Hello everyone!

I am back with a new chapter.

This is the longest chapter I wrote so far with 5615 words.

I like writing long chapters.

I want to know if you prefer long chapters or short ones.

Please comment and tell me your preferences.

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Tomorrow morning came too quickly for Anna's liking. It was time she goes to Sasha's office and meets the man who will take her to another world.

Today was a school day, so her friends weren't here. They insisted to stay with her and give her a proper goodbye, but she refused their pleadings. She appreciated their good intentions but she didn't like goodbye moments, she has her fair share of them.

She gave her room one last look. The nightstand beside her bed was bare from her belongings. Suddenly, she felt like a stranger in a place she called home for five years. She breathed deeply and took the first step towards her new life.

Anna tried very hard to stop her hands from shaking when she knocked on the door's office. A few seconds later, she found herself in front of Sasha's desk. The woman was smiling at her with a strange sadness in her eyes. Anna returned her smile with another one of her own then her eyes landed on the man sitting on the chair across the desk.

He appeared to be in his late forties with sharp black eyes and strong jaw. His salt and pepper hair was slicked back. He was wearing a black suit and looked very serious. The man had a strange aura around him that screamed power and money.

"Anna sweetie, I am speaking to you. Are you okay?" Sasha spoke worriedly.

"Sorry Sasha, I was just deep in my thoughts. What were you saying?" Anna asked apologetically.

Sasha looked at her with disapproval. She knew Anna was afraid and nervous but she had to behave better than that. The man in front of her seemed the kind that takes no-no sense and the girl needed to put her act together.

"As I was saying Anna, this is Mr. Jacob Black. Mr. Black this is Anna Sanders." Sasha spoke introducing the pair to each other.

Jacob rose from his chair and extended his hand for a shake. Anna was shocked when she saw the man's height. He was tall and well built. She was sure he can pick her up effortlessly. She just stood there staring at him. His eyes were void of emotion and his jaw set in a hard line. She considered running out of the door and never come back again. If she was afraid before, now she is terrified.

She heard Sasha clear her throat in a way she was sure was a warning. She forced her hand to move and was immediately engulfed by a lager hand. Surprisingly, his hand was warm and his touch comforting. Oddly, she felt cold when he pulled his hand away.

She was going insane. Her emotions were out of place and in a disorder. How can she enjoy the warmth of a stranger? There is something wrong with her. She was sure of it.

From that point, she blocked the conversation between the two and stood rigidly waiting for them to finish. Too soon for her liking, the conversation ended and it was time to leave.

"follow me" Jacob ordered and strode towards the door.

She looked at him with her mouth wide open. He ordered her easily and started walking expecting her without a doubt to follow after him like a puppy. For a moment, she considered defying him but thought against it. She didn't want to see his reaction. She hugged Sasha tightly and hurried after Jacob who was already in front of his car tapping his right foot impatiently.

His black car was fancy like the suit he was wearing. All the workers in the orphanage were ogling it. He opened the door for her and ordered her once again to get in. she closed her eyes and prayed hard for patience.

She felt like throwing a tantrum, that man was insensitive and doesn't have a care in the world. He didn't even acknowledge her. She sighed and obeyed, it seemed like this is the new routine of her life. Command, and orders from an old man that expected blind obedience.

They sat in silence for several minutes, until Anna felt her head going to explode from the ideas coursing through her mind. She cleared her throat and spoke carefully.

"where are we going, sir?" asked Anna in a voice she hoped was powerful.

"Airport." He responded curtly.

"AIRPORT!!! Why are we going to the airport?" Anna exclaimed with her eyes wide in shock.

"because we are going to New York," He replied calmly ignoring her outburst completely.

"And why are we going to New York?" she knew her question sounded stupid but she was hoping his answer will be nothing like the one in her mind. Maybe they were heading there to spend the holiday with his family, or he has some urgent businesses and needs to go to New York.

"I live there, so you will move in with me."

His answer broke her. She was living in the fantasy that the man lived in Chicago and she will be able to meet her friends whenever she wanted. She even went to the extent of dreaming to go to her high school and continue studying there. Well lesson number one in life: "never build your dreams high because when they crush you will crush wit them."

She remained silent during the trip to the airport. She expected to go through security and routine checks, but she was surprised when he led her directly to a small hallway then opened a door to reveal a private jet waiting for them.

For the tenth time today, Anna's jaw hung open in shock. She didn't expect this at all. But in the last week of her life, a lot of unexpected things happened. With another order from Jacob, she found herself following him. If she thought the plane was big from the outside she was wrong because it was huge inside.

She followed Jacob around while he showed her the interior of the plane. First, there were about eight beige leather seats that looked very comfortable. Then, he opened a door at the far end of the jet to reveal a bedroom with a huge bed and a walk-in closet and a bathroom attached to it.

