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SHADOWS IN THE GARDEN
Last Updated:
2025-01-18 23:56:46
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Beyond the Omerta FAMILY FEUDS
CHAPTER 24Luciana followed Ms. Grace to the dining room, her heart racing with anxiety. The room was filled with the same faces she had seen at the previous dinner, but there was one new person who caught her attention. Seated next to the head of the table was the stranger she met at the garden. He flashed a wide smile at her as she approached her seat.He got up and helped her move her chair backwards. she felt a jolt of electricity at the touch of his hand brushing against hers, as he returned to his seat. Sophia rolled her eyes, her expression disapproving."So, tell me, what is your name?" the man asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.Luciana's gaze shifted to the empty chair beside him, where Donatello usually sat. She felt a pang of relief that he wasn't there, hoping that meant today's lunch wouldn't end in bloodshed."Luciana Russo," she replied softly, her eyes drawn to the man’s exceptional features.He was a little older than Antonio, with threads of silver in his dar
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Beyond the Omerta A night to remember
CHAPTER ONE “Ana…!” Luciana turned her head, her eyes scanning the crowded hall searching for the caller. There is only one person who calls her that… “I’ve been searching for you everywhere.” Her best friend, Emily exclaimed, slightly out of breath, when she finally reached Luciana's side. “Emily, nice to see you too. When did you arrive?” Luciana smiled warmly and hugged her friend “last night. Sorry, I should have given you a call.” “it’s okay. I thought you wouldn’t make it to the gala” “I can’t miss it for anything in the world.” Emily replied, laughing lightly. “plus I miss you, and boss wouldn’t pardon me for missing work too much.” Her eyes clouding with emotions. “that’s correct.” Luciana took two glass of champagne and handed one to her friend As they sipped their champagne, Emily’s expression turned serious. “How is your mom doing?” she asked, a look of concern all over her face. Luciana's eyes dropped, her shoulders sagging slightly as she replied, “She
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Beyond the Omerta A sinister welcome
CHAPTER TWOAntonio Morano sat at the built-in-bar in his penthouse, gazing out at the city's twinkling landscape. The whiskey in his glass cast a golden glow, mirroring the turmoil brewing within. His mind drifted to the woman he'd seen earlier. Her innocent smile and haunting green eyes like a specter.six years ago, on this very day, his mother's assassination had shattered his world.The memory still seared his mind, his mother's lifeless body, the sound of gunfire, and the face of the culprit. The pain and anger had simmered, fueling his relentless pursuit of justice. Antonio's grip on the glass tightened. His revenge had been years in the making. He has waited for this day.Patience had become his virtue, the key to unraveling the past."Today's the start," he vowed, his voice low and deadly, as he opened a pack of cigarettes.With a swift motion, he downed the whiskey, feeling the burn course through his veins. The fire in his chest spread, fueling his determination.Just
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Beyond the Omerta A traitor's kiss
CHAPTER THREE “Emily?” Luciana’s eyes widened with joy as Emily approached her. "Oh Emily, I'm so glad you're here," she exclaimed, relief washing over her. "How did you find me? The taxi...that night..." Emily's expression was somber, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and guilt. " oh Ana! I got here as soon as I heard," she said softly. Luciana's gaze pleaded with Emily. "Come untie me. Let's get out of here, please." “oh yes, of course.” Emily walked to her and lowered herself as if trying to loosen the ropes tying her feet. Then she paused, look up at Luciana and burst into a roar of laughter. “Emily, what ..what happened? Why are you laughing?” Luciana’s eyes searched for answers, as she looked at her friend. “Shut up Luciana!” Emily rose up. She walked over to Antonio, who had been silently observing the scene. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him passionately. Luciana's face contorted in desperation. " Emily come over here.” She sniffed. “Please,
