TRUE DESIRE : A MAFIA LOVE STORY

"Yet another tranquil afternoon slips away as I gaze out of my window, my mind filled with wistful thoughts. I can only envision the warm caress of the sun on my fair complexion and the gentle touch of the ocean breeze tousling my hair. My desires were indeed extravagant, but deep down, I knew they were futile longings. Even the simple act of taking a leisurely mid-afternoon summer stroll had become an unattainable dream.

Ever since my 17th birthday, I've been confined within the walls of this ivory tower, a stark contrast to the freedom I once enjoyed. Prior to that fateful day, life was vibrant and unrestricted. I attended school daily, cherished a close-knit circle of friends, and revelled in spontaneous outings to the movies and parties. There were no bodyguards shadowing my every move, no authority figures to answer to, and, most importantly, no confinement to my room that lasted until my 22nd birthday.

However, those days are now a distant memory. My fate was sealed on my 17th birthday, precisely on March 6th, when I was irrevocably tied to the Gustavo family. I had transformed from a carefree individual into a burden, subject to the stringent control of this infamous clan. I was prohibited from venturing anywhere without their explicit consent, and in the process, I had to bid farewell to my friends, the idyllic walks through the countryside, the joyous gatherings, and the cinematic adventures. In essence, I had to bid farewell to my former life."

"Bianca! Join us for lunch." My mother's voice resonated through the intercom system.

The only moments I got to interact with my family occurred during meal times. I was confined to my room, allowed to emerge only for the three square meals of the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even my parents were forbidden from entering my quarters. We lived by the strict orders imposed by the formidable Gustavo family. As a small concession to my isolation, they had equipped my room with a PA system that connected to the kitchen, facilitating communication between my family and me.

Then, unexpectedly, I heard the mechanical click of my door being unlocked. Another 'gift' courtesy of the Gustavo family was a ten-bolted door that could only be locked from the outside with a specialised code and key. Escape was an impossible fantasy, a notion I had long given up on.

Mason, my assigned guard, made his entrance. He was not only my protector but also my sole source of companionship since I had severed ties with all my former friends. Mason possessed a gentle spirit, a stark contrast to the harsh world he inhabited.

"Come on, princess, it's time to eat!" he chuckled warmly. With Mason quietly shadowing me, I descended the seemingly endless spiral staircase that led to the kitchen.

"My life was once normal. I lived with my family in Milan, Italy. My dad had a successful importing and exporting business, and my mom ran a bakery in the city. We had simple lives. But things changed two nights before my birthday.

My dad got a call from the Gustavo family, asking him to go to Genoa, a small city near Italy's border. That's where they kept their most important stuff. We thought they wanted to work with my dad's business, and he was happy about it. But it turned out to be something very different.

The Gustavo family reminded my dad about an old family tradition. A long time ago, one of my ancestors agreed that the fifth girl born in our family would marry the son of the future Gustavo family leader. So, I was supposed to marry the biggest mafia leader in Europe. My dad couldn't believe it. He never knew about this tradition when he was growing up. Girls were rare in our family, so it was a big deal that I was the fifth one."

"Among all the generations and families that have come before me, it was my fate to be chosen for a life of captivity.

When I finally reached the kitchen, a hushed air of anticipation enveloped my mother, father, and younger brother, who were seated at the table. Mason, after conducting his customary sweep of the kitchen, discreetly signalled that it was safe for me to hug and join my family.

"Oh, sweetheart, it feels like you've grown leaps and bounds since breakfast!" Mama exclaimed, her hands gently squeezing my cheeks.

"Come now, Mama, it's only been a few hours," I chuckled as I embraced my father and then Gilberto, my younger brother.

We savoured our meal leisurely, knowing that I wouldn't see them again until dinner. These moments in the kitchen were precious-a chance for me to reconnect with my family.

"So, how was everyone's morning?" I inquired, eager to catch up with their day's events.

"Your mother and I decided to stay home because our businesses were running smoothly without our direct involvement, giving us the opportunity to focus on some much-needed house renovations." Father spoke in a gentle tone, his words carrying an undertone of sadness.

"I just got back from school. Daniella and Selena wanted me to pass along their heartfelt messages; they miss you terribly," I said, choking back the tears that welled up at the mere mention of my best friends' names. Their absence in my life was a constant ache, a reminder of the isolation I endured. Even family members weren't allowed to visit.

