Mafia's Obsession

•XXXIV•

Sophia sat at her small desk in the café's back office, her laptop open in front of her. She scrolled through the information Riley had sent her about the property in Italy, her excitement bubbling up as she clicked through the photos. The space was stunning—high ceilings, large windows, and a charming exterior that could easily be transformed into the café of her dreams. She could already envision the vibrant flowers lining the entrance and the scent of freshly baked goods wafting through the air.
"I can totally make this work," she murmured to herself, picturing bustling mornings filled with customers and the soft hum of conversation. She couldn't wait to get home and share this news with her family and friends.
Before she got too ahead of herself, she reminded herself of the next step. She needed to see the place in person. Without hesitation, she picked up her phone and dialed Riley again.
"Hey, Riley," she said when her assistant answered.
"Hey, Sophia! Everything okay?" Riley's voice was cheerful, filled with enthusiasm.
"Yeah, it's great! The property looks amazing. Can you contact them and tell them we'd like to schedule a viewing?"
"Perfect! I'll do that now and get back to you with the details."
"Thanks, Riley!" They ended the call, and Sophia felt a thrill of anticipation coursing through her. This could be the start of something big.
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As the day drew to a close, Sophia locked up her café, feeling a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion. She stepped outside, ready to head home, but the moment she turned the key in her car's ignition, it sputtered and died.
"Great," she muttered, smacking the steering wheel in frustration. She regretted sending her bodyguard home for the evening; if her father found out, he'd be furious. With a sigh, she decided to walk to the main road and catch a taxi.
As she strolled down the street, the evening air cooled her flushed skin. She wrapped her arms around herself, glancing around for any available cabs. Just then, a sleek black Ferrari pulled up beside her, the engine purring like a wildcat.
The window rolled down, revealing Luciano, clad in a tight black shirt that showcased his muscular frame. A few buttons were unfastened, exposing the defined contours of his chest and arms. He flashed her a playful grin. "Need a lift, Sophia?"
"Extravagant car" she replied, trying to maintain her composure.
"Only the best for you," he teased, leaning back in the luxurious seat. "Besides, I thought you might enjoy the company."
Sophia rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile creeping onto her lips. "Right, because your company has been so easy to deal with lately."
"Easy? Where's the fun in that?" Luciano said, his tone playful as he gestured for her to hop in. "Come on, I promise I won't bite. Much."
With a mix of hesitation and intrigue, she opened the passenger door and slid into the plush interior, the scent of leather enveloping her.
As he turned the car onto the road, she couldn't help but admire the way his muscles flexed effortlessly as he maneuvered the vehicle. He looked so at ease, so powerful.
"You know, it's nice to see you in a better mood," Luciano said, glancing at her with a charming smile.
"Yeah, well, it's been a long day," she replied, unable to hide her smile. She continued "You're really something, you know that?"
"I do," he replied, smirking as he revved the engine. "But I'd like to know more about what you think of me."
"Let's see—overconfident, reckless, and annoyingly persistent," she listed, raising an eyebrow.
He laughed, a deep, rich sound. "I'll take that as a compliment. You know you like it."
"Like what? The way you invade my personal space?" she shot back, feigning annoyance.
"Exactly," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he pulled away from the curb. "But seriously, Sophia, you can't deny there's some chemistry here."
"Chemistry?" she echoed, crossing her arms. "Is that what you call it? Because it feels more like chaos most of the time."
Luciano glanced at her, his expression turning serious for a moment. "Maybe chaos is what we need. It keeps things interesting."
"Interesting or infuriating?" she countered, her heart racing despite herself.
"Why not both?" he suggested, turning onto a quiet street. "How was your day, aside from car troubles?"
"Busy. I'm trying to expand the café, but it's a lot to juggle," she admitted, glancing out the window to avoid his gaze.
"Expansion? Now that sounds intriguing," he said, genuinely interested. "You'll need someone to help you navigate that. I could—"
"I can handle it myself, thanks," she interrupted. "I want to do this on my own terms."
"Fair enough," he replied, his voice more serious.
"It's just a lot to think about." She replied.
"Just remember, you've got what it takes," he said, his tone sincere. "And if you ever need help, I'm here."
Sophia felt a flutter of appreciation at his words. "I'll keep that in mind."
As they parked, Luciano turned to her, his voice lowering. "You know, I really am serious about winning you over."
Sophia felt a flicker of hope amid her uncertainty. "we'll see about that."
"Good. I'll hold you to it," he said, a confident smile on his lips as she opened the door.
"Don't push your luck, De'Romano," she warned, stepping out.
"Too late," he called after her, laughter in his voice as she walked toward the door.
As she entered her house, she couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated.
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