Mafia's Obsession

• XXII •

Later that evening, Sophia found herself in the comfort of Isabella's chic, modern apartment. The two of them were sprawled out on the plush, oversized couch in Isabella's living room, surrounded by the cosy ambience of soft lighting and the rich, comforting scent of takeout Chinese food. Their glasses of red wine sat half-empty on the glass coffee table in front of them, and the sounds of city life buzzed faintly from the streets below.
Isabella, as usual, was deep in a rant about her latest boyfriend drama. "I just don't get it, Soph! We've been dating for almost a year, and he's still pulling this crap. This girl at his work has been throwing herself at him, and when I confronted him about it, he had the nerve to say he 'forgot' to mention he has a girlfriend during their conversations! Like, how does that even happen?"
Sophia shook her head, trying to follow along as she took a sip of her wine. "Yeah, that's definitely a big red flag, Izzy."
"Exactly!" Isabella exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. "I mean, come on! You'd think after all this time, he'd at least be loyal. But no, apparently he's too busy 'forgetting' he's in a committed relationship."
"I know, I don't know what he was even thinking," Sophia replied, her voice filled with sympathy. She knew how much Isabella had invested in this relationship, and it pained her to see her friend so upset.
"I did so much for him, Soph! It's just so bloody annoying!" Isabella continued, her voice rising as she got more worked up. "I supported him through everything, I was there for him, and this is how he repays me?"
Sophia reached over and placed a comforting hand on Isabella's arm. "I know, Izzy, and that really sucks. But at least it's better you know now than later. You deserve someone who's going to be completely honest and loyal to you."
Isabella sighed, taking a deep breath as she tried to calm down. "Yeah, you're right. I just... I don't want to think about him anymore. Let's talk about something else. What's been going on with you?"
"Nothing much, really," Sophia replied, grateful for the change of subject. "I've just been busy with the café. I've been looking into other properties to buy so I can expand it further."
Isabella's eyes lit up at this news. "That's great, Soph! I'm so happy to hear that, but that's not what I meant. Are you talking to anyone right now? Seeing anyone? Wait, didn't you go on a blind date recently? How did that go?"
Sophia chuckled, shaking her head. "Firstly, it wasn't a blind date. I've known the guy since we were in diapers, but then he moved to London, so I didn't really see him much after that."
Isabella waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, same thing. Anyway, how was the date? Did you get any action?" she asked with a playful smirk.
Sophia hesitated for a moment, her mind involuntarily drifting back to that kiss with Luciano. It was a memory she had been trying to push away all day, but it was impossible to forget the way his lips had felt against hers.
Isabella's eyes widened, and she gasped, pointing a finger at Sophia. "Oh my gosh, yes you did! Tell me what happened right now!"
Sophia's face flushed as she shook her head vigorously. "No, no, nothing happened!" she insisted, though the way her voice wavered betrayed her.
Isabella narrowed her eyes, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "You are such a liar! I know exactly when you're lying, Sophia. Come on, tell me!"
Sophia tried to maintain her composure, but Isabella's persistence was breaking down her defences. "Nonono, seriously, we just went for dinner, it was really nice, and then he dropped me back home."
"And after he dropped you back home, he came in?" Isabella pressed, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Sophia shook her head, laughing despite herself. "No! He left."
Isabella leaned closer, her expression turning serious. "Soph, I know you're hiding something from me. Tell me what it is! I'm your best friend, how can you not? Ugh, fine, from now on I won't—"
"Luciano kissed me," Sophia blurted out, cutting Isabella off mid-sentence.
Isabella's jaw dropped, and she stared at Sophia in shock. "What??" she practically shouted, her voice echoing through the apartment.
Sophia groaned and buried her face in her hands, her elbows resting on the table. "When I was having dinner with Dan, Luciano was there. I went to the washroom, and when I was leaving... he kissed me," she said, her voice muffled by her hands. After a brief pause, she added, "And I kissed him back."
Isabella's eyes were as wide as saucers as she processed this information. "Oh my God. Wait, wait, wait... Is he that famous mafia guy who kicked us out of that club that day? Oh my God, is he Luciano De'Romano??"
Sophia nodded slowly, her face still hidden in her hands.
Isabella freaked out for a solid ten minutes, unable to believe what she was hearing.
When she finally calmed down, she leaned in closer, her voice hushed but intense. "How was the kiss?"
"It was amazing," Sophia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's all I think about these days. I keep fantasizing about it and replaying it again and again in my head."
"Honey, I would too if that hot chunk of muscle put his lips on mine," Isabella quipped, but her tone quickly turned serious. "Sophia, have you even thought about it though? He's literally a mafia boss, and a bloody well-known one at that. The whole world knows his family—they're on the front cover of newspapers and magazines every other day. Have you even thought about how drastically your life would change if you got involved with him?"
"No, I haven't," Sophia admitted with a sigh, her mind clouded with uncertainty.
"And your parents? Imagine how they'd react—they would never accept it," Isabella pointed out, her concern evident.
"I know, I know," Sophia replied, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Soph, how have you not even considered these things?" Isabella asked, her tone serious.
"My mind hasn't even gone there. I don't even know what this is," Sophia confessed. "We went for dinner one time, and now he's kissed me, but we haven't talked or anything since."
"What? You guys haven't even spoken since?" Isabella asked, bewildered.
"No. And honestly, I don't want to. He seems to be avoiding me, so why should I be bothered? I don't know why, but I just felt like there was something more between us. But I was clearly wrong," Sophia said, her voice laced with disappointment.
"Well, that was definitely a dick move on his part, but sometimes men act stupid. He might just be giving you some space?" Isabella suggested, trying to offer a different perspective.
"I don't know, Izzy, but I don't want to keep thinking about it," Sophia said, trying to push the thoughts of Luciano away.
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