[ Arielle ]A kiss.Words can hardly do justice to the range of emotions they evoke. Currently, I am also going through the swirling of contradictory emotions. Vincent’s lips were on mine, it happened in a split of a second, I froze on my spot, I could taste the bitterness of whiskey in the tenderness of his soft lips which took mine for a perfect kiss.It was spontaneous and exhilarating. For several moments, my mind was fogged, I couldn’t understand whether it was my illusion or he was kissing me in real. The heat radiating from his body wrapped me in its warmth, my shaking hand fisted the fabric of his shirt. His left hand was around my waist to hold me on my place while his other hand inclined my face for a better angle.He bites on my bottom lip and I gasped. It was happening in real. Vincent De Niro kissed me out of blue and he isn’t backing out.This kiss was different from the one we shared at the altar, I could feel urgency, want, protectiveness, jealousy and a trace of inse
[ Arielle ]“I can’t believe, you’re going to the vineyard and the Capo himself is taking you there?” Emily paced behind me. Her face told that she was in shock, Marcello had same expression when he saw me getting ready.“Yes, in fact, you have a day’s rest today. Go and give yourself some time.” I said and checked my appearance in the mirror. I wore a white cotton shirt with high waist denim jeans and boots. I asked the guards about the soil and structure and they suggested me to wear boots instead of sneakers or normal shoes.“You look different today, more like yourself today, Ma’am but I’d suggest you to open your hairs, they look more prettier when they wave in the air.” She said pointing on my high ponytail.I took in her advise and let my hairs fall on my shoulders. I applied a nude shade of lipstick.“It’s perfect now. The Capo won’t be able to take his eyes off from you, Ma’am.” She teased me and I again slipped into my thoughts.I don’t know where we stand in our marriage. I
[ Arielle ]The car drove on small lanes, stretched between the fields, the bright sunny day, clear sky and mild breeze, I found myself lost in the open air, I almost forgot that the most dangerous and feared man of this soil was sitting next to me.If this small fraction of my life gives me temporary happiness, I can live with it.“The weather isn’t this pleasant in this season in New York. In fact, I haven’t gotten a chance to see fields and summer in such picturesque place since my grandparents died.” I said, I didn’t expect him to hear me but I felt like talking in the moment.“I know the life in New York, to be honest, I was better there. You must be a unique piece who doesn’t like the city life of the city of dreams.” I heard him saying.“It was your escape and this is mine. We both left our past behind that’s why a change of air allowed us to breathe without suffocating.” I said looking in his direction now. The warm sunrays falling on his face made him look more handsome. His
[ Arielle ]I took countless pictures of the vineyard, sky, birds and mine. It took me by surprise that Vincent quietly handed his phone to me and stayed behind when I ventured freely in the vineyard and clicked many pictures. I was taking my selfie when I caught him staring at me. He was leaning on a poll.“Vincent, please let me take a picture with you.” I requested him.“I am fine here, Arielle and if you have taken enough pictures, give back my phone.” He said with a bored expression. I pouted and walked to where he was standing.“One picture won’t hurt you, Vincent.” I said and blinked my eyes.“What’s the use of our picture?” He asked me with a raised brow and I won’t lie, it hurt me.I lowered my eyes and shook my head, “It’s okay. Here’s your phone. Thank you for letting me use it.” I stretched out my hand to give his phone back.He took it from me without saying a word. I turned my back to him and started exploring the vineyard, the workers were excited to have us there, they
[ Vincent ]I thought I just broke her heart. I must feel satisfied when I made an attempt to take the gleam of hopes from her blue eyes. I should celebrate my victory as she would hate me more because I just told her the cruelest truth that I kept hidden from her after I let her paint her dreams. I waited patiently for her to complete what brought a genuine smile on her face.Then why was I not feeling good?“You have Adrian here at the estate as your prisoner?” She asked me, for the first time her face wasn’t readable.“I can’t put it like this. We don’t treat our prisoners but yes, I have kept your brother under strict observation, even a fly can’t pass through his security, he won’t be able to escape because I fear he’ll find a possible ally in one of my cousins who wants to dethrone me.” I said the plain truth with no filter.“I think he’s safer here. I believe you’ll teach him some good lessons, if not, at least he won’t be able to create more problems for Alexander or someone e
[ Arielle ]“I can’t believe I’ll be living to see this day, dear brother.” I crossed my arms and saw my brother glaring at me, he was sitting behind a glass wall which separated us. He’d not hurt us because there were more than two dozens armed guards on both sides.“It is your sick scheme to get your revenge, right?” Adrian sneered at me like a pissed off cat.“I am not like you, Adrian. Your father dearest made the deal with my husband. You should be feeling grateful to him that he spared your life and from where I can see, you’re living a much better life than mine at our father’s home. I can’t see a single scratch on your body. Do you really think Nikolai would show mercy on you?” I arched my brow at him, I challenged him to answer me.“I never asked father to beat you. It used to be your faults which led you in trouble and get punished.” He defended himself and right in that moment, I wanted to smash his pretty face.“Right, it was always my mistake. I deserved to be beaten like
