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37. It seems so surreal
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2023-02-24 00:21:11Related chapters
The Boss's Obsession 1.The Giudici
Aria's POV “Quickly, grab her!” a gruff voice calls out behind me. I turn to run when a large hand grabs my wrist. I pull hard, yanking myself free. I quickly kick the man in the groin and start running again as he falls back groaning. I have never been here before, but I know there is a main road up ahead somewhere. I can hear the bustle of the traffic in the distance. I run as fast as my legs can carry me. The sun is still low, casting dark shadows over the alleyways between the tall buildings. The stench of garbage and rotten food is overwhelming, making me want to gag. I keep running until the alleyways become busier with more and more people about. I have to jump over a crate and side- step a cat that hisses at me as I run past. I try my best to stay on my feet and not bump into anyone. A fall now would be the end of me. Just one more block and I should be out of here. I can already see the main road up ahead. As I come around the last corner, I am knocked off my feet, the hard
Last Updated : 2022-12-02The Boss's Obsession 2.The Arrangement
Aria's POV Our footsteps echo through the empty hallways as we make our way to the meeting room. Every step I take makes my heart grow heavier, I can hardly breath through the lump forming in my throat. Every fibre of my being is screaming at me to get away from here. As we approach the open door, Uncle Marcello grabs my elbow and pushes me forward. In front of me is a large table with men seated on leather chairs all around. At the head of the table is a grey-haired man, puffing on a cigar. I assume he must be Don Julio Delgado, head of the council. His aura exudes power and authority and even though he is older, he is extremely attractive in a navy-blue tailored suit. His eyes find mine immediately and for a split second I imagine I saw the corners of his mouth tilt up into a faint smile, but as soon as I blinked, it was gone. As I walk past, the men all stare at me. It feels as though I am walking straight into the lion’s den. I take my one hand in the other to stop it from shaki
Last Updated : 2022-12-02The Boss's Obsession 3.Homecoming
Aria's POVIt is late in the afternoon when we make our way back to the east of Westwood where Uncle Marcello lives. The sun is already low on the horizon. As we drive, I watch the tall mansions sparkling on the mountainside, one just being bigger and more extravagant than the next. I was hoping to get away from this place, from these people, but the harder I try to get away, the more Westwood pulls me in.Uncle Marcello’s house is the last one on the street, right at the very top of the mountain. The Tuscan Villa was built into the side of a cliff, over-looking the entire valley. On a clear night, the view stretches all the way to the ocean showing off the most breath-taking sunsets. The house is surrounded by a landscaped garden that houses some of the most beautiful and unique roses imported from every corner of the world. The house is exquisite during the day, but night-time is when the house truly comes alive with hundreds of lanterns lighting up the garden pathways creating a ma
Last Updated : 2022-12-02The Boss's Obsession 4.The Stars
Aria's POVWhen we return home, I leave Johnny to deal with the business Uncle Marcello left him. He will be busy all day, so I decide to spend the day in the library. I enjoy the company of my books. They have seen me through the darkest times. Uncle Marcello keeps buying me electronic books, but I love the musty smell of the old pages and the feel of the leather binding in my hands. After hours of reading, I am startled by a knock on the door. When I look up, an envelope is being slipped through the small space underneath the door. Intrigued, I get up to retrieve it. I immediately notice the de Luca crest embossed on the envelope. I trace the crest with my fingers before opening it.Dear AriaYou are invited to dinner on the garden terrace at 8pm.Wear something pretty.PS: Give me a chance to make things up to you.Yours sincerelyJohnnyIt is just before eight when I take a final turn in front of the mirror. I am wearing a silky emerald coloured mini dress with an open back that i
Last Updated : 2022-12-02The Boss's Obsession 5.Rumours and Speculation
Johnny's POVThe only thing that keeps playing over and over in my mind is the way things ended with Aria last night. I could see the hurt in her eyes when I told her that the kiss we shared was a mistake. How do I explain this to her?My father clangs his cup down in the saucer in attempt to get my attention. I reluctantly roll my eyes up from the carpet to look at him.“We have talked about this before son, I do not want you getting involved with Aria” my father says leaning back in his leather recliner, puffing small clouds of smoke from his Cuban cigar.“Father, I do not understand” I say confused. Why is he so against me being with Aria?“There is nothing for you to understand, son. I am Don. What I say is law” he says slapping his hand on the desk with the last word.I watch my knuckles turn white as I grab the edge of his wooden desk, pulling myself up to my full height.“Not for long. I will be Don soon and I will choose who I will love” I say.My father bursts out laughing.“
