[ Arielle ]I gulp down, embracing myself with my hands, the heavy fur overcoat wasn’t helping much in this chilly weather as I was trying my best to reach home before my father comes. It is an unsaid rule in my house, no women should be out after six and it’s past seven thirty. I don’t need to visualize what my father would do to me if he finds out that I wasn’t home before the dusk.I live in a world where my life was decided for me even before I was born and since last twenty-one years, it has been the same. I can’t even breathe without my father’s permission. My father is Desmond Wilson, the head of the American mafia syndicate. He is the most feared man, the human incarnation of Satan, what people call him in the whispers of night. His power radiates off him, power that demanded respect and obedience from everyone, the business, enemies and family.I took a deep breath and began to walk with quick steps, I already regretted ditching my security. Sometimes, it’s my escape from my
[ Arielle ]The room shrank two sizes when the tall man, whom I had supported on my shoulder entered in my apartment. My paintings were laying in every corner, covered in dust. I hardly come here since my father found out about my passion for painting and art. He thinks it’s useless since I have to make a good, obedient wife in future.He groaned a little when I helped him to sit on the sofa and went to bring first-aid kit. Born and raised into a mafia family, treating a bullet wound wasn’t new to me. I had treated my brothers before. When I came back into the living room, the man laid back on the sofa.I knelt down and carefully removed his shirt to see the severity of the wound. It looked really bad. I took the tweezers and sterilized it before removing the bullet and the man winced. He looked in pain yet he tried to remain strong and unbothered.“You should see a doctor soon or it will get infected.” I said to him but he didn’t respond.I quickly bandaged his wound and gave him pai
[ Arielle ]A feeling of safety flowed through me when I stepped into the patio of my mansion, it was guarded heavily where a fly can’t pass without my father’s permission. Vincent dropped me outside the mansion before my security guards could stop and interrogate him.Breathing for a while, I prepared for the worst. My father’s car was parked outside. I should embrace myself for the punishment waiting for me. I could feel house maids and guards’ gaze on me as I walked passed them.“Where have you been, Miss Wilson? You did the wrong thing by escaping your security, your father doesn’t look pleased.” Parker, my head bodyguard met me in mid way. He looked disappointed.“Where is he?” I asked him avoiding his gaze.“In his home office. Please, follow me.” He said and lined behind me.He can save me from everything but not this. My heart was sinking with each step I took towards my father’s office. Disobedience always comes with punishment.The wooden doors were opened by my father’s gua
[ Arielle ]I groaned as I gained my consciousness. My head felt heavy like I was hit by a hammer. I tried to flutter my eyes and the first thing that came into my view was a sparkling crystal chandelier and soft music. My memories before I passed out began to come back in bits and pieces. My father came to me in the night when I was sleeping. He was furious, burning in rage. He kicked me out of my bed and then asked me to be ready early in the morning. He said nothing. I only remember Alexander arguing with him when father aimed his gun at my elder brother and then I came in between to save him. All I could remember leaving home in his private jet.My eyes widened and I tried to get up but realised I couldn’t move because I was tied on a chair. The room looked like an expensive suite. Fear gripped me. I was locked for sure but when my eyes fell on my appearance in the gigantic mirror, it only worsened mixed with confusion when I saw my dressed changed into a skimpy dress, showing mos
[ Vincent De Niro ]The sound of crushing bones and heart wrenching cries of the man tied on a chair behind me, felt like music to my ears. It was the starkest reminder of my job. It was the death, danger and mayhem that thrive around me since I had to step up on the throne of capo de capi of De Niro famiglia.“Capo, he isn’t cracking his mouth open. I must say he is very loyal to his master like a dog.” Marcello, my right hand man said to me.I turned around and faced the half dead man. It was my normalcy, the copious amount of blood seeped on the floor which lost its original colour and looked more black and crimson due to sedimentation of blood. The basement smelled rotten and putrid. The smell of death lingered in the air.There wasn’t any window. We don’t believe in giving our enemies a chance to breathe or see light, coming here itself means death. Eventually, they’d go to hell.“Your boss think he can steal from me and get away?” I chuckled dryly at the man sitting in front of
[ Arielle ]This morning, I woke up with the worst headache, I felt like someone had hit me with a iron rod. The plain while walls and a cozy bed beneath me, made me panicked. I was in an unknown place. The events from the day prior began to dance in my mind in bits and pieces. I was sold by my father and almost auctioned by some cruel men when another predator saved me and everything went blank after that. Fear gripped my heart in its clutches and I searched for my phone, I sighed in frustration when I didn’t find it anywhere in the room. I recalled it was snatched from me by the Russians.I padded my way to the door and tried to open it and surprisingly it opened, I thanked the God and peeked out, the house was big, I almost gasped seeing it’s marvellous interior but it was awfully quiet.“Do you want something, Signora?” A deep manly voice made me flinch in fear as I didn’t expect a human presence and I turned to look at the left side of the door. There was a tall man in black suit
[ Vincent ]As I finally had a moment to sit down and reflect on the choices I made. I had no plans to meddle with the Americans, especially Desmond, the viper but his secret alliance with Nikolai Ivanov under the nose of European syndicate forced me to take a decision which might determine my position in the mafia, for better or for the worse.My mission had been straightforward, I went to America to trace Nicolai’s links to my stolen shipment, it could be a great taint on my smooth, spotless image I built over years. He ignited an inevitable war which had been under cold ashes since my brother Alessandro’s feud with Dimitri, Nikolai’s elder brother. My mind was a whirlwind of uncertainty.This new situation forced me to run the wheels of my mind in every possible direction. I raided their auction and practically abducted Desmond’s daughter. She’s breathtakingly beautiful, her pale blue eyes harbour innocence and purity. She’s born in a wrong world. I want to protect her. An inexplica
[ Vincent ]“I am not going to repeat myself, Vincent.”The man sitting across me said in a whisper like of a viper.I sat calm, unphased by half dozen of American men pointing their guns at me. If someone had seen me like this from my family’s side, they’d be stunned but it was my turn in this game of chess. Right now, he wants to see if he has a leverage on me and I am giving him the disillusive satisfaction.Because it will be me who take the last strike.“My deal is clear, Desmond. I want you to cut your ties with Nikolai if you want to live a few more years and die with respect among your kins. Nikolai is a sinking ship, sooner or later, I am going to destroy him. Russians were never that smart, especially when they made us their enemies number one. Choose wisely, I do not forgive easily, I am giving you a chance because I can see a potential leader in your son.” I said, clearly not liking how I have to repeat myself.He snickered on my proposal, snakes like him don’t let go of t
[ 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