Dark Romance | Mafia

Chapter Eight

Stella's POV:

"Where are you going?" Dad asked, leaning back on the couch, flipping through TV channels with the remote.

"Obviously, to the coffee shop."

"You're getting your salary from Mr. Giovanni today, right?"

"Of course, Dad."

"Tell him to give you a raise." He finally looked away from the TV, his gaze landing on me.

I sighed. "Come on, Dad. He just gave me a raise last month. I can't ask for more, he'd kill me!"

"Then find yourself another job." Dad didn't even glance at me, his attention still on the TV. "We can't keep managing on your coffee shop salary."

I clenched my jaw. "Oh, right. Because I'm not a robot, am I?" My voice dripped with sarcasm, but deep down, I knew he didn't care.

Dad exhaled sharply, "manage somehow"

"You're right darling, Chloe also needs money for her admission."

I turned to see my stepmother stepping out of her room, adjusting her silk robe. She wasn't just agreeing with him, she was reminding me of my responsibilities.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll see what I can do."

Dad scoffed. "You don't just see, you do."

My chest tightened. "But, Dad, how am I supposed to manage that?"

He finally looked at me, his expression unreadable. "Not my problem." Then, without another word, he walked upstairs.

My stepmother smiled, almost amused-before casually following him.

I wish Mr. Romano gave me the job, otherwise they will not let me breathe peacefully.

............

As I entered the coffee shop, my eyes landed on a familiar face, Mr. Romano who was sitting with his friends at their usual spot.

Scar, noticing me, broke into a wide smile. She grabbed my arm and dragged me to the counter.

"Come on, girl, look who's here! My Jason.!! I was dying to see him. The universe must be on my side today."

I looked at her and rolled my eyes.

"Oh God, why did you shower all the beauty on these men?" Scar sighed dreamily, her eyes glued to them, glistening with admiration.

"Scar, stop drooling. Let's get back to work." I nudged her, but my gaze was already fixed on Mr. Romano. He was busy with his phone, oblivious to the world around him.

My heartbeat quickened. It always did when I saw him.

Slowly, he looked up from his screen.

And then my heart skipped a beat as our eyes met.

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms, his expression unreadable. His muscles tensed beneath his sleeves, making him look damn handsome.

His gaze bore into mine, his blue eyes piercing through me. A small, playful smile tugged at his lips, just for a mere second. Then, as if catching himself, it vanished.

I swallowed hard and quickly looked away, my heart racing. Did I imagine that?

Sam appeared beside me, shoving a tray into my hands.

"Go and serve."

"But I can't, I-" My fingers tightened around the tray.

"No excuses. I'm busy."

Before I could protest, he was already gone, leaving me standing there, my mind still tangled in the moment I wasn't sure had even happened.

I tightened my grip on the tray until my knuckles turned white. The closer I got to him, the more my hands trembled.

Somehow, I managed to place the tray on the table, though my fingers felt unsteady. His gaze never wavered, sharp and searching, as if he were trying to find something hidden inside me.

He didn't look away for even a second, and the intensity of it made my breath hitch.

The longer he stared, the more uncomfortable I felt, as if he could see straight through me.

After serving, I walked straight to the counter without looking back, not wanting to check if he was still watching.

As I reached the counter, Scar and Sam stood there, arms crossed, watching me like hawks.

"What's going on?" Sam asked, raising a brow.

"What do you mean, what's going on?" I replied, keeping my head down, pretending to focus on work.

Scar narrowed her eyes. "There's something fishy."

I sighed. "What do you mean?"

She smirked and suddenly wrapped her arms around me from behind.

"I mean-" she leaned in, lowering her voice, "I'm not the only one drooling over them. Someone else is, too."

"Shut up, Scar," I muttered, feeling my face heat up.

She grinned. "I see it in your eyes, girl. Whether you admit it or not, you like Mr. Romano."

"Shhh! Quiet! What if he hears?" I hissed, glancing around nervously. My heart was already pounding, and Scar wasn't making it any better.

"So what? The truth is the truth." She chuckled, completely unfazed, as she picked up a piping bag and started decorating the cupcakes, swirling the frosting with practiced ease.

"Idiots," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.

"You're the one hiding things from us, you little liar," Sam teased, smirking as he reached for the coffee beans. He didn't even need to look at me to know he'd struck a nerve.

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could get a word out, the café door swung open with a loud bang, the bell above it clanging aggressively.

And just like that, disaster walked in.

My stomach twisted. Oh no. Not now. Not today.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a brief second, as if that would magically erase what was happening.

Oh God, please save me. I was good. I swear I was.

Slowly, cautiously, I turned my head toward the entrance.

And there they were.

Trouble, in all its glory.

............

Until then....