The Mafia Who Stole My Heart

"I've decided to finally move out."

Simon's green eyes raised from his coffee cup and glanced at me with serious expression."You're being serious?"

I nodded. "Yes. Its about to time I start planning to relocate to my dream destination and never have to worry about my family."

"But how are you going to like survive? Your dad said he won't release your trust fund till you're married with a kid."

My face marred the worried expression on his face as I fidgeted with the straw in my iced coffee.

Shrugging the worry off, I said, "Well jokes on him. I have a few investments he doesn't know about and property to sell"

Simon and Ava, my only closest friends, were the only people I had confided in about my choice to move away from my family. Since ava was barely around, Simon and I had a weekly ritual of yoga and brunch.

Simon sighed, pulling the ends of his chestnut hair. "Please tell me you don't mean the chateu you inherited from your grandma," he whispered as if it would be a crime if someone heard him.

"What other property do I have in my name? Once I confirm the sale I won't have to worry about money for the next three years if I spend modestly.

"Sadly you and modest don't mix well," he points at the black Birkin bag on the chair next to me.

"Perhaps I should sell some of my clothes and bags, I could get a lot of money from it too."

"Oh my God! I cannot believe what you've become. Who are you and what have you done with my friend? The Lucy i know and remember would never think of selling anything in her closet. Especially not the Birkin bag you waited months for."

"Ugh don't remind me of that awful memory. I would have gotten the bag in less than a week if that witch Eleanor didn't steal it."

"Which is why its out of character for you to want to give it away."

"It's just a thought Simon, I wouldn't go through with it."

"You better not. Is ava even aware of this? She needs to talk you out of this delusional plan."

"Of course she is and fully supports me. And the fact i get to travel around with her makes everything perfect."

I could easily decide to travel as well but with an over protective dad, it was impossible. He seemed to have the fear that if I was allowed to travel alone, I would never come back and he was right.

I wanted to escape this bubble like prison that has shielded me for as long as I can remember. My only taste of freedom was in the university and as soon as I graduated, I have been stuck in LA with no work experience. Living the soft life of a wealthy man's daughter was something I was rather forced to stick to and although there were no complaints from.me initially, the mundane routine was getting boring.

"It would be nice to finally get out of the manor even if it means getting cut off."

"Your dad will throw a massive fit. I can already imagine the angry look on his face."

"Me too. He'd probably pop vien screaming my name."

Speaking of the devil, the man of the hour and controller of all things, his name popped up on my screen. It was just past 12 and an odd time for him to be calling me since he was the type to schedule every little thing down to when to call his children.

“Hi, dad. How can I help you?

“Come to my office. Now,” he ordered and ended the call.

That was unusual of him. There was usually flattering, like he did every time he called and even though we had plenty of bad beef, I tolerated his efforts to reach out to me and his stubbornness, which I happened to inherit from him.

"Seems like we would have to reschedule brunch Simon," I said dejectedly.

"It’s fine darling, just make sure to call me when you arrive at vineyard."

"Sure thing."

We hugged, him towering over my petite figure as I snuggled into his broad chest. Simon was a ladies man and if not for our matching hair color and eyes, people wouldn't mistake us as siblings half the time.

It took about 10 minutes to get to the office and after handing over my keys to the valet, I entered the building and went straight to the executive elevator. Only family members and top executives had access to it and even though I was the only family member not working in the company, my dad made sure I had access in case I wished to visit. I hoped to get out of the building fast enough as I had plans to visit my mom's grave at the family vineyard which was a couple hours away from the city.

The elevator opened on the last floor, where my father’s office was located. His secretary, Mabel, greeted me with a warm smile as our eyes met.

“It’s so lovely to see you, Lucy, It has been a while.”

“Hi, Mabel. I should have visited sooner but I was busy with other stuff.” I lied through my teeth, returning the smile. Besides my father, Mabel was the only person who anticipated my presence in the company. She had been working with my dad for as long as I could remember; she had become like family.

“Would you like coffee or tea?” She asked, stepping out behind her desk.

“Coffee is fine. Extra milk, please.” She nodded in response and set off to prepare.

My father and his secretary's office were the only ones located on the last floor. I knocked on the door of the main office before opening it.

My dad was seated behind his big desk, staring at something on the huge monitor screen with a frown etched on his face.

“You’re going to get old faster if you keep frowning like a sailor.”

His head raised at the sound of my voice and a very small smile spread across his face, removing the ugly frown.

“I’m surprised you got here early. I like this new you.”

“I was already out of the house when you called. Still the old me.” I said, settling myself on the couch facing the huge windows that showcased the beautiful skyline view of the city. I remember playing in his big office as a child. Everything was pristine and made of glass. I had the record for breaking over 50 items in his office, the office being the size of two master bedrooms yet was small for a 5-year-old.

“Speaking of old me, why did you call me over? You know I don’t like coming to the company.”

“This is important, that’s why and it is not a conversation I can have with you at home so I apologize for inviting Her Royal Highness to such a displeasing place that funds her fancy lifestyle.”

