Cruel Vows: The Mafia's Promise

The Party

The Ballroom of La Lumière was a masterpiece carved into reality, an expanse of shimmering splendor that seemed almost too perfect to belong to the real world. The moment you stepped through the gilded archway, your breath caught.

A ceiling painted like a twilight sky stretched overhead, scattered with tiny embedded crystals that glowed like distant stars. During the day they sparkled softly; at night they gleamed as though the heavens had bent low to witness the celebration.

Enormous chandeliers -three of them- hung in perfect alignment down the center of the room. Each one was a cascade of cut crystal, glowing with warm golden light that made the polished marble floors gleam like still water.

The walls were a gallery of intricate detailing: hand- carved mouldings, sweeping silver filigree, and tall arched windows draped in layers of silk. When the wind brushed past the glass outside, the curtains fluttered gently, adding movement and softness to the grandeur.

A string quartet played from an elevated platform, their music floating across the room like velvet. The acoustics were perfect- you could hear every note, yet conversations remained private, cushioned by the room's careful design.

At the center, couples glided across the marble surface, their steps smooth and elegant, as though the floor itself encouraged grace. The faint scent of jasmine and champagne drifted through the air, mingling into something intoxicating.

Every detail, from the gold- rimmed candelabras to the delicate frescoes above the doorways, whispered of luxury, artistry, and a timeless kind of beauty.

It was not merely a ballroom- it was a stage for magic, a place where elegance felt natural and possibilities shimmered in every corner.

To uphold his good reputation, Leo begged me to take Lily, while he came at a later time with Sophia and Caleb.

Lily wasn't supposed to be more than Caleb's babysitter so her presence at the party was very unnecessary, but she said she wanted to go and Leo agreed at once.

Definitely she had something against him. No matter how much he loved her, he wouldn't be willing to jeopardize his marriage so openly.

"You look very sexy in your tux."

I sighed, taking a sip of the champagne in my hand. She had been glued to me all night and it was irritating.

"Is something on your mind? You look tense." She stepped closer. "You know, I know something that can get rid of stress completely."

I looked down at her, an annoyed frown on my face. "Do you -" I suddenly hesitated, a thought forming in my head.

Even though she knew I was aware of her relationship with Leo, she still openly flirted with me... meaning she was only after money.

I figured I might as well take advantage of that. "Is it any fun?"

"What?"

"Dating a married man."

She smiled, delighted that I showed concern. "Leo? Oh I'm not dating him. He's just... useful, for now."

"Useful huh?"

She nodded. "I was hired a year ago as a babysitter for his son, but right from then, I could tell he wanted something else. Not that I blame him though, I mean, you have seen his wife." She made a face when she said that.

I froze, my champagne glass just inches away from my lips.

"She looks so pale and malnourished and her fashion sense? Ugh, absolutely terrible. I wonder how he met her in the first place. If I was Leo, I would have -"

I heard the sound of shattering glass and Lily looked horrified. She took two steps back, staring at me with visible fear in her eyes.

"Are... you... okay?" She asked, but it wasn't out of concern for me, but fear that she might have annoyed me.

Ignoring the blood that trickled down my palm from the broken glass, I took a step closer to her, "Don't you ever- and I mean ever!- talk like that about her again."

She nodded frantically, trying to get away from me.

"Answer me. With your words."

"Yes. I'll never..."

Her words were drowned by the announcement of the MC. "Finally, the man of the hour has arrived. The most generous CEO Italy has, Mr Leonardo Moretti and his beautiful family.

Everyone was looking at Leo as he walked in, but my eyes were fixed on her.

She entered the ballroom like a whispered miracle -quiet, effortless, but impossible to ignore. Her golden fitted ball gown clung to her silhouette with the delicate precision of something crafted just for her and no one else. I was immediately glad I had gotten it for her.

The fabric shimmered with every movement, catching the light in soft, molten waves, as though she were draped in pure sunlight.

The bodice hugged her curves gracefully, embroidered with tiny golden beads that sparkled like constellations scattered across midnight silk. From her waist, the gown flowed into a sculpted skirt that swept the floor with regal ease, each step sending a subtle ripple through the metallic fabric.

Her skin glowed beneath the warm tones of the dress, giving her an almost ethereal radiance. Soft curls framed her face, cascading down her back in glossy waves that caught hints of gold in the light. Her grey eyes shone brighter than the crystals overhead, framed by long lashes that cast delicate shadows across her cheeks.

She wore little jewelry, and honestly, she didn't even need it. A single, slender necklace kissed the hollow of her throat, and a pair of earrings glittered softly whenever she turned. Her elegance wasn't forced; it flowed from her like a natural extension of her presence.

When she walked, she didn't simply move -she glided, leaving behind the faintest scent of rose and warm amber.

She was beauty sculpted into human form-timeless, graceful, and breathtaking in gold.

She moved quietly behind Leo, Caleb walking protectively by her side.

She scanned the room with her eyes, like she was taking notes of what people wore. Caleb followed suit, only after his eyes landed in me did I realize that they had been searching for me.

His eyes lit up when he spotted me and he removed his hand from Sophia's, sprinting across the room to give me a hug.

Leo followed Caleb with his gaze and his eyes squinted in annoyance but when he saw me staring at him, he flashed an unsteady smile and quickly looked away.

Even without looking, I could tell that Sophia was staring at me. I gave her a small smile and her eyes sparkled. She took a step forward, then stopped, as if she remembered she was there with her husband.

Saving her the trouble, I took Caleb's hand and walked over to her. "You look gorgeous."

She blushed and looked down, but she suddenly looked alarmed. "Your hand!"

She grabbed my hand, leading me away back outside. Enjoying the look on Leo's face, I let her lead me away, only stopping when we were standing by my car. "Which one's yours?" She asked.

I pressed the remote and the car beeped, causing her to flinch, bumping into me.

I held her waist and she took a step closer. She looked up at me, her grey eyes wide with lust.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep myself from devouring her right there and then.

"Does this mean you want me to save you?" I asked, my voice coming out husky.

I knew she was going to say yes, and even if she hadn't said anything, I didn't think I had enough restraint to stop myself.

"....please."

Her response, and the softness of her voice were enough to send me over the edge.

I claimed her lips greedily and possessively. The contact pleased me, and it felt like I had gotten something I had been craving for years- and maybe I was. Memories from that night in the cabin came flooding, intensifying my need for her.

Every inch of me ached for her and I wanted to make love to her until we both forgot about the whole world.

I felt her hands reach up and grab my shoulders, pulling me closer to her.

I deepened the kiss, demanding entry with my tongue and she responded eagerly, parting her lips for my entry.

She made whimpering noises, grabbing a thick lock of my hair as she pushed her body closer to mine.

"Hmm."

I froze as I heard someone clear his throat behind me. With strength I didn't know I had, I pulled away from Sophia, staring into her eyes.

She smiled shyly, her lips slightly swollen from the kiss.

"Dante?"

I froze at the sound of the voice. My body tensed up as I came face to face with someone who was supposed to be a ghost.

"How...?"