Mafia's Obsession

• XLI •

A few weeks had passed, and things between Luciano and Sophia were moving quickly. They had settled into a rhythm—secret dates, late-night rendezvous, and sneaking around. Sophia often made excuses to her parents, claiming she was staying over at friends' houses, but in reality, she was spending most of her time with Luciano. Occasionally, he would climb through her window, and they'd spend the night talking, laughing, or just being close. Her parents had started to notice how much busier she'd become but also how much happier she seemed.
It was a Saturday evening when Sophia got home after a day out. As she walked in, her mum greeted her from the living room.
"Sophia, darling," her mum called out. "You're skipping dinner at home again?"
"Yeah, Mum," Sophia replied, slipping off her shoes. "I'm going out for dinner with a friend."
Her mum gave her a knowing look. "You've been awfully busy lately," she said, her voice curious. "Is everything well?"
"Yes, Mum," Sophia said, a little too quickly, heading towards the stairs.
"Sit down with me, at least for a cup of coffee before you go," her mum said, motioning toward the sofa. Without waiting for an answer, she asked one of the maids to bring them both coffee.
Sophia sighed inwardly. She couldn't refuse, so she sat down in one of the lavish living rooms of their house, trying to act casual. The last thing she needed was her mum prying into her personal life.
Soon, the maid brought two cups of freshly brewed coffee. Her mum took a sip, studying Sophia over the rim of her cup.
"So... when do I get to meet him?" her mum asked suddenly, catching Sophia completely off guard.
Sophia nearly choked on her coffee. "W-what?"
"Oh, come on, darling," her mum laughed lightly. "I know you're seeing someone. It's obvious. The late nights, the constant sleepovers at your 'friend's house.' You're glowing, and I'm happy for you."
Sophia's cheeks burned as she blushed. "Umm..."
Her mum's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Honey, as long as he's making you happy, that's all that matters. Is it serious? When are you going to introduce him to us?"
Sophia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "It's... serious, but I think it's a little early for that. We've only been dating for a month."
Her mum's excitement didn't falter. "That's fantastic! How did you two meet? What's his name? Do I know him?"
Sophia took a long, nervous gulp of her coffee. "You do, but not personally."
Her mum's eyes narrowed playfully. "What's his name?"
Sophia scrambled for an answer, finally deciding to dodge the question. "Why don't we keep the suspense until I introduce you?" she said quickly, trying to change the subject.
Her mum clapped her hands together. "Really? When?"
"I'll let you know soon," Sophia said, standing up quickly. "Anyway, when's Raiden coming?"
Her mum, clearly still buzzing from the excitement, replied, "I spoke to him this morning. He's planning on coming next month, just before you leave for Italy."
"Good. I'll finally get to see my brother before I go," Sophia said, relieved for the distraction. She excused herself, heading upstairs to get ready.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Sophia rushed upstairs got dressed and came downstairs, her father lingered in the upstairs hallway, a glass of scotch on the rocks in his hand. He stood by the large windows, looking out at the driveway below, his expression unreadable as he sipped the amber liquid slowly. The ice clinked against the glass as he swirled it absently, watching Sophia's movements.
His eyes followed her as she stepped outside, her slim figure illuminated by the driveway lights. She hurried towards a sleek, black car parked out front. The car was nothing like the ones her friends usually drove—this was different. Expensive. Flashy. He squinted slightly, trying to get a better look. The car's dark tinted windows and sophisticated design gave nothing away.
He watched as Sophia opened the door, threw her duffle bag into the back seat, and slipped into the passenger side with a quick, excited movement. He noticed the brief moment where she leaned over, her body language hinting at something intimate—then the car started, purring quietly as it backed out of the driveway.
Her father frowned, taking another slow sip of his scotch. Who was that? And whose car was it?
He stood there for a moment longer, the drink in his hand forgotten as his mind began to race. Sophia had always been so open about her friends and plans. But lately, she'd been more secretive, more evasive. Always in a rush. Always "busy."
As the sleek car disappeared down the road, a flicker of unease passed through him. Something wasn't adding up, and he knew he'd need to keep a closer eye on his daughter. He trusted her—of course he did—but this? This was different. He needed answers.