Faith [Donati Clan #1] [Complete]

Chapter 14

MATTEO

Answers seemed to be non-existent as I searched for them.

Dahlia Reid, an enigma of her own.

"Dahlia Reid, 21 years old, an orphan. Currently, living in apartment 17 in the Brooklyn building. Working in the Brew diner mostly as a server but occasionally baking or cooking."

My own words still echoed in my ears when Dahlia first saw me.

Association with my archenemies, police, or anyone against me was one of my suspicions, however, they were wiped. The more I dug, the less I found. She was non-existent in my world, for now at least.

Marriage. 

A big step that I didn't see myself taking, a step that seemed an impossible route for me, yet I was about to cross. A woman that I barely knew was about to be my bride and the only thing I could see was her dilated eyes for when she had finally accepted my forced proposal.

A part of me was ashamed of myself for breaking her, yet I felt relieved. Her tears and her freedom now sold, it had moved me and even almost broken me, almost.

The dazzling sight would always bewitch me into staying still.

Time froze and heartbeat faster, yet a certain peace would make a presence, like a drug that would disorient the reality. A gift of a silent strength made everything seem possible, like having a future was possible. Her tongue rolled easily as she chanted my name.

However, her eyes accusing of a broken dream, and I felt a strong sense of proving her wrong, yet I didn't. I wasn't that man. Instead, I promised her to protect her, and I had sealed our faith when I put the ring on her finger. I hadn't planned on that, not even for a single moment.

Feelings are a weakness, a pawn to be abused for their own's gain.

In my world, the only way to earn the title as a Mafia Boss was to marry an Italian bride, yet I was about to break the rules. Dahlia would be a better candidate than any other as she didn't have anyone to fall back and it was easy to control her.

Then, why am I having an inner battle every time I think of Dahlia? Staying away didn't help my case, either, I still thought of her and cared about what she thought of me. I had chosen her because it benefited me, right?

A ring sounded next to me and the reality dawn on me as I found myself at the coffee shop. I had lost track of time as I thought about the situation.

Picking up without looking at the ID caller, "Donati speaking."

"Matteo," he spoke on the other line.

Instantly recognising the voice, "Luciano."

He asked without missing a beat, "Where are you?"

I narrowed my eyes as I spoke, "I don't see why that is important, Luciano. You don't need to know everything."

Luciano continued a minute, "No, I don't. I am just surprised that you didn't tell your underboss that you would be leaving. You should have told me."

I asked by changing the conversation, "Why did you call me, Luciano?"

Luciano uttered, "I met the girl."

I took a silent breath as I said cautiously, "You did?"

Luciano continued, "Yes, she is not what I expected."

Confused, I asked again, "What does that mean?"

Luciano ignored my question and said instead, "Zack has taken a liking to the girl."

Blood boiling, I questioned, "Is that so?"

He continued to instigate me, "Yes, he took her to our mother's favourite restaurant today. That's where I met her."

I remarked, "I wasn't aware that our brother had met Dahlia."

Luciano said, "Yes, it is our brother, after all. Curious and impulsive."

Every shade turned red as I thought of another man getting closer to Dahlia. It made me livid just to think that he could be a step closer to her. Dahlia attracted danger with her alluring purity and innocence, one of them being me, especially when I gazed deep into her eyes.

The voice brought back to the Present, "Matteo?"

I was taken away, "Yes?"

Luciano simply asked, "Anything wrong?"

I lied, "No, the line is not great. I will call you another time."

My gaze was unfocused as I looked at the screen of the phone after I hung up Luciano's call.

A sense of something important slipping away from my fingers was felt as I thought of the possibilities of Zack and Dahlia coming closer. The urgency of capturing her enticing eyes seemed to grow larger by the second.

Sitting still, overthinking, I felt helpless and angry at the fact that she had awakened feelings inside of me. A silver of rage was felt towards Dahlia and frustration for being unable to find answers.

"Anything else, Sir?"

Staring up, I saw a blonde-haired woman with shiny blue eyes leaning over. With her perfect posture, she repeated, "Sir, would you like anything else?"

I whispered, dazed from my thoughts, "No."

The woman bent over further, practically drooling over me, insisted, "Not even some fun?"

I began comparing this woman with Dahlia, something that never happened before. Everything seemed to lack on the woman in front of me.

Dahlia's image seemed to consume my mind and ignite something deep inside of me. I felt, once again, suffocated for not being able to control my emotions when I mused over her.

I stood up from the chair abruptly and the unknown woman had backed away as she saw my cold eyes. Now, a look of fright has been replaced on her face, I almost felt pity, almost.

Taking my wallet out, I put some money on the table. Creating distance from the lady in front of me became a priority as I thought only about going back to New York.

Like that, everything had shifted. No one could be compared to Dahlia. No one could come closer to her, nor I wanted to find out.

With that, I left the coffee shop and Chicago without looking back. 

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