"Tell them I love them, and I hope to see them again soon," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty. The reality was that none of us knew what lay ahead for me after my 22nd birthday. My father had been left in the dark after receiving the life-altering news. All we understood was that as soon as the sun dawned on March 4th, the Gustavo family would come for me. I had only recently celebrated my 21st birthday, and with a mere six months left on my countdown, the weight of impending change hung heavily over me.

Eventually, lunch had to end. There was nothing else to eat and nothing else to say. I hugged each person before Mason escorted back into my dungeon...I mean bedroom.

"I snuck another one of those romcoms to keep you company for a few days. I don't know how you can watch those." Mason muttered as I entered the room.

I giggled as I found the stash of movies he snuck under my sheets.

"What girl doesn't love a good love story and some jokes on the side?"

"Hmm horror is where it's at but it's your life."

"Oh, whatever Mason. Leave me be with my beautiful romcoms." He smiled at me before closing the door and locking it shut.

Looks like it's just me and Little Scarlet for the next 4-5 hours.

Today has arrived – the day I've anticipated throughout my entire existence. It's the very purpose for which I was brought into this world, the calling that has defined my very existence. My father, the longstanding leader of the formidable Gustavo family, is finally relinquishing his throne after an impressive reign spanning 32 years. The torch is being passed to me, his firstborn and only son, and I stand ready to shoulder this immense responsibility.

In the quiet hours before dawn, I awoke, a surge of determination coursing through my veins as I readied myself for this momentous occasion. My tailored suit had been meticulously pressed and crisply ironed, a reflection of the attention to detail I intended to bring to my leadership. I indulged in a lengthy, contemplative shower, ensuring that my appearance was impeccable, as it always was. My aim was clear: to convey to not only my father but also the loyal men who had served under his command that I aspired to surpass his legacy.

Today, I was poised to assert my dominance."

The immediate family gathered in my father's office downstairs. His office is large enough to fit my grandparents and our closest business associates. I was the last to enter the office. My father sat in his large leather chair behind his desk, sipping on his bourbon, while my mother stood strongly behind him, smiling at all the guests.

All eyes turned to me as I closed the two oak doors behind me.

"Son, you have finally graced us with your presence." My father seems to be in a happy mood. He is finally able to retire and spend time with my mother, something I know he has wanted to do for a long time.

That was a concept I could never understand.

"Perfection takes time to achieve, father, but I'm here now." A small wave of laughter coursed through the room. No matter what situation I was in, I could always manipulate a room to my advantage.

"Are you ready for this, son? You know, once we start, there is no going back. You will be the leader of the Gustavo clan until you have a son." My father warned me one final time. He knew that I didn't really have a choice in the matter, but he still wanted me to know that I was signing my life away too.

This life isn't for everybody. This life is for the heartless and the cruel. There is no time for feelings or emotions other than arrogance and anger. There is no time for love or affection, just simple flings here and there. There is no time for friendships and relationships. Work, money, and power were the only things that mattered. I had to learn the hard way. My father prepared me for this life for a long time. There was a time when I thought I could love and maybe be happy with someone away from this life. I learned the hard way that those dreams weren't meant for me.

Now, this cruel, cutthroat business is all I know. The only thing I craved I am more than ready to give up my life of playboys and childhood games. I am ready to show the world what type of man Albertini Gustavo really was.

Father, I accept and embrace the role as the new leader of the Gustavo clan."

"Okay, let us begin."

The ceremony consists of many things. A long and tedious tradition before I can take my title as a leader. First, I was blessed by our priest, Father Andrew. He prayed for a long life of health, wealth, and protection in my favour. After was the recitation of the old commandments of the mafia group. My ancestor created a commandment that each potential ruler must read and recite before taking the position. This swears their loyalty not only to the Gustavo family but to the people we serve.

"Please recite the commands, Albert," My father requested.

"I, Gustavo Albertini, giuro la mia vita alla famiglia Gustavo. Prometto di condurci alla ricchezza e al potere. Prometto di proteggere i miei uomini e la mia famiglia ad ogni costo. Prometto di essere un uomo con la moglie e i miei futuri figli. Porter fortuna al mio popolo. Nessun uomo dovrebbe soffrire la fame sul mio orologio. Se fallisco, la mia vita sarà nelle mani del signore e della mia famiglia. Io onoro e rispetto il nome vincenzo e lo protegger per il giorno in cui morir."

