From Nerd To Mafia: Obsessed With His Bully

Liana

“Objection, my Lord!”

My voice rang through the courtroom like a jingled bell, as I rose swiftly to my feet. “I will not allow my learned opponent here to mislead the court with assumptions not backed up by any solid evidence”

Murmurs broke out in the room. My opposing counsel, a man who was definitely twice as old as I am, with greying hair and a smirk plastered on his face, adjusted his tie and stepped back.

The judge learned forward in his chair peeping at me through his spectacles “objection sustained. Mr Daniels, do stay within the bounds of proven fact” he said.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and curse out at the man in Spanish. This wasn’t the first time a senior lawyer tried to shake me up with these bold tactics of theirs. Despite the fact I had only spent two years in the profession, I had honed my skills, turned courtrooms to my favourite bidding spot and I rarely lost.

After much back and forth, the judge pronounced his judgement which of course ruled in my favor. I walked out of the court room after exchanging some words with my client. I was totally exhausted from nearly two hours of fighting my way through in the courtroom.

I was walking to my car when a voice I knew too well spoke behind me.

“Happy birthday, Liana.”

I looked up. Judge Carter…my fiance's father.

“Thank you, sir,” I replied politely, managing a small smile.

“That was an excellent argument. You should come over with Hilary tonight. Let’s mark your birthday properly.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

He patted my shoulder before walking off. I smiled dreamily, a dinner with my fiance’s family, such a perfect way to end the day. Just as I was about to get into my car my phone rang and the name on the screen froze me: Dad.

We hadn’t spoken in months. Ever since he’d remarried, he kind of made it very clear that I stood outside his new “perfect” family picture.

I debated not answering, but I did

“Happy birthday, my princess,” his voice beamed cheerfully over the phone.

I scoffed softly with an eye roll. Princess my foot? If only he treated me as anything close?

“Thanks, Dad,” I said curtly, already moving to hang up.

“You should come over tonight. Let’s celebrate.”

“I already have plans.” I replied curtly and with that I hung up before he could respond.

I hissed and dropped my phone. I wasn't going to let him ruin my day. In a blink of an eye I decided to go to Hilary's apartment.

I would say Hilary was the proof that real men existed. The ones that would love you like their entire life depended on it. I know I haven't been in a relationship in forever, but Hilary made me appreciate the wait.

It's funny really, because we only met a month ago when he just returned from Italy. He loved me saying love was an understatement. He was intentional. He showed up whenever I called even if it was late. He never makes excuses when it comes to me. When I suggested that we abstain until marriage, I had expected an outburst, but he totally agreed which is so unlike many men.

Nothing could have prepared me for his proposal three days ago. It was a very emotional and heartfelt moment for me, like a dream come true. That morning on my twenty-fourth birthday, I was woken up with a surprise package that contained law books. We are both lawyers and we have a lot in common. For example we both loved reading Law books. Hilary is exactly the kind of man every woman would pray for.

I drove to his place, heart lightening at the thought of surprising him. I usually don't visit unannounced, but I was making an exception today. I pulled up outside his apartment. I was beaming with a smile at the thought of seeing him. I unlocked the door with the spare key he had given me and walked in. The first thing that hit me was the sound of moans coming from his bedroom. Was he watching a movie? That was the first thought I had, until I pushed the bedroom door open.

The sight of what I saw made my heart skip two beats. The bag in my hand fell to the ground. Hilary was pressed against another man on his bed, their lips were locked together in a kiss. My brain refused to boot for seconds. I thought I was in the wrong apartment or I was just imagining things, Maybe it wasn’t what it looked like.

He jerked back at the sound of the door, his face blanching. “Lia…..na”

The other man scrambled without saying another word he bolted past me.

“Liana, wait…….please!” Hilary rushed forward, reaching for me. “It’s not….. what it looks like”

“Don’t!” My voice cracked in pain. My chest felt very heavy, I thought I’d collapse any minute.

“Please, no one must know about this,” he begged, grabbing my arm. "I will pay you any amount, just don't tell my father or anyone about this "

I couldn't believe my ears. He didn't even care about how I felt. “You only care about yourself,” I whispered, yanking my arms free from his grip. My vision blurred with hot tears.

I pulled his fucking proposal ring out of my finger, throw it at him and walked out. Inside my car, I fumbled with the keys through a haze of sobs. My hands shook so badly as I sped through the streets recklessly. The image of Hilary and that man replayed over and over in my head. So Hilary was just using me to cover up? The reality of it all was too hard for me.

By the time I pulled into my apartment, I was shaking so hard that I couldn’t move. I stayed in the car for minutes with my face buried in my hands, wailing like a child. Finally, I stumbled out of the car. Just as I got to my door it was pulled open from inside and then

“Happy birthday!”

My best friend Aria stood at the door, holding a cake with a goofy smile on her face. The sight of her broke me completely like a reopened wound. I collapsed in tears.