Last Updated : 2022-12-02The Boss's Obsession 6.La Tropicana
Aria's POVI am engulfed by a cloud of dust and smoke as the red sports car skids to a halt right in front of me. The sudden gush of wind lifts the edges of my black silk dress and blows the loose strands of hair into my face. Johnny jumps out and comes around the car, opening the door for me. He is slick as always.“You look amazing as always Aria” he says, his eyes roaming my body as I get in the car.“Meh, you look okay” I lie, shrugging my shoulders. He already thinks he looks good without anyone having to tell him.The drive to La Tropicana club took about twenty minutes. We are going to meet Johnny’s friend Damon there for the opening of his new club. As we reach main street, we can see the people already waiting in line from two blocks away. The club has a beach theme with palm trees planted all along the sidewalk in front of the club.Johnny hooks his arm into mine as we make our way to the entrance. I am about to go and join the line when Johnny pulls me towards the door.“We
Last Updated : 2022-12-02The Boss's Obsession 7.Random Stranger
Aria's POV “Stai attentat ragazza!” the stranger shouts. “Excuse me?” I say confused, still standing there gaping like a fish out of water. My family was Italian, but to my shame, I do not know the language. I turn my head to get a better look at the man, and it is as if all the air gets knocked out of my lungs. I am sure my mouth is hanging open, there might even be drool at the corners. Never have I seen a man so attractive before, on a magazine cover yes, but never this close in real life. The man towering over me is the most perfect specimen. His pitch-black hair is cut into a quiff which only makes his piercing, Nordic blue eyes even more striking. My eyes slide across his chest, I notice the way his shirt is straining over the large muscles underneath. “Enjoying the view?” he asks with a thick Italian accent. I can immediately feel the heat spread across my entire face. “I, uhm, I” I want to say something clever, but in this moment, in front of this man. I have forgotten ho
Last Updated : 2022-12-02The Boss's Obsession 8.Target Practice
Johnny's POV“You need to plan this carefully Johnny my boy. No one must suspect us” father says, puffing on his cigar.Father and I have been sitting in his office since the early hours of the morning, bumping heads about the plans for Aria’s upcoming birthday celebrations.“This is our opportunity to get Aria away from here and out of Giovanni’s grasp. We had a close call at the club last night. If Stefano decided to take her, there was nothing we could have done to get her back” he says.“He could easily have taken her without me even knowing. Why did he not? Is he that confident that we will be bringing her right to him?” I ask, pondering the thoughts that have been milling through my mind since the incident at the club.“They are arrogant enough to think that, but we should be prepared. They might also be planning something” he says, tapping his fingers on the table in front of him. “We should be prepared for anything. Whoever has Aria, also has the largest fortune in the country
Last Updated : 2022-12-02
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The Boss's Obsession 37. It seems so surreal
Aria's POVI can hear his screams so clearly. The pain in his voice sends chills through my spine. Deep, sorrowful sounds echo all around me. It is dark, I cannot see him, but I instinctively know it is Stefano that is calling out to me. I call out his name, but he cannot hear me. I run around frantically trying to find the source of the painful screams. A violent tug makes me bolt upright.“What is happening?” I groan clutching my head between my hands. Everything is dark.“We fell asleep. Aria, you were screaming at the top of your lungs just now. Are you alright?” Lilliana asks concerned.I look around the room, I am still trying to catch my breath. It seems so surreal that it was just a dream. I feel like I can still hear a faint echo of the screams that were surrounding me just now. I cover my face with my hands.“Hey, are you okay?” Lilliana asks, pulling my hands away from my face.“It was just a nightmare” I say, but I feel like it was more than just that, I feel like Stefan
The Boss's Obsession 36. Tensions are reaching boiling point
Aria'a POVI never thought I would ever be this happy to go back to Westwood. On the ride back home Lilliana and I fill Johhny in on everything that happened. We tell Johnny how Don Giovanni was killed and how that same Boss that killed him, is also looking for us. We tell him about the meeting at the factory and how this boss wants to overthrow the Giudici. We even tell him about the secret fortune and the Guild of the Guardians. All the while we talk Johnny just sits rigidly in his seat, soaking up the information. The car goes quiet. I turn to Johnny.“By the way. How did you get away from the house that night? Stefano had you locked up in that room” I ask Johnny. He has not said a word the entire time Lilliana and I were talking.“Well, I actually used your tried and tested method. While the guards outside my door were fighting off the intruders, I escaped by climbing down the vine next to the balcony. From there I made my way to the main road and caught a ride into town” Johnny s
The Boss's Obsession 35. Is someone following us?
