Mafia's Obsession

• XIV •

The next day dawned like any other for Sophia. She woke up early, the sunlight filtering through her curtains, signaling the start of a new day. She dressed quickly and headed to her cafe, ready for another busy day of serving customers and managing her business.
As she worked, her mind kept drifting back to her dinner with Luciano. His presence was impossible to forget—the way he commanded attention, the mystery that surrounded him, and the undeniable attraction she felt towards him. Even as she served Antony his usual two coffees to-go, her thoughts were miles away.
"Thanks, Sophia," Antony said with a smile, taking the cups from her.
"You're welcome, Antony. Have a good day!" she replied, her voice cheerful but her mind still preoccupied.
The day went on, and Sophia continued serving customers, baking fresh pastries, and managing the cafe's operations. Despite the bustle around her, Luciano's image remained firmly planted in her thoughts. She found herself hoping he might walk through the door, surprising her with his unexpected presence.
Days turned into weeks, and the routine continued. Sophia couldn't shake off the memory of Luciano. She found herself looking at the door every time it opened, her heart skipping a beat with the hope that it might be him. But he never came.
Two weeks later, Sophia had another smooth day at the cafe. She implemented new changes, improved the menu, and made the place more welcoming for her customers. At the end of the day, she closed the cafe, feeling a sense of accomplishment but also a lingering sense of longing.
Back home, she went upstairs, freshened up, and took a relaxing shower. The warm water washed away the fatigue of the day, but it couldn't cleanse her mind of thoughts about Luciano. She dressed in comfortable clothes and went downstairs to join her family for dinner.
The dining table was set, and the servants were already serving food. Her family gathered around, ready for their evening meal.
"How's the cafe doing, Sophia?" her mother asked, her eyes filled with pride.
"It's going well, Mom. I've made a lot of new changes and improvements. The customers seem to love it," Sophia replied with a smile, feeling a sense of satisfaction in her achievements.
"That's wonderful, dear," her mother said, patting her hand.
As they continued eating, Sophia's thoughts drifted to her brother, Raiden. "When is Raiden coming back from London?" she asked, looking at her father.
"He should be back in a couple of months. It's currently a busy season for him," her father replied.
"I can't wait till he's back. It's been more than a year now," Sophia said, a hint of longing in her voice.
Her father nodded, then shifted the conversation. "Speaking of London, my best friend Langton and his son arrived from London last night. They're staying at the Richmond Hotel," he said. "Sophia, I'm not sure if you remember his son Dan. You guys met a couple of times when you were small."
Sophia tried to recall, but nothing came to mind. "I'm not sure, Dad. I don't think I remember him."
"Well, he's grown up now and doing very well for himself. He's taken over his father's company and is quite successful. Langton mentioned he's looking to settle down," her father continued, his tone suggestive.
Sophia's interest piqued slightly, but she remained cautious. "That's nice. I hope he finds what he's looking for."
Her father paused, then added, "Well, me and Langton were thinking of setting you both up for a date perhaps?"
"Dad, no," Sophia said, shaking her head.
"Sophia, I just thought since he's a good man and we know them closely, why not a date?" her father insisted.
Sophia sighed, feeling cornered. "Dad, I just don't think it's a good idea. Besides, I'm not really looking to date right now. I want to focus on my cafe and possibly open more."
Her mother chimed in with a knowing smile. "I think I know why you don't want to. Is it because of that date you had a few weeks ago? Are you seeing someone?" she asked excitedly.
"No, no, that was just a meet with a friend," Sophia replied quickly, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks.
"What date?" her father asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It was just a dinner with a friend, Dad. That's all it was," Sophia clarified.
"In that case, why don't you go on a date with Dan? It'll give you a chance to get to know him better. If you're not interested, then that's fine," her father suggested.
"Um, I..." Sophia hesitated, feeling trapped.
"Unless you are already seeing someone?"
"No I'm not" Sophia replies quickly. "Alright, okay. I'll go on a date with him, but please, no more fixing me up with anyone," she reluctantly agreed.
"Perfect," her father said, looking pleased. Her mother beamed with excitement.
"You're gonna love him! He's very charming," her mother added.
Sophia forced a smile, thinking to herself, "I don't know what I've gotten myself into."
As the dinner conversation continued, Sophia couldn't help but wonder how her life had become so complicated. Thoughts of Luciano, her family's expectations, and the looming date with Dan all swirled in her mind, making her feel more unsettled than ever.