I stepped outside the car, the cool night air hitting me like a slap in the face. My father, the infamous Mafia boss, Giovanni "the Ghost" Russo, had just left the country and I knew this was my chance to explore the world, especially considering the fact that all his guards were very busy. I knew I had to be here. To be seen, to be heard, and to prove myself.
As I walked into the dimly lit club, the sounds of jazz music and clinking glasses enveloped me. I scanned the room, my eyes adjusting to the low light. That's when I saw him – Luke, the rival Mafia boss, standing tall and brooding, a whiskey glass in his hand. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around us melted away. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and I knew I had to get out of there.
Luke's expression was intimidating but the look in his translucent green eyes felt like they could see right through me. I was... flattered. Luke's gaze was like a caress, sending a wave of heat through my body. I felt a flutter in my chest, and my cheeks flushed. What was happening to me?
I forced myself to look away, to breathe, and to remember who I was – Giovanni Russo's daughter. I wouldn't be intimidated by a rival, especially an inferior one. No matter how captivating he was.
As I made my way to the bar, I could feel Luke's eyes on me, piercing into my skin. I knew I had to be careful. Our families had been at war for years, and I was walking into enemy territory.
Suddenly, I came to realize the kind of predicament I was in. According to the Mafia law, Luke had every right to kill me on the spot. He could just pick a gun and blast a bullet through my skull. The thought of that made me shiver... but I couldn't act suspicious.
Then I remembered, Luke had never seen me before. He probably didn't even know who I was. I only recognized him from pictures I had seen in my father's so-called "bingo book". Yet, I was still afraid, even though he didn't know who I was, I still could not feel safe. After all, I was still a stranger in this corrupted environment.
I paused for a moment. I knew that I had to leave... I had to turn back. But a part of me, a reckless part, wanted to dance with the devil. Wanted to see what lay beyond the darkness of his eyes.
Immediately I approached the counter, the "hot devil" - Luke got a phone call. I watched him pick the call and have a conversation on the phone, although the place was a bit noisy so I couldn't hear what he was saying.
As I watched Luke, I began to get too comfortable, I leaned in and gazed at him softly and carefully, unconscious that I was doing such.
"Hey miss, are you gonna order something or what?" I turned to see the bar attendant barking at me. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'll have a coffee" I replied, my attention still fixed on Luke.
"Where do you think you are? A café? If you won't have some beer then find your way out", the bar attendant said to me in an aggressive tone.
Immediately, my attention shifted from Luke to the little puppy who was barking at a lioness. Did this guy know who my father was? No... of course he didn't. No one in the area dared to test Mr. Russo.
I wanted to confront but announcing myself as a Mafia's daughter in that environment was foolish and unsafe, especially since I was alone. I decided to let it slide.
As I turned to exit the bar, I saw that Luke was no longer in the bar... he had left.
"Why was he staring at me that way when I first entered the bar?... had he seen me before?... did he know who I was?... All these questions flooded my head as I made my way to exit the bar.
As I swung open the tinted glass doors, still wavering in thought, I heard a very familiar voice. "Principessa (an Italian term for princess), what are you doing here?
I lifted my head and discovered that my father's right-hand man, Marco, had followed me. Marco was a very loyal man; he swore loyalty to my father but the only way he could prove his loyalty to father was for him to take care of me.
"This place is dangerous... you should be at home" Marco said to me in a cautioning tone. "Oh, Marco, I'm sorry I just stepped out to get some fresh air and found myself here. I'm okay though no need to worry." My solid words gave Marco the assurance that I was okay.
"C'mon, let's go" Marco ordered.
As I exited the bar, I couldn't help but remember Luke and his intense gaze, what did he want from me?... would I ever see him again?. I sure hope we'd run into each other sooner or later.
My name is Aria Russo, and this is the story of how I fell in love with my family's sworn enemy. This is the story... of my forbidden love.