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Meeting his family
Last Updated:
2025-01-11 04:11:20
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THE MAFIA CHEF Silent Tension
For days now, Gerrard had barely been home. He left early in the morning and came back late at night. Even when he was home, he seemed distant, always on his phone or buried in work. I wasn’t sure if he was avoiding me, but I knew one thing: I had to talk to him. My dad’s life was in danger. Thaddeus had made it clear that if I didn’t get what they needed, my dad would pay the price. I turned off my phone to avoid Thaddeus’s endless calls and messages. But I knew time was running out. I decided to cook a big dinner and wait for Gerrard. That night, Gerrard came home late. The house was quiet except for the ticking of the clock. Everyone else was asleep, but I stayed up, determined to talk to him. His footsteps echoed down the hallway as Gilmore, the chief of staff, helped him inside. When Gerrard finally appeared, his shirt was untucked, and I could smell a faint trace of whiskey. Gilmore took his things and disappeared down the hall. “My lovely chef,” Gerrard greeted with a smil
Last Updated : 2025-01-14THE MAFIA CHEF The threat
Gerrard’s jaw tightened as he looked at me, his voice cracking. “You have a boyfriend, Lily?”A knot twisted in my stomach. “He’s not my boyfriend,” I said quickly, trying to keep my voice steady. “He’s just... someone I used to know. We just had a drink, that’s all.”Brenda’s smirk grew. “Oh, really? He seemed pretty close to you, Miss Lily.”“That’s enough, Brenda,” Gerrard said sharply. “You’re dismissed.”Brenda hesitated, clearly enjoying the drama, but finally left, shutting the door behind her. The room went quiet except for the sound of Gerrard pacing. He stopped and faced me, his eyes unreadable. “Who was he?”“Just an old friend,” I said, trying to sound casual. “It’s not what you think.”“I don’t like secrets, Lily,” he said firmly. “Especially not in my house.”I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he would come looking for me.”Gerrard studied me for a moment. “Is he courting you?” he asked, trying to sound casual.I couldn’t hide my surprise. “Of course not. I don’
Last Updated : 2025-01-16THE MAFIA CHEF The gang meeting
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst. I felt so terrified of what might be inside. Sir Bruno’s warning echoed in my head, and I braced myself for the worst. Slowly, I lifted the lid on the box.Inside, I didn't find the horror I had imagined but something completely unexpected. Inside the box was a stunning green dress lay folded neatly. Alongside it were designer heels, a matching purse, and sparkling accessories. I froze, relief washing over me, but it was quickly followed by confusion. Who would send me something like this? I searched the box for a clue, my fingers brushed against a small card tucked beneath the tissue paper. I felt tensed as I opened it and read the message in bold, elegant handwriting:“Join me for dinner tonight."—G. N. Bellarico”My heart skipped a beat. Gerrard sent this? Why? I tried to make sense of it. Before I could dwell on it further, my phone buzzed in my apron pocket. It was him.“Did you get the package?” Gerrard’s voice was
Last Updated : 2025-01-21THE MAFIA CHEF Crossing the line
The dinner had ended abruptly. The guards surrounded me at Gerrard’s command. My heart raced as memories of that night in his private residence came flooding back, the night he had summoned the guards on me. Back then, I had barely escaped being discovered. This time, I wasn’t sure I would be so fortunate. I braced myself for the worst, certain they had come to arrest me. But to my surprise, they positioned themselves on either side of me; I could not read their expressions. “Miss Lily,” one of them said, “we need to escort you to your room immediately. There’s been a security breach.” A security breach? My mind raced as I struggled to make sense of the situation. As they guided me out of the dining hall, I glanced over my shoulder at Gerrard, hoping for an explanation, but his focus was elsewhere. He was in a deep conversation with Gilmore, Antonio, and several other men. His demeanor seemed colder than I had ever seen it. Back in my room, I paced nervously, replaying the evenin
Last Updated : 2025-01-27THE MAFIA CHEF Breaking down the walls
Gerrard had changed. He buried himself in work, barely speaking to me. I knew he was busy, especially with the plan to attack the Santorini Syndicate, but I also knew Bruno and his men weren’t going to let that happen without a fight. If Gerrard got hurt, it would be my fault. I had to warn him. That night, I waited for him, but he didn’t come home. By morning, I couldn’t take it anymore, I needed to talk to him. I walked down the hallway and pushed open his bedroom door without thinking. The sight hit me like a slap on the face. Gerrard was lying against the headboard, shirtless. But my heart stopped when I saw a nearly naked woman draped across his bed. My stomach twisted, but I stood my ground. For a second, my mind blanked. My stomach twisted. Then she looked at me and smirked. "Uh… can I help you?" Her voice was thick with amusement, like she already knew how much this was killing me. Gerrard didn’t say anything. Didn’t move. Just sat there, watching. I swallowed hard.
