[ Marcello ]I kept hitting the punching bag, sweat dripping down my face, my breathing heaved and body wanted to give up but I didn’t stop as my anger couldn’t sustain because the image of Ella being hurt by a man whom she trusted, it kept reminding me that I failed my promise to protect her. How she coiled in fear when I pulled that monster away from her, it kept paining me.“Capo, please stop.” Vincenzo tried to stop me for the multiple times but I didn’t hear him.Finally, the punching bag fell off and I was totally exhausted by the vigorous work out since the early morning. He quickly grabbed a towel and wiped my sweat but I took the towel from her and cleaned myself. He gave me a water bottle which I finished in a go.“Why are you punishing yourself, Capo? The man is under police’s custody and I assigned our best lawyers to represent Miss Ella in the court. He’ll receive a good sentence for God’s sake if we’re going to punish him in our way.” He said but I couldn’t find my menta
[ Ella ]I gave my statement to the police. It was quite hard for me to go through the details of the same traumatic moments but the lawyers ensured me that they’d do their best to send Adriano to jail. I felt bad for Adriano though, he secretly liked me. I could have given him wrong hints that he mistook as something other than pure friendship.“Miss Ella, shall I drop you back at your house or you want to go somewhere else?” A bodyguard whom Marcello hired to protect me, asked me.“I want to go to somewhere else and I want to be alone so you don’t need to follow me.” I said because I really missed my parents and I wanted to visit their graves. I don’t want anyone else to accompany me because I can be myself, the same little girl in front of my parents.“I am sorry, Miss Ella but it’s my job to guard you. I have received strict orders from Mr. Romano to guard you and accompany you everywhere for your own safety.” He refused my plea with folded hands.I sighed in frustration.“I am go
[ 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’
[ 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 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 ]“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
[ 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 ]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
[ 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