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Beyond the Omerta Trapped
CHAPTER FOURAntonio stood in the grand estate of his family's Italian villa, the warm sunlight casting a golden glow over the lush gardens. His mother, Maria, stood before him, her sparkling blue eyes filled with warmth and love."il mio sole," she whispered, her voice like music to his ears. "You are destined for greatness. Never forget who you are and where you come from."Antonio's eyes locked onto hers, drinking in the adoration and pride that shone in her gaze. He felt a sense of comfort and security wash over him, like a baby soundly sleeping in its mother’s arm.“Mother, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I let that happen.” he went on his knees, shedding tears like the first day he was born into the world.“no shuushh..” she bent and stretched her hands to him, as if imploring him to take it.But as he reached out to touch her hand, her image began to fade away, like sand slipping through his fingers. Antonio's eyes flew open, and he was back in his bed, his chest heaving with emotio
Last Updated : 2024-12-17Beyond the Omerta RECKONING
CHAPTER FIVEAntonio stared at Luciana. "How did you manage to get a phone?" he demanded.Luciana swallowed hard, trying to think of a convincing explanation. "I...I found it," she stammered.Antonio raised an eyebrow. "Found it?" he repeated, his tone incredulous as he folded his arm. "Where?"Luciana hesitated, unsure of what to say. Antonio's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if he could see right through her lies."Tell me," Antonio growled, as he clenched his fist tightly.Just as he was about to extract the truth from Luciana, the hostess voice echoed from the intercom."Attention. We are experiencing some turbulence. Please return to your seat and fasten your seatbelt. Thank you."“I’ll let this pass for the sake of my Sanity.” He gnashed his teeth and walked back to his seat.Luciana stood leg frozen on a spot, her pulse pounding in her throat. All these still felt like a dream to her. One minute she was in a gala in Columbia, another minute, she was going to Italy agai
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Beyond the Omerta THE RUSSO SECRET
CHAPTER 6Luciana collapsed onto the bed, exhausted, as soon as Viktor led her in. She kicked off her shoes and looked up at Viktor, her eyes welling up with tears."Why are you doing this?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What kind of people are you?"Viktor's gave a light shrug before answering. "It's not up to me to answer that." He turned to leave, opening the door. "If you need anything, use the intercom over there." With that, he stepped out and closed the door behind him.Luciana stared blankly at the intercom before bursting into tears, her head buried in her palms. She thought of her Chihuahua, probably starving at home, and a wave of regret washed over her. If only she hadn't attended the gala, she thought. Her intention had been pure – to find a sponsor for her mother's hospital bills. But she had let her guard down, getting drunk and vulnerable. Sophia had known she couldn't handle her alcohol, which was why she had plied her with drinks.She got up and walked to the
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CHAPTER 7Luciana's eyes fluttered open, groggily taking in the mixture of familiar and unfamiliar faces, Antonio, Viktor, and Sophia. She looked around the room like she was just sent to space in a time capsule. A beautiful middle age woman in a nurse outfit, caught her attention. The woman smiled warmly and took her pulse."Welcome back, dear," Nurse Rossi said, checking Luciana's pulse. "You've been through quite an ordeal."Luciana's gaze drifted to her bandaged arm, where a drip was attached. A wave of dizziness washed over her as she tried to sit up."Easy," Antonio said, lighting a cigarette. "You passed out in the bathroom. I called Nurse Rossi to revive you."Nurse Rossi frowned. "Antonio, you shouldn't be smoking here, especially after her revival."Sophia shrugged. "No one cares if she lives or dies. This is our house; we do what we want."Luciana stared at Sophia, wondering if this was the same girl she'd befriended six years ago. How could someone change so drastically?
