THE DEVIL'S LITTLE RED

🖤 THE DEVIL'S LITTLE RED 🖤

{Melting His Iced Heart...}

‼️ DON'T COPY OR REPOST ‼️

BY: Zoey Diamond J

CHAPTER 1$2

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Lexi Thompson's fingers danced across the piano keys, filling the dimly lit gambling den with a soothing melody. But her mind wandered back to the day her life changed forever...

FLASHBACKS

"Mom, can I add the sugar now" Lexi asked with a huge smile on her face.

"Hold on Lexi, I'll tell you when to add the sugar" Sophia replied the daughter who wouldn't stop pestering her.

Lexi remembered the warmth of her mother's smile as they baked cookies together in their cozy kitchen. Sophia's laughter echoed through the house, making Lexi feel safe and loved. They were a happy family, with her father's accounting job providing a comfortable life.

Summer vacations were spent at the beach, building sandcastles and collecting seashells. Winter nights were cozy, snuggled up by the fireplace with hot chocolate and stories.

But amidst the happiness, Lexi's mother began to feel tired. At first, they thought it was just stress, but as the weeks went by, Sophia's energy dwindled.

Lexi remembered the day her mother collapsed in the kitchen. The sound of shattering dishes still echoed in her mind. They rushed Sophia to the hospital, where the diagnosis shook their world: cancer.

The months that followed were a blur of treatments, hospital visits, and sleepless nights. Lexi's father tried everything to save Sophia – alternative therapies, experimental treatments, and endless prayers.

Lexi remembered the pain in her mother's eyes, the desperation to live. They tried to keep her alive, to keep their family together.

But despite their efforts, Sophia's condition worsened. The same day they received the devastating news that the cancer had spread, Jack received the call from his boss. "You're fired, Jack. The company can't trust you with their finances."

Lexi's father was accused of embezzlement, a crime he swore he didn't commit. The accusations tarnished his reputation, making it impossible to find a new job.

As they lost Sophia, they lost their stability, their happiness, and their future.

But then her father's friend introduced him to opening a gambling den and agreed since they had to survive.

END OF FLASHBACK

Now, Lexi's music and charm were essential to the den's success. She played to entertain the patrons, making them feel welcome and relaxed. But the memories of that fateful day still lingered, a constant reminder of their struggles.

As she finished her set, Lexi noticed a new face – a tall, dark-haired man with piercing black eyes. He seemed out of place among the regulars, and Lexi wondered what brought him to their humble den.

As the night wore on, Lexi's father approached her, his expression serious. "Lexi, I need to talk to you about something. You know how the den's been struggling lately?"

Lexi nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation.

"I had to make a deal with someone to keep us afloat. His name is Donatello DeSantis, and he's...not a patient man."

"What do you mean?" Lexi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"He's a wealthy investor, always looking for ways to expand his empire. I had to borrow a significant amount from him to keep the den running."

Lexi's eyes widened. "How much?"

Her father hesitated before answering. "Enough to put us in a difficult spot if we can't pay him back. He's expecting a substantial return on his investment, and if we can't deliver..."

Lexi's mind raced with the implications. "What does he want from us?"

Her father's expression turned grim. "He wants a share of the den's profits, and...he's interested in you, Lexi."

Lexi's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"He's taken a liking to your talent, and he wants to...mentor you, I suppose. But I don't trust him, Lexi. I think he has ulterior motives."

Lexi felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn't like the sound of this one bit.

She didn't trust the guy, barely looking at his face, she already hates him, he looks like a mermaid.

"How can someone be that handsome" she thought as she went back to sit in piano and began playing it, this was a way she eased her worries.

"You're the only thing that calms me down, you know that right" she said as she talked to piano which was like her best friend and then she started remembering how her mother taught her how to play the piano at a young age.

"You hold a lot of memories pinky" she said while calling the piano by the name that she gave it.

"Hey, talking to your piano again" Agatha, Lexi's human best friend said behind her and she turned to look at her

"Awwn, you're finally here" Lexi whinned as she went to hug her friend whom she's missed so much.

Agatha is currently in college but then Lexi couldn't go to college leaving just her dad to manage the den even now that things are pretty hard for them in the gambling den so she decided to stay back.

"What connection does your dad have with him" Agatha asked pointing at the stranger she saw earlier.

"Do you know him" Lexi asked Agatha wondering why she would raise such questions.

"I told you that you have to try leaving the four walls of this den sometimes maybe you would hear things" Agatha groaned at her best friend's naiveness which was really annoying her.

"Just say something and stop acting like almighty Agatha" Lexi scoffed.

"In exchange for what I know about him, I want you to help me draw in my assignments" Agatha smiled.

"Like you've been drawing in the previously ones" Lexi scoffed.

"I wonder why you're going to an art school in the first place when you're so lazy to draw" she added as she glared at her friend.

"Am good at drawing just like you but am lazy to draw, two different things" Agatha replied.

"Yeah I'll draw for you so what do you know about him" Lexi asked looking impatient.

"He's a mafian lord" Agatha replied and Lexi's mouth dropped open.