[ Ella ]“These cookies smell delicious, you’re slowly learning the secret art of baking the best cakes and cookies of Sicily. One day, you have to become a part of our family business.” My uncle, Rio said to me when he tasted the cookies I baked in the café. A grin broke on my face. I love making desserts and working in my uncle’s bakery is one of my dreams so I went to Rome to master in culinary school.“Thank you, Uncle. I’ll try harder next time.” I said and placed the plate in the glass shelf. The café wasn’t much crowded as it was the mid of the week and we were about to close.“Rio, Capo and his men are here.” One of the waiters came into the kitchen to inform my uncle about some customer, I have heard this place is also where people associated with illegal business live.“Ella, my dear, can you help your aunt in the kitchen? I am going to greet one of my regular customers.” Uncle said and went out in hurry.I took one last glance at the clock and went inside the kitchen to jo
[ Ella ]A few days had passed since I last saw Marcello, the mafia lord. I tried to forget about him and mostly spent my time in the café’s kitchen rather than doing counter duty. I busied myself in learning baking new types of cakes and cookies. Soon, I almost got over the incident and I thought I was only being paranoid that night. Why would a man like Marcello may be interested in a common nobody like me.“Auntie, look how’s this pineapple icing is looking?” I asked my aunt who was busy making pastries.She glanced at my art and smiled widely, “You’re a fast learner, Ella. I am sure that one day you’ll take our café to a new height.” She encouraged me and I placed two cupcakes on a plate to take them to my friend Rita and Uncle Rio.The café was busy as it was morning time and it seems everyone in the city wants our coffee. I walked in the cafeteria. I felt more confident than before. I also passed smiles to customers who walked past me and welcomed them in Italian.“I never enjoy
[ Ella ]I stared at the man standing in front of me. His face had a smug smile whereas I just wanted to disappear into thin air or leave the country.“I think you heard me correctly, Ms. Ella. I want to take you out for a dinner in the evening.” He repeated in direct and clear words.“No, I can’t.” I flatly rejected his proposal. He was just a stranger. I can’t trust him let alone going out with him. What if he drugs me and then rapes me, or worse kill me and dump my body into the ocean.“Are you rejecting my request, mon cheri?” He raised his brow and I could see that he felt humiliated in front of his subordinates.“Yes, Mr. Marcello. I can’t go out with you. You’re our respected customer and it’s very inappropriate for me to keep any relationship with one of our customers.” I lied keeping my head low. There was no such rule but I can’t say the truth on his face.“If you don’t want to come with me then you can directly tell me, Ms. Ella. You don’t need to make lame excuses because
[ Marcello ]Why this girl’s thoughts aren’t leaving my mind since I had seen her. Her shyness mixed with fear, the way she stole glance at me and then scurry away as if I’d eat her. Capo Vincent was right when he used to tell me that one day, someone will mess up with my mind. After battling with my patience and sanity, I finally reached at the café and lured Rio to send her with me for a dinner. My pride was hurt but she wasn’t wrong on her place either.“Capo, are you thinking about Miss Ella?” Vincenzo asked me.“Perhaps, yes. She’s an interesting character.” I said with a wink and scrolled through her social media account, she’s quite active, updating the world with her life and her different aspects. I could see her following but I felt a strange sensation which wasn’t good at all when I saw her photos with boys, probably her friends or class mates. She hid nothing about her. She looked vibrant and a jolly person except when she was around me.“Can I help you with something? Som
[ Marcello ]“Don’t, mon cheri. You’re already drunk.” I snatched sixth glass of drink from Ella’s hands, she was totally wasted. She could hardly sit straight.“No, I want to enjoy tonight. Don’t stop me.” she pointed her finger at me, her eyes trying to glare at me but she looked cute. I wanted to pull her cheeks but we were on a public place.“Ella, no, you are already wasted. Your uncle will be mad at you.” I reminded her but she was hardly listening to me.“I don’t want to hear his name. You know he was pestering me to date that douchebag Marcello.” She blabbered and my ears caught it. I realized that she wasn’t in a state to recognize me.“Why do you think that Marcello is a bad guy? Did he do something to offend you?” I asked her. I wanted to know what does she really think about me.She leaned closer, almost brushing her bare shoulder on my chest, her sweet lavender and vanilla scent intoxicated me, I just wanted to pull her into my embrace and make passionate love to her but
[ Ella ]“Arghhh, my head is pounding.” Rita entered in the kitchen holding her head. My condition was no different than hers but I kept quiet and busied myself in the café so Uncle and Aunt won’t find out that I was out clubbing till God knows how late.When I woke up, I found myself sleeping in the same dress on my sofa. I didn’t remember how I reached home, probably Rita or her boyfriend dropped me off and then went to their home or it was our other friend Lucy.“Please, put these cookies in the oven and set the timer.” I instructed her and decided to check the lists of raw materials which was running out of stock. We have to order them before evening.“I am sure you had a crazy night and finally lost your v card to that handsome devil.” I heard Rita whispering near my ear and I froze. Was she really talking to me?I swiftly turned around and faced her. She was smirking at me but I was still confused.“Have you lost your mind, Rita? It was you or Lucy who dropped me off my house.”