Last Updated : 2024-12-27
Latest chapter
Beyond the Omerta FAMILY FEUDS
CHAPTER 24Luciana followed Ms. Grace to the dining room, her heart racing with anxiety. The room was filled with the same faces she had seen at the previous dinner, but there was one new person who caught her attention. Seated next to the head of the table was the stranger she met at the garden. He flashed a wide smile at her as she approached her seat.He got up and helped her move her chair backwards. she felt a jolt of electricity at the touch of his hand brushing against hers, as he returned to his seat. Sophia rolled her eyes, her expression disapproving."So, tell me, what is your name?" the man asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.Luciana's gaze shifted to the empty chair beside him, where Donatello usually sat. She felt a pang of relief that he wasn't there, hoping that meant today's lunch wouldn't end in bloodshed."Luciana Russo," she replied softly, her eyes drawn to the man’s exceptional features.He was a little older than Antonio, with threads of silver in his dar
Beyond the Omerta SHADOWS IN THE GARDEN
CHAPTER 23TBAntonio paced back and forth in his lavish office located somewhere in the family’s mansion. Sophia, his now accepted fiancée, sat on the couch, watching him with a mixture of concern and curiosity."Antonio, what's going on?" Sophia asked, her voice soft and melodious. “you’ve been moving back and forth for thirty minutes now.”Antonio stopped pacing and turned to face Sophia. He stared at her, his eyes searching for something, anything, that might make him change his mind about his decision to send her to Columbia, but the thirst for revenge in him wouldn’t let him think twice. He didn’t love this woman, and doesn’t care about her in any slightest way. But, Russo is a very dangerous man. If he finds out about his plan, he could kill her, which would mean trouble for him."I need you to do something for me, Sophia," Antonio finally said. “I’d do anything for you.” She replied, smiling. She had sworn to be the perfect wife for him. Now, this was her moment to show him
Beyond the Omerta A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
CHAPTER 22 TB Antonio sat across from Sophia at the dinner table, his eyes fixed on the plate in front of him. His father sat three seats away from him, while Viktor stood behind him. Viktor had been trying to persuade him to accept Sophia as his future wife, but so far, his efforts has been abortive, as Antonio's temper and ego kept getting in the way. "Antonio, try to be civil," Viktor whispered, as he watched the maid pour Sophia a glass of wine. Antonio forced a smile onto his face, as his father cleared his throat and addressed Sophia. "So, Sophia, tell us about yourself." Sophia dropped her cutleries, and smiled at Donatello. "Well, as you probably already know, I'm from a small town in Italy. I lived there for seventeen years before my father became Prime minister, and moved us to the capital city, Rome. I also love reading and horseback riding." "That's nice. You didn’t mention you love talking as well.” Antonio said sarcastically, and took a fork full of his sub
Beyond the Omerta A LIFE OF DUTY
CHAPTER 21 TB After his mother's burial, Antonio became a shadow of himself. He developed the habit of locking himself in his room and surrounding himself with bottles of whiskeys. His father, the Don of the mafia family, had never expressed feeling of affection while his mother was alive. To him, it was always about the mafia business, the power he holds and the money he could control. It was almost as if Antonio was invisible in his sight. He was never around to teach him how to ride a bicycle or kick a ball, neither did they go on a family vacation like normal families do. Well, of course, his family was never normal. As the days turned into weeks, Antonio's behavior became increasingly disturbing. He visited the club frequently, drowning himself in cocaine and whiskey, violating the sacred Omertà code of silence and conduct that governed their mafia family. He also broke the cardinal rule of "Non Molestare" (not bothering or causing trouble) by getting into disputations wit
Beyond the Omerta CONVERGING PATH
