Meeting the Capo

Chapter 2

Aurora's POV

I stared at my uncle's house one more time as I stood at the facade. My eyes darted to the flowers that decorated the porch and the white frangipani trees that were planted in a straight pattern. I could remember feeling whole whenever I inhaled the vanilla scent of its flowers.

The beautiful bungalow I had known to be home wouldn't be one anymore.

Finally, I'd found a way to convince my uncle on my revenge mission. I had to do it for my sanity to remain intact and also to honor my late parents. They didn't deserve to die as the reason for their death still sounded trivial to me.

"Promise me you'll be fine, Principessa." Uncle Lorenzo tugged my arm like a little child and I could see him struggle to keep his emotions in check.

We were both strong people that taught ourselves never to show our emotions. I'd have cried if I was any other girl, but I wasn't that type. Crying wasn't just my thing.

"I'll be fine, uncle and I promise to text you everyday." I promised as I put the last box in the car's booth.

He hugged me as I relished every moment of our time together. I was taking a big risk and Matteo would never forgive me if he found out my true intentions.

"If things spiral out of your control, please come back home."

"Sure thing." I said as I pulled out of his embrace and hopped into the 2018 Toyota Mirai that was to take me to the airport.

Everything was set in place. I'd found a spot in the Capo's house which was what I needed. There was a saying that the easiest way to get a man was his stomach, I wasn't sure it applied to him but I still had to try.

My flight was scheduled for 2pm and I just had thirty minutes left to get to the airport. Streaks of nervousness were already flowing into me but I calmed myself.

🌺

Three hours later, I was heading to the Capo's mansion in a luxurious limousine. My uncle made sure that I was comfortable and I almost ran back to thank him.

The closer we got to his house, the more anxiety overwhelmed me. How was I going to cope with the devil himself, someone that reminded me of my parent's killers?

The chauffeur took a narrow bend and drove straight ahead. I fed my eyes with the sight of high rising buildings with some bungalows in between them.

"We have arrived, Signorina." He said in Italian and I opened the car door.

I got out to meet a huge house standing in front of me. My eyes darted to my sides and I realised that unlike other buildings that we passed by, the Capo's house was secluded from the view of others.

The chauffeur brought my medium sized box and a bag and offered to take it to the house.

"No, sir. I don't want to be a bother. I can take care of myself." I refused and bowed.

He smiled kindly and drove away, leaving me to my fate. My heart thudded faster and I felt like changing my mind as the reality of what I was about to do dawned before me.

The gate opened before me and a hefty man stood by the side with an emotionless face, just the way I did.

"Good evening, Miss. The Capo's brother awaits you inside." He announced with a slight Italian accent then took my box from me, dragging it while I walked behind him.

The mansion was a sight to behold, yet it echoed blood money in loud volumes. The lawns were decorated with different types of flowers I couldn't identify, then a pool was pitched at the farther end of the building.

I stopped ogling and increased my pace to match the man's step as I didn't want to miss my way.

He opened the door and handed the box back to me while I walked in. I was greeted by dark marble columns and floors which matched the white grandeur ceilings. There were several large windows with brown flowery curtains draping over it.

A woman who was likely to be in her mid forties came to me with a curt smile plastered on her lips.

"Good evening, ma'am." I greeted and swallowed.

She scrutinised me slowly, giving a frown at the sleeveless blouse I wore. I had taken off my denim jacket earlier and forgot to put it back.

"What is your name?" She asked coldly, as she retreated to an armchair that sat in the middle of the living room. The seat looked fluffy and soft.

Obviously, Matteo had a high taste in furniture.

"Aurora Mancini." I replied quickly.

My uncle and I had argued about changing my name but I found no reason to. Besides, my killers were dead and I doubted that Matteo Moretti, the ruthless Capo, had any reason or time to search for me.

"Aurora.. That's a strong name." She muttered as I bit back the scoff that nearly fell off my lips. "My name is Ginevra. Sit there and make yourself comfortable, I'll be back soon." She ordered and I lowered myself onto the armchair.

