[ Arielle ]Girls dream about their wedding, fantasize the proposal of their soulmate and wed in a fairytale wedding, a life full of hopes and dreams, a loving partner and kids. But my life had been inked down by the blood and sealed on balance of power between two dangerous man; first my father, a sly businessman who fixed my value, the second is my future husband, a man I know nothing about.I couldn’t believe the girl staring back at me. I had to give the credit to the stylists who spent four hours on me to get me ready for my ‘big day’. I just sat like a stone statue and let them do whatever they need to do, they were ordered by their boss to doll me up so I look perfect beside the most feared man.The snow- white dress, beaded with pearls and intricate design, matched with the diamond jewellery, the pearl tiara, it all screamed wealth but I felt burdened. It wasn’t what I always pictured for myself. The dress covered my whole body, I could see how the De Niro family doesn’t want
[ Vincent ]My marriage wouldn’t change anything about my life. I had to take this decision on the basis of my recent choices and to cover up some stupid mistakes I made. This secret will be buried in the deepest sediment of my heart. This was all to appease my family and the circle I live in. Honestly, I do not care for others, I had to do it because one way or other, Desmond was going to be a pain in my ass if I don’t put a leash around him. It is a legitimate way to ship my contraband overseas using Desmond’s resources.“Brother, so finally I am going to have someone I can call a sister.” Alessandro cleared his throat who pulled me on the aisle where the priest was standing.“You know the truth, Aless.” I said, my eyes darted on the huge doors. The antique organs played the classical wedding music. The small hall was only filled with the closest family members.The doors opened and my bride walked inside with her elder brother. Arielle, clad in the wedding gown I picked from the sh
[ Arielle ]I am the wife of an Italian mafia boss.It took me three hours of plane journey from the wedding venue to the estate, I got to know from Marcello that it is the official residence of a capo, he must evacuate it soon after his retirement. The estate is spread over acres, it looks no less than a palace, guarded from inside out. The steel gates with latest security locks, the dogs, ready to eat an intruder.“Don’t dwell too much on his quirky behaviour. He doesn’t want to witness you any blood if things go array which is very normal.” I heard Marcello saying as the cars moved in the premises of the estate and my head snapped at him.“What do you mean by blood? Is he going to kill my family?” I couldn’t help but ask him. This family is giving me chills in every passing hour.My family always despised me for being a girl, the only female child born in generations but I never want them to lose their lives.He chuckled on my question, “You’re very soft hearted, Signora. Capo will
[ Arielle ]I spent next few hours in my room. I’d say Vincent gave me a room full of luxury, the room also had a small book shelf with famous English books and a large TV, English channels were connected to it but I decided to just sleep and let my mind rest for a while. I was exhausted, the last thing I want is to see anyone from the De Niro family or the cocky bastard Marcello. A knock on the door made me groan, I laid lethargic on the bed, the lunch plate was untouched. I had no appetite.“Who’s this?” I asked. I don’t like when they just barge into my room. At least, I must be given this liberty to be my own person in my room.There was another knock. This person surely didn’t understand English, so I had no other choice except to open the door. I didn’t care how I looked in messy hairs and my tank top and shorts. With an annoyed face, I opened the door but my breath caught in my throat when I found Vincent standing at my door step, again with emotionless face, grey eyes piercing
[ Arielle ]Deadly silence wrapped the air in the room under its terror. My eyes were lowered on the golden China plate with silver fork. Lorenzo De Niro just expressed his hatred and disapproval of me whereas his other family members looked more surprised and anxious.“Leave!”Vincent’s voice, like a thunderbolt lightening a dark sky, broke the silence. I flinched in fear. My whole body trembled like a dry leaf in a storm. I slowly took a step back and about to leave when his large palm wrapped around my wrist. The grip was as firm as iron shackles.“Leave, padre.” He roared in the same intensity and it was when I realized it wasn’t for me but for his father. I was frozen on my spot, his eyes throwing dagger at his own father.On the other hand, Lorenzo’s face turned red in anger and humiliation.“You dared to insult your father over an American who*re.” Lorenzo tried to match his intensity but it didn’t feel as scarier as the devil’s.I was watching the whole act like a mute spectat
[ Arielle ]“I have three rules for you to listen and imprint on your mind like a holy hymn, Arielle.” Vincent said breaking the thick tension in the air. I was curled on the seat he asked me to sit.His deep footsteps echoed in the silenced room.“I need words, Principessa.” He repeated, his voice full of annoyance.“I am listening.” I said if he needed me to agree to his slavery.“Good, I am not going to repeat this again.” He said again in a demeaning tone, “There are some certain rules set by my ancestors for everyone. I follow them because they are necessary to maintain the balance.” He said rounding my chair like a predator.“If I don’t follow them, I might get killed?” I finished for him in a question form.“I won’t coin it as ‘killed’. There are other punishments which are scarier than death.” He answered my question.I sat quietly and waited for him to read his rulebook for me.“My first rule, never disrespect or object to me in a public place. You saw earlier that even my ow
[ Arielle ]“What am I going to do with all these clothes?” I sighed looking at the stack of bags on my bed. Povetta and Lilliana forced me to buy countless dresses of my choice in all the luxury brand stores in the city. How could I tell them that I was only allowed to spend a meagre amount of money on myself before. Branded clothes were only given to me during parties and auctions.“This is not even one percent of what Italian wives buy, Signora. You’re lucky that you got excess to the stock which isn’t launched in the market yet. Trust me, all the women during the upcoming gala will be envy of you. They’re very provocative when it comes to something rare and unreachable.” Emily said to me and I turned to look at her with scrutinized eyes.“Really?” I shook my head, “Such materialistic things don’t matter to me. I only love my freedom, it’s priceless for me.” I replied and stretched my arms.“Freedom is priceless for you because it’s unreachable.” Emily stated.I was speechless, it
[ Vincent ]Violence, blood, treachery, deception, lies and uncertainty.This is the normalcy in my day-to-day life. There’s nothing mundane or more humane things about me. I wake up with new targets and challenges to meet and when I comes back to the bed, I often have blood on my hands.“What are you going to do with this Wilson lad?” Stefano asked me as we seated leisurely in the warehouse. I lit his cigar and poured myself my favourite whiskey to cool off my brain.He is the closest I can call a friend. Our similar age can be the reason. We grew up and trained together until I was sent to the States by his father, the former Capo.“I haven’t decided yet. A part of me wants to lock him here forever. I wonder how a snob like Desmond fathered two incompetent sons. They’re going to cause his downfall before he reaches his grave.” I said glancing over the small cell where I had kept my second prize that I demanded from Desmond soon after the wedding.He’s the leash I have over Desmond.