Last Updated : 2025-02-03THE MAFIA CHEF Love or Survival?
I lay on the bed, as I rested my head on Gerrard’s chest. His fingers moved slowly, tracing circles on my arm. The warmth of his skin, the steady rhythm of his breathing, it so was comforting. I felt... Safe. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could let my guard down. Then my phone rang. Again. The third time now. I ignored it. It was Thaddeus, I knew why he was calling. But for once, I didn’t want to answer. I didn’t want to be pulled back into that dark world. Right here, in this moment, I wasn’t Lily, the girl forced to play spy. I was just… me. A woman lying in the arms of a man who made her feel something other than fear. Gerrard chuckled, tilting his head to look at me. “Someone really wants to talk to you,” he teased. I forced a smile. If only he knew. “Is it that guy who sent you flowers last time? Your boyfriend?” I scoffed. “Hell no, he’s not my boyfriend.” Gerrard smirked. “Good for me, if that spot is open, I’d like to apply.” I laughed, sh
Last Updated : 2025-02-08THE MAFIA CHEF The kiss of betrayer
I walked into the casino with my head held high. The air smelled of smoke and expensive whiskey, the soft clink of glasses and murmured conversations filling the space. Money and power flowed through the room like an invisible force.I made my way toward the back, the same place I had been the other night. But tonight, something felt different. Security was tighter. More guards stood around, their sharp eyes watching everything. Whatever was happening tomorrow night, it was big.Then I saw Antonio.I approached him with a calm smile. “Hey, Antonio. Is Gerrard here?”His eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here? Gerrard doesn’t want to see you right now. He’s busy.”“I just need a moment.” I lowered my voice, adding a touch of urgency. “Please, just tell him I’m here. It’s important.”Antonio hesitated, considering. I held his gaze, hoping to sway him.After a long pause, he sighed. “Wait here.”As he disappeared into Gerrard’s office, my pulse quickened. Around me, men moved with quiet
Last Updated : 2025-02-09THE MAFIA CHEF The cost of love and lies
As soon as I got back to my hotel room, I pulled out my phone. The screen lit up with multiple missed calls from Thaddeus. I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. Then I tapped the call button and held the phone to my ear. He picked up instantly. "Tell me you have something for me." "Listen carefully," I said, still trying to steady my voice. "The location of the drop off is..." I hesitated, my throat tightening. "The Bellarico family’s tombstone." My voice dropped to a whisper. "I’ll send you the exact coordinates." "Good. Very good, Annabelle." Thaddeus said, his tone dripping with satisfaction. "Thaddeus, you better keep your word. My father and I… we walk free after this. You know once this is done, Gerrard will know I was your informant. My cover will be blown." "Don’t worry about that, we have you covered." He replied simply. That should have reassured me, but something about his tone made me feel uneasy. I hesitated before asking the question that had been e
Last Updated : 2025-02-13
Latest chapter
THE MAFIA CHEF Emotional Wreck
I stared at him, heart thundering. My mouth opened, but nothing came out at first. “I… I did go there,” I finally stammered. “To the town. To where I grew up. But it wasn’t what I remembered.” Gerrard didn’t respond, he just watched me with stormy eyes, waiting. “The place was different,” I continued, my voice shaking. “It was like… like time had erased everything. There was no trace of my home. There’s a new building there now. Some sleek modern thing; cold and empty.” I swallowed, pressing a hand to my chest. “No one recognized me. Not even the neighbors. But then again… I’m not the little girl who left that town. I’ve changed. I'm all grown now, with a change of identity and appearance. And I guess they’ve moved on too.” Then softly, he asked, “So why didn’t you just come home? I was here waiting for you” "I know, but I needed some kind of closure." I looked down, blinking back fresh tears. “So I went out of town to find someone, an old friend. The only person I though
