write in English if that's more comfortable for you," he said not seeing the problem.

"No, you don't understand. This punishment is not for me. I can't figure anything out. Just tell me to clean the house or something" she said and it sounded more dismissively than she meant to. She was digging her own grave at this point.

"Sofia you do not decide what punishment you're getting" He used his fountain pen to point the couch. "Sit down and start writing. You will leave this office when you're finished"

"You're kidding" Sofia looked at him with widened eyes. No way.

"I don't. And I don't like to repeat myself so it's the last time I am telling you to sit down" he paused and waited for her to comply with his order "You have school tomorrow so I suggest you to hurry up"

He continued reading his documents. She felt like leaving the room without care for his reaction but pushed this dumb idea away.

The moment her pen touched the paper she said "Someone is blackmailing me over a video"

Sofia couldn't believe she said that. Just like that. It was spontaneous, she wasn't thinking.

"What video?" Alessandro instantly stopped what he was doing.

"Someone filmed me being bullied in a school bathroom. That video shows a group of people dumping their drinks and food on me. My wet shirt is... very see-through. That's why I skipped class that day because I learned she's is going to do it if I tell" Sofia said sadly.

"And why were you in that bathroom?" he asked, it sounded calm but to Sofia, there was something else in that voice. Cold, controlled fury.

"They dragged me there" Sofia shrugged her shoulders.

"Who? I want names everyone involved" He asked instantly.

"Cynthia Denaro, Giada Ferraro, Garbiele and Riccardo Pollini" Sofia named skipping Greta on purpose.

He nodded. "I'm going to have a chat with the headmaster first thing in the morning"

Sofia stood up from the couch and appeared in front of him. She looked at him with pleading in her eyes. "No! You can't go there. If you go there Cynthia will know and she will release the video" Sofia was really scared.

He looked at her with gentleness in his eyes "Sofia making a move like that will hurt them more than it could ever hurt you. You have nothing to be ashamed of because you did nothing wrong. Tomorrow I will make sure all people involved will be properly punished. They will be also forced to delete that video. Trust me"

"Okay," Sofia said softly. She backed away and sat on the chair in front of his desk.

"Before I get this done and that kids are removed from your class I want you to stay at home" Alessandro decided.

"Wait, we have a truce with Cynthia and everyone is really nice to me now. I want to be at school tomorrow" She couldn't afford to skip since she already lost at least two weeks of school because of the whole running away from home in order to escape her crazy step-father situation.

Alessandro brows furrowed as he instantly noticed that detail must be missing from Sofia's story "What changed? Why do they like you now?"

"They know I am Valentino's sister now," Sofia said looking down.

"How come they didn't know from the start?" Alessandro's eyes narrowed.

Sofia shrugged "Because my surname is Sanzaro and Valentino at first just told his group friends about it. He wanted to give me space in school" Sofia explained.

"I will talk to him about it," Alessandro said and Sofia sensed that it's not going to be a nice conversation. "But that brings us to another topic. How do you feel about changing surname to Ianniello?" Alessandro asked.

"Wait, really?"Sofia looked up to meet his brown eyes.

"It will take a few weeks but I would love to take care of it. You're our family and your surname should reflect that" Alessandro said gently.

"I would love that" Sofia smiled.

He hugged her gently and said "Thank you for telling me about your problems. I will fix it, I promise"

"Thank you," Sofia said.

Alessandro glanced at his golden Rollex and said: "You should go to sleep, it's late"

"What about the essay?" Sofia asked quietly.

"Forget about the essay" Alessandro said in a dismissive voice.

Sofia nodded and left her brother's office.

He really was the best.

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When she came back to her room it was around midnight.

Sofia knew that Valentino had a sixth sense when it came to her horrible sleeping habits so she didn't even try to sit on the balcony, or read books. Instead, she just lied on the bed and started scrolling through Instagram but she couldn't focus. Too many thoughts were preoccupying her mind.

As she was lying on her bed she couldn't help but realize how much of a toll that bathroom situation took on her. That forcefulness, humiliation and desperation she felt triggered her past memories. She didn't want to remember but it was all there so very clear when she was engulfed in darkness.

It wouldn't go away.

Everything playing in her head like a movie with vivid, horrible details. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she recalled the pure desperation and fear she experienced when living with Paul.

Sofia needed to escape Paul but it wasn't that easy. She needed money. But plane tickets were crazy expensive, especially since she could only buy something last minute.

She had a time limit. Eleven months until she turns 18 and gets sold. But she couldn't just buy tickets if she didn't have money for the hotel or food, she needed to earn something to at least keep it together for several weeks.

Sofia went downstairs to see Paul in the kitchen preparing breakfast for himself as if he was a normal human being.

"Hi Paul, listen I've been meaning to ask you but you probably will say no..." Sofia started shyly.

"What is it?" Paul asked taking a bite of scrambled eggs.

"Can I start working at your bar?" She was referring to the place that was her mother's restaurant. He completely changed everything and started his own business.

"You're underage" he pointed out.

"Just a few hours a day? I really want to help just a little bit"

"Fine. Few hours only. You can start full time after you finish 18" he smiled as if he knew about something she didn't.

She shivered when he said that but she kept her voice controlled as she said "Thank you"

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The first day at the bar was an awful experience. The place was full of drunk men who didn't know how to behave. The full-time working waitresses were wearing very skimpy uniforms, she received one too and that made Sofia feel really uncomfortable.

Sofia was still trembling after a rude client that has been harassing her today. She escaped him the moment he grabbed her ass but a disgusting feeling remained. Her hands were shaky hands and she spilt a drink so she was now busy frantically wiping down the counter before Paul sees it and starts yelling at her.

