[ 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 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
[ 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
[ 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
[ 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
[ 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
[ 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
[ 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.”
[ 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 ]Vincenzo dropped me off at my house. Lucy decided to stay with me. I told her to go home since she was equally shocked and terrified with the incident but she chose to stay with me. She said that she couldn’t leave me alone or she won’t be at ease. Rita went to the hospital, she didn’t want to go to see Adriano but Lucy told her as his parents and family live in Rome. He’s all alone here.“Ella, go and take a shower, I’ll prepare hot chocolate for you.” Lucy said to me and I dragged my half dead body to the bathroom.When I discarded my clothes, I saw bruises on my arms. Those hellish moments refreshed in my memories. Tears brimmed into my eyes. Adriano called me a whore, this word stung. If Adriano thinks that I am behind Marcello’s money then others must be thinking the same about me.I let the warm water soak me. The scars on my body will be healed in a few days but I don’t think the wounds on my mind and heart will ever be healed. People whom I loved and trusted, they bru
[ Ella ]“What are you saying, Adriano? I think we should talk tomorrow or when you’re sober enough to talk with a cooled mind.” I said to him when I sensed that he wasn’t in his right state of mind due to the effect of the alcohol.“Answer me now, Ella. I want to know what you feel for that man slayer.” He raised his voice.“Adriano, you’re crossing your line again. I told you not to mention Marcello again. It’s not your business what is my equation with him.” I said in a stern tone this time because he was hurting me mentally.“I get it. I should have seen it coming since that bastard started visiting us often.” He scoffed and laughed dryly which started scaring me because he was a totally different person from the man I know.“I am leaving, Adriano. We’ll talk tomorrow.” I said and about to leave but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.“Adriano, what the hell is wrong with you? Leave my hand, you’re hurting me.” I yelled at him and tried to pry him off but his grip only tightened
[ Ella ]Marcello dropped me off at the café. I requested him to stop for a coffee and fresh buns but he denied saying he had a lot of work and he’d be occupied till the weekend. My heart sank when he left with only a formal goodbye. I am kind of habitual to his cheesy talks and flirting.I couldn’t concentrate on my work which was to bake fresh sets of cupcakes for a birthday party order. Rita was with me but I didn’t see Uncle Rio and Enzo. Aunt was on the counter. It was good at one side but my mental peace was gone.“Ella, a penny for your thoughts.” Rita eyed me and I shook my head. I am not someone who expresses herself easily unless it’s too heavy to bear alone.“Come on, my sweet little girl. I can tell by looking at your face. A certain someone has stolen your mental peace and….” She pointed her finger at my heart, “Heart, Ella. You are in love with Marcello Romano.” She yelled and my eyes widened because there were others in the kitchen.“Rita! Have you gone nuts?” I whisper
[ Ella ]Fuck!What did I do? I kissed Marcello Romano on the lips. What he must be thinking about me? I couldn’t resist myself when I heard him promising me everything that a lover can do for me. I know he likes me, he expresses his feelings for me now and often but I am not certain about my own feelings for him. Sometimes, they are too intense that I am not able to supress them just like the unexpected kiss and sometimes my brain questions my heart.I shouldn’t be harbouring such emotions which may hurt me in the future. Marcello is a great person who only showed his good side to me but I can’t ignore the fact that he’s a mafia. He may not use violence in front of my eyes but he’s a part of it. He’s tend to use violence, if it’s not me, then others, his enemies. His life is always in danger. I can’t shake the insecurity off.I didn’t recall when I fell asleep while thinking and debating about my present and hazy future. When I woke up next day, I felt recharged and ready to start my
[ Marcello ]The beauty in front of me, I have no words to praise her because no words in the dictionary can justify her beauty inside out. I am obsessed by her, her sweet scent, her smile and laugh like a music to my ears. This girl stood against storms in her life, fought them bravely and still stay positive about her future even though I am not happy with her decision to go away from the city.“Marcello, you can drop me here. I can walk from here.” Ella’s soft voice forced me to look at her. we drove mostly in silence. This time I had my security with me because I don’t want to take chance with her safety.“No, I’ll walk you to your house, it’s not very late but your safety is my responsibility.” I said, she nodded her head in agreement.We stepped out of my car. I gestured my bodyguards to follow us closely behind but don’t catch attention of her nosy neighbours. I don’t want any inconvenience for her which can solidify her desperation to move.“Thanks for a wonderful day, Marcell
[ 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