She didn't understand why people need a room in a plane but she didn't dare to ask her question out loud.

He left the room and went to another one which was a kitchen. In there was a blonde woman who appeared to be in her late thirties sorting different bottles. The moment she saw them she turned around and smiled kindly.

"Welcome Mr. Black, Ms. .........."

"Anna sanders," Jacob completed her sentence.

"Welcome, Ms. Sanders I will be your hostess today. If you need anything, I will be at your service."

Before Anna could utter a word she found herself dragged by Jacob to the seats. The nerve of him, he didn't even allow her to return the woman's greeting.

"Sit and buckle your belt. We will take off soon." With those words, he sat in his chair and fasten his belt.

Anna couldn't help herself and stuck her tongue at his retreating back. She knew it was a childish act but it felt right at the moment.

She sighed and obeyed him quietly. His black eyes were stern and his face very hard, so she chose not to defy him even if she wasn't happy with his attitude towards her.

After a few minutes, she heard the pilot announcing the beginning of their trip. She gripped the arms of her seat tightly and closed her eyes waiting for the hard phase to end. It wasn't the first time she traveled on a plane but she always hated the feeling when the plane took off. She would feel nauseous and that made her very uncomfortable. When the plane was steady in the air, Jacob unbuckled his belt and stood, he looked at her with his emotionless eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

Anna stared at him in bewilderment, she sensed the concern in his voice and what made it more confusing was the sincerity in his words.

"Y yes I am okay." she stuttered.

Way to go Anna! Her subconscious scolded furiously.

"Good, I will be in my office for the entirety of this flight. You can rest in the room I showed you. If you need anything, go to Matilda, the hostess and she will help you."

With those words, he strode towards his office. Anna sighed and closed her eyes. This man was impossible, how can she spend her life with him? She hoped his wife would be gentler and understanding even if she doubted it. With all this money, she was pretty sure the woman would be with her nose in the air and very superior to people below her.

Anna unfastened her belt and went to the room. This time she took in every detail. The queen-sized bed was in the middle of the room with two black wood oak nightstands at his sides. The floor was covered with a white plush carpet. She walked to the bathroom and realized that the shower is where the luxury shines with a black shower stall, big mirror, and golden hammered sink that was simple in its design but very elegant at the same time.

She looked at her face in the mirror and noticed the dark circles under her eyes. She looked very tired and in the need of so much necessary sleep.

She took off her shoes and lied down in bed. The mattress was very soft and comfortable so Anna found herself drifting to a dreamless sleep in a matter of seconds.

Anna woke up to the sound of knocking on her door. At first, she was confused and didn't remember where she was, but memories came rushing in her mind. She stood up and put her shoes back. She opened the door to find Matilda smiling at her.

"Ms. Sanders it is time for lunch and I thought you need to eat," the woman said pleasantly.

"Please, call me Anna. And yes I would like to have some lunch."

"Very well, would you follow me please?"

Anna smiled at her and walked with Matilda to the kitchen that looked like a picture from a design magazine with black marble counters and a little bar at the far side, the floor was polished and shining. She sat on the stool and watched the woman fixing a sandwich for her.

"You can go back to your room and eat, or seat in the dining room out there and enjoy your lunch." offered Matilda.

"I would like to eat here," Anna said smiling. "If you are okay with it," she added.

"Of course dear, you can eat here or wherever you like."

Anna didn't realize she was starving until she took the first bite of her sandwich. She didn't eat since lunch yesterday and her stomach now was protesting and demanding food.

After she was finished, Anna tossed the paper plate in the trash bin and resumed her seat facing Matilda who was preparing drinks.

"So, Matilda I want to ask you a question."

"Go ahead dear, ask whatever you want."

"Since when you work for Mr. Black?" asked Anna curiously. She wondered how many years the poor woman was under his command.

"I worked for him for eight years."

"How come you didn't pull your hair from exasperation," Anna said flabbergasting with her eyes wide.

"Sweetie, I won't deny it. Working for Mr. Black is very hard, he is a demanding man and expects everything to be perfect, but once he trusts you, you will be very comfortable with him."

Comfortable my ass! I will never be comfortable with Mr. Jerk. Anna scoffed internally.

"Matilda, Mr. Black is married. His wife, is she nice?" Anna asked hesitantly.

"yes, Mrs. Black is very kind. I am sure you will love her when you meet her. She is always smiling and treats everyone equally. When I first met her I couldn't believe that she is the same woman who is the wife of one of the richest men in New York."

Somewhat, Matilda's words brought some comfort to Anna. She chatted with the woman for another fifteen minutes about her life back in Chicago, while Matilda shared with her some stories about her husband and her twin boys.

