[ 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.
[ Arielle ]“You’re looking breathtaking, Ma’am. I am not flattering, it’s true. The Capo won’t be able to take his eyes off you and so the others.” Emily, who was helping me to slipped into my heels, praised me.I agreed with her compliment though I am not sure about her latter comment. A beauty can’t fascinate Vincent De Niro. We were in Florance, it was a private suite in a seven star hotel. I could see the city down me. The royal blue dress in mermaid style perfectly hugging my curves, it’s intricate embroidery and design screamed wealth and elegance. I had never seen a beauty dress like this. Vincent sent a diamond and emerald necklace to wear. My over all appearance made me look more mature and womanly.“Are you ready, Signora?” My bodyguard asked me, his eyes were at the floor. No other men dare to look at me except Vincent himself and Marcello, of course.Marcello was with Vincent. For a weird reason, I missed him messing with my patience level.“Yes.” I nodded. I was nervous,
[ Arielle ]Vincent didn’t leave me even for a nano-second as he engrossed himself in serious conversation with different group of men. I just had to stand by his side and smile in response when someone looked at me. I didn’t understand a word they said. To be honest, I felt like an outcast among all Italian men and women.“I want to use washroom.” I whispered to him, I was afraid since I interrupted him in between a dialogue with an old man.He tilted his head to look at me, his face didn’t give away anything but he slowly loosened his grip around my waist.“Marcello, take her to the restroom and ensure that you stay around.” He instructed my personal nanny. I felt embarrassed when the other men chuckled.“Women always make us kneel when it comes to protect them. It is the hardest part of our profession.” The Italian man said in his broken English so I could understand his sarcasm.“Surely, they need our protection, Mr. Gionni because men can not be trusted. So, it’s not the women’s
[ Vincent ]“You invited Walsh, am I hearing the right news, Mr. Bianchi?” I asked the sly man who was sipping his drink in a silver ware.“Si, I invited him. What’s the catch, Vincent?” He raised his eyes at me and it took me every single fibre in my body to control my anger.“I want him as soon as your shit show is over, Bianchi. You know I have been looking out for him for a long time. I can’t allow him to slip away from my grip again. Do not root your friendship with him. It won’t be good for your health and your business.” I gave him a silent warning.“Are you threatening me, Mr. De Niro because my business also fruits you.” He tried to challenge me.Before I could say something, a group of men joined us. They were the English.“May we join the conversation if the gentlemen?” Edward Whitford, the English mafia lord asked us.I knew they wanted to talk about the same problem that is Faolan Walsh. He has his eyes on the English networks and it’d be a direct threat for Edward.“Faol
[ Arielle ]The thirty minutes ride from the event venue to the hotel was invaded by silence. I was sent back to the hotel by Vincent when I was enjoying the only thing I liked in the event; the food. My appetite died when Vincent told me to leave urgently. He looked tensed but his face was hard to express his emotions.“Order something from the hotel, Signora. I know you’re still hungry.” Marcello said when we were in the elevator.“I am not hungry anymore, Marcello. I just want to be alone and nobody ordering me around until morning.” I snapped back at him as I was really pissed off.The guards checked the suite before they let us go inside. I directly went into my room and locked it.“I am in the living room until Capo comes back. if you need anything, please do tell me.” I heard him saying from other side of the door and then he left.I quickly threw the heels in a corner not caring if it’d be damaged. I fell on the bed and took deep breaths. When I thought everything is falling o
[ Vincent ]“How could you let this happen?” I punched the wall beside Marcello’s head, I didn’t care if my knuckle hurt and started bleeding. Anger was fuelling me.“She was in the balcony. I wasn’t supposed to be there. Whoever aimed her, they knew that she’d be alone in the room, Capo.” Marcello answered but I aimed my gun on his forehead.“My wife was shot in the most secured hotel, I gave this responsibility to you, Marcello. You must had checked the other buildings as well.” I growled in a quiet tone as we were in the hospital.“We did check the other buildings but we don’t know how she was aimed. I believe it’s someone from our inner circle who breached our security and tried to hurt Signora.” Marcello looked down in shame.My eyes fell on his blood smeared shirt. Anger and vengeance to butcher the person who tried to kill Arielle fuelled me. It was her crimson blood. I felt a strange twist in my heart. She must be in so much pain. Whoever targeted her, they knew that she was a