CHAPTER 20 TB Luciana mechanically steamed the milk, her mind a thousand miles away. Her mother's heart attack had left her shivering on the inside, and she couldn't help but feel unease while at work. She had taken a few hours off work to visit her mother in the hospital, but now she was back at the coffee shop, trying to distract herself from the worry that gnawed at her. As she worked, a customer cleared her throat to get Luciana's attention. Luciana didn't notice at first, as she was lost in her thoughts. The customer cleared her throat again, louder this time. Luciana looked up, startled, to see a girl with bright blue eyes and curly blonde hair standing at the counter. "I'm so sorry," Luciana said, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. "Welcome to The Daily Grind. What can I get for you?" The girl smiled kindly. "Is everything okay? You seemed a little...distracted." She said as she ordered a cappuccino, and watched Luciana mechanically make the drink. As she hande
Beyond the Omerta AGAINST MY WILL
CHAPTER 19 TB Luciana wove through the vibrant stalls of the Columbia Market, her mother, Estana, by her side. The scent of fresh fruit and spices filled the air as they chatted with the market women. "¡Mira, Luciana! Look at these beautiful mangos," Estana exclaimed, holding up a juicy fruit. "¡Ay, señora! You're going to make me cry with your bargaining skills," the vendor joked, as Estana negotiated the price. Luciana laughed and playfully rolled her eyes. "Mama, you're going to give her a heart attack." Estana chuckled and handed Luciana a few mangos. "Take these, m'ija. We'll make a delicious salsa for dinner." As they continued through the market, they stopped at a stall selling colorful textiles. Estana admired a vibrant scarf, and the vendor, began to tell them about the traditional Colombian patterns. "¡Este es un diseño muy especial (This design is very special)" the vendor explained, pointing out the intricate motifs. Estana's eyes sparkled with interest. "¡
Beyond the Omerta A LIFE OF SERVITUDE
CHAPTER 18 TB The air was filled with the scent of incense and freshly cut flowers as the mourners prepared to bid their final farewell to Maria, Antonio's mother. The funeral procession wound its way through the streets, led by a sleek black hearse adorned with intricate gold accents. Behind it, a sea of somber faces followed, their eyes cast downward in respect. As they arrived at the cemetery, the sound of mournful music filled the air, played by a lone violinist standing atop a nearby hill. The melody was haunting, a traditional Italian lament that seemed to capture the sorrow of the occasion. Donatello's face was a mask of stone as he gazed out at the crowd. He wore dark shades so no one could catch a glimpse of the pain he felt at losing his wife. Antonio, meanwhile, was a picture of devastation. His eyes were red-rimmed from crying, his face pale and drawn. He clutched a single white rose in his hand, his fingers trembling as he gazed at the coffin. As the priest be
Beyond the Omerta THE ROOTS OF OBSESSION
CHAPTER 17 TB(Throwback) Antonio sat in the extravagant restaurant, the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of fine china creating a sense of refinement and elegance. He sat alongside his father, Donatello, a man whose presence commanded respect and inspired fear. They were in a meeting with Italian's finest business men. Across from them, his mother, Maria, chatted amiably with Ms. Grace, her eyes sparkling with warmth. As the conversation flowed, Maria excused herself, pushing back her chair. "I'll just get something from the car," she said, smiling at Antonio. He watched as she walked out of the restaurant, her slender figure disappearing into the bright sunlight. His gaze followed her outside, drifting to the parking lot. And then, in an instant, everything changed. Maria's body jerked violently, her arms flailing as she crumpled to the ground. Antonio's eyes widened in horror as he saw the flashes of gunfire, heard the muffled reports of the shots. His mother h
Beyond the Omerta A TRAIL OF BLOOD
CHAPTER 16Antonio clutched his fist in fury, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his world would crumble if Alessandro had Luciana again. His father would berate him for being incompetent.He thought back to the events that led him to this point, to the choices he made and the secrets he kept.As a child, he had always felt like an outsider in his own family. His father, a ruthless businessman and the head of the silician Mafia family , had always prioritized power and wealth over his son's well-being. Antonio's mother, Maria, had been his only source of comfort and love.But when Maria was assassinated, he was left alone to face his father's cruelty. He was forced to grow up too quickly, learning about guns and dark secrets Mafia has to hide from the world.As he grew older, Antonio became determined to prove himself to his father, to show him that he was worthy of respect and love. But no matter how hard he tried, he could never seem to measure up.His thoughts were interrupted
