They reached home.
“Hey, little girl. How was day one?” Ivano asked as she stepped inside.
“Too good,” she beamed.
“Glad to hear,” he replied. “But Felix, don’t we have a meeting?”
“Right,” Felix nodded. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll tell you both the rest when you're back!” Ishana called out.
“ok,” Ivano said with a smile as they headed out.
📱 Meanwhile….
Ishana entered her room and tossed her bag on the bed. Her phone was lighting up with dozens of notifications.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
She unlocked it.
Luke My Crush Group: 38 New Messages
Photos & videos from today’s performance uploaded.
She sighed, dropped the phone on her desk, and left the room.
💼 The Business Meeting
Lara Hazel was already at the lounge table when Ivano walked in.
“Lara,” he greeted with a nod.
“Ivano, right?”
“Yes. This is Felix—my associate—and Mack, our chief of security.”
Lara shook hands politely. But Mack’s eyes lingered a bit longer than necessary.
“Hey, Mack,” Felix nudged. “You good?”
“What?” Mack blinked. “Oh—yeah.”
Lara raised an eyebrow.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Mack replied casually. “Just thought I recognized you. First time we met—you were drunk and in a full-on brawl at the bar, remember?”
Lara’s face went red.
“Oh no… I didn’t forget. Unfortunately.”
Her eyes accidentally met Ivano’s, and suddenly she remembered telling him—boldly—that he was handsome.
Before anything more awkward could surface, Carlo entered.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he said, walking straight to Lara.
“You’re late,” she said coldly.
“Let’s just start.”
The meeting began—tense, sharp, and focused. Strategies, funding, timelines. It was business in its rawest form.
🌙 After the Meeting…
As everyone stood to leave, Lara lingered.
“Lara? You okay?” Carlo asked.
“Yeah… waiting for someone.”
Just then, Felix walked over.
“You left this,” he said, handing her the purse she forgot at the bar.
“Oh! Thank you.”
Ivano and Mack joined them again. Carlo, seeing the group, offered politely:
“Need a lift?”
“No thanks,” she said curtly. “I’m waiting for my brother.”
Carlo raised his eyebrows but left.
Ivano turned to her.
“Miss Lara Hazel, do you want us to wait with you?”
She didn’t reply at first. Mack asked again.
YOU ARE READING
Mafia's Passionate Secrets
Short Story"In the shadows of power, love ignites. But in a world of secrets and lies, can four couples survive the darkness that surrounds them?"