Aria's POV“Just exactly how do you think we are going to get into that basement. I don’t even think the president has that much security?” Lilliana asks sceptically. And that is exactly why we need to see what is going on there. What are they hiding? And who are these people?“Just give me a moment to think. There must be a way” I say. I look out the window, there are armed men everywhere. Going outside is not an option and approaching the basement from inside the building is not an option either. If there was just a way to go inside the walls like back at the mansion… wait a minute.“We can go through the air-conditioning vents. Look at them. They are huge. We can easily fit through there” I say pointing to the vent above Lilliana’s head.After a lot of convincing her and getting lost a few times, Lilliana and I have managed to find the air-conditioning vent that supplies the basement. We have a good view of the room. There is a large table set up in the middle of the room. Men in b
The Boss's Obsession 34. I always expect the worst
Aria's POV I tug on the edges of my pencil skirt, adjusting it to right above my knees. Isobel lent us some of her work clothes. This reminds me of the times I used to sneak into my grandmother’s wardrobe and play dress-up with her old clothes and hats. It has that same familiar smell of lavender oil that granny also used to wear. I remember playing for hours imagining to be a wealthy aristocratic Lady who fell deeply in love with her wealthy husband who loves her even more than life itself. I release a deep sigh. I almost want to laugh at that idea now. I never in a million years would have thought that my future would include an arranged marriage. Although, Stefano has slowly been creeping into my heart. Little by little he has taken small pieces of it. “Are you girls ready?” Isobel asks, peeking her head around the door. Lilliana and I are both dressed as miniature versions of Isobel in our pencil skirts and white blouses. We have tied up our hair into tight buns, just the way Is
The Boss's Obsession 33. It's getting stranger by the minute
Aria's POV Lilliana and I spent the night in the stolen car, parked in front of a convenience store right across from my father’s old factory. “It is Saturday. Isn’t the factory supposed to be closed today?” I ask Lilliana confused. From our spot in the parking lot across the road, the factory looks anything but closed. “Yes. I do not understand” Lilliana says equally confused. The staff parking is filled with cars and every now and again a limousine arrives with tinted windows. I have counted ten of them entering thus far. “We need to get closer. I must get into that building. Why are there guards here?” I ask. “Honestly, I have no idea. We sell furniture for goodness sake” Lilliana says. “They look an awful lot like the guards from back at the house. Could it be the same people?” I ask. This is getting stranger by the minute. “It sure looks like it” Lilliana agrees. We walk around the factory, looking for a place where we can sneak in, but the security is tight. The thick wal
The Boss's Obsession 32. A Moretti Never Surrenders
Stefano's POV “Please come with me” she says. The way Aria is looking at me right now makes it hard for me to leave, but father and Lilliana need me more. “I will come back for you. I promise. I will lead them off your trail” I say. I give her a soft kiss on the forehead. The worry and fear etched on her face is something I enjoy seeing on the faces of my enemies but seeing it on her beautiful features does not sit well with me. Her inner struggle keeps her here, unable to move. I give her a gentle push in the direction of the waterfall. There is no time to waste, the gunmen are not far behind, and I dread to think of what will happen if they lay their hands on her. I can easily take down a small group by myself, but there are hundreds of them crawling around the forest right now. I cannot keep her safe. As soon as Aria makes it deeper into the forest, I run in the opposite direction, making as much noise as possible. I need them to follow after me. I take the path where the forest
The Boss's Obsession 31. That's one way of doing it
Aria's POV Lilliana was right. From inside the walls, you can hear everything that goes on in the mansion. Stefano was taken to the Boss’s house, and they are sending their search parties deeper into the forest to look for Lilliana and me. The man who murdered Don Giovanni is called The Butcher, he is the one running the search at the mansion and reporting everything back to the Big Boss. We still do not know who this boss is. It is almost dark. We have decided to wait until it is completely dark outside before we attempt our escape. When the time is right Lilliana leads me through the tunnel network within the mansion’s walls. We follow the old service tunnels until we reach the one that leads out into the forest. We are too far from civilisation to escape on foot. We need to find a vehicle if we want to get out of here. Lilliana knows the forest as well as Stefano does. They are very much alike. She leads in front of me, expertly placing every step carefully to avoid making any sou
The Boss's Obsession 30. The Secret Stash
Aria's POVBefore I know it, I am standing in Don Giovanni’s office. It is surprisingly easy to move about the house without being seen. Most of the guards are all outside looking for me. I just need to stand clear of the windows. I want to get a better look at the painting above Don Giovanni’s desk. Why is everyone so focussed on who the Guild of the Guardians are? Do they not know that it is just a series of paintings? Or is there actually a guild? And what is it with the treasure? I never knew of a secret treasure my family supposedly had.Looking up at the painting, I still cannot understand what all the fuss is about. The painting is the second in the series of oil paintings called the guild of the guardians. It features three old men sitting around a table, smoking cigars. They look fat and bored with their lives. It is not a particularly pretty picture, and the colours are dull and lifeless. There is no X marks the spot to indicate a treasure. There really is nothing significan
The Boss's Obsession 29. I cannot linger any longer
Aria's POVThe only hiding place I could find was under Don Giovanni’s bed. The night frill curtaining the bed gives me enough cover to not be seen yet is still sheer enough for me to see the pair of polished shoes now standing right next to the bed.“Old friend. It is such a shame to see you like this” the owner of the polished shoes says to Don Giovanni.“You only have yourself to blame for this Giovanni. You should have handed the girl over while you still had the chance. I do not know why you are protecting her. She hates you. You have always protected her and look at where that got you. You did it back then and you are doing it again now, but this time she is going to be the reason you die” the man says, and I cannot help to wonder what he means by this. Is Don Giovanni protecting me?The man walks over to the window. He is standing with his back towards me, his hands are in his pockets as he stares out the window overlooking the forest. I have seen this man once before.“Soon we