[ Marcello ]I was more than excited to see my little angel. Throughout the night, I couldn’t sleep, her cute talks and cute facial expressions kept dancing in front of my eyes. Her sweet fragrance had enchanted me. I was only waiting for the morning so I could go to the café and ask her out like a gentleman.“I see someone is craving for Rio’s cookies early in the morning.” Vincenzo walked into the kitchen with a yawn, I glanced at him, he was in his night pyjamas and messy hairs.“I didn’t give you a day off from work, Vincenzo? You’re looking like a shit.” I raised my left brow at him who was fetching himself a cup of coffee.“I have a killer headache, Capo. I am sorry but I am not in a state to work today. Miss Ella’s friends are crazy, they drank like thirsty camels. If we had to pay the bills, I am sure my bank account will be left with only zeroes. But the real struggle was to drop Lucy, Miss Ella’s friend.” he groaned and by judging his face, I assumed he had trouble in dealin
[ Ella ]It’s been an hour, I sobbed silently when my tears dried up. This place was no less than a hell if I have to imagine one. They didn’t come back again and with passing time, my fear was increasing. My uncle took money from dangerous man like my kidnapper, I had no idea about it and now, I am the one who will be sacrificed.“God, please, save me.” I prayed closing my eyes because I don’t want to die. Even though, I lost everything, my parents were victim of this kind of violence but still, I never lose hope of a beautiful future.Suddenly, I heard yelling and arguing of men coming from outside. I sat straight on the chair. Maybe, they received a negative answer from my uncle. Maybe, my end was near. All of a sudden, the door burst open and I was panicked without looking at the person.“Please, don’t kill me.” I begged assuming it was the same man.“Ella, shhh, calm down, it’s me.” I heard the most unexpected voice and snapped my face up. It wasn’t my dream. Marcello Romano was
[ Ella ]“Ella, what are you going to next? This is insane.” Lucy, whom I trusted with everything, asked me after I explained the whole situation to him.“I don’t know. My head is splitting thinking about everything. I don’t know what to do and I hurt Marcello in the process. Sometimes, I think I don’t deserve a man like him.” I said shaking my head with a heavy heart.“Technically speaking, you are the owner of the café on the paper. It is famous for it’s sweet dishes like cakes, cookies and doughnuts. You can transform it into restaurant in the near future. You have loyal customers and well set up business, you just need to invest more capital and mindblowing dishes. You can live your dreams even after marrying Marcello. The marriage can’t be a big fat wedding. You can keep it low for time being if you think his name and personality will overshadow your identity.” Lucy suggested.“It’s not easy as you think, Lucy.” I said going towards the window of my room and saw guards down.“You
[ Ella ]“Marcello, he has no right to decide for us. He is my uncle, I get it but I am an adult and I am not bound to do anything he says.” I said with crossed hands.“Calm down, Ella. You need to listen to me first. I think you should go back home. I don’t you’ll understand anything I say now. Your anger will influence your judgement.” Marcello said very calmly to me and I wondered how he was tolerating my uncle’s behavior was no less than of a dictator.“Marcello, I am in a right state of mind. You can tell me if there something I should know.” I said trying to keep myself calm.“Alright, then let’s go from here. This place will only rise your temper.” He said getting up from his seat. I followed behind him. My mood was very disturbed. It’s not that I was against the idea of marrying Marcello, but the time wasn’t right and I don’t want to rush into anything.I noticed extra security with him when I walked out of the café. His bodyguards opened the backseat doors for us and he instr
[ Ella ]“Oh My God! Are you serious, Ella?” Rita and Lucy exclaimed when I told her about my confession during our trip.“Calm down, girls. Everyone is around. Uncle Rio shouldn’t know about this until I talk to Marcello about this first.” I eyed them and blushed thinking about the last few days when I and Marcello were inseparable.“Ella, may I ask you a question? I know you’re gonna freak out but I can’t hold my curiosity anymore.” Rita, being the craziest of all, eyed me.“Rita, no! don’t even go there. Do you want to give her a heart attack?” Lucy scolded her.“What do you want to ask, Rita?” I asked her because I didn’t get any idea of their conversation.Rita leaned on my shoulder and whispered, “Did you lose your V-card during the trip? I bet Marcello couldn’t hold himself after seeing a bombshell like you.”I coughed hearing her question. My cheeks heated up because it was something I didn’t expect her to ask me.“Rita, I told you.” Lucy slapped her head.“What is wrong in ha