[ Arielle ]“I heard from Marcello that you gave an earful to your brother, is it true?” Vincent, who was silently eating his food asked me when I was also tangled in my thoughts.“Yeah, kind of. I feel light now though I wanted to punch his face badly but I guess you have promised my father to keep his son unscratched so I didn’t want to give you unnecessary headache.” I replied and sipped the fruity wine.“A small can be fixed over the time. You could beat him if you wished, I’d not stop you because you have the right to kill him. He is a scumbag at such a young age.” He said with bitterness in his tone.“How was your meeting with your cousin?” I asked him, I didn’t want to discuss disturbing matters over the dinner table when I can use the time that he gives me to know him better.“He’s the Adrian Wilson of my family so you can imagine how stressful it is for me to deal with him. I received information of trespassing of Irish ships from our route and he’s the one who handles the sa
[ Arielle ]I don’t realize when I slept while crying my eyes out. All the happiness that I felt in the day, those blissful moments, they were blurred by the harsh rejection I received from Vincent. I don’t know what was the deal with him, he treated me like a trash. When I woke up next day, my whole body was aching due to sleeping on the floor. It was carpeted which saved me from freezing.I looked at my face in the bathroom mirror, my eyes were puffy and veins were visible due to crying for hours.“What were you thinking, Arielle? Vincent will accept you and give you a princess treatment? Wake up and live in the reality. You were always unwanted, an abomination and you’ll die like this. So, don’t dream for love and care.” I mocked myself looking at my reflection in the mirror.I cleaned my face and had a long shower. The last thing I wanted was to face Vincent if he was still present in the house. I changed into comfortable jeans and loose top. I didn’t want to live according to the
[ Vincent ]“So, you’re saying that you want to accept Anton’s offer and support him in his climb to the title of Russian boss?” My brother-in-law, Robert asked me.“Vincent, this is huge. You know the aftermath of this decision.” Stefano, who was listening everything quietly, said with a pointed look. He didn’t look upset but his silence always gives me headache.“He is my only chance to grab the neck of Faolan Walsh, he has gone low profile and it is giving me a sense of failure that he’s free and laughing at my condition from a different place.” I said, my grip tightened on my phone.“Anton is also a smart shark, Vincent. He knows what he’s doing. Don’t you think that he’ll boast his mental victory over you? If you help him to become Russian leader then it’ll impact your position. A man like Anton who has no name of his own, succeeded in playing Vincent De Niro on his finger tips.” Stefano said and he was right on his place.“I think you haven’t heard everything I said, gentlemen.”
[ Vincent ]“I love you, Vincent De Niro.”Three words, simple, straightforward words without any alliteration of romantic words, poetic phrases to hyperbolize her feelings.Arielle just confessed that she loves me, it wasn’t out of a moment of passion or the time we spend together. I could read her eyes, she knew what she said and confident about it.“I love you, Vincent De Niro. I know I am breaking the promise I made to you before we agreed to marry. It might be a sin, a mistake in your opinion but I am always transparent and certain about my feelings and thoughts. I don’t know when it happened, perhaps the moment you saved me from Anton and his goons, I always felt safe with you. What else I’d ever want in a man who will never hurt me.” She spoke, I only listened her.I just want to listen to her.“You’ll love me even when I’ll nothing to offer you. Won’t your feelings change if I’d lose my title and will be nothing but an ordinary man?” I asked her.She again kissed my lips, “Wha
[ Arielle ]I tried my best to not move from my spot on the king-sized bed. The softness of the mattress, mils temperature and his scent could help me to find peaceful sleep but I was far from being at peace. His closeness was making me conscious, that night, we both rode on the waves of sexual pleasure but this night was different.“Aren’t you feeling sleepy?” He asked, his eyes were closed yet he sensed my discomfort and how I was pinning myself on the farthest corner.“I don’t sleep early usually.” I replied and it was true. Having nothing to do throughout the day doesn’t tire me so I end up waking till late and read books.He shifted slightly so he could face me, my breathing was shallow even though our bodies weren’t touching.“Let’s talk then because I am also not feeling sleepy.” He said and my pupils dilated.“What do you want to talk about? We don’t have anything in common.” I said in a low voice, I found it hard to look at him directly.“Tell me more about yourself other tha