"You alright?" A male voice with an Italian accent asked. Oh no. Another one.

Sofia looked up to see who decided to bother her now. The man who "saved" her was different from a normal customer of this place.

He didn't fit into the scenery, because it was not a place for the rich people and he was definitely rich. His choice of purple and white colour for the suit and tie was a little too obnoxious for her taste. She appreciated someone's else company although no person at this bar was a saint. Saints were not visiting places like that.

"I'm fine," Sofia said dryly.

"Honey, fetch for me two shots of vodka," he said that to Mary who was working with her today. Mary nodded and glanced worriedly at Sofia.

"I'm working here," Sofia said.

"Just one drink, I promise" the man winked at her, he was smiling.

Sofia couldn't tell she's 17 because that would cause Paul trouble. Not that someone would actually arrest him, apparently the local police were terrorized by him and his crew. But he would get pissed at her if he learned she spreads information about her age.

"Okay," she agreed out of lack of choice. Soon she was after the first shot of vodka in her life. It was absolutely disgusting. "I will be going now, I have a job to do"

"The only job you have to do now is to keep my company, sweetheart" he took her by hand and then pulled her so she was now sitting on his lap. "Now that's better, isn't that right doll?"

"You said just one drink," Sofia said.

"That's right, for you. I will have another" he said without letting her go. She felt like throwing up.

"Please, let me go" she started squirming trying to leave but he held her in place.

"C'mon sweetie I will help you earn a good money so you don't have to work in this shithole" he promised in what he believed was alluring voice. It was disgusting.

But his promise made Sofia stop moving. Was he serious?

"H-how much?" Did she really asked him this question? She couldn't believe it.

"How much do you want?" He asked.

"Two thousands" she replied.

"You're cute but I'm not paying this much for a one-night stand" he chuckled.

"I-I'm a virgin. It matters to creeps like you right?" Sofia asked anxiously, sitting stiffly in place.

He started genuinely laughing "Ok, now you got me interested"

But before they could go into details Paul showed up to interrupt them.

"She's not providing this kind of service," Paul said, clearly annoyed "Sofia, we've talked about this you're allowed to stay here only for three hours a day"

"Sorry" Sofia said quickly, now she was free to pull away from the strange man.

"Boss, Don Cesare showed up" one of the minions said.

"It's me, you idiot" the man in a purple suit said.

"Don Cesare it's an honor" Paul said, suddenly in a very polite voice. His attitude changed completely. "If you could please let my dear step-daughter go so we can talk," he said sweetly. "Sofia, say goodbye to Cesare, nicely and go home" Paul instructed.

"Goodbye" Sofia said curly and was about to leave the bar as soon as possible.

"I said nicely" Cesare stopped her from leaving with his dangerous tone.

Sofia looked at him as he was pointing at his right cheek. She knew she's not going to leave unless she does what he wants so both Paul and Cesare received a kiss on the cheek from her.

That made her feel disgusted with herself. But after that humiliation, she was finally allowed to leave.

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Cesare Santini was not a man who tolerates people wasting his time. He wanted to finish Denaros and Ianniellos and become the main player among Sicilian mafia clans. His family deserved it.

He wasn't sure if getting involved with non-Italian was a way to go. He was hesitant but he also knew that to dethrone current rulers he has to think outside of the box. He had to be innovative.

He knew very well that Denaros and Ianniellos do not allow such a lucrative business as sex trafficking to grow in their city. Their stupid, outdated code of honour was more relevant than profit. For some reason abuse against women was particularly punished in their circles. He absolutely despised this philosophy, the philosophy his father and brothers also held dear for some reason. He cared about profit, not sentiments. Unlike some fools he knew.

They were all weak and short-sighted.

So he searched for someone for whom he could work with. And Paul? Paul was a total idiot. That was a big problem. How is he suppose to carry a business with him?

"We have contact with the police some of the officers work for us. Trust me, it's safe to invest in me and my boys" Paul tried to convince him.

"Trust is not for free. You provide goods, I provide cash flow that's the only thing I can offer for now" Cesare responded.

"What if I exchange my step-daughter for your trust?" Paul proposed casually "It's clear from the way you looked at her that you feel attraction towards her and I don't blame you she's very pretty" he took a sip of his drink.

"Selling your family member? You're really heartless son of the bitch" Cesare was pleased. He appreciated that Paul wanted things to get done. No matter what cost.

"But boss what about waiting for her to turn 18" one of Paul's minions asked.

"Shut up" Paul growled.

"I might be interested in this exchange" Cesare decided. The girl was beautiful, he would have a lot of fun with her.

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Sofia was looking at the card with Cesare's number when she decided she's definitely not going to call him. She crumpled the paper and threw it away in the trash.

She would never do this. Not for money and not with that pig.

When Paul came back home he was drunk and frustrated, apparently, the conversation didn't went as he planned. He let out all his frustration on her by yelling that she's too noisy when she dropped a spoon while preparing dinner for him.

This was a breaking point.

This is when Sofia decided to use the money she got from Elio's brother, borrow some money from Nadia and use everything she had in her personal bank account to buy the tickets to Catania.

With using all that she would be able to barely afford the tickets, she would have no money for hotel or food.

But she could no longer wait. She had to run. Without any spare money. Now.

When Sofia was thinking about what happened back then she couldn't help but wonder:

What would happen to her if she didn't throw away that piece of paper? What would happen if she didn't put everything on the line and left the states without a penny in her pockets.

With that in mind, she couldn't sleep a wink. She was too stressed, too traumatized by everything that happened to her.

Author's note:

I promised myself ice cream after I am done with this chapter. I hope you enjoyed reading.