Darrel is Assaulted

"If it's necessary to threaten you, I will do it," Pablo responded to Bella's statement. The girl hissed in annoyance. She was waiting for him to show her the gun. However, this time Bella was prepared not to be surprised. 

"Listen, Mr. I-Forgot-Your-Name, I don't want to receive any more gifts from your boss. I also don't want to have anything to do with you guys. So, please don't bother me." Bella quickly closed the door. Her heart was pounding fast. She was afraid that he would break in. But after waiting for a while, nothing happened. Bella breathed a sigh of relief.

Damn it. Why did Bella feel scared just because she didn't want to accept gifts? She really didn't want to get involved with Marco Vilante or any other dangerous people, if they were indeed what she suspected. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing on the bed. Bella quickly checked the flat object and saw Darrel's name on the screen. "Yes?" she answered. "What? Darrel is in the hospital? He was attacked? How is that possible?" Bella panicked. The caller turned out to be Darrel's friend who saw him being beaten up in the area around his place. Bella couldn't believe it. Darrel never had any enemies. Who would be heartless enough to do this to him?

Bella immediately rushed to the hospital to see Darrel. If he was taken to the hospital, it meant that his condition was serious. In the taxi, Bella's feelings were in chaos.

After arriving at the hospital, Bella hurried to the emergency room to meet Darrel. When she entered the room, she saw Darrel lying on the bed with a pale face and bruises around his eyes and lips. Bella burst into tears when she saw Darrel's condition. "Oh God, what happened to you?" she murmured while reaching for Darrel's hand lying beside his body.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Darrel weakly said. "Some people attacked me on the street last night."

Bella froze upon hearing Darrel's story. She was confused about why someone would be cruel enough to harm her kind-hearted friend.

"Damn those people," Darrel said with a shaky voice. "They almost killed me. They said something before leaving me lying there," he continued.

Bella took a tissue from her pants pocket and cleaned the bloodstains on Darrel's face. They both fell silent for a moment before Bella decided to ask more about the attack on Darrel.

"What did they ask?" Bella asked curiously.

"They warned me not to disturb you," Darrel answered. Bella's eyes widened. What Darrel said surprised her.

"Why does it have anything to do with me?" Darrel shrugged, then let out a laugh. Although after that, he had to hold his stomach in pain.

"It seems like your admirer, Mr. Mafia, is the one who did this. He doesn't want me to get close to you," Darrel teased. Bella hissed. Even in this situation, he was still making jokes. This was a serious problem. Darrel almost lost his life. Who would be heartless enough to do something so cruel to another person? It was truly inhumane. Was it really Marco Vilante who did this? But why? What was his problem with Darrel?

"Forget it, don't think about it. I don't want to add more problems," Darrel said.

"This is a serious matter, Darrel. They almost killed you."

"So, are you going to investigate who did it? Becoming a makeshift detective, Bella?"

Bella let out a harsh breath. Honestly, she was confused about what to do. She didn't know where to start investigating who the culprit was. The strongest suspicion was Marco Vilante. However, the accusation was also baseless. Bella observed Darrel's beaten face. Her poor friend looked so pitiful. Should she distance herself from Darrel as ordered by the people who attacked him?

***

Marco Vilante looked at photos of Bella with a guy in a restaurant. Their activities seemed quite intimate. He didn't like this. This girl was his target. No man was allowed to get close to Isabella. Just like his enemies in the dark business, he never let anyone interfere with what would be his possession.

"Teach that guy a lesson and warn him not to interfere with my future girl," Marco commanded his three henchmen. Marco only had to wait for news a few hours later, if his three henchmen succeeded in teaching the guy a lesson while Isabella was with him.

The guy was beaten up badly and ended up in the hospital. That was enough to take Marco's warning seriously. If he was stubborn, Marco wouldn't hesitate to finish him off. Yes, it was as easy as that. Everything was indeed easy for Marco until Pablo came to see him.

"Miss Miller rejected your gift, Boss."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "She rejected it? What did you buy?"

"A diamond necklace, Sir."

"How much is it?"

"About a hundred thousand dollars."

Marco chuckled and shook his head. "And she rejected a diamond necklace worth a hundred thousand dollars?" he asked, disbelievingly.

"She outright refused and asked us not to disturb her life."

Marco stood up and let out a laugh. "That girl really has guts, huh? Astonishing. Marco was both annoyed and impressed by her bravery. He became more curious about Isabella.

"Didn't you threaten her?" Marco asked.

"That girl closed the door right in front of my face, Boss." It was truly remarkable. Marco had never encountered a woman who refused to accept a diamond necklace worth a hundred thousand dollars. It was rare. Regardless, Marco had to get that girl.

"What do you think I should do to get her attention? It seems like she is not affected by forceful methods."

Pablo was obviously confused by being asked his opinion about this. He himself had never been involved with women. How would he know their ins and outs? Frankly, he felt bothered by Marco's question. Shouldn't Marco know more about women's behaviors, he thought to himself. However, he still tried to give an opinion based on his own thinking.

"I think every woman has different preferences, so it can't be generalized," Pablo said hesitantly. "It would be best if you personally approach the girl."

"I know that," Marco interjected. "What I'm asking is, what kind of approach should I take?" This was a whole new situation for Marco Vilante. Usually, if he wanted a woman, he would easily get her without even trying because women usually fought over him. But with this girl, Marco felt a special excitement while dealing with the difficult approach process.

"Invite the girl to dinner, Boss," the idea suddenly came to Pablo's mind. Marco seemed pleased with the idea. A faint smile appeared on his thin lips.

"Book the best restaurant in Brooklyn. Prepare everything. Tonight, I want that girl to be at the dining table with me," he ordered.

* * *