{"I, Alertini Gustavo, swear my life to the Gustavo family. I promise to lead us to wealth and power. I promise to protect my men and my family at any cost. I promise to be a man with my wife and my future children. I will bring luck to my people. No man should be hungry on my watch. If I fail, my life will be in the hands of the Lord and my family. I honour and respect the name Gustavo and protect him for the day I die"

After the recitation, my father poured me a glass of his strongest and oldest bourbon. Before handing me the glass, Martin, our personal tattoo artist, sat me down on the chair in front of my father's desk and commanded me to take off my shirt. The final stage of my initiation was a tattoo of the Gustavo crescent on my back. It was a lion holding the crest of everything the Gustav Zaottio family stands for.

It was a lion holding the crest of everything the Gustavo family stands for. After hours of excruciating pain, the job was complete. My back was covered in the beautiful ink of my family's crest. As I put my shirt back on, I stared into the eyes of my parents that stood before me. I've never seen them so proud of me. My father passed the drink to me and bowed his head in respect. One by one, everyone in the room bowed their heads, waiting for me to chug the drink. I finished the drink in one hastily taken gulp and slammed the glass on the desk.

"I hereby give my son, Albertini Gustavo, the crown of the Gustavo clan. You are now our new leader. Congratulations son." Sudden cheers and claps surrounded the room as everyone stepped towards me to show me their respect and gratitude.

"Oh, my dear boy! You're all grown up." My mother was one of the first to congratulate me. Crushing me in one of her embarrassingly strong hugs. For a 5'4 woman who only weighs 130, she's a strong one.

My father was next, patting me on the back and giving me a proud smile. A look I will cherish for the rest of my days.

It was a party from then on. My mother moved everyone to the main lobby for drinks and food as more family came to celebrate. Suddenly, the mansion was filled with hundreds of family members, friends, associates, and workers from all over Italy. It was quite a sight to see.

I made sure I went around to meet every person in the room before finding comfort in a private lounge with a few models that my mother invited. They were a beautiful young, gorgeous woman just waiting to show special gratitude for my big day. This is the life I will never get tired of. Beautiful models day by day showering me with sex and affection. What more can a man want?

"Ouu Albertini, I am so proud that you became the leader today. Such a strong man," Pamela, one of my favourite companions, purred seductively in my ear. Out of all my conquests, she was definitely the wildest.

"Oh, Pam. You knew sooner or later I was going to own Italy." I purred back. Right before I leaned in for a glorious kiss, my father walked in.

Father, I am a bit busy at the moment," I growled. This man always knew how to ruin a moment.

"I can see that, and I don't care. I want to talk to you alone." With that, the women scattered out of the room like mice.

"What father?"

"What do you think you're doing? You're a leader now. Do you not know what that means?"

"Father I am single and young! What do you want from me?"

"Oh, on the contrary, You are far from single!"

I jumped out of my seat at his comment. What did he do?

"Father explain!"

"Don't tell me you forgot about the pact we made with the Zanotti family years ago. The only pact that has lasted almost 100 years"

"Father clearly I don't know the fucking pact! CAN YOU JUST TELL ME ALREADY!"

"Well, son, the pact where you have too wed the 5th daughter in the Zanotti family on her 22nd birthday. Which means you only have a few months to get your life in order before she is brought here."

EXCUSE ME?! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT?!

Albert's POV

After the shocking revelation my father sprung on me during the most pivotal moment of my life, I needed some time away from the family estate. The weight of his decision was almost unbearable. So, I arranged for Pamela and me to escape on the family's private jet and head to Spain for an impromptu weekend retreat at my luxurious and exclusive vacation home.

How could my father possibly assume that I would willingly embrace marriage? I was born to be a bon vivant-a man who savoured the company of a different woman each week. I practically held the title of Italy's foremost heartthrob; no woman could resist my magnetic allure. He moulded me into this persona, crafting me into the playboy whom every man envied and every woman longed for. He conditioned me to believe that a life of love and tranquilly was unattainable, forcing me to relinquish any hope of it. And now he expects me to simply discard that past because of some destiny I had no hand in shaping?

"Bianca, she's most likely some attention-seeking Sicilian, pretending to be a princess, fake through and through! Why on earth would I entertain the idea of having someone like her as my bride? If I were to choose a partner, it would undoubtedly be my longtime companion, Pamela. She exudes an air of sensuality and pleasure in every move she makes. She's like a walking embodiment of desire, a dream of passion come to life. Not a single man can resist her allure, and yet, she has chosen me. With Pamela, it all makes perfect sense; we share a natural compatibility in the realm of intimacy, and she understands how to yield to my desires. But the thought of having to train a completely new woman to fulfill my wishes is certainly not part of my plans."