She heard the pilot's voice for the second time today instructing them to take their seats and buckle their belts because they will land in ten minutes. Anna boded the older woman goodbye and hurried to her seat, the last thing she wanted was Jacob getting on her case and ordering her with his cold voice.

The landing went smoothly and without any complications. Anna grabbed her black duffle bag and followed Jacob who led her to the entrance of the airport where they found three sleek black cars with tinted windows waiting for them. From the car in the middle, emerged a tall muscular man. He greeted Jacob in a formal voice.

"Welcome back sir."

Jacob nodded at him and spoke gruffly:

"Carlos, is everything under control?"

The man who was now known to Anna as Carlos answered:

"Yes sir, the security is tight like you ordered. We will stop by the Don's mansion first then we will go to your home. Those are the Don's orders, sir."

"Very well, let's go."

Anna was overwhelmed with the conversation she heard. Where was she? And who are these people? Security? Don? What the hell is going on?

It seemed that she was in her thoughts for too long because she heard Jacob clear his throat. When she met his eyes he raised his eyebrow questioningly. She looked at him confused until she noticed Carlos holding the car's door open for her. She felt her cheeks blush from embarrassment and hurried to get in the car.

The ride to the mansion wasn't long. After about forty minutes, the cars came to a stop in front of an iron gate. When they were allowed access, the cars drove a long driveway to come to another halt in front of a big mansion. Jacob stepped out from the car but not before ordering Anna to wait until he came to get her.

The tinted windows didn't provide a clear view but Anna could see Jacob speaking to a dozen men in black suits and black shades. They seemed in a heated conversation. Anna wondered where she was, it looked like she was about to meet the president or in her case a very important person. The thought made her nervous and afraid that her hands started to get clammy, she didn't know what was happing around her and that made her uncomfortable.

Jacob came to her door and opened it for her. She stepped out of the black car to see the most breathtaking home. She was gaping at the large mansion that set beyond the sidewalk, towering over her as if attempting to intimidate her. The cream coating paint shined as the sun beat down on it.

As she stepped onto the sidewalk, Anna noticed a marble fountain sitting towards the left side of the lawn. Two Dolphins were perched on top, looking up towards the sky. Water spurted from its mouths. The water fell gently towards the crystal blue pool beneath it, causing ripples to form and wave out until they were no more.

Bushes trimmed into all sorts of animals and people littered the parts of the lawn that was not taken up by the fountain: cats, dogs, rabbits, giraffes, elephants, penguins, birds, snakes...All life-size. Anna followed Jacob towards the extravagant house, down the large stone path to the black door.

An aged butler opened the door for them and bowed his head. Jacob started walking towards the stairs while Anna took in her surroundings, like the privet jet, the mansion's interior was luxurious with a large hallway and a wide staircase. She noticed that Jacob was at the top of the stairs and waiting for her.

He led her down a dim light corridor. They passed many closed doors until they stopped at the end in front of a large black door. Jacob knocked and waited until they heard a voice permitting them to enter.

She watched as Jacob entered and motioned her to follow him. They entered the office that consisted of a wall library, big black sofas and a cherry wood desk that dominated the most space, behind the desk seated a man in his late sixties. His sharp blue eyes looked at Anna in a criticizing way. It seemed like he was seizing her which made her very conscious of her look. She was thankful when his attention shifted to Jacob who greeted the man respectfully and stood like a soldier waiting for his superior orders.

Finally, the man spoke in a cold voice that sent shivers down Anna's spine.

"You did a good job, Jacob. Now, leave me with Anna, come back in thirty minutes and she will be ready to go with you."

Jacob bowed his head and left the room silently leaving Anna alone in the presence of the terrifying man. She almost wished that Jacob was with her.

"Take a seat," the man's words made Anna jump in surprise.

She swallowed hard and took the farthest sofa from his desk. She sensed his eyes on her but she didn't dare to meet his eyes. She was afraid of what will happen next and decided to keep her guards up. After a few minutes of deafening silence the man spoke:

"I am Rafaello Salviatti, the Don of the Salviatti mafia family."

Mafia! Don! What was going on? He introduced himself like it was normal to be a mafia Don. She looked at him in bewilderment. He was speaking English but his words were foreign to her ears. She felt her breath hitching and sensed her heart rate accelerating. She was on the verge of having a panic attack. She sensed something fishy about the situation. All the security and the guards at each door in the home were signs and she ignored them.

She was in a mafia house sitting across the desk of a mafia Don. Suddenly, she wanted to laugh hard. She was sure life was playing a cruel prank on her, or maybe she was in a television show where they play pranks on people. Yes, this is the only explanation of her situation. She forced herself to ask the next question.

"Sir, is this some prank show? If it is the case, I appreciate the game but it isn't funny. So please stop it."