The Mafia’s Wanted Desires

ASHLEY.

“And that’s what I am talking about!” Dawn chirped, her energetic voice flowing through the speakers of my phone where I placed it on the surface of the glass compartment that was located in the middle of the vast closet.

I frowned at the red lingerie that I held up in the air before tossing it back into my drawer.

“What? No!” Dawn countered my actions.

“Pick it back and drop it into the box. NOW!” She ordered me, and I turned to the redhead, who was sprawled on a sofa, dressed in a black robe that was practically falling off her shoulders and revealing a generous part of her cleavage.

Her blue eyes were narrowed at me in slits.

“It’s too revealing!” I shot back at her with an eye roll.

“So?” She scoffed.

“It’s a honeymoon, bitch! You have to look hot for him. As in H-O-T!” She spelt it out boldly.

“I know,” I snorted.

“No, you don’t. If you do, you wouldn’t return that fine piece of seduction back to the drawer. You guys are travelling out of the country for an alone time. The guy is leaving all his businesses behind to be with you, so make it worth his while.” She elaborated, flipping her hair.

I chuckled.

“Have you met Arden?”

“That man finds me appealing in whatever it is I wear. I don’t have to impress him. He is already impressed.” I waved her off, scanning through my array of dresses, given I was still in my underwear and I needed something nice to wear!

And that was the reason I called her!

“Exactly! He finds you appealing in what you wear, so there’s no harm in driving him crazy, even more.” She shrugged, grinning.

“Fine,” I pulled the drawer open, grabbing the lingerie and dumped it into my box. She squealed afterwards.

“So, has he told you where he is taking you?” She grinned at me and I shook my head in response.

“No,” I pouted.NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

“He said that would ruin the surprise. I tried to get him to tell me but he is so stubborn.” I added, frowning. I snatched a skinny jeans from the rack, shrugging it on. I twirled in front of the camera, so she could see it.

“Girl, I love it. Pair it with a cute crop top.” She voiced out, expressing her admiration for the jeans.

My pink thin-strapped top followed afterwards and I knew that all I had to do was slay it with cute white sneakers. The outfit made me feel like a teenager again.

“Have you spoken to Ivana?” Dawn asked.

“The last time we spoke, she told me they were in Milan. Ugh, you should have seen her. She’s glowing.” I answered, zipping my box shut.

“Aw, you girls.”

“Going on honeymoon and all.” She cooed and my cheeks grew red.

“D, come over here!”

The masculine voice had me whipping my head towards Dawn direction so fast, in a way that I could feel a bone in my neck snap. My eyes widened in shock. I could have sworn I have heard that voice somewhere. It was so familiar.

“Dawn?” I called, demanding for an explanation with the arch of my brow.

She looked like a deer caught in headlight, biting her lower lip in embarrassment as she twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers.

And then, it clicked. The nickname was like the final piece of the puzzle. It was the guy from Ivana’s wedding. Matteo. The one she was yelling at.

“D!”

“I’ll be there in a second,” She hollered back at him and turned to me with a shy smile, shrugging.

“What?” She feigned innocence.

“Girl, spill!” My voice rose a notch, amusement evident in it.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” Dawn looked me in the eye and denied vehemently.

“Are you being serious right now?”

“Love you, babes. Have fun!” She chirped and hung up. I stared at the screen of my phone, dumbfounded. Memories of how she spoke to him at the party came resurfacing. She sounded like she genuinely didn’t want anything to do with and now, this…

I exhaled, deciding to trust her. If Dawn wants to keep it from me, right now, she has every right to. I just have to hope that she would open up to me whenever she feels she want to.

Once I was done doing a double-check, I grabbed my bag and wheeled my box out of the room. A gentle knock sounded at the door while I was busy rummaging my dresser.

“Come in,” I ushered in the person at the door. The creaking of the door got my attention, causing me to look towards the door.

My eyes landed on Zelda, who trudged in, her hands shoved in the back pocket of her ripped shorts that she paired with a large black sweater. Her hair was thrown in a messy bun with some strands of her hair sticking in several directions.

I stared at the bubbly twenty-year-old, whose eyes was void of the spark it normally held. All I could make out was an unending paleness that seemed to suck me in the more I peered at her. Her skin seemed to have lost its glow. Her face was covered in slight redness which I knew was the downsides of her crying every time.

Those violet orbs were lifeless and they rattled me to the core with their lifelessness. My heart broke for her.

“Zelda,” I muttered, dropping my things and walking towards her. She took a step backwards, rocking back and forth on her feet.

“Mr. Gray is waiting by the car outside. He told me to help you with your box.” I didn’t miss how dismissive her voice was but I didn’t hold it against her, not when she was hurting this much.

“Ze__”

“I heard what you did. You shouldn’t have. I told you not to hurt him. He doesn’t want me, that’s fine. I’ll deal with it. I didn’t ask you to hit him.” She frowned, her eyes brimming with tears.

I sighed.

“He hurt you, so he deserves it and if I get the chance to do it again. I wouldn’t hesitate. He’s a sick, manipulative bastard!” I didn’t mean to but I yelled out my last words, causing her to flinch, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Zelda, I am sorry.” I muttered in remorse, reaching out to touch her but she didn’t allow me.

“Don’t touch me.”

She was acting out.

“I’ll get the box downstairs myself. You can leave.” I told her, ignoring the way my eyes burned with unshed tears. It hurts to see her in so much pain and she still wouldn’t allow me help her. She peeled her eyes off me and left the room.

My shoulders slumped in defeat and I pushed my hair backwards, sighing softly. I procured my bag, stuffed my phone in it and wheeled my box out of the room. One of the guards took my box when I got to the door, pulling it open, so that I could step out.

Arden had his back turned towards me, the glow of the sun descending on his warm ivory skin. His arms were bare and open to my touch through the black sleeveless shirt he was wearing on matching black plants. He paired the simple outfit with pure white sneakers. Watching him, I could only ever come to one conclusion. I can never get tired of seeing him in casual clothings.

He chose that specific moment to spin around and my breath hitched at the sight of him. His green eyes were piercing, heavy with amusement as his eyes did a slow crawl on my body. I willed myself to move forward, my cheeks growing redder with each step I took towards him.

He slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer when I got to him and then, he planted a kiss on my lips.

“You look beautiful,” He whispered.

“You cleaned up nice.” I told him, running my hands up the length of his arms.

“Are you ready?’

“You are damn right I am.” I giggled. He let me out of his arms, pulling the car door open. He helped me into the passenger’s seat and shut the afterwards, then he got in through the other side.

He leaned over to my corner and fastened my seat belt, his eyes lingering on my cleavage in the process. I smacked his chest and he let out a breathy laughter, rolling off me and sliding into his seat.

“You still won’t tell me where we are going?” I pouted, giving him my best puppy eyes.

“That’d ruin the fun, Peach.” He smirked.

And with that, he fastened his seat belt and drove us out of the Villa.