“Liana?” she gasped, rushing over to pull me into the room. She put the cake down with her eyes widened with shock. “What happened? You are scaring me, please talk to me!”

It took me minutes to form words through the sobs. “Hilary… he’s gay.” I finally spilled out

Aria's jaw dropped. Then she exploded. “What!? That son of a bitch! I knew he was too good to be real, that bastard. I told you, didn’t I? Liana!”

Hearing her say this made me cry even harder. clutching her shirt like a lifeline. “Why would he do this to me? I loved him, Aria. And he…he……”

“Did you want me to deal with him?” Aria cupped my face, forcing me to meet her eyes. “I can post that he is gay all over my social media, and you know how huge my fanbase is. I will make sure to ruin his reputation and he won't even be able to practise law anymore in this country.”

I shook my head weakly. “No, please don't do that….”

“Oh my God!.” Aria groaned, throwing her hands up. “Why have you changed so much Liana? Back in high school no one messed with you and got away.”

I went quiet I hated it when Aria talked about up my ugly past

“Since you have decided to act the saint, please can you stop crying over that wasted sperm already.” Aria leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t read. “Guess what.”

She marched to the table and picked up a large box wrapped in sleek black paper. “Mr. Anonymous sent a special gift this time. I already checked them out. Take a look.”

“I don’t want to look at anything,” I muttered, curling into the couch.

She ignored me with a dramatic flourish, she pulled open the box. “Ta..da! A Louis Vuitton black gown, a Christian Louboutin shoe, obviously. And…” She reached for a small velvet box and opened it. “Necklace.”

The moment I saw the necklace, my tears froze in my eyes. its diamond even a dumbhead could tell.

“This is worth a fortune,” Aria continued, scrolling through her phone with a smug grin. “I browsed it online. Guess how much?”

I shook my head, still staring.

“Ten. Million. USD.” She dragged each word.

“What?!” I shot up, forgetting I was even crying. “Ten million?”

“Mr. Anonymous is apparently very rich.” She raised her brows.

I stared at the necklace. In total shock I didn't know this person and he sent me something this expensive.

“And lastly a request note to take you outing” Aria said giving me a playful look "Should I read it out”

“Put it away,” I said, retreating back to the couch. “I don’t want to meet anyone.”

Aria crossed her arms “Are you joking? This person has been sending you gifts for five years. Birthdays, your mum’s death anniversary, even your swearing-in into the law profession. Every special occasion. And finally, you get an invitation to meet him, and you’re going to flop it?”

“I said no,” I snapped, curling into myself again. “And that’s final.”

She sighed heavily, then smirked. “Fine. How about we go clubbing instead?”

“No!”

“You’re going,” she said firmly, pulling me up from the couch. “You’re not falling into depression under my watch.” With that she pushed me toward the bedroom.

Minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror with the Louis Vuitton black gown. It fitted me so well. Was it all a coincidence? My favourite colour is black and the dress size was exactly mine.

Aria held up the necklace. “Wear this too.”

“No,” I said firmly. “How about we find a way to return that it’s too expensive.”

She scoffed. “Have you been returning the other ones? I am sure Mr Anonymous wouldn't mind, even though you stood him up.”

she started bringing it to my neck “I don’t…….”

“Shh.” She snapped the necklace around my neck before I could protest further.

I sighed in defeat. I looked at the diamonds that could buy me a mansion on my neck.

“Perfect,” Aria whispered, her eyes glowing with satisfaction.

And that was how I ended up under neon lights in the club. I have never been there before. The club was lively, with loud music. Aria dragged me to the bar. She ordered shots, and clinked glasses with me like we were celebrating.

“Drink, babe,” she yelled over the music. “Forget that coward”

I did as she said. I drank. And drank. I just wanted to erase everything I saw today, even if it was amnesia. Aria left to dance, leaving me slumped in a booth taking shot after shot. My vision was getting blurry at each one.

That’s when I felt a heavy hand sliding up my thigh.

“Hey, beautiful,” a slurred voice breathed very close to me

I recoiled, shoving his hand off. “Don’t touch me.”

But he smirked with his drunk eye and grabbed again, rougher this time. “Don’t be shy, sweetheart.”

Panic spiked through the haze. I tried to stand, but my legs wobbled uselessly. He pinned me against the booth, his stale beer breath making me want to throw up.

“Get off!” I cried, shoving at him.

His grin widened showing his yellow teeth.

“No one touches my woman” a deep voice came out of nowhere, followed by a fist hitting someone very hard, then a sickening crack of knuckles. I was too drunk to make sense out of everything.

The man crumpled to the floor, groaning in pain. I blinked as a shadow loomed over me and without warning. Strong arms scooped me up like I weighed nothing, hoisting me over a shoulder.

“Put me down!” I slurred, pounding weakly against his back. “Where are you taking me?”

“I'm taking you home,” the stranger’s deep voice rumbled out calm but commanding.