[ Arielle ]White ceiling, a dull pain in my upper body and spinning head, that’s what I experienced when I woke up on a hospital bed. I hate hospitals and the smell of it but it was a private room. I tried to speak but my throat was dry so I pressed the alarm.The doors burst open within seconds and a group of medical stuff rushed inside before I could process anything. Behind them, the De Niro guards entered, alarmed and ready to shoot if they see danger when I recalled how I ended up in a hospital.I was shot but I survived.“How are you feeling now, Mrs. De Niro?” The doctor asked me after he checked my vitals, eyes and heartbeats.“I feel mild pain in my right shoulder. I hope it won’t increase when the effect of medicines wear off.” I told him with a weak smile but the sweat beads on his face was the evidence of the pressure he must be feeling.“Good, you’re in a good condition. The wound will heal in two weeks but you may need physiotherapy for a few weeks for the smooth moveme
[ Ella ]“So, this is the end of the story. The prince married the princess in the end. They lived happily ever after with their little daughter who was just like you, my princess.” I closed the fairytale book that I was reading to the young girl who looked sleepy but she was still awake.“This is your and Uncle Marcello’s story, right?” She asked me cuddling into my lap.“Yes, our story is like a fairytale you can say. There were demons in our story too but your uncle fought with them bravely and we are together.” I said with a smile. She blinked her big blue eyes at me.“When will uncle return. I miss him.” the little girl pouted and I started tickling her to lift up her mood.“Your uncle is very busy in his work but he will come soon. I am also missing him but I think he doesn’t miss us or he’d come home early.” I pouted with her.“I heard you both.”Marcello’s voice drew our attention on the door where he was standing. He looked tired but his smile was radiant.“Uncle Mars!” Lila
[ Ella ]I tried to open my eyes but a banging headache forced me to groan in pain. I tried to move but I couldn’t because I felt my hands and feet tied up. I shot my eyes open and found myself in a ramshackle building, the plaster was gone, I could see iron rods on the ceiling and the smell was putrid. I was tied on a chair with no source of light except a small window.“Help!” I cried but I could hear my own voice resonating in the empty walls.I cried recalling the moment when Molly sprayed something on my face and I fainted, and now I am in a shabby place. Someone kidnapped me.“Who are you and why are you keeping me here?” I shouted and cried. I knew my kidnappers were there. They could hear me.A few moments later, I heard footsteps approaching and a man appeared first, behind them entered Molly. She was smirking. Anger rushed through my veins when I saw her. She deceived Lucy.“You bitch! I am gonna kill you.” I shouted and wiggled in the ropes.“I fear you won’t be alive by th
[ Marcello ]“Fuck! Why did I let her leave without security?” I punched the wall as there was no sign of Ella. we searched the whole area where the bar was located but the kidnappers left no clues behind.“I am asking you for one last time, tell me if you are involved with the enemies. Ella was with you two when she went missing.” Massimo pointed his finger at Ella’s friends. The girls were shaking with fear and also crying silently.I rubbed my temple and breathed deeply.“Massimo, don’t blame them. They have nothing to do with her disappearance. Just look at them.” I said and approached them calmly.“I swear, Capo. We don’t know where that girl took her. We were in the bar. Ella went to the restroom and Lucy’s girlfriend followed her. We had no idea that she was a spy who was with Lucy just to track Ella.” Rita cried and pointed her finger at a really heartbroken Lucy.She was dealing with heartbreak. She was betrayed by someone she truly loved and trusted so I had to talk to her v
[ Marcello ]The life seemed meaningless without her. I thought pushing her away from me will help me to clear my mind but I failed miserably. I still find it hard to accept that my brother and my fiancée had a past and he still harbours feelings for her.Does she also feel something for him?I don’t want to go down that lane. I love Ella and seeing her with another man makes my heart go restless. She left the estate with her family. I didn’t stop her because then it’d be impossible for me to keep my distance from her but my mind goes to her when I don’t have work.I haven’t talked to Massimo as well. I don’t know if our equation is changed or he is still my younger brother. He hides such an important truth from me.“Capo, Mr. Whitford is on the call. He says Billy is in Sicily. Why didn’t we see him?” Vincenzo’s voice broke the chain of my thoughts.I snapped my head in his direction. My senses got alert.“How can he be so sure?” I asked him.“Many informers confirmed it. We must be
