Mafia Obsession (OBSESSION SERIES #1)

CHAPTER 1

Mafia Obsession - Chapter 1: The Maid's Application

Celeste clutched the worn leather folder, her knuckles white against the worn surface. The imposing steel doors of the Palazzo di Angelo loomed before her, a stark contrast to the faded floral print of her dress. The air hung heavy with the scent of jasmine and something else, something sharp and metallic, that sent a shiver down her spine.

She had been warned. The Angelo family, the most powerful mafia clan in the city, were ruthless, feared, and shrouded in secrecy. Yet, here she was, standing on the precipice of a world she knew nothing about, driven by a desperation that gnawed at her soul.

Celeste had lost everything. A fire had consumed her home, leaving her with nothing but the clothes on her back and a burning desire to rebuild her life. She had heard whispers of the extravagant lifestyle within the Palazzo di Angelo, of a world where money flowed like water and desires were met with a snap of the fingers. She needed that world. She needed a chance.

A deep breath filled her lungs, the scent of jasmine assaulting her senses. She straightened her shoulders, forcing her trembling hands to remain steady. With a final, resolute nod, she pushed open the heavy doors.

The interior was a stark contrast to the imposing exterior. Marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of chandeliers, their crystal prisms casting rainbows across the grand hall. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the low murmur of voices. Celeste felt like a moth drawn to a flame, both fascinated and terrified.

A tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows, his face obscured by the darkness. He wore a tailored suit, his dark eyes gleaming with a cold intensity.

“You must be Celeste,” he said, his voice a low rumble.

Celeste nodded, her throat constricted with nerves. “Yes, I am.”

“Follow me.”

He turned and walked away, his movements fluid and silent. Celeste hesitated for a moment, then followed, her heart pounding in her chest.

The hallway was lined with portraits of stern-faced men, their eyes seeming to follow her every move. The air grew colder, the scent of jasmine replaced by a faint metallic tang. She swallowed, her throat dry.

They arrived at a large, ornately carved door. The man, whose name she still didn’t know, gestured for her to enter.

“This is the office of Don Angelo,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “He will decide if you are suitable for the position.”

Celeste took a shaky breath, her fingers tightening around the leather folder. This was it. This was her chance.

She pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The office was a study in power and wealth. A massive mahogany desk dominated the room, its surface littered with papers and a silver letter opener that gleamed menacingly in the dim light. Behind the desk sat a man, his back to her. He wore a dark suit, his broad shoulders filling the chair.

“You may speak,” the man said, his voice a low growl.

Celeste cleared her throat, her voice barely a whisper. “Don Angelo, I have come to apply for the position of maid.”

The man turned slowly, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. His eyes were dark and intense, like pools of molten gold. He wore a thin scar across his left cheek, a testament to a life lived on the edge.

“You are aware of the nature of this household,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “We are not a family of gentlefolk. We are… different.”

Celeste met his gaze, her voice firming. “I understand, Don Angelo. I am not afraid of hard work. I am willing to do whatever it takes.”

The Don’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Very well. We shall see what you are made of.”

He gestured towards a chair. “Sit.”

Celeste sat, her hands trembling slightly. She knew she was being judged, every move, every word scrutinized. This was her chance, her only chance. She had to convince him, not just of her skills, but of her resilience, her strength.

She had to convince him that she was the one he needed.

This was the beginning of her journey into the world of the Angelo family, a world of shadows and secrets, of power and danger. A world that would forever change her life.