The Mafia reluctant Bride

|| Aria || “Hey birthday girl, don't keep your guest waiting,” Aunty Eve whispered into my ear as we stared at the large mirror that hung on the wall. Eve was my makeup artist and dress manager; she also doubled up as my nanny from birth. I sighed softly and placed my hands on my slender hip. My Yumi Katsura gown glowed, making me seem like a celestial being. I tilted my neck to the side, causing my long curly hair to fall backwards. Today was my twenty-second birthday, and somehow, my shoulder was still stiff. I was tense!!! Today was the first birthday without my boyfriend. I would call him an ex because I wasn't sure if he was alive. He just disappeared days after his father's death with no farewell messages or a call. My heart almost gave way to tears, but I gnashed my teeth. It was a method I had adopted to prevent myself from crying. “Hey, Baby, make sure you don't ruin that makeup of yours. I took great care in making that happen,” Eve said as she noticed the tears gathered in my eyes. “I miss him,” I whispered slowly as I fought my tears from spilling, “Is he even still alive? Did the men who killed his father get to him?” My body shook, but Aunty Eve wrapped her hands around me. I buried my face on her shoulder, a familiar zone for my downpour. Aunty Eve caressed my hair as I sniffed. “Your father tried his best to find him. If he's dead, your Dad will know. Remember, your Dad is a Moretti and has a lot of contacts. Your Dad has tried his best, and I believe your ex-boyfriend doesn't want to be found,” Eve said. I believed she meant to comfort me, but her words had an opposite effect. My hope of seeing my boyfriend, Luca Romano, just sizzled off my chest, and the glaring truth was truly surfacing. I had to accept that he was gone and gone for real. “There is no way Luca wouldn't want to be found. Perhaps, the men who killed his father found him, killed him and tossed his body into the river.” The tears gave way this time, and I cried. “We are not doing this again, please. Aria Moretti, I know it's painful, but you've buried yourself in grief for so long. Just have fun today,” Eve fixed her gaze on me as she planted both her hands on my shoulder. I nodded, “I'll try. You know, we dated for four years, and we were always the first person to call me on my birthday. He'll gift me flowers and a poem. A new poem for every year. It's hard to just act like he never existed”. “Aria, I'm not saying that you should act like he never existed. I just want you to know that Luca would never want you to spoil your big day with tears. So, I'll walk you to the living room,” Eve said and stretched her right hand. I ignored her outstretched hand and fell into her warm bosom. I breathed in her tender perfume and sighed. Eve was the mother I never had. She waited patiently until I had found my strength, and she nodded at me. Slowly, we stepped out of my luxury room into the hallway, which had a gold chandelier. I chuckled slightly as I found the house staff ogling at me. I knew I was beautiful, and reeling in the attention would never get old for me. I'm Aria Moretti, the only daughter of a millionaire investor and businessman in Florida. I sure had bragging rights. As I stepped into the living room, my eyes darted towards the large frame on the velvet wall. It was a picture of my mom, and she died when I was just four months old. I was a replica of her, with pretty brown oval eyes, a dimpled smile and fair skin. The living room was filled with members of the estate, and my Dad stood proudly in the middle. The crystal chandelier, which hung on the ceiling, refracted light, casting a kaleidoscope of colours. I walked over to my Dad and hugged him. He's one man I had grown to love and cherish. “My baby is now twenty two” He muttered. I could feel the deep emotions in his voice. “How do you feel?” I shrugged, “I feel twenty-two”. He nodded, “I got a gift for you, but you'll have to cut the cake first”. Honestly, I couldn't guess what sort of gift it was. Last year, he gifted me two cyber trucks. A white colour which was customised, and a black one. And I had an all-expense-paid trip ticket to tour six countries. A huge cake was wheeled into the living room, candles glazing. I walked slowly to the cake and stared into the waiting eyes of everyone. “I guess I should make a wish,” I stared into Eve's eyes. She nodded, and I smiled. My hand reached for the golden hilt of the knife. All I wished was for my boyfriend to return. He knew how to make my day beautiful. I just needed something for my emotions, aside from the glamour and wealth. Before I could say a word, there was a deafening bang and the front door yanked open. Six gunmen walked into the room, like Angels of death. They were all masked and held sophisticated guns, and I knew they meant business. Fear surged through my body, and I fought hard to suppress the urge to piss on myself. Everyone in the living room scrambled to the floor. But my Dad stood still, though he was visibly shaken. “If anyone paid you to murder me, I'll triple it,” My Dad voice shook as he spoke. He tried to be confident, but his shaky voice betrayed him. “You sure don't know who you are messing with”. I wondered where my Dad's guards were. He always had at least four men with him. And how did these men break into one of the most secure estates in Florida? “Williams Moretti, I'm sorry I had to break up your daughter's party,” One of the masked men said as he stepped forward. He had an eagle engraved on his mask. “Who are you?” My Dad asked. “I want to believe you're not petty thieves. But I'll advise you to turn your back and leave”. “Smith, Jack, Cross, Abel. They are your four best men. I have a bullet in each of their chests. The rest of the estate securities are sleeping”. My Dad squinted his gaze, “Damian Volkov? What the hell?” “I thought you wouldn't remember the voice.” There was a line on the mask to show a smirk. “Whatever this is, we can settle it. Don't hurt my daughter or anybody in here. We can go out and talk. Damian, don't spill blood on my daughter’s special day,” My Dad begged. Tears streamed down my face as I saw my father visibly shaken. I've always known him to be firm, authoritative in running his business and unshaken. But seeing him shiver broke me into uncomfortable pieces. “Goodbye, Williams Moretti.” He pulled out a pistol, c****d his gun and fired a bullet into my Dad's head. A scream escaped my mouth as I watched my dad, a 5.4-foot man, fall headfirst to the tile. The masked man pocketed his gun, stared at the guest who lay face flat on the floor. He then shifted his gaze at me, but I was long gone in shock. It seemed my brain was shut off and I couldn't process a thing. “I'm sorry, birthday girl. I'm sorry, it had to be today”.