The Mafia lovers

Episode3

The following morning after Bill took his bath, the water cascaded down Maria's body as she stood in the shower, her thoughts consumed by the task that lay ahead.

"Am I doing the right thing?"

She questioned herself wondering.

She knew the danger that awaited them outside, but she was ready to face it head-on. Bill's concern was understandable, but she had never been one to back down from a challenge. She finished her shower and stepped out, wrapping herself in a towel as she walked into the room where Bill was getting ready.

As she dressed up Bill expressed his doubts.

"Are you sure about this? Arturo's men could be waiting outside."

Maria couldn't help but smile at his apprehension.

She reached for her handgun, a familiar weight in her hand, and c****d it with practised ease.

"I still have some bullets here," she said, her voice steady and confident. "We'll be fine."

"What if there's an army out there," Bill asked fixating his eyes on Maria m.

Maria shook her head, a teasing glint in her eye.

"How come you grew so soft? You were born in a mafia household. You knew violence. How come you now fear a fellow man?" Maria asked and walked past Bill, opened the door and stepped out.

Bill was taken aback by Maria's words, his past coming back to haunt him.

Bill followed quickly as they strolled out of the motel and then into Bill's car. Bill looked at the rear mirror to see if they were followed, then he gave a sideways glance at Maria and muttered.

"Maria, I have a daughter.”

"What?" Maria exclaimed.

"She is in an orphanage. With the enemies around I couldn't keep her close as I could die anytime."

Maria's eyes widened in shock at the revelation, but before she could respond, Bill's phone rang. Arturo's name flashed on the screen, sending a shiver down Maria's spine. She knew their enemy was watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Maria's voice cut through the tense air, her tone unwavering.

"Answer it,” she said firmly, her eyes fixed on Bill, who widened his eyes in disbelief.

"Are you sure?" Bill asked, seeking confirmation from Maria. Without hesitation, she nodded, her expression resolute.

Slowly, Bill reached for the phone, his movements deliberate. He pressed the green button, activated the speakerphone function and brought the phone to his ears.

"Hello, Bill," Arturo's voice echoed from the other end of the line.

"Hello, Arturo," Bill replied, his voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling within him.

"I see you survived the onslaught," Arturo remarked a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Who is that b***h who saved you?"

he added, his words laced with malice.

Bill hesitated, contemplating his response. "Does it matter?" he finally retorted, his voice tinged with defiance.

"Nope, it doesn’t," Arturo replied dismissively.

"Just that she seemed good at what she does. How about we meet up and talk? There's a deal I need you on—the Gold Field, remember?"

Bill shook his head incredulously.

"You wanted to kill me yesterday, and now you want to work with me. You think I'll fall for that?" he challenged, his voice tinged with skepticism.

"Yes, you're useful to me alive than dead," Arturo admitted bluntly.

"I just found out that you're the only one who knows the route to the Gold Field. With a skilful sharpshooter like Maria, we could get it. If you're willing to work with me, send me a location to meet and discuss it further. Let's sort it out as brothers. We can settle our differences after we secure the gold," Arturo proposed, his words calculated and persuasive.

Bill listened in silence, weighing his options carefully. Despite his reservations, he couldn't deny the allure of the deal Arturo presented. The promise of riches and the chance to settle old scores appealed to him in equal measure.

"Take the deal," Maria said silently.

"Fine," Bill conceded, his voice resigned.

"I'll send you the location. But don't think for a second that this changes anything between us,"

he warned, his tone firm.

Arturo chuckled, his amusement evident even through the static of the phone line.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Bill. I'll be waiting for your message," he replied before ending the call abruptly.

As the line went dead, Bill was left alone with his thoughts, the weight of his decision settling heavily upon him.

He glanced at Maria, who stood nearby, her expression unreadable. At that moment, he knew that their alliance would be tested like never before.

But for the promise of gold and the chance to settle old scores, he was willing to take the risk. With a nod, he turned to Maria, his resolve firm.

"Let's get to work,” she said, her voice tinged with focus

"What do we do? We're now in this together," Bill asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he looked to Maria for guidance.

"We'll meet him," Maria answered confidently, causing Bill's eyes to widen in surprise.

"What if it's a trap?" Bill countered, his concern evident in his tone.

"That's the code of the street, Bill," Maria explained calmly. "He wanted us dead, but now he needs us alive for a greater good. He definitely has plans, and we'll play the game with him to see where it leads us."

Bill nodded, understanding Maria's reasoning. "Where do we go now?" he inquired, eager to move forward despite his apprehension.

