THE MAFIA KING AND HIS LITTLE MAID

Chapter 1

ALLY

Two years later..

"You look like one of those ghosts from those old horror movies," Gabriella snorted the moment I walked into the kitchen.

I expected nothing less. Honestly, I feel like a ghost myself these days.

"Couldn't sleep," I muttered tiredly, pouring a glass of water, desperate to ease the dry feeling in my throat.

"Ally, don't you think it's time to tell him? The boss, I mean... You're gonna collapse if you don't." Gabriella's voice was soft but concerned.

I've been working for Dante Lombardi for two years now. It hasn't exactly been a dream come true, but it hasn't been all bad either.

The mansion's conditions are incredible; I live in luxury—at least when I'm not working myself to the bone. I barely see my family except for a few rushed holidays. It feels like I live on borrowed time.

Dante Lombardi is a billionaire—one of the richest men in the country. According to the media, he's a businessman with political power. But I know the truth. I live here, I see the shady side.

Men in suits, hushed meetings, and dangerous vibes. The rumors swirl, and I don't even need to ask to know. Dante's involved in something dark. Something illegal.

But still, I barely see him. At most, I cross paths with him during meals—though even that's irregular. I've learned not to expect anything when it comes to him. He doesn't keep regular hours, and I don't know if he even cares about me beyond the fact that I work for him.

I'm not assigned to his bedroom like Jasmine, who always has it easy. There are rumors about her sleeping with him, but that's not my concern.

I just cook. I'm in the kitchen every day, and that means I never get a break. There's always something to do. I sometimes feel like it's all intentional, that he keeps me here so I'm never truly free.

"I don't care. He's never going to care about me." I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. "I'm just an American girl. Nothing special."

Gabriella's eyes narrowed in concern. "You've got it all wrong. Dante doesn't hate you, Ally. You're just scared of him."

I scoffed, shaking my head as I worked. "Scared? Maybe. But that doesn't mean I'm wrong."

Gabriella didn't say anything else. She knew when to back off. She just kept working beside me, dicing vegetables for dinner.

After hours of cooking, we set the table together. I was lightheaded, struggling to keep my balance. I leaned against the counter, trying to steady myself, but the room spun around me.

"Go rest. I'll finish setting the table," Gabriella insisted, her face full of worry.

"No," I protested weakly. "I'm fine."

But my body didn't listen. I was exhausted, barely able to stand, so I finally gave in and sat at the small kitchen table.

I barely had time to rest before Gabriella's voice pulled me back to reality.

"Ally, wake up. There's a problem," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I blinked, feeling a wave of dizziness as I tried to focus. "What...?"

Before I could make sense of anything, the cold, deep voice of Dante cut through the tension.

"Why are you sleeping on duty?" His words sent a chill down my spine, and I froze.

I hadn't even heard him approach. His figure loomed behind Gabriella, the familiar scent of his cologne filling the air, making everything feel a little too real.

I scrambled to my feet, only to stumble. My legs were like jelly, and I had to grip the chair to keep from falling.

"I'm sorry, sir," I muttered, my voice small and weak. "I didn't mean to..."

Dante's sharp gaze pierced through me as he stepped closer. "The lamb wasn't cooked properly, and I find you here, sleeping on the job? What's wrong with you? You look pale." His tone was disapproving, as usual, but something about it hit me harder today.

"I..." I started, but Gabriella quickly stepped in.

"She's been sick, sir," Gabriella said, her voice full of concern. "She won't tell anyone, but she's been burning up."

I couldn't look at her. Betrayal filled my chest, but I was too weak to protest.

Dante's face tightened as he moved closer. His fingers brushed against my forehead before I could react, and his eyes widened in alarm. "You're burning up," he said, his voice lower now, tinged with frustration.

"I'm fine," I muttered, my head spinning. "I'll be okay. Just need a second..."

But my body betrayed me. As I tried to step forward, my vision blurred, and I staggered, feeling my balance slip away. Dante was there in an instant, his arms around me, holding me up with a surprising strength.

"You're clearly not fine," he muttered, his voice rough. His expression softened, but only for a second. "Marco! Get the damn driver. We're going to the hospital."

His voice rang out as he lifted me easily, his hands pulling the apron from around my neck as he cradled me against him.

I barely heard him. My eyes were heavy, and the world around me felt like it was slipping into darkness.

"Stay awake," Dante's voice pierced through the haze, but it felt so far away. I could barely keep my eyes open.

I wanted to fight, but the exhaustion, the pain, it all dragged me down. And before I knew it, I was lost in the darkness.