[ Ella ]The next two days passed in a blur for me because I only felt happiness, utmost happiness as Marcello planned surprise rooftop dinner dates, ball dance in French style and many more things. We grew impossibly closer, both emotionally and mentally because we understand each other.He respected our boundaries and never did something more than kissing me. He knows that I need time to open up when it comes to physical intimacy. He is giving me space to adapt myself for more than just kissing and cuddling. My respect for him grew more. My fears slowly began to disappear.I stretched my hands when we landed safely at his private airstrip. It was about the dusk time.“I am already missing Paris. I want to go there again.” I pouted.He wrapped a shawl around my shoulders, his security circle overwhelmed me because there were hundreds of armed men, all six feet tall and bulky but I have to accept his identity. He can’t play a lover boy all the time.“I’ll take you to other places when
[ Marcello ]It felt unbelievable, almost like a beautiful dream from which I don’t want to wake up. Ella confessed that she has feelings for me. She said those magical words to me and I kept rooted on my place, processing how should I react. She was standing right in front of me, smiling like an angel.“Will you let me kiss you now, Marcello?” Ella’s question snapped me out of my trance.“No, I won’t.” I said and her face fell.I cupped her face and pulled her closer, “I won’t let you kiss me because I want to give you a proper kiss, mon cheri.” I said and sealed our lips.She stiffened at first but then she relaxed and reacted to the kiss, it was deep and passionate. It was full of emotions, I knew how she feels about me. My happiness had no bounds. I bite on her bottom lip to explore her mouth, her lips felt delicious. I didn’t want to leave them. Our tongues fought for dominance but I wanted to prove her that she’s mine and she has found herself a passionate lover.Flash of camera
[ Ella ]“Oh My God! I can’t believe on my eyes that I am seeing the Eiffel Tower with my own fucking eyes.” I exclaimed closing my mouth, I was jumping in excitement.“Let me take your pictures, mon cheri.” He said and picked out his camera which he brought with him and I gave various poses in front of illuminated tower. My happiness had no bound.“Hey, Marcello, come here and let’s take some pictures together.” I called him. I wanted to tressure these moments with him.“Are you sure, mon cheri? Once you post them on your social media, your neighbours will have a heart attack if they see us together and you in social media update.” He said while we took some pictures together, they were cute poses, mostly by me.“I want to keep these photos private, they’re not for everyone to see. I want to keep some moments to myself.” I said and he looked at me with a different emotion and at the same time, I clicked a perfect candid picture.“This is the best one, see.” I said pointing at the scr
[ Ella ]I woke up late as I was up very late at night, watching movies on the television. I was panicked when I saw the clock, it was ten in the morning, I did my morning routine quickly and came out of my room to check upon Marcello who was reading a newspaper, he was wearing only shirt and casual jeans.“Good morning, mon cheri.” He wished me without looking up.“Good morning, Mr. Romano. I am sorry, I slept more than usual.” I apologized and sat down in front of him.He placed his newspaper down and went to the coffee machine. He handed me a brewing cup of coffee.“Have this first. Do you want to have breakfast here or want to explore more options outside?” He asked me.“I’ll go for a brunch but a simple omelette and some fruit juice at a seven-star hotel won’t hurt. It’s not every day I get a chance to stay at such lavish place. In fact, it’s my first time living this extraordinary life and I don’t want to miss any of it.” I grinned like a cheshire cat.He chuckled shaking his he
[ Ella ]When we landed in Paris, it was already evening, the sun was setting, giving the sky a beautiful fire red colour mixed with dark purple. The air itself felt romantic. He booked a private suite for us but we had separate rooms on opposite sides so I won’t feel uncomfortable. I asked him to take me for a nightlife experience in Paris. The city looked more beautiful than what I saw in T.V. and magazines. Common men and women walking on the streets looked like models out of a fashion magazine.I couldn’t hold my excitement to see the iconic Eiffel Tower and share a moment there with the man I love.Yes, I realized very lately that I am in love with the man walking side by side with me, we were holding hands naturally.“Shall we dine first? You hadn’t eaten much in the plane.” He said and at the same time my stomach grumbled. I felt embarrassed.“Your tummy is also agreeing with me.” He teased me and I wanted to run away.“You’re mean, Marcello.” I smacked his bicep and he laughed
[ Ella ]“I can’t believe that you have taken my words seriously, Marcello.” I shook my head as we boarded the his private plane.“Did you think that I was only bluffing when I said that I’d take you wherever you want to go?” He raised his brow, his lips curved upward.“Yes, I said it in the flow of my unstable emotions, Marcello. You have work, a load of work here. You barely have time for yourself and you are taking me to Paris.” I said but inside, I felt butterflies.It was like any other morning today when I woke up by the door bell and found Vincenzo at my doorstep. He told me to pack some warm clothes and get ready. I was curious and surprised but he didn’t tell me anything until he took me to their private airstrip where Marcello was waiting for me. He told me that he’s taking me to Paris for a three days trip.“I managed my schedule for three days, mon cheri. Vincenzo is trained to take over my responsibilities in my temporary absence so I am all yours for next three days. We’