"Let's go see your daughter," Maria suggested, her tone softening as she glanced at Bill with empathy.

At the orphanage, Bill and Maria waited anxiously in the hallway as the catholic sisters went to retrieve Bill's daughter.

When she was finally brought to them, she rushed into Bill's arms, the warmth of their embrace a balm to his weary soul.

"I thought I wouldn't see you again, Daddy," Cindy whispered, her voice filled with relief and joy.

"My sweet Cindy, I've missed you," Bill murmured, holding her close.

As Cindy looked up at Bill, her curious gaze landed on Maria, who smiled warmly in return. Before Bill could speak, Cindy's brow furrowed in confusion. "Who is she?" she asked, her innocent curiosity shining through.

Maria's smile widened, touched by Cindy's innocence. Bill hesitated, unsure of how to explain Maria's presence in their lives. But before he could respond, Cindy's expression shifted as she pondered aloud, "Is she my new mommy?"

Bill's heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by Cindy's unexpected question. Beside him, Maria's eyes softened with emotion as she waited for Bill's response, the weight of the moment palpable in the air.

Bill sighed and bent on his knees, "I promise I'll tell you when we get home sweetheart."

Cindy nodded in agreement.

He stood up, held Cindy by the hand and walked side by side with Maria as they left the orphanage and went into the car and sped off.

While in the car, Maria introduced herself.

"Hey Cindy, I'm Maria," she said from the passenger's side.

"I'm Cindy" she responded from the back seat

"How did you know my dad?" Bill cuts in.

"I told you I'll tell you when we get home."

On their way, Maria saw a grocery store and told Bill to wait while she got some ingredients to cook.

"Wow, you cook?" Bill asked in surprise.

Maria laughed, "Of course, I can cook."

They went inside the store, bought everything they needed, got into the car and drove home.

On getting home Bill went Inside his room to check for some documents and left Maria and Cindy alone to catch up.

Maria called Cindy along as she moved into the kitchen.

"Hey sweet pie let's prepare something for Daddy."

It was so enjoyable for Cindy as it's been a very long time since she had that kind of fun with a woman old enough to be her mother.

When they were done cooking Cindy rushed to the room to call her dad while Maria set up the table.

"Dad, food is ready," she said as she held her dad by the hand and they both walked to the table.

Bill was astonished looking at the table all set as he sat and started eating.

"Wow, I didn't know you can cook this much. Are you enjoying the food sweetheart?"

Maria's eyes softened as she awaited Cindy's response.

"Yes," she shouted with admiration.

"Dad, can Maria stay and live with us?"

Cindy's unexpected suggestion that Maria move in with them had caught him off guard. While part of him appreciated Cindy's desire for more family closeness, another part felt uneasy about the idea.

"Are you sure sweetheart?" Bill asked.

"Yes," she nodded.

They all ate and laughed when Bill's phone rang.

Bill and Maria's eyes entwined as Bill excused himself from the table and went outside.

On the phone, Bill could see through the window of the house as he watched Maria stroke Cindy's hair tenderly and sing lullaby after eating.

As he stood, Bill couldn't help but wonder maybe Maria's presence would enrich their lives, bringing new experiences.

The sight tugged at his heartstrings as memories of his late wife flooded his mind. She had been his rock, his confidante, his everything.

Losing her during childbirth had shattered his world, leaving behind a void that seemed impossible to fill but the sound of Maria's voice was irresistible as he pondered.

Could Maria ever truly fill the void left by his wife? Would Cindy come to see her as a mother figure, as he had hoped? Or would Maria's presence only serve as a reminder of what they had lost?

As these questions swirled in his mind, a pang of guilt washed over Bill. He knew he shouldn't compare Maria to his late wife, yet the temptation was difficult to resist. Maria had been a steadfast presence in his life. But could she ever be more than that?

As he watched them together, a sudden realization dawned on him. Maria wasn't just a friend, she had become an integral part of their lives. And with that realization came a sense of vulnerability that he hadn't felt in years.

He dropped the call and went inside.

On getting inside, Bill stood by the door staring at them both with unending love feeling in his heart.

Maria stares in return looking at Bill's elegance.

"What's up, Bill?" She finally asked.

Bill sighs and finally spills out his feelings.

"Maria, would you be my bodyguard, Cindy's improvised mother and my convenient wife?”

Cindy turned her gaze to Maria immediately with a smile on her face and their eyes locked.

Maria turned to Bill and sighed.

"Yes," she responded with a smile.