A SURPRISING SHIFT

**Aurelia's POV**

As I lay in the dimly lit room, the incessant knocking on the heavy wooden door sent shivers down my spine. The room was cloaked in shadows, and my voice trembled as I called out, "Who is it?" The silence that followed was oppressive, as though the very walls held their breath. Then, with a groaning creak, the door slowly swung open, revealing the ominous figure that stood beyond.

It was Leo, Mr. Leo, the enigmatic and feared leader of the infamous mafia. His piercing blue eyes seemed to penetrate the darkness as he entered the room, his presence suffocating. He moved with an eerie calmness, his tall frame silhouetted against the faint moonlight that filtered through the window.

With deliberate composure, he took a seat on the edge of the bed, his fingers running through his dark, tousled hair. It was a gesture that seemed incongruent with the fearsome reputation that preceded him. I, on the other hand, felt like a cornered animal, my hands instinctively clutching my knees, my body involuntarily edging away towards the far end of the bed in a futile attempt to create distance.

"Hey," he spoke, and it was the first time I had heard his voice so calm and measured. There was an unusual softness in the tone, though I couldn't be sure if that softness extended to me. He looked at me with unwavering intensity, his piercing gaze demanding my attention. His outstretched hand made a beckoning gesture, an invitation to sit beside him.

I hesitated, the memories of the torment and cruelty he had subjected me to still fresh in my mind. Was he here to inflict more pain, to continue my suffering? Fear coursed through my veins as I grappled with the decision before me. "Aurelia, come here and sit," he urged his voice a blend of authority and what seemed to be a gentle request. His hand, still immersed in his dark locks, added to the sense of bewilderment that consumed me.

Uncertain of how to respond, I timidly moved closer, my feet making only the faintest of sounds against the cold, polished floor. I took my place beside him, my hands trembling as I settled onto the bed, my eyes never leaving his face.

Leo appeared to recognize my fear, and for the first time, I glimpsed a hint of concern in his piercing eyes. "Hey, I'm not going to hurt you. Please, don't be afraid now," he reassured me. These were the first kind words I had heard from anyone other than my mother and my brother. Yet, they clashed with the haunting memories of the brutality he had inflicted on me, making it hard to trust the sincerity behind his words.

A weighty silence hung in the room, my trembling hands a testament to the unease that gripped me. Unexpectedly, Leo extended a hand towards me, his touch gentle as he began to pat my back. It was a stark contrast to the violence I had endured, catching me off guard with its tenderness.

Leaning in closer, he whispered, "Aurelia, I'm not going to hurt you. Please don't be afraid of me. I'm sorry."

I couldn't believe my ears. The infamous mafia leader, the one who had shattered my world and my sense of security, was apologizing to me. Emotions welled up inside me, and I struggled to comprehend why he was showing such kindness after the pain he had inflicted. His fingers brushed away the tears that streamed down my cheeks, and our eyes locked in an intense gaze.

"Aurelia, why aren't you saying anything? Am I really that bad?" His voice quivered with remorse. "I'm sincerely sorry. I shouldn't have done that to you."

I fought to find my voice, my words quivering as I eventually managed to speak, "I... I..."

Without hesitation, he handed me a glass of water, his concern evident on his face. At that moment, I wished for someone else in my life who cared about me, someone other than this imposing mafia boss. "Take it slow, Aurelia," he advised his words carrying an authoritative weight.

"I wasn't trying to kill myself... or escape from here... it was all an accident. I was just... enjoying the view of the hills and the cities," I managed to force the words out, determined to make him understand.

Leo nodded, and I was left wondering about his thoughts. Did he believe me? He should. I raised two trembling fingers as a symbol of my honesty. His smile, so rare and mesmerizing, illuminated the room. I couldn't help but ponder why he couldn't be like this more often – kind and smiling.

"Alright, I believe you... So, first, promise me you won't do it again, okay? It's really scary," he said, his warm and reassuring smile cutting through the tension.

My thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions as I absorbed his words. There was so much more to this enigmatic man than the cruelty and darkness he had shown me before. Sitting beside him, with his rare smile and genuine concern, I couldn't help but wonder about the complexities that lay beneath the surface of the mysterious mafia leader. What had led him to this point, and what was the true nature of his intentions towards me?

"Aurelia, don't call me sir or anything like that. You can call me Leo or something like that," he requested, breaking the formality that had shrouded our interactions thus far. It was a shift I hadn't anticipated, and I found myself nodding in response, a mixture of surprise and confusion clouding my thoughts.

A soft and unexpected "Good girl" followed, his fingers pinching my cheek. The contrast to his usual harshness left me flabbergasted. I couldn't fathom why he was acting this way. My cheeks grew warm, and I questioned if I had slipped into a dream, unable to accept that Leo could display such kindness.

He ran his fingers through my hair and inquired about my thoughts. "Girl, what are you thinking? Don't lose your mind easily. I don't like people like that." His words revealed an aspect of complexity that I struggled to grasp.

I yearned to tell him that I never aspired to gain his favor. But I knew that expressing such thoughts would likely provoke his anger, so I held my tongue.

Then, with an unexpected change, he addressed me as "my lady," adding to the confusion that already enveloped me. "Is there anything concerning you, my lady?" he inquired. The sudden shift in his demeanor only left me more bewildered, as if he were grappling with opposing facets of his own character.

I met his gaze, finding his eyes glistening in the dim light, radiating an unusual purity. "I... I... want to see my family. Can I?" I asked politely, my voice trembling with vulnerability.

"NO," his response was sharp, a tone that cut through me, making my breath catch. "I... I... I'm sorry," I stammered, my fear palpable, not only from the refusal but also from the bewildering change in his behavior.

"No need to say sorry to me, Aurelia," he assured me. "Now I am going. Let's see tomorrow. You can sleep now," he said, his voice carrying neither sweetness nor sharpness.

I simply nodded and shook my head, acknowledging his words. As he made his way to the door, he offered a simple "good night" before departing, leaving me in a whirlwind of emotions. The night had been a rollercoaster of feelings, starting with fear but ending with a surprising display of kindness from Leo. I couldn't help but wonder what had brought about this sudden transformation. Countless questions swirled in my mind, but the exhaustion from the day eventually claimed me, and I slipped into a deep sleep, enveloped by the enigma that was Mr. Leo.