Mafia's obsession; the beauty and the don

The dim light from the cracked window fell across Arianna's face, casting long, jagged shadow. the room was silent, save for the faint, irregular breath of mother, who lay unconscious in the bed beside her, every inhale sounded like it might be her last, and each time arianna 's gaze flicked toward her. she couldn't shake the sensation that time was running out

Her finger tightened around the prescription bottle in her hand. the pills inside were almost gone, and the money to refill them was now where to be found . Neither was the rent or the overdue bills.

Her phone buzzed on the table an anonymous number, she hesitated before unlocking it .

"job available tonight, Exclusive club. No questions asked, Dress appropriately".

Arianna 's stomach tightened ,she knew the kind of place the message hinted at the dangerous ,dark, a word she 'd never dared to enter .but there was no choice . her mother's illness had drained what little saving they had left. the weight of their circumstance pressed down on arianna's chest , a constant reminder that her life had become a series of compromises .tonight would be no different .

She glanced at her mother again Her heart heavy with the unspoken promises that she would do whatever it took.Even if it means selling whatever remained of her dignity.

The club was a universe away from the cold , grim apartment . as soon as arianna stepped through the heavy doors the noise hit her the low hum of laugher, the clinck of glasses ,and the sharp thrum of bass that seemed to shake they very air . the light were dim, but the red glow of neon seeped from every corner, casting the room in an eerie, seductive hue.

She followed the hostess through narrow corridors, her heels tapping against the sleek floors, in the dressing room, other women were already preparing, adjusting their outfits, applying makeup, rehearing their routines. Arianna kept to herself, drawing a deep breath as she unzipped the beg she came with and pulled out the dress, a figure-hugging number that barely covered more than the essentials. The fabric clung to her skin, too revealing, but it was the uniform here. And there was no room for hesitation.

The backstage area was a blur of flashing lights and muted voices, arianna's heart raced fasted as the music begun, the beat reverberating through the floor settling deep within her chest. She stopped onto the stage, each movement fluid, instinctual, a dance she didn't know she had within her. It wasn't provocative at least not in the way she feared. It was sensual, controlled, a show rhythm that felt more like a plea than an invitation.

And then she felt it.

A presence in the shadows, her pulse quickened, and her gaze darted to the edge of the stage, where he stood unseen by the others but not by her. His eyes were fixed on her, dark and intense, a magnetic force that seemed to pull her toward him even from the distance.

He was dressed in black, a silhouette against the dim glow of the club, his posture commanding, still, as though the room itself bent to his will. She couldn't tell who he was not from this distance but it didn't matter. The weight of his stare was enough to make her heart skip.

She kept dancing, focusing on the rhythm, but the sensation of his eyes on her never faded.

She knew he was watching, studying her with an intensity that unnerved her. And yet, there was something in the way he held her gaze that was almost...... possessive.

Arianna didn't know it yet, but this man the stranger in the shadows was the beginning of everything. Her world was about to shift in ways she couldn't imagine, and he was going to be the one to make sure she never had a chance to look back.

From his glass walled booth above club rosso, matteo De Luca watched her again.

Night after night, she took to the stage like it was her battlefield no seduction, no pretense. Just movement, emotion, a storm in silk. She was fire wrapped in vulnerability, and it made his blood run hot.

He had seen a thousand dancers, bought a hundred more. But none had carved themselves like she was bleeding, and he wanted to know why.

"Get me her file", he told leo, his consigliere, without taking his eyes off her.

Leo didn't argue, within hours, Matteo had it all every broken piece of her life printed on cold paper.

No father listed, mother sick, no saving, multiple late rent notices also working three jobs before this, nothing criminal or suspicious. Just pure desperation wrapped in beauty.

"she doesn't belong in this world," Leo muttered.

Matteo disagreed.

"she belongs to me"

Arianna wiped sweat from her brow, legs sore from dancing and feet raw from cheap heels. The club was quieter now, the show over, the real business happening behind velvet doors. She didn't ask what the business was because she doesn't care to know about it.

But fate has another thing kept for her, when she passed the bar, she saw the new girl, Sofia, cornered by a drunk client. His hand gripped her arm, his words slurred and ugly.

The scene was uncomfortable for her that she didn't think twice before marching over, grabbed the man's wrist. "she shouted stopped" the man turned, eyes bloodshot. "who the hell are you?"

I'm someone who doesn't care how much money you spent tonight.

He sneered, raising his hand-

But was stopped by Metteo's presence

The room stilled

His hand wrapped around the drunk's wrist like a vice. "leave"

"but...."

Matteo stepped closer, his voice dropped an octave, dark and deadly. "before I decorate the floor with your blood and teeth."

The man stumbled back, muttering curses as he vanished into the night.

Arianna stared at matteo, stunned.

"you didn't have to do that-

I did," he cut in, eyed fixed on hers. You showed fire. I protect what's mine baby girl"

She blinked, "I'm not....."

He stepped closer, the smell of danger clung to him like expensive cologne. "yes that's true but soon you will arianna"

He turned, disappearing into the shadows like a ghost. But the heat he left behind clung to her skin.

Who is this man? How on earth did he know my name?

And high above the club, as the lights dimmed and the music died, Metteo De Luca made a silent promise that "she will be his"

Whether she accept it or not!!!

She is my woman.

The moment she stepped into the sleek, dark office, the air seemed to shift, heavy with a quiet, and heavy tension. She didn't asked for this meeting and didn't know why she was summoned also certainly didn't know who the hell is the man behind the desk.

Her eyes flickered over the room from the mahogany desk to the artwork on the work and to the chair where he was sitting, his eyes met with hers sharp as a predator.

"you must be... His voice was smooth but there was a cold authority behind it that sent chill up her spine.

"I'm sure you know why you are here"

She stood still thought runs through her mind " I don't know you how then would I know why I was summoned" she said firmly keeping her tone even. And we are strangers.

He leaned back in his chair casually as if the power of the world was his to command, and mostly he enjoyed watching squirm.

"you're not just anyone, though I have been watching you, miss...

"not interested in anything sir and you have the wrong girl, I sure that we don't have anything in common or anything I can offer!!

A moment passed in silence tension building between them. His gaze never left her, his eye darkening then he pulled a file from his desk and placed it in front of her. "lets make a deal, and your mother's hospital bills will be paid, I mean all of them. But in exchange I need something from you, a little favor"

She eyed him warily, skepticism sharpening her words. " what could you possibly need from a poor and low life me?

He smiled, " Nothing complicated" just a little ... hmm personal waitress service. It won't take much only a few nights a week, and I will make sure your mother's debts are nothing but a past".

The offer hung in the air, tempting in it's simplicity yet something in his words, the way his eyes darkened made her instinctively take a step back. "I'm not your servant".

His smirk widened unfazed by her rejection but surprised because every lady will be happy to take the offer but not this one, her rejection made believe he has made the right decision about her been his woman.

"We'll see, won't we?

She turned, walking towards the door refusing to give in, but his voice stooped her half way out.

"you might walk away now but the game has just begun, little bird and trust me ... you'll be back darling".

She didn't turn but murmured in her heart " I hate when he calls me that, who do he thinks he is My God or what? But as she stepped into the hallway, her heartbeat quickened and a strange sense of unease creeping in.

Metteo has made his move and though she isn't aware yet but she is already tangled in his web.