Dark Romance | Mafia

Chapter Two

Stella's POV:

I was crying in the corner, as I always do whenever I miss my mother. But no one ever asks me why I'm crying or what happened to me. They don't understand that I also have a heart in my chest that beats. I lost my mother when I was just four years old, and I don't know what a mother's love is, I don't remember her.

When I see my stepmother's love for my sister, I miss my mother so much. My stepmother is always attentive and caring towards my sister, giving her hugs and comforting her when she's upset. I can't help but think that if my mother were here, she would have loved me the same way, and I wouldn't feel this pain.

After my mother's death, my father remarried, and that day changed my fate. My father also became distant from me. Now he doesn't love me, he only loves my stepsister. He spends all his time with her, he has always celebrated her achievements and birthdays, taking her to dinners and shopping trips. I am left to watch from the sidelines, feeling invisible and unimportant.

I always get the things my stepsister gets bored of. If she outgrows a toy or no longer likes a piece of clothing, it becomes mine. It's like I'm living on her leftovers, and it makes me feel like I'm not worth new things or special attention.

This is my life, and this is my fate, which will never change and always remain the same. The pain of missing my mother and feeling unloved by my father and stepmother is a constant ache in my heart, and I don't know if it will ever go away.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. I cried and cried, over and over again, until sleep showered its mercy on me and took me into its calm embrace.

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"Stella!"

"Huh?!"

Scarlett glared at me placing her hands on her waist.

"I have called you 50th time."

She rolled her eyes. I was too lost in my thoughts, that I didn't realise when she called me.

"Sorry, I just zoned out. What were you saying?"

She rolled her eyes once again. I just hate this habbit of her. You will always find her rolling eyes.

"I just so hate this habbit of yours."

I spoke my thoughts aloud and shook my head.

"Babe, I hate your whole existence."

She slapped me on the back of my head and ran away, making me shoot a glare her way.

"What were you saying?"

I yelled at her, as I couldn't go to her. I was busy with the decorations. Yes, decorations, because some billionaire decided to throw his kid's birthday party here. Me and the team of decorators were responsible to manage everything.

"Nothing, was just gushing over a handsome hunk from yesterday."

She grinned cheekily.

"Mr. Romano?"

I asked, my mouth wide open in shock. How can she gush over that creepy creature.

"No girl, the one that was on the right of him. I did my share of search on them."

Her wolfish grin made me look at her in shock.

"You did what?"

My mouth agap.

"I did a research on them."

With dreamy eyes, she continued.

"The one in the middle was Alessio Romano, hot shot and young billionaire in the Italy. He owns Romano Enterprises. The one on his left was Xavier Knight, boss man of Knight groups. Last but not least, the third and the man of my dreams was Jason Parker. He is the owner of Innovations. Xavier and Jason are friends of Alessio, and they all run multi-billion companies. Oh God, I wish I could have life like them."

She explained dreamily. The way she told about Jason Parker, it was clear that she had gotten whipped. But my sole focus was on Alessio Romano. That creepy creature who kept giving me cold stares yesterday.

"Now, where the hell are you lost again? I am so done with this girl."

She slapped her forehead, shaking her head and went away, muttering some beautiful curses only for me.

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"They are about to come, hurry up."

I announced when I got the message from the manager that they are on their way. Our cafe is not a short one, it is the most famous cafe of Italy, so it is common that many rich brats celebrate their birthdays and other occasions here.

"Sam! What the fudge are you doing?"

I yelled at him, throwing daggers through my eyes.

"I am trying to fix the fairylights, sunshine."

He replied from the top of the stool. I shook my head at his childishness.

"On yourself?"

"I just got entangled, now shut up and help me."

I laughed a little at the gorgeous man in front of me, wrapped up in the fairy lights. Yes, Sam was a handsome man. He was tall-built, with raven eyes and hair. He came down from stool, still trying to get free from lights. His constant efforts lead to his foot slipping, and he stumbled down with the lights. I caught his arm on time preventing the fall, but all the fairy lights fell on me, too. I growned and he grinned sheepishly.

"I hate you, Sam."

He laughed even more.

"No time to recite the verses for me. Focus on getting out."

I pushed him a little in response. We were trying to remove the lights from each other. Sam accidentally pulled my hair, making me wince.

"Ouch! What the hell, you jerk!"

"My bad."

He pouted, making me laugh as I slapped his arm. We were laughing, bickering, and removing lights from each other as it was difficult to remove our own.

Our heads snapped towards the door on hearing someone clearing their throat.

There, in all his glory, stood the famous Alessio Romano. His grey eyes seemed like big blocks as he stared at us. His gaze moved from my hand, which was on Sam's shoulder, to the lights we were tangled in, bringing our bodies close, and finally to Sam's hand, which was on my waist.

His eyes had a cold, piercing look as they traveled back to meet mine. It felt as if they were scrutinizing every detail, leaving a chill in their wake. The intensity of his gaze left me vulnerable.

"You bitches!"

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Until then......