Mafia Obsession (OBSESSION SERIES #1)

CHAPTER 21

Mafia Obsession - Chapter 21: A Mask of Indifference

The stolen kiss, witnessed in the fading light of the Italian sunset, had shattered Celeste's world.  The trust, the love, the belief in their future, all lay in pieces around her, a testament to the harsh reality of Angelo's world.  He was a man of power, a man of secrets, a man who played by his own rules.  And she, in her naive innocence, had been blind to the truth.

Yet, as the days passed, Celeste found herself caught in a web of her own making.  She couldn't bring herself to confront Angelo, to expose his betrayal, to risk the fragile peace they had built.  She was afraid of his reaction, afraid of the consequences, afraid of losing everything she had gained.

Instead, she chose to pretend.  She put on a mask of indifference, a facade of strength, a performance that was both exhausting and necessary.  She smiled at Angelo, she laughed with his family, she acted as if nothing had changed.  But inside, she was dying, her heart a shattered mirror reflecting a thousand pieces of pain and betrayal.

The villa, once a haven of peace and tranquility, had become a prison of her own making.  Every glance, every touch, every word, was laced with a hidden meaning, a silent accusation, a reminder of the truth she was desperately trying to ignore.

Angelo, however, seemed oblivious to her pain.  He continued to shower her with attention, with gifts, with promises of a future together.  He acted as if nothing had happened, as if she hadn't witnessed his betrayal, as if she hadn't seen the truth behind his mask.

One evening, as they were sitting on the balcony, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and purple, Angelo took her hand, his touch possessive, his gaze fixed on her.

"Celeste," he said, his voice a low rumble.  "I love you.  I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Celeste’s heart ached.  She wanted to believe him, she wanted to trust him, but she couldn't.  The image of his stolen kiss, the memory of his betrayal, was etched into her mind, a constant reminder of the truth she was desperately trying to ignore.

"I love you too, Angelo," she said, her voice a soft whisper.  "But I… I need some time."

Angelo’s gaze narrowed, his expression unreadable.  He knew she was lying, he could see it in her eyes, in the way she hesitated, in the way she avoided his gaze.

"Time for what, Celeste?" he said, his voice a low growl.  "Time to think about what?"

Celeste hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest.  She knew she couldn't lie to him anymore, not after what had happened.  She had to be honest with him, no matter the consequences.

"Time to think about us," she said, her voice a soft whisper.  "Time to think about our future."

Angelo’s grip tightened on her hand, his eyes burning into hers.  He could see the truth in her eyes, the guilt in her voice, the fear in her heart.  He felt a surge of jealousy, a primal rage that threatened to consume him.

"What’s there to think about, Celeste?" he said, his voice a low growl.  "We’re perfect together.  We’re meant to be."

Celeste’s heart ached.  She wanted to believe him, she wanted to trust him, but she couldn't.  The image of his stolen kiss, the memory of his betrayal, was etched into her mind, a constant reminder of the truth she was desperately trying to ignore.