The softness and fluffiness helped me relax a bit as my eyes kept darting to every single furniture in the house. The centre table was made with the finest wood which was smoothened to perfection.

The doors were wooden too, but they looked very hard, maybe harder than steel. That I couldn't tell as I just wanted to be done with the introductions.

Heels of shoes clicked from the stairs. I watched Ginevra and a handsome young man walk towards me. His face was cold and his eyes emotionless as I had seen in pictures.

I quickly stood up to greet them.

"Here she is. Aurora Mancini, she came from New York to fill in for the position of a cook." She explained and then I realised that she was the one who interviewed back in New York.

He nodded to her explanation and dug his hands in his pocket. "I trust you to watch over her. You know that Matteo only eats homemade food and detests poorly cooked meals."

Ginevra nodded. "I'll make sure everything goes well." She averted her gaze from him to me and scrutinised me again. "She looks efficient, I don't think she'll give us any trouble." She said to him like I was invisible.

"Fine." He breathed and walked away with a guard who I didn't notice was standing by the corner following him.

She turned to me fully, obviously ready to dish out all the rules she had made for the other staff. I didn't care about her rules. I was there for a reason and even though I'll try to behave well in order not to get caught, I wouldn't allow anyone to mess me up.

"Aurora, you'll prepare our dinner while one of the servants will assist you. For tomorrow and other days, breakfast should be ready by 7am, lunch by 1pm and dinner by 6:30pm. Anything short of that and you'll answer to the boss directly." She said and resumed walking.

"Yes, Ginevra." I smirked as she talked about answering to the boss.

That was my reason for coming here. I wanted to answer to him and see the ruthless son of the people that killed my parents. My uncle had taught me that anyone associated with the Mafia were murderers, especially the Made men. None of them had clean hands, but there had to be a line drawn when it came to killing innocent people.

She led me into the kitchen and I almost screamed in delight. If not for this revenge, I'd have been in a culinary school, sharpening my cooking skill.

But I didn't plan to stay for too long as three months was enough for me to get my Vendetta and leave. No one would ever suspect that I killed the two sons of Aldo Moretti.

"This is our kitchen." She said with a hint of pride in her voice. "Our former cook used to enjoy cooking here until she got married. I hope you do better than her."

"Sure, I will." I replied with confidence.

My cooking skill was unmatched and the cafe I worked at was. sad to see me go. There was no doubt that I'd replicate everything I had done there.

"According to the roaster, we would be having chicken marsala and spaghetti. That's the Capo's favorite food and he likes it spicy. Don't forget that." She said and I nodded, secretly happy that Matteo was coming for dinner. I wanted to see him up close.

"I'll lead you to your room so that you can drop your things. In ten minutes you should be in the kitchen so you can meet up on time."

Thirty minutes, I was done cooking and serving the meal on several fancy ceramic chinaware.

"Are you done cooking?" Asked Ginevra.

I watched her reaction to the aroma of the meal that filled the kitchen. She swallowed and glanced at me.

"Yes, Ginevra and I've finished serving them. You can alert everyone to come down for dinner." I said softly with a small smile.

I was proud of myself.

"That was fast. I hope the food tastes as good as it smells. To ensure that it tastes nice, I'll have to taste it myself."

"Ok." I agreed and brought out a little ceramic bowl then served a little for her.

She dug her fork into the spaghetti and moaned at the taste. "This is delicious, Aurora. Tell Ilaria to serve this quickly." She ordered.

Finally everyone was at the table excluding Matteo and Angelo. According to Ginevra, the cook was the only worker allowed to sit at the table during dinner in case there was any problem with the food.

"We can't eat until the brothers are here." She informed me quietly then turned her head at the sound of some footsteps.

I averted my gaze from her and stared at the devilishly handsome duo waltzing into the dining room in all their glory. My eyes were fixated on who I supposed was Matteo as his face wore a cold mask just like his younger brother. Only that he had a feisty demeanour alongside the coldness and also an intense stare.

His height was intimidating and I wondered how I was still able to stare without cowering.

He glanced at me and walked towards his chair which was at the booth while his brother sat beside him.

"Let's eat." He rumbled and fixed his gaze on me without looking away.