In the expanded version, we provide a more detailed description of Pamela and emphasize the narrator's preference for her, as well as his reluctance to consider any other potential bride.

I returned to Genoa only after a few days of my 'vacation'. Whenever I had to escape, my first place was Spain, our vacation home. No matter how bad life was going, nothing could fix my mood better than the Spanish atmosphere. I had a history with Spain. The happiest and saddest moments of my youth were in Spain. That's the reason why I had my parents build a vacation home here. This was the first time the Latin culture couldn't relieve my anxiety. I had a beautiful and very naked Pamela parading around the villa, music surrounding the home, and even the finest chef cooking food you could only dream about, yet my mind was on edge the entire time!

Father made a blood oath that I cannot break. He signed away my future to a woman who could be repulsive and vile. I finally came to terms with the fact that my playboy days might need to be pushed aside for a while until I can find a way to undo this mess. Yet, the only way to know how much of a mess I am truly in is to find my bride and demand that she come live in her new hell.

Ah, Son, back so soon?" My father's voice radiated throughout the estate as he marched down the grand staircase.

"Trust me, I don't want to be back, but I have business to handle." I dropped my luggage at the front door as I headed straight to my father's office.

"I need the name of my bride and the address of my bride."

"Why?" the father questioned.

"I want her brought now. I don't have time to wait a year. Tell me so I can go collect her."

Father spun back quickly to look at me. He wasn't pleased with my confession. The deal our ancestors made was that I had to wait until she was 22. It is the perfect fertile age for the woman, and she is old enough to understand and accept her responsibility as a Mafia Wife. Bianca only turned 21 two months ago. She must still have the mind of a child and is probably nowhere near ready to be a Mafia wife, which is what I'm counting on. If she fails, my father forces her to renounce the blood oath; she disappears, and I go back to my lavish single lifestyle.

"No, she must be 22. I told her family that she would be picked up a day after her 22nd birthday. Why do you want her so badly anyway? I thought you couldn't stand the idea of marriage?" My father knew me well. If I was scheming, there was a good chance he would find out about it. We think alike, so it was always harder to convince my father of anything.

"I want to get this over with. I refuse to wait. If you won't tell me, I will find out myself. If I don't get her here, I'll go back to my old ways, father. You know I am not afraid to break some stupid oath our ancestors made years ago."

My father glared at me. He hated whenever I would threaten our family name, so I would get my way because he knew I wasn't bluffing. I never really cared about my image, so if I had to act out to get my way, I would.

"You're making a big mistake, son," the father spoke out as he went to his desk. In a locked, hidden compartment behind the drawer of his desk, he hid a locked box safe containing all the information about Bianca and her family. All I needed was her address.

He casually tossed the box and its accompanying key in my direction before abruptly turning his back on me. It was a bold move on my part, challenging my father for information. Despite my newfound role as the leader, he would forever occupy a higher pedestal in the eyes of many. He commanded respect from people far and wide, a sentiment I too held deeply. Yet, alongside that respect for him, I harbored an equally profound respect for myself. In my world, self-preservation always took precedence. I was willing to go to great lengths to thwart anyone or anything that dared to impose control over my way of life.

In the expanded version, we delve deeper into the protagonist's complex relationship with their father and the importance of maintaining their personal autonomy.

I left his office and went straight to mine. There I called upon my men and the maids for a meeting. Once everyone had gathered, I began my speech.

"Listen well because I don't like to repeat myself. My future wife will be coming to the estate sooner than planned. So, ladies, I will need you to prepare a room for her, preferably closer to my chambers. She will need clothes, shoes, and other intimates. A list has been drawn up of everything that she can possibly need. I need it all here in 3 days. Don't disappoint me." I handed the head maid, Anabella, the list of all the items and watched as the maids followed her out of my office.

"Men, as you know, I am going off schedule. I don't have time to wait for this girl, so I am going to claim what is apparently mine. We leave by nightfall tonight for Milan, where she resides. I want her brought back in one piece, which should be no issue. Pack and prepare; I expect everyone down by the front gates by 6 p.m. Capisce?"

My henchmen nodded and dispersed from the room. I turned to look at the now-unlocked box on my desk. Everything about her lineage is found in this box. All I cared about was her current address and a picture. Surprisingly, there wasn't a photo of Bianca, just a picture of a tall tower home and her address. I guess this is where my father kept her locked up for so long.

Don't worry, my sweet, sweet Rapunzel. I will break you out of your tower soon enough.