[ Ella ]“Ella, let’s go for shopping. We know that you’re going to the city of fashion but we want us to hang out together before you leave or we don’t know when next we’ll get a chance to hang out, just three of us.” Rita said.After talking to Mama who encouraged me to keep faith in my love and prepare to leave for Paris because she doesn’t want me to give up on my dreams. Marcello wouldn’t want me to quit them either so the next morning, I woke up early and packed my stuffs.I decided to resume working in the café to fight the ache of heartbreak. I would go mad if I stay home any longer because with passing time, I am missing him more and more.“The café was closed for two days and now we have bulk of orders, flooding customers and no Enzo to manage the café with us. Sorry, girls but I don’t think we can leave the café today or we’ll be fired. Actually, you two because I am leaving tomorrow.” I answered her and put the fresh set of buns into the oven.“I don’t agree with Rita usua
[ Ella ]“Ella, my baby, please eat something. It’s been two days since you have touched a grain or left this room. I am worried about you. Life doesn’t go on like this.” My aunt rubbed my back.I was laying on my bed like a motionless vegetable for past two day, my tears have dried up. I didn’t expect Marcello to learn about my past in this way. In fact, I decided to tell him everything after our wedding and ask for his forgiveness. He didn’t try to stop me nor he said a word to me when I left his house with my family.Massimo Romano, you ruined my happiness. I didn’t hate you before but now, I surely do.“Ella, please... Mrs. Romano also called in the morning. She is worried about you. Why aren’t you telling me what exactly happened between you and Marcello. Did you two fight? Please, say something.“I want be alone, Aunt.” I said in a barely audible whisper. My strength had given up. I don’t want to live any longer.She sighed and gave me a helpless look.“I am putting the food her
[ Marcello ]“Why are you doing this, Ella? Can’t you see how much I love you?”Blood boiled in my veins. I felt betrayed by two people I loved the most. They were standing too close. She was wearing her bridal dress, she’s going to be my bride but she was in my brother’s arms. I could feel the pang in my heart. My vision became hazy. I didn’t want to believe on my eyes but they weren’t deceiving me but my bride and my brother.But must give the answer this time. I took long strands towards them and pulled Ella out of his embrace harshly. They were taken aback by the sudden interruption. Ella yelped but when she saw me, her eyes dilated in horror.My brother’s face was indifferent though.“What the hell is going on in here? Do not dare to lie or make an excuse because I have seen everything with my own eyes.” I dangerously whispered to them.“Marcello, I am telling you the truth. I haven’t done anything wrong. Please, trust me. I was asking him about you when you didn’t pick up my ca
[ Marcello ]“Why did you do it?” I asked quietly from the man tied in front of me.“I don’t know what you are talking about, Mr. Romano. You abducted me, forcefully keeping me here and you expect me to surrender and confess something I didn’t do.” Enzo Bianchi sneered, his eyes were red due to anger.I exhaled deeply and rose from my chair, I was treating him patiently but I was reaching to my limit.“Enzo, I do not want to hurt you. In fact, I will spare your life, today is the most important day of my life. I and Ella are getting married in a few hours. Ella and your family will be worried if you don’t join us soon. So, speak up. We won’t hurt you, I promise. Ella is too precious for me to lose and I don’t think I will harm her brother but you are leaving me with no choice.” I said and picked my gun.“You claim to love my sister but I think you are nothing but a vile and despicable man like other mafias. I wish my sister could see your true face.” Enzo spitted but it didn’t reach t
[ Ella ]“You’re getting married?” Uncle Rio frowned and looked at us.Marcello invited my family to the estate to break the news personally to them early in the morning. Except Enzo, uncle, aunt and my two cousins came.“Yes, Uncle. I am leaving for Paris in three days, it’ll be a long stay so I thought marrying Marcello is what I want. His name will give me protection if he has hidden enemies or your enemies there. I will no longer be an ordinary girl.” I said as Marcello taught me.It was necessary to lure my uncle since he can’t be trusted after he sneaked behind us to borrow money twice.“Honey, but why all of a sudden? You could do it earlier or give us some time to prepare for the wedding. After your parents, it’s our responsibility to act like your guardian.” Aunt said.“Don’t worry about the preparations, Mrs. Bianchi. We’re taking care of everything. Moreover, it’ll be a private ceremony. Only our families and Ella’s friends. It’s not in our favour to throw a big wedding in