Chapter 5 Erika

ERIKA'S P.O.V.

My palms got clammy, coated in sweat as I struggled to control my tremble, which was very near impossible, given our close proximity. His words rang in my head over and over again. My soul-he wanted my soul. If that wasn't a clear sign of him being a son of the devil, then I couldn't possibly fathom what other sign there could be.

"I do not have all day, Miss Fontana. I need a response, or you may as well get out." His cold, bored voice rang out in the air, jolting me back into reality as I looked at him, his piercing eyes already looking down at me in annoyance with his hands tucked into his pant trousers while he leaned against his shiny oakwood desk. My lips parted and closed slightly as I swallowed thickly, trying to fathom what I'd say. My family's life hung on the line for Christ's sake; my life was supposed to be payment in exchange for theirs. I was practically selling myself off, and if I did agree to give him my soul, which I won't, then I would damn my soul to hell.

"Get out, Miss Fontana." He stated coldly, getting off the desk as he began walking back to his seat. Without thinking, I shot out of mine and grabbed his hand, halting him in his steps. Unfortunately, my actions didn't seem to sit well with him, as he snatched his hand away from mine, stepping so close to me in an intimidating stance that I instinctively stepped back in fear, shrinking under his gaze.

"Don't you ever, ever touch me, Miss Fontana, unless of course you're willing to lose your hands." He snarled, fisting his palms as if to hold back from touching me. Or perhaps strangling me. " "I...I...I'm s...s...sorry.... I...I'm s...s...sorry.

. I didn't mean to upset you, sir." I whimpered shakily, clutching my skirt tightly, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I repeated, not knowing what else to say except apologize. A disgruntled grunt escaped him, his jaw set tightly as he stepped away from me, allowing me to breathe properly. Without a word, he slips into a door I hadn't noticed, leaving me confused on what to do before reappearing shortly after, sliding into his seat.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence, I spoke up, shifting from one foot to the other, "Don, uh, about your offer, is there any other way we can pay you back? Or perhaps, if you may, please give us a little more time to pay you back. Please." I pleaded, hoping to God he had a heart.

Just when I thought he hadn't heard me, he spoke up without looking at me, "48 hours."

"Huh?"

"Your family has 48 hours to pay back everything your sister owes me, or else be ready to take whatever comes your way. Unless, of course, you'd be willing to sacrifice yourself for the sake of your family. Think about it, Miss Fontana, you in exchange for the lives of your family. A small price to pay." He had this look in his eyes as he spoke, a look that warned me to flee. We'd think of something, a way out. But was there truly a way out? To pay back five hundred thousand dollars in forty-eight hours. Risk the life of my family, my Nana? Or sacrifice myself to the devil, a selfless act for the greater good.

With my head lowered, looking down at my feet, I sealed my fate: I...I...accept." A bit of shuffling movements later, I saw him slip a document towards me.

"Sign it; do make sure to read it if you must." Taking his advice, I return to my seat and look over the contract. According to the contract, I'd have to stay in the Vitale manor for a period of one year, submitting completely to him. His every whim and command-in summary, I wouldn't have a say in my life for a year.

"I'd be handing myself over to you for a year, with no say over my life?"

A cunning smirk curves at the corners of his lips. "Apparently so. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Not exactly, but I'm a sister. I'm in the convent, and I'll need to return back soon."

"Take a year off; that much should be clear." I start to object when he throws a glare that freezes the warmest of hearts.

"As you wish, Sir. But if I may ask, why me?"

He leans forward, interlocking his fingers as he taps both index fingers against each other, "Because you're pure in every sense. A virgin, innocent. A far cry from your sister." My cheeks heat up at the word 'virgin.'. Not having any other thing to say, I nervously pick up a pen on his desk, my hand hovering over the spot I was supposed to sign. My eyes fluttered closed as the image of my family fluttered before my eyes. I'm doing this for them. With that thought in mind, I sign it and hand it over to him; he doesn't collect it, so I place it before him.

"Leave." He orders without looking at me, and I comply.

Walking down the gravelly streets, my entire body feels numb. Tears sting my eyes, but I will myself not to cry. Entering the house, I'm met with total darkness, telling me that everyone must have gone to bed. Good for me, I was in no mood to speak with anyone, although I hadn't expected to stay out this late.

Trotting up the stairs, I head into my room, not bothering to even get myself something to eat. Stepping into my room, I lean against the door with my eyes shut, allowing my tears to flow freely. I gasped in fear when the lights suddenly turned on, revealing Nana sitting on my bed, rushing over to me when she saw my state.

"Oh my dear child, my sweet sweet child." She cooed, holding me in her arms while she allowed me to cry, leading us both to the bed. Once I had managed to calm down, I recounted what had transpired to her; all the while she remained silent without saying a word.

"Say something, Nana." I urged desperately.

In a solemn voice, she says, "You may have thought you did the right thing, Nipotina, made the right choice, but he's not the kind of man who lets go once he has a grip. You didn't strike a deal, Nipotina... you signed away your life."

Listening to her words, I recalled his "You belong to me now, Miss Fontana. Don't forget that."