THE MAFIA CHEF Suspicion
When I walked into the house, the staff greeted me warmly, Gilmore, Luke, even Brenda. Their faces showed surprise, but there was happiness and a bit of relief in their eyes.“Welcome back, Miss Lily,” one of the maids said with a kind smile.Luke stepped forward and gave me a small nod. “It’s good to see you. Finally, we can all catch a break."I stopped in my tracks. “What do you mean?” I asked, feeling my stomach tighten.Luke rubbed the back of his neck like he was unsure how much to say. “After Gerrard came back alone from your trip, the casino ran into some trouble. Police trouble... Don't worry, it’s all been taken care of now. The boss has powerful connections, you know.”I just nodded. I already knew Gerrard wasn’t the type to fall apart, even with Bruno stirring things up. Still, I felt a strange unease settle in my chest.Luke continued, his voice a little softer now. “But Gerrard hasn’t been himself, he was so worried about you when he couldn’t reach you. He was a mess, Li
THE MAFIA CHEF Unraveled
We were trapped. Thaddeus had given the order. The guards were moving in to grab me. My heart was racing, I couldn’t let them take me to Bruno. Not like this. Not without a fight. But then, Tim stepped forward. His voice was calm, but strong. "You might want to think twice before you do that." Thaddeus raised a brow, amused. "Is that so?" "I know what you did Thaddeus, I know the old man didn’t steal from Bruno. You did." I turned to look at Tim, shocked. What was he saying? Thaddeus’s smug smile didn’t fade. In fact, he chuckled and looked straight at me. “Wow. That’s what we’re doing now?” he said. “Throwing ridiculous accusations?” I could feel my blood boiling. Tim didn’t back down. “It’s not a lie. I have proof.” That made Thaddeus pause. Just for a second. His smile twitched. Tim pulled out a small recording device. “This was recorded a few months ago. When Thaddeus was supposed to be overseas on a mission. Melissa his girlfriend is my cousin, my uncle, h
THE MAFIA CHEF Back Home
The moment I stepped back into my hometown, memories hit me like a wave. Everything looked the same, the streets, the buildings, even the air smelled familiar. But something felt off. The place seemed empty, like a ghost town filled with moments I had tried so hard to forget. I kept my hood up, my face down, and stayed hidden during the day. Sir Bruno’s men were everywhere. If they knew I was back, I wouldn’t last long. My first stop was my father’s house. The moment I saw it, my chest tightened. It was abandoned, lifeless. The white paint had peeled away, leaving dark stains. Dust covered the windows, and the porch looked ready to collapse. My father. What had he been going through all this time? Tears filled my eyes. We didn’t have much before, but we were happy, until Bruno destroyed our lives in an instant. I cried for my father, for everything we had lost. But I couldn’t stay long. It wasn’t safe. As I opened the door to leave, I ran straight into someone. Tim
THE MAFIA CHEF Facing my fears
I forced a small smile, sitting up and pulling the sheets around me like they could protect me from the weight of his words. “Gerrard, I...” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He frowned, his concern was clear. “Why not?” I looked away, suddenly more interested in the patterns on the duvet than in his piercing gaze. “I just… I have a lot of bad memories there,” I admitted in a quiet voice. “It’s not a place I want to go back to. Not yet.” I met his gaze. "I'm not ready." His fingers brushed against my arm in a gentle reassurance. “I understand,” he said softly, though I could hear a hint of sadness. “I won’t push. But if you ever change your mind… I’d love to see the place that made you who you are.”I held him hand. "Gerrard, It's been so long I went there. It's hard to face my past." He looked at me, his gaze deep and serious. “Lily, I know it’s hard, but you need to face your fears. You need to go back there and feel something other