[ Ella ]“Thank you once again for this memorable day trip, Marcello. I enjoyed every single second I spent at the De Niro’s property. I can’t believe that I am one of the few people who got the opportunity to live this dreamy life of one of the wealthiest families in the city.He smiled and poured more wine into my cup, “I can do much more for you, mon cheri. Just give me a chance.” He said. We were having our dinner at the estate.I was afraid at first when I saw hundreds of armed men guarding the estate at each corner. The security was unbreachable. I met his mother who is a very nice lady. I didn’t feel like an outsider and they definitely didn’t behave like dominating people.“You can drop me off at my house now. It’s getting dark and I don’t want my neighbours to gossip about my personal life. I bet you’re already a breaking news among them.“Are you not happy that most of your neighbours now think that we’re a thing between us?” He teased me and I immediately looked down at my
[ Ella ]“You shouldn’t come to my house unannounced. The entire neighbourhood was looking at you. I bet, it’ll be spread to the others by now. Those ladies were practically eye raping you, Marcello.” I said to him with rotten mood remembering how those women ogled at him as if he was a piece of meat.“Are you jealous that I am quite popular among the ladies of your neighbourhood?” He smirked and I coughed while sipping on my coconut water that I bought to keep myself hydrated. I am still not used to with the humidity of the place.“No, I am not jealous. Why would I be jealous? You’re not boyfriend or something like that.” I defended myself.“Touche, I am hurt by your bluntness, mon cheri.” He acted to wince and again focused on the road.“This place is beautiful. I have seen vineyards but never been to a private property before.” I said as I saw vineyards on both sides of the road, stretched far and wide. It was a picturesque view.“You have the golden chance to spend an entire day a
[ Marcello ]“What if I tell you that I like you? Will you still leave?”I asked her, it was a now or never question for me. After she shared her fears and her goals for her life, I understood her. I know how it feels to go through pain of losing your loved ones, I had gone through this dark phase myself. Sometimes, I also wanted to leave everything behind and start a new life but I could never really discard myself from this city and this life. Eventually, I found my peace in my work.“Mr. Romano, I don’t know how to answer this yet but we can certainly be friends.” She said.I felt a ache in my heart after hearing her answer. She doesn’t feel in the same way as I do. I was willing to give her everything she deserves, from safety to fulfilling her dreams. I’d give her a loving family. All that I wanted is her companionship because my feelings for her are getting intense day by day.“I think it’s quite late. I should be going now. Please, don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anyth
[ Ella ]“Mr. Romano, please come inside.” I politely asked him to come into my house while ensuring that my nosy neighbours didn’t see a man coming to my house and later complain to the landlady who is an old fashioned woman.He stepped into my house and I closed the door carefully. My heart was hammering against my ribcage. It is the first time I invited a man inside my house that too late in the night. He’s the same man whom I hated and felt scared not less than twenty-four hours ago.“Here, take this food.” He handed me the bag and I went to my small kitchen to serve the pasta into two plates and also the grilled chicken in classical Italian tomato sauce with a lot of herbs and peppers. The delicious aroma made my stomach grumble loudly. I prayed that he didn’t hear this.I returned to my living room with the food tray. The space looked more smaller with his presence.“This is my favourite pasta dish, what a coincidence?” I rubbed my palms together before picking the fork to dig i
[ Ella ]“Ella, my darling. Thank God, you’re fine. I was scared to death.” My aunt rushed to hug me as soon as I walked into their house after my check-up and treatment at the clinic. The doctor advised me to rest for 2-3 days. I told Marcello to drop me at my uncle’s house. I need to talk to him. I won’t let go of this easily. I could be dead today.“I want to be alone for some time, aunt. Please, don’t mind.” I said slowly getting out of her grip. Her face reflected guilt but she pressed her lips and nodded her head.“Mrs. Romano, please take care of her. Make sure that she doesn’t stress herself in the café. I’ll come again to have a world with Rio Romano.” Marcello said and then he turned to me, his features softened when he looked at me.“Take care, mon cheri. Please, don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything. I have mailed you my private phone number.” He said to me and handed me the bag of some food which he grabbed for me from a Chinese restaurant in our way.“Thank you,
[ 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
[ 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 ]“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 ]“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