THE MAFI’S ALLURE

Episode.2

Amilia's POV

“I looked at myself through the mirror, I looked beautiful, my perfect figure visible in the red bodycon dress my step-mother had picked out for me, the makeup artist did a great job on my face.

My thick brown hair rested on my back in its natural wave”

“I signed”

“This is all an illusion—the dress, the make-up, the jewelry, it's a lie, a disgusting lie. My father, his wife and my sister have successfully turned me into a clone”.

A hard knock pulled me out of my thoughts.

“We are running late, Amilia.”

My dad called out, irritation clearly visible in his voice. I could see the look of satisfaction on his face as I walked out of the room. We all entered the car and drove to the location.

My dad and his wife walked hand in hand into the restaurant while I trailed behind them as we approached the VIP session of the restaurant.

“ I thought the dinner was at their place?”

“Change of plans honey”

I spotted my soon-to-be husband's silhouette, perfectly seated at the table with the dimly lit light.

My heart started pounding the moment our eyes connected, but I tried to remain calm.

My soon-to-be husband got up and pulled out a seat for me to sit beside him as I exchanged pleasantries with his family, who were surprisingly welcoming.

“You look gorgeous” Marcello's deep voice reverberates into my spine and I suck in a breath. I turned around to face him, he leaned towards me, exposing himself to more lighting, his deep blue eyes peering into mine.

“He's handsome”, I thought to myself.

With the kind of reputation he has, I had thought that he would be an ugly beast, but the man sitting next to me, looking at me with an unreadable expression, is far from that–

He's breathtaking.

If there's another word greater than beautiful, that is what I will use to describe this man, his shirt unbuttoned, his inked chest out in the open, broad shoulders, chiseled jawline, his perfect fingers…

“Gosh he's perfect”

“Are you going to keep staring at me all night?” his deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“How could I forget who Marcello is? He is also an egoistic brat.

With a clear of my throat, I relaxed better on my seat and began eating my food while trying to ignore his burning and intimidating gaze which has made me uncomfortable since I got here.

He breathed out an annoyed breath, causing my lips to tip up at the corner.

“Hates the taste of your own medicine, huh? Let the game begin”, I thought to myself, with a playful smirk on my face.

I immediately fell into a deep conversation with the other members of his family, taking time to answer all their questions.

“Walk with me Amilia” he said as he stood from his seat and walked straight to a room which I presumed to be the study and I trailed behind him.

“ How am I supposed to spend the rest of my life with this man? A man whose entire demeanor is clouded by darkness?

How am I expected to survive through this marriage?

We got into the study and almost immediately, the door jammed shut with two clicks.

“You seem nervous” he said while holding my gaze, his look making me feel small.

Sweat started trickling down my forehead and my throat tightened with a lump as he took a few steps closer to me.

He quirked a brow, nudging me to speak, and I gulped down on nothing.

He crouches down, his eyes narrowing into slits as though he's trying to read my facial features and I return my gaze to the floor.

“You want to get married desperately, don't you?” he asked.

“Don't you want to? Marcello?”

“You have no idea, Amilia. The idea of getting married irritates me so much. The thought of getting married to a stranger, the daughter of that cunny man. I hate you for agreeing to this marriage. But we can come to an agreement” his fingertips trailed down my waist and I took a few steps back till I reached the desk.

“You are the only person that can put an end to this marriage. Tell me whatever you want, and I will give it to you, but you have to go out there and tell everyone that you are not interested in this marriage”.

“You are too close to me Marcello”, I whispered under my breath and I immediately regretted it because he put his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to himself, my face slamming on his chest, his cologne filling my nose.

“He smells so good.”

“I..I also don't want this marriage” I stuttered.

He chuckled dryly“ You must think you're special Amilia? Every girl in the whole of Milan would give an arm to get married to me. What makes you any different, or do you think I don't see through your pretense?

“I'm not pretending, Marcello. I wouldn't be here if I had any other choice. I also don't want this marriage, and I was hoping you could call it off”.

“And if you don't know, you have an awful reputation. I bet if there's any girl willing to marry you out there”.

“ Really Amilia?”

He asked coldly, looking down at me like a predator does at its prey.

“I.. I.. mea.. mean who wants to get married to a mafia don?” I stuttered, fixing my gaze on the floor.

How can I look him in the eyes after running my mouth? I hope this mouth of mine will not be the end of me

“You got a sharp tongue, huh?” His deep baritone voice echoed in my ears as his knuckles rested beneath my chin, keeping me head up as his thumb stroked my lips as he stared into my eyes as if he was searching for something.

“You wanna play with me, don't you?

Well, let's see how well you know how to play the game "Amilia".

My phone rang, and I took it out of my purse, and it was Rocco calling.

Marcello is in such close proximity with me that I would be surprised if he didn't see the caller's id.

I tried to put the phone back in my bag but Marcello stopped me from doing so.

“We aren't even married yet, and you are cheating on me with your ex-boyfriend. Is this how it's going to be wife?” he asked with a dark look on his face.

What does he mean by I'm cheating on him? And how does he know that Rocco is my boyfriend?... Wait… did he just call me wife?

“I'm not your wife and Rocco is still my boyfriend, not an ex”. I retorted.

“Feisty” Marcello scoffed. “I see you have not broken up with him yet. Don't worry mama, I will make it easier for you. I gat you”.

“What do you mean by that and”— I was about to ask another question, but Marcello walked out of the study leaving me with a bunch of unanswered questions.