THE MAFIA CHEF Bliss
I forced a smile. "Ah… Chef DuPont. Of course. Good to see you again. I’m a big fan of yours." Chef DuPont dipped his head politely, his voice smooth and unreadable. "Mademoiselle, it is a pleasure to be at your service this evening." Gerrard’s smirk deepened, clearly pleased with himself. "I figured having a familiar face here would make this night even more special for you." I let out a nervous laugh, subtly gripping the stem of my wine glass for support. "Oh, yes. Very special. What a… surprise." Chef DuPont’s eyes flickered again, just for a moment. Did he know? Did he suspect? But he simply inclined his head slightly and said, "I hope the meal has been to your satisfaction." I exhaled as discreetly as possible. He didn’t expose me. Or maybe he didn’t know. Or… he did, and he was choosing to say nothing. Either way, I was safe. For now. ---- As the night wore on, dinner had been wonderful, but it was getting late. Gerrard finally suggested we head back, gu
THE MAFIA CHEF The date
The city streets soon faded, replaced by an open, empty road. The eerie silence of the night made it worse. Then I saw it. A long stretch of pavement, dimly lit. An airstrip. My breath hitched. The car slowed to a stop near a sleek, white private jet waiting under the floodlights. And then I saw him. Gerrard. Standing at the foot of the stairs, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. Hands in his pockets, his sharp features softened by a knowing smirk. His dark eyes locked onto mine, full of amusement and something deeper. My chest tightened with overwhelming relief. The fear that had gripped me moments ago melted into something else entirely. I almost cried. The driver stepped out and opened my door, but I was frozen for a second, still catching my breath. Then, shaking my head at my own paranoia, I stepped out. I walked straight toward Gerrard, my heart still hammering, but this time for a different reason. He looked so effortlessly handsome, the glow from the
THE MAFIA CHEF The ride
After a week, life had settled back into its usual rhythm. We were back at the main house, and Gerrard’s business was running smoothly without a hitch. The war was over, we had made peace with Magnus, I had even gone to visit Jamie’s baby, bringing gifts and sharing in the joy of new life.Gerrard had been full of praise, telling me how impressed he was with the way I handled everything, the war, Magnus situation, the way I stayed composed under pressure, the way I supported him when it mattered most. His admiration made my heart swell, but I knew better than to bask in it for too long.Because while he was showering me with affection, he was also working quietly in the background, investigating.Who had planned the sniper attack? Who had sent him those warning messages?I had no idea what he had uncovered so far, but I could only pray that his search wouldn’t lead him back to me. I had buried my secrets deep, but I knew Gerrard. He was thorough. He wouldn’t stop until he had answers.
THE MAFIA CHEF Truce
Victor kept staring at me, his face hard to read."You have to let me talk to him," I begged. "If you don’t, he’ll just get hurt again."Victor hesitated, his jaw tight. He knew I was right.With a deep breath, he finally nodded. "Go."I didn’t wait. I ran straight to the warehouse under the casino, where Gerrard’s men were getting ready for war.-----The air inside was heavy with tension, filled with the smell of sweat and gunpowder. At the center of it all stood Gerrard, fastening a gun holster around his waist, his face serious.I stepped forward. "Gerrard, don’t do this."He didn’t stop what he was doing. "Magnus won’t stop unless I finish this.""Then capture him. Make him talk. But don’t kill him," I said firmly.Gerrard looked at me, frustration in his eyes. "And what if letting him live makes him come back stronger? What if he takes more from me?""Then let’s make sure he has no reason to come back."He clenched his jaw, thinking.Then, finally, he sighed. "Fine. I’ll take hi
