His lost mafia queen

chapter 1

Aurora pov

There are three rules I lived by; respect, honesty, and discipline.

They aren't just words to me, they have shaped who I am and how I survive in this world.

Today was exhausting.

I sigh as I step into the house, dropping my bag on the sofa. The familiar scent of home hit me but i barely had the energy to enjoy it

“Hello,” I greet with a wide smile spread across my face.

Turning toward her direction,”hi,” Valentina responds as she's trying to shift her attention from her phone.

Before I could ask the whereabouts of her dad and stepmother, I could hear their voices blending into a warm and quiet conversation for a moment. I stood there eavesdropping. clearing her throat to gain their attention ,"Dad",I called out.

He turned and before he could say anything I ran to his arms, pulling away from his embrace,”dad have you taken your medicine?” I asked, judging from the way he looks,he clearly hasn't taken them.

“Dad you know you have to take them, your health is at risk,” I said, during her visit with the doctor she could remember the doctor's instructions which pointed out that he should take his pills daily, and she also can remember informing both her step mom and him about it.

Finding her way to the drawal to get his pills but before she could do that her stepmom beat her to it

Thinking back to what happened years back which made him depressed. Her mom died when she was fifteen.

It was… tragic. Painful in a way words could never explain, Eventually he remarried,at first she couldn't bring herself to accept another woman taking her mother's place, but as time went on she realised she's not the only person who lost someone,her dad also needed companionship too.

So she has no other choice than to adjust.

Giving her stepmother a quick hug, she dragged her tired body upstairs.

“I need to rest, I need to shower.” she says as she walks through the stairs.

Tomorrow is my day off, finally some time for myself.

She had just settled in when she heard a knock,

“Sister?" Her stepsister's voice came through the door.

"Come in,” she said trying to drop her bag by the night stand

She pushes the door open slightly, hesitating before stepping in.

“What do you want?” she asked.

"I need a favour,” Valentina responded, trying to avoid her gaze.

She crossed her arms. " What kind of favour?” she asked, looking at her.

She bit her lip. “Can you cover my shift at work tomorrow? I have a make-up exam, and I can't afford to miss it,” she says. Looking at me with her puppy eyes.

She blink at her

"No” she said without blinking an eyelid, she has been busy nonstop.

“Please,” she begged. Just this once, I won't ask again.

She hesitated for some minutes, she really needed this break, this is when she had some time for herself, “but you should have informed me before now so I will know how to schedule myself.” Looking at her with a grim expression.

“Fine," she said reluctantly. I'm only doing this because you're my sister, don't expect it again, you know I don't bend my rules for anyone.”

Her face lit up instantly “thank you" she said beaming from ear to ear.

She work as receptionist at a hotel

I mean… how hard could it be.

Thinking of how tomorrow will be the day she promised her sister to help her, makes her stomach churn.

The day before she was to help her, Valentina walked into her room holding an outfit.

“This is what you are going to wear", she says.

She takes it from her and looks at it carefully, trying to wrap her head around the idea of her pretending to be her sister the next day.

The outfit was a short black skirt paired with white body hugging top, designed with a bowed tie neatly at the chest.

She couldn't help but frown slightly."Isn't this a bit too tight? And the skirt… it's showing a lot of skin” butting her lips, as she imagine herself in the dress.

Still, she tried it on. As she adjusted it around her hips,she can't help but notice the difference in their body shape. She has more of a pear body shape figure, while Valentine's was straighter and more balanced.

“This might need some adjustments," she stated, turning to face her.

“Don't worry," Valentina replies calmly. “I already thought about that. I called a seamstress and she should be here any minute." She says.

She steps closer and begins to adjust the top while Aurora stands still.This few days she has been thinking on how she's going to cope with the tasks on hand,she hopes she won't mess things up.

“Give me a moment," Valentina cut through suddenly. “I need to get my identification card."

As she stared at herself in the mirror, a strange thought crossed her mind. She and Valentina almost look identical. Sometimes,it felt unreal like they were more than just stepsisters. If not for the trust she has in her father, she might have believed they share the same father.

Moments later, Valentina returned, followed by the seamstress. After taking quick measurements, the woman adjusted the outfits perfectly to fit her body.

I put it on again, and this time, it fit like it was made for me.

“You look good, sister,” Valentina said, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.

The next day came faster than I expected.

She woke me up by five in the morning,she should resume work by eight.

Still half asleep, I dragged my lazy self to the shower to freshen up, she only needed to do my hair, dressing myself up won't be hard. Playing with the hem of the shirt.

Are you sure you can do this Aurora?

Valentina comes to my attention, seeing that I'm done dressing up.

We already had the same hair colour, but she styled mine differently, straightening my curls so she would be able to pack it in a bun.

After she was done dressing me up, her expression turned serious.

“These are the rules you have to follow,” she said, looking at me with a serious expression.

I looked at her through the mirror as she spoke.

“Always smile, no matter what. Respect every client, regardless of how they behave. Never enter a room without knocking. And…” she hesitates slightly, “you are expected to do whatever the client asks only if you are comfortable with it.”

I turned to face her fully.

"I hear you,” I said slowly, "but some of these rules don't sit well with me. Especially the respect part. What if they disrespect me? You know I won't just endure that.” I say.

She sighed softly, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I know,” she said. "But don't worry. No one will disrespect you. I checked my schedule and the clients for the day are kind and respectful. So just relax, okay?”

I held her gaze for a moment, then nodded.

Valentine had explained everything on our way here before dropping me off. She even arranged for one of her colleagues to guide me through the day.

Upon entering the hotel I gasp.

The interior is stunning gold and black trim, curtains, a chandelier at the center of the hall, and everything simply screamed expensive and rich.

“Hey, Alex by name,” extending his hand toward my direction “Aurora,” I replied, before I could ask who he was he beat me to it. “I'm Valentina's colleague,” he says.

He has such beautiful tanned skin and a captivating look, he could capture any woman's attention. Too bad he's a gay, Valentina fills me with everything I need to know about him.

“You are not Italian right,” I ask, he chuckles lightly, yes my mother is an Italian while my father is from the United Kingdom.

"How are you coping?”he asked."hope the customers aren't making things too hard for you?” he ask

I manage a small smile. "I'm fine, thanks”

A sudden noise from the entrance cut me off.

Alex stiffen."Ah…Marco,” he said with fear in eyes.

“This is bad,” he muttered.

“What's bad?” I asked, confused.

But he was already moving away, almost like he didn't want to be seen standing next to me.

That was… strange, what could have made him do like that.

I straighten up, preparing myself as a tall figure walks in.

I tried to greet him. “Good_"

He walked past me like I didn't exist.

I frown. "that's rude," I mutter under my breath

“repeat what you just said?" The man said looking at me from head to toe, with an annoyed expressions, looking as if he can devour me at any moment

The voice was low, controlled, I could hear a bit of threat under his voice,daring me to repeat myself.

I froze for a second before turning.

He was already looking at me, his blue eyes sharp,almost piercing.

For a moment, I felt it. That pressure. Like standing too close to danger and my knees were weaker than they had ever been, His eyes lingering too long, like he knew.

But I refused to back down

“No one," I said, feeling my heart beating against my chest.

He stepped closer. Too close, that I could feel his breath on my face.

My heartbeat picked a beat but I didn't move.

Then his phone rang, giving me the chance to collect myself together.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see his expression darken instantly, whatever was on that call, matters

Without a second glance he walked away with a loud thud.

I didn't even realize that I had been holding my breath.