The Reluctant Mafia Bride

Episode 11

Dahlia’s Point Of View

I tried to ignore the text, pushing it to the back of my mind as I focused on the rhythmic flow of my day. The café was buzzing with the usual mix of coffee orders and light chatter, each customer seeming to blend into the next. I could feel the weight of that message, though, its words still echoing in my mind like an ominous whisper. But I kept moving, restocking pastries, wiping down counters, anything to keep my thoughts from drifting back to it.

The hours crawled by, each one a little slower than the last. By the time the last customer trickled out, the café was almost empty. I had sent Jonah and Sarah home earlier, assuring them I’d be fine on my own for the final stretch. Now, it was just me—alone in the quiet, with only the soft hum of the espresso machine for company. The silence seemed to settle over everything like a thick fog, and I felt the weight of it pressing in on me.

I was locking up when my phone buzzed suddenly, the shrill ring breaking the stillness. I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat, and for a split second, I thought the worst. I glanced at the caller ID, expecting to see an unknown number or, even worse, his name on the screen. But instead, Elizabeth flashed across the display, and a rush of relief washed over me.

I let out a quiet breath and swiped to answer. "Hey, Liz."

Elizabeth—or Liz, as I always called her—was my anchor. We’d met during our last year at NYU, both of us a little adrift, searching for something to hold onto. Liz had been studying fashion styling, while I’d been slogging through business administration, trying to keep up with a degree that never felt quite right. I was at a department store one afternoon, frantically searching through racks for a dress to wear to some business school event, when she appeared like a miracle. With a practiced eye, she picked out the perfect dress, one I’d never have noticed on my own, and somehow, in that moment, everything clicked.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking over coffee, swapping stories about our lives, our dreams, our uncertainties. By the end of that conversation, I knew I had found someone who would be in my life for years to come.

Two years had passed since we graduated from NYU, but Liz and I were still inseparable. Life had pulled us in different directions—her career in fashion styling, and mine at the Alistair&co —but no matter how busy we got, she was always there, just a phone call away, ready to bring a little chaos and lightness into my otherwise predictable routine.

When my phone buzzed, I didn't have to look at the caller ID to know it was Liz. Her voice, as warm and familiar as ever, filled my ear. “Hey, how was your day?”

I let out a long sigh, the fatigue from the day still hanging over me. “Oh, you know, the usual. Busy. But nothing I can’t handle,” I said, trying to keep my tone light and casual.

Liz didn’t miss a beat. “Well, I’ve got just the thing to shake that off,” she said, her voice practically vibrating with excitement. “I found this amazing club, and I want us to check it out tonight. It’s going to be so much fun—you’ll love it! I promise.”

I couldn’t help but smile, already knowing where this conversation was headed. Liz had a way of making even the most mundane nights seem like an adventure. “I just closed up the café,” I said, glancing back at the empty shop behind me, the soft hum of the espresso machine still echoing in my mind. “I’m wiped, Liz.”

“Perfect! Even better! Come over to my place. I’ve got the perfect outfit for you,” she insisted, practically bouncing through the phone. “Trust me, you’ll look killer.”

With Liz, saying no was impossible. It wasn’t just the enthusiasm in her voice—it was the way she made everything feel like an experience you couldn’t pass up. She was like a force of nature, and I was always swept along with it. "Alright, alright," I relented, laughing softly. "You win. I’ll be there."

I could hear her squeal through the phone, a mix of joy and triumph. “See you soon!” she said, and before I could say anything else, the line went dead.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the phone in my hand, still feeling the pull of the long day. But I couldn’t help the excitement that fluttered in my chest. Liz always knew how to pull me out of my head and remind me that life could still be fun, even in the middle of all the chaos.

I finished locking up the café and paused for a moment, letting the quiet of the night settle in around me. The street was empty, bathed in the soft orange glow of the streetlights. I leaned against the door, feeling the cool evening air brush across my skin as I pulled out my phone and dialed my mom’s number. It was late, but I knew she’d be awake. She always was—waiting up for me, even if it was just to hear my voice at the end of the day.

The phone rang a couple of times before she picked up. Her voice, warm and familiar, filled my ear. “Hi, honey! How was work?”

I smiled, feeling a comforting sense of normalcy in hearing her after the long, draining day. “It was fine. Just closed up and... I’m actually heading out with Liz. She found this new club, so I’ll probably crash at her apartment tonight.”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful! You two always have so much fun together,” she replied, her voice a little wistful, as though she missed having those spontaneous, carefree nights of her own. I could almost hear the smile in her voice. Mom had always been my biggest cheerleader, the one who encouraged me to live fully, to experience everything the world had to offer beyond the daily grind. “Have fun and be safe. I love you.”

I leaned my head back against the door, feeling a swell of gratitude for her that I couldn’t fully put into words. I didn’t say it nearly enough, but I knew deep down that everything I was doing—every step I took, every choice I made—was partly because of her, her wisdom, and her endless support. “Thanks, Mom. I love you too,” I said, my voice soft.

There was a brief pause, just a moment of connection that felt like home.

“Good night, sweetheart,” she added, the tenderness in her tone making my chest tighten a little.

“Good night.” I hung up, slipping the phone back into my pocket. The cool air seemed to take on a different feel now, less heavy and more freeing.

I flagged down a cab, giving the driver Liz’s address with the usual sense of both anticipation and a hint of awe. Liz’s apartment was nestled in one of the wealthiest parts of New York, in a high-rise so impressive it always felt like stepping into a different world. The sleek, modern buildings towered over the streets, the glass windows gleaming in the city lights, and every time I visited, I couldn’t help but feel a little out of place, like I was living in a world far beyond my reach. But Liz had always made me feel welcome here, her presence a grounding force amidst the luxury that surrounded us.

Her parents had always been well-off—wealthy enough to afford the kind of lifestyle most people only dreamed of—but Liz didn’t flaunt it. She was effortlessly down-to-earth, completely unaffected by the grandeur of her surroundings. It was one of the things I loved most about her. No matter how fancy her life got, she never made anyone feel less than, always looking out for the people around her, always making time for me even when her world seemed so different from mine.

The cab turned a corner and came to a stop in front of the building, its towering structure casting a long shadow in the night. I took a deep breath, gathering myself for the usual moment of awe before stepping out onto the sidewalk. The building loomed above, its glass and steel façade glowing in the soft light of the street lamps. As I walked toward the entrance, I felt a familiar surge of excitement flutter in my chest.

The lobby was just as impressive as always—high ceilings, polished marble floors, and soft lighting that gave everything a welcoming glow. The doorman nodded at me as I passed, his professional smile offering a polite acknowledgment. I gave him a quick nod in return, my hand brushing against the smooth metal of the elevator button as I made my way up.