[ 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
[ Arielle ]After the earth shattering revelation, which gave me a glimpse of Vincent’s life. He lost someone who was very close to him.Who was the person?A family member, a friend or a woman…?I tried to shrug off the queer feeling which sprouted in my heart when I thought about a woman whom Vincent gave an important place in his life. Perhaps, her cruel end turned him into a heartless person. He isn’t ready to give me a chance because he had seen his love getting stabbed to death in front of his eyes.I groaned as these conflicting assumptions kept stirring in my mind. I couldn’t find mental peace. I have to see Vincent. I know it’d be a suicidal attempt. He has gone mad but if I don’t try, he will never allow me to be a part of his life.Throughout the day, I kept waiting for him. I also skipped my lunch because I was worried for him. I had no means of communication to talk to him or know about his whereabouts.“Ma’am, should I bring your dinner now? It’s eight in the night. You
[ 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