Dark Romance | Mafia

Chapter Twenty-two

Stella's POV:

It's 7 a.m., and I set the breakfast on the table as usual. The aroma fills the room, warm and inviting. I never imagined I'd become a chef one day. It wasn't my dream job, but I guess I'm turning into a pretty good one.

The fresh aroma of grilled chicken filled the air, wrapping around me like comfort. Just as I was lost in it, my phone started ringing.

"Ugh, must be Mr. Giovanni." I sighed, walked to the counter, and rummaged through my bag until I found it.
 
His name flashed across the screen like a disaster itself, calling me to be swallowed into its terrifying arms.

I hesitated, then slowly swiped my finger across the screen and answered the call.

My heart was pounding so loudly, I knew what was coming,  he would ask about the pills, about my progress, and I didn't have an answer.
 
"I think completing a simple task is so hard for you," his voice cold and sharp.

My stomach tightened. Beads of sweat ran down my forehead.

" I...I had already started giving him the pills," or at least, that’s what I told him.

I lied. I couldn't do it. My conscience wouldn't let me. I'm not that kind of person. I can't harm anybody, specially Mr. Romano.

Besides, something about him had started to change me. That devil, he somehow carved a place in my heart.

I couldn't do this to him. I knew it was wrong, I was just an employee. But you can’t control your feelings. The heart drives you wherever it wants, and you follow it like you are its slave.

Lately, mine has gone wild. It jumps every time I see him, those sharp, unreadable eyes that still hold something I can't explain. I don’t even know when it happened, but it did.

I didn't know if it was love or not, but I was being drawn toward him.

I was drowning in those thoughts when Mr. Giovanni's voice pulled me back to reality.

"Leave that task," he said after a pause.

"What did I—" I started, but he cut me off.

"Leave that task. Albert will send you the next details."

His tone was sharp, commanding, the kind that leaves no room for argument.

The call ended. A moment later, my phone buzzed again. Albert had texted the address.

As I read the message, Albert’s call came through. I answered and pressed the phone to my ear.

"I've sent the address. Be there on time. I'll send someone who will give you a weapon and drop you there," Albert said, his voice flat and calm.

"Weapon?" The word slipped out of my mouth.

"Yes. There's been a change. You're killing Romano tonight."

The air left my lungs. I couldn’t breath for a moment, pressing my palm on the counter and leaning down for support.

"I can’t," I breathed.

He cut me off. "It's an order from the boss if you don't do it, you know what will happen."

There was a pause, before he continued,

"There's a party tonight. Romano will be there. Our men will be there too, they will be wearing masks. You'll have to wear a mask as well."

"But how can I--- how can I do this in a public place?" I gritted my teeth.

"No argument," he said, clipped and steady.

"You know how to use a weapon, right? Make him go with you into a room and do it there. It's your choice how you manage it," he continued.

The line went dead. For a long second I just stood there, the silence loud in my ears.

I set the phone down on the counter with trembling hands. I couldn’t move, I was paralyzed.

Heat and cold washed through me at once, all my strength seemed to hollow out, leaving only the sound of my own breath and the ticking of a distant clock.

I dragged a chair with trembling hands and sat down by the counter. I pressed my head tightly into my hands as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Why, God, why? Why are you doing this to me?" I whispered through my sobs. My heart ached so badly it felt like it might tear apart.

I knew something terrible was going to happen tonight, my gut kept screaming it. And I was helpless. I couldn’t do anything. The tears wouldn't stop.

"Chef," a deep voice called.

I froze. I knew that voice. Only one person called me that way.

His footsteps echoed across the floor, heavy, rushed. I didn't dare look at him. My throat tightened as he came closer and lips went dry.

"Chef," he repeated, his tone softer this time.

I slowly lifted my gaze, my eyes heavy and tired. His face was right there , confusion flickering in his eyes, quickly replaced by something unreadable. Then, for a brief moment, I saw it, an emotion. Real, raw emotion, before it vanished as fast as it appeared.

Mr. Romano placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. That simple touch broke me completely. I shot up from the chair and threw my arms around him.

I hugged him tightly, my tears soaking into his shirt. The world seemed to stop, everything blurred around us. I didn't want to move. I didn't want to go anywhere. I wanted to stay there forever.

For the first time in my life, I felt comfort, real comfort.

I didn't know why I did it, but I couldn't stop myself. My emotions had taken control over me.

After a moment, he wrapped his arms around me. And in that embrace, I felt something I'd never known before....peace. Pure, quiet peace.

I didn’t want this moment to end. Maybe I'd never see him again. Maybe this was the last time we'd ever be together.

No one knows who will survive the night. Maybe this will be the end for one of us. Maybe this is where it ends. Maybe this is the end of our story that never truly began.

Oh God, please… let me die here.

Until then....