Chapter 4 To be an Italian woman

ELLA

"Buongiorno, cara," A voice greeted me without a smile, her thick Italian accent anything but soothing.

I slowly cleared my sleepy eyes as I sat up. The bed felt so huge and so soft I haven't had this good sleep since I-

Wait....

Where was I?

Then everything came crashing down like a horror movie on replay!

Great job Ella.

You were sold into slavery and had the best sleep of your life?

An older woman with a stern, no-nonsense demeanor entered the room, carrying a neatly folded outfit. A crisp white blouse and a black skirt that fell just below the knee.

I nodded, already understanding there was no room for pleasantries at the reminder of how I got here.

What was I going to be?

A sex slave?

A maid?

"Change." She threw the clothes on the bed and I rushed to grab them and I changed into the outfit..

The older woman introduced herself as Maria and led me downstairs to a spacious dining room. The long, polished wooden table was set with fine china and crystal glassware, a breathtaking display of elegance.

Maria began teaching me the art of serving a table in an Italian Mafia home.

I guess I was going to be a maid.

Her instructions were crisp, short and left no room for error. Every detail mattered. from the way the napkins were folded to the exact placement of the silverware.

After what felt like hours of placing and replacing knives and spoons, Maria finally ended the lesson and from how she didn't throw insults at me, I guessed I did a good job.

"Sit," she commanded, her tone brooking no argument.

I sat and she poured tea for both of us and settled across from me.

"Today, we discuss your role in this household until Adrian decides otherwise," she said, her gaze pinning me in place.

Adrian? I didn't dare ask.

Her look told me to keep my questions to myself.

"As a woman in an Italian Mafia home, you must understand your place and your responsibilities," she continued.

I nodded, absorbing every word. So... I was bought to be a cute little house girl?

Great.

"First and foremost, you must stay out of the men's conversations. When they speak, you listen. You do not interrupt. Your presence should be like the air they breathe, necessary, but invisible."

I raised an eyebrow.

"What if I have something important to say?"

Maria's lips curled into a humorless smile.

"You won't. Your opinions are of no consequence here. You exist to serve, to be seen but not heard. Most importantly, your job is to please your master."

Her words sent a chill through me.

Please? Did she mean... sexually?

I lowered my gaze, sipped my tea, and nodded.

There was no way I was giving my first time to that beast. My heart jumped to my throat.

Would he force me?

"Secondly," Maria continued, "you must learn how Italian women behave. You are not to challenge the traditional roles. You are expected to be modest, obedient, and respectful."

I listened, wondering how these expectations would shape my daily life.

Why did it sound like I was being molded into a Mafia lord's trophy wife?

Heck. I wasn't new to the mafia world. I heard about it, my mother always told me stories. I just never thought I'd be sold into one. I bet my mother is turning in her grave.

"Can you give me an example of how Italian women behave? Because clearly, I'm far from it," I said and instantly regretted it.

My mouth would get me killed one day.

Maria looked irritated but she answered me anyway, her eyes bore into mine as she spoke,

"Italian women prioritize family above all else. They care for their homes, their children, and their husbands. They do not question their place. They find strength in their ability to nurture and support," she replied.

I nodded, pretending to understand.

Total bullshit. That was the opposite of who I wanted to be.

A housewife?

What a joke.

"Good," she said, her tone softening just a fraction. "Remember, your survival here depends on how well you blend in, how well you become useful to Capo."

"Got it. So where's the man who brought me here?" I asked.

Did he just buy me and dump me here to be his personal toy?

"Do not speak of him. Don't think of him. And most of all, do not ask about him. Do you understand?"

"I mean, I was just trying to-"

"Have you learned nothing?" she snapped. "You'll get us both killed. I have a family. He kills everyone you've ever met when you cross him. So do what I tell you!"

"Trouble getting the new whore in line?"

The voice sliced through the room like ice.

A cold, blonde woman strode in, her mere presence sucking the warmth from the air. Her icy blue eyes settled on me with thinly veiled hatred.

"Ah, the new addition," she sneered. "Here to pay your debt, I presume?"

Debt?

I owed money, sure but not to people this rich.

"Nonna, I have a request," the woman said, her voice like velvet over knives.

"Of course, Signora. What would you like?" Maria responded quickly, fear flickering in her eyes.

"I want this girl to serve my lunch today. Let's see if she's as capable as you claim. You can thank me later. If she messes up in front of Adrian, well... we know how he gets, don't you agree?"

I watched her lips stretch in a sick smile and knew right there and then that I had just made my first enemy.