[ Arielle ]“You seem troubled. I know it’s not place to ask you, it must be work related but shouldn’t you be keeping stress away until you recover?” I asked my husband who keeps zoning out when I served his dinner.“I am not able to come on a decision, Ari. This is very new to me and it keeps frustrating me because every time I come to a dead end.” He replied.“Well, this is also new for me to hear. You are the most sorted person I have ever met, Vincent. You don’t regret your decisions because you always weigh pros and cons before coming to a conclusion.” I said and his eyes again fixed on me.“But I am doubting my own self right now.” He shook his head.“May I help if you allow me?” I tried my luck but I didn’t expect him to tell me anything.“Well, it’s complicated. Do you want to hear me out?” He raised his brow and I was surprised because he was willing to share his dilemma with me.“I’ll try. I may not have a vast experience of life and people because I never got the chance to
[ Vincent ]“Vincent De Niro, I can’t believe you’re still breathing here.” Anton, who was tied on the chair and my men had their guns aimed on him, gritted his teeth at me.I smirked, “Yes, I am alive, you can see, I have a little scratch on my body but I am fine and soon I’ll resume my job.” I said, his cold blue eyes were darted on me.“My brother won’t leave you, Vincent. He’s going to hunt you down again. I am sure this little scratch is given by him.” He signalled at my chest.I chuckled humourlessly.“You’re right, this scratch is given by your brother before I sent him to rest in peace forever, dear Anton.” I said and his forehead creases disappeared.“What do you mean?” He asked me in a serious tone.“I think you are well educated to catch my words, Anton Ivanov.” I said and gestured Giovanni to wheel him close to my bed.“Tell me what did you do to my brother?” He growled in a low voice, seemed desperate to kill me.“I killed him.”There was silence in the room before the ma
[ Vincent ]Her touch, the familiar fragrance of her perfume and her shivering warmth against my skin, this is what I missed in days. I wish I could share my feelings with her. I wish I could tell her that I heard her talking to Marcello how she’s determined to not give up on me. She won’t allow me to push her away.Her confession came from her heart, I felt it and it was the moment when I decided to break the promise that I made to myself when I buried Fiona. I am ready to fall in love again.I am ready to let Arielle break the wall I built around my heart because she’s the rightful owner of my heart now. I know what I feel for her is stronger and more intense than lust. I need her emotionally and I know that she’d be there for me if I ever need her.“Signora isn’t here, Capo.” Marcello’s voice pulled me out of my trance and I looked at my right-hand man giving me a raised look.“I know, I am not blind.” I rolled my eyes but his grin widened.“Yes, I also know that she isn’t here but
[ Arielle ]I couldn’t get the thought of Vincent’s ex-girlfriend off my mind since Lilliana told me about her. Vincent’s fear was pretty obvious, I would have felt in the same way for someone I love. In fact, I am feeling the same fear right now.Vincent is hanging on a loose cord of life and death.“Signora, you have to come with me.” Marcello’s voice forced me to shift my attention on him, he was standing with a blank face which was enough to alarm my fears and I jolted up from my seat.“Is it about Vincent?” I asked with a hard gulp.He silently gave me a nod and I was already on my way to Vincent’s room. Every single bone in my body was telling me to keep faith and see what exactly happened. I opened the door and pushed Giovanni out of my way to see my husband and I was left stunned when I met with those silver eyes staring at me.I couldn’t believe that he was actually sitting in front of me, his eyes fixed on me. The time seemed to stop there, I forgot that there were other peo
[ Arielle ]“Darling, please don’t take my husband’s words on heart. All the men are like this, they find it difficult to digest their defeat or failures. It happened to Vincent for the first time and Lorenzo is scared from inside. He was never able to make to the position and now when his son is on the position of the Capo, he doesn’t want him to be replaced by anyone else.” Lilliana, who came after me, tried to cover her husband’s allegations with some comforting words but they were hollow.“He blamed me for everything, Mother. He thinks I am the root cause of every problem this family is facing. De Niros were always unchallenged and unconquerable. Do I really look like a woman who wants her husband to face shame or die?” I cried and looked at her with teary eyes.She hugged me instantly and I cried more into her arms. I felt all alone in this vast world.“Don’t cry, my dear. I know you’re the perfect match for Vicent. For years, I was worried for him. He’s closed from all of us. I
[ Arielle ]I don’t remember when the last time I felt this kind of agony, voidness and fear invading my heart. Perhaps, when my grandparents died but I was only in deep grief back then. Currently, I am feeling a mix of emotions that I can’t express as I have been staring at the lifeless frame of my husband laying on the bed.It has been three days since he’s un this condition. He neither woke up nor moved. The doctor said they had done their best to save him, his body is reacting to the treatment then why isn’t he opening his beautiful eyes.I need to look at them and ensure he’s alright.My heart ached whenever my eyes fall on his bandaged chest. He received a deadly stab by Nikolai who is dead now.How ironical is it?He received victory in the shadow of defeat.He might die and there will be no meaning of eliminating his enemy.“Signora, it’s not good for your health to stay like this for hours. Please, go back to your room and rest. We all are here with Capo.” Marcello’s concerne