"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Ellis shouted, rising from the couch. "Marriage contract?"
"Miss Barker..." the notary began, catching the young woman's attention. He handed her a few stapled pages and continued reading the contents. "This is the marriage contract entered into by all members belonging to families like Don Vittorio's. It is normal for members like them to draft this type of contract to protect themselves and also favor the person joining the family. Formalizing this document clarifies the objectives of the parties involved in the relationship to avoid problems and facilitate an agreement between the parties."
"You can't be serious about this," Ellis said, staring at the paper. She briefly read some clauses and then nervously laughed, looking at Vittorio. He must be joking with her. "These clauses... This contract... I will never sign this!"
"Why not?" Vittorio asked, leaning forward from his desk.
"Because we NEVER discussed this! It was never even considered between us! I will NEVER sign this, and I will NEVER marry you!" Ellis shouted before throwing the papers toward the mafioso's face.
The notary watched the scene, astonished by Ellis's reaction as she walked towards the door, blocked by Rocco.
"Get out of my way!" Ellis shouted angrily.
"Rocco," called Vittorio, still seated. "Put Ellis back in her place."
Rocco held Ellis's arms as she struggled and carried her back to where she was before, forcing her to sit down while Vittorio stood up.
"Let go of me now! Come on! Let me go! You can't do this!" Ellis screamed, trying to free herself.
"Alessio, I apologize for my fiancée's reaction. She didn't expect a contract like this. I didn't prepare her for it," Vittorio explained to the notary, extending his hand to him. "Why don't you enjoy the party while I explain to my beloved Ellis how things work?"
"Of course, Don Vittorio, as you wish," Alessio agreed, getting up. "I am looking forward to enjoying the appetizers."
"Thank you for understanding, and please, don't tell anyone about what we're discussing here, alright?" Vittorio requested, placing his hand on the man's shoulder.
"Whatever you say," the man said, looking worriedly at Ellis, and then left the room.
"Rocco, you go as well and bring Sergeant Cetraro, please," Vittorio ordered, turning towards Ellis.
"Are you sure, sir?" Rocco asked, concerned about Ellis still being very angry.
"Yes, I need to have a few words with Miss Barker alone," Vittorio replied.
Rocco reluctantly let go of Ellis and left the room, leaving the two of them alone. The young woman stood up from the table with a leap and went towards Vittorio, trying to slap him repeatedly in the face.
"How dare you?" Ellis yelled as she tried to hit him, but with each attempt, he pushed her hands away until he grabbed her wrists and pulled her against his body, restraining her arms behind her back. "Let me go!"
"Only when you become a civilized person and listen to me," Vittorio said, pulling her closer to his body until their faces were inches apart. He could feel her hot and exasperated breath. "Stop, or you'll end up hurting yourself."
"Let go of me, and I won't get hurt," Ellis said, still trying to break free, but with little result, except for her hair falling disheveled over her face. She took deep breaths and then huffed before speaking again. "You're crazy if you
think I'm going to sign that contract!"
"And you're naive to think you have the option to refuse," Vittorio countered, serious. "You will sign that contract, and you will marry me."
"And why would I do that?" Ellis questioned, looking at Amorielle with disgust.
"You said you were capable of anything. So, yes, you will sign," Vittorio replied.
"I already said I will NEVER sign!" Ellis shouted before spitting in Vittorio's face.
"Enough!" the mafioso shouted before pushing the young woman towards the larger couch, where she fell. He approached, enraged, causing her to shrink in fear. "You will sign that contract, or..."
"Or what?" Ellis asked, pushing her hair away from her face and staring at Vittorio with disgust. "Are you going to dismember my car that your henchman has? Is that it?"
"No," Vittorio denied, stepping back.
The office door opened once again, and Rocco, the Sergeant, and...
"Hello, sis," Jason said as he entered with Vittorio's men.
"Jason?!" Ellis said, getting up from the couch and walking towards her brother. She hugged him tightly, touched his face, and asked, "What are you doing here? Why did they bring you here?"
"I knew there might be some resistance on your part..." Vittorio began as he walked towards his desk. He opened his drawer and took out his golden Glock. Then he walked towards Ellis, saying, "So I brought him as a way to encourage you to keep your word."
Ellis stood in front of her brother, desperate. She might die, but she would never let Vittorio harm Jason.
"I will fulfill my part of the agreement, but not by marrying you!" Ellis claimed, shaking her head nervously as she saw the mafioso approaching with the gun in hand. "I will pay you, I've said it! I will work extra shifts, do whatever it takes, and pay every cent! I know it may seem like it will take a while, but I guarantee it won't! I'll even sell our house! But please... Don't do this!"
"Rocco and Cetraro, separate them," Vittorio ordered.
"No!" Ellis shouted, clinging to her brother's neck, who surprisingly removed her arms and pushed her slightly. "Jason?!"
"It's alright, sis," Jason said, approaching Vittorio. "Don Vittorio, I ask that you don't involve my sister in this. The debt is mine, and I will bear it, even if it costs me my life."
"NO!" Ellis screamed, trying to walk towards her brother, but Rocco held her. "Let go of me, Rocco! Let me go!"
"Sit down," Vittorio commanded, as Cetraro positioned an armchair for Jason.
"I already said that my sister has nothing to do with my debt," Jason reaffirmed, sitting with his back to Vittorio. "Let her go home."
"I could do that, Jason. However, your sister assumed your debt... a few minutes ago," Vittorio informed the surprised young man. "So your heroic act has become nothing more than... a way to make Ellis marry me."
"Ellis, don't marry him," Jason pleaded, looking at his sister. "You have nothing to do with this."
"You know..." Vittorio began, placing his hand on Jason's shoulder. "If I were you, I wouldn't give that kind of advice to your little sister... Because every time your sister refuses, I will shoot you."
"No, don't do it..." Ellis said, crying
, desperate.
"It's up to you, Miss Barker," Vittorio explained, pointing the gun toward Jason. "What will it be?"