“You’re getting better at your humour. I’m impressed, Daddy.”

“I learned from the best,” he said, his finger pointing at me.

My dad stood up from his chair and walked towards the couch with a limp to his step. He had a stroke last year that made his left leg paralyzed and after steady physiotherapy, he was able to walk properly but was left with a limp and after long periods, it hurt so he used a walking stick.

“Where’s your walking stick?” My eyes roamed around the room in search of it. It lay on his desk beside his suit coat.

“I barely need it these days,” he stated, settling on the couch opposite me.

"I don’t believe it with you limping In that manner. Perhaps you should consider hitting the gym.” He had recently put on so much weight that he now had a protruding belly and his white beards were all over the place. The only well-kept thing was the white hair on his head. His grey eyes had become sunken with bags under them, causing him to look over 60.

“Why did you call me over?”

His countenance changed and although I was worried about what he might say next, nothing prepared me for what came out of his mouth next.

“Edward Smith has asked for your hand in marriage and I accepted it on your behalf.”

The earth must have stopped rotating, as my ears failed me. Edward smith? Businessman of the Year? CEO of Smith Holdings and notorious playboy who was involved in a scandal as the head of the mafia gang?

An arranged marriage? Hell no.

"What? I think my ears are failing me."

"You heard me correctly, Lucy. You have to marry Edward Smith and there's no room for negotiations. I know it's the last thing you expected but this a decision I made after thinking of it for a long time." His face was blank. Void of any emotion I hoped he would burst into a smile and say it was a silly joke.

"Then you've wasted time thinking about a decision I would never agree to," I spat with rage.

"Lucy, you are my successor, all these," he gestured to the office, "will be yours someday and I need to prepare you for that moment. The people you have in your life will determine your future and the future of the company. If the idea displeases you that much think of it like a business deal. Signing a merger between two parties. Hmm? Just like a merger."

He spoke like it was a business deal between two tycoons and how the benefit of such a merger would impact everyone's lives.

"How can you say something like that? Why should I settle for an arranged marriage? Is marriage a joke to you?"

He sighed, rubbing his tired face with his right palm. "Please understand that it took a great toll on me to decide on this matter. I'm simply doing the best for you."

I scoffed, "The best? Pfft! You only think about the best when it comes to your company. I have never been a priority to you so why do you have to decide my future? Why?! I would rather chew glass than have an arranged marriage with someone as despicable as Edward Smith."

"Lucy, listen," he began with a sympathetic look on his face but I cut him off.

"No, you listen. I have had it. I am sick of you and your wife deciding what I should and shouldn't do as a proper heiress. If it is my presence you both despise, I would gladly move out of the manor or even out of the country if that is what pleases you."

"This is more than just an arranged marriage Lucy. The company's and our family's future relies on it."

"Exactly! Why should I sacrifice my future for your company and family? Have you not taken enough from me."

His face blanched with a questioning look.

"What do you mean? I have given you everything you've ever desired."

I shook my head and stood up from the couch, picking up my bag. "You have done your responsibility by providing as a father but in many ways, you keep taking from me. You took mom away, you took grandma from me, hence taking my childhood away from me! And what did I get in return? A stepmother who has hated my guts since the moment she laid eyes on me.

"Do not speak about Eleanor in that manner," he spat angrily, hitting the coffee table.

How nice of him to defend his love so boldly.

"You know it's true. She barely tolerates me and I'm sure she'd be most thrilled to marry me off to the highest bidder."

"Lucy!"

I could go all day expressing my displeasure but the longer I stayed, the more hurtful words were going to pour out of me.

I picked up my coffee from the table, looked him dead in the eye and said, "I will not marry Edward Smith. Not on any account will I be pressured by family or your company."

Without waiting for a response from him, I walked out of his office and headed straight for the elevator without bothering to bid Mabel goodbye.

There was so much pent-up anger radiating off me. I was boiling and any smart person would see the smoke coming out of my head and ears.

The elevator made a ding noise, indicating it had arrived. I thought my day couldn't be any worse but I was proven wrong as the elevator doors slid open, revealing my stepbrother, William.

"Oh, hey, sis, fancy seeing you here," His voice rang with his usual chirpy tone as he raised his hands in a friendly gesture.

As I said, a smart person would notice how angry I was, but sadly William was not part of that group.

His face and countenance always pissed me off. "I beg to differ," I mumbled and I entered the elevator.

"Are you not getting off? I suppose you're here to see Father." I pointed at the elevator door that was already closing.

"Ah yes, but I would love a quick chat with you. There's no harm in seeing my baby is off," he said, pressing the button for the ground floor.

"Baby sis?" The audacity was alarming. We were only months apart but he irked me to the core whenever he tried to treat me like I was many years younger than him.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot you hated it. It's been forever since we hung out. I'm starting to think you're avoiding me." There was a smug smile on his face and he turned to face me, fully showing off his crooked teeth.

You bet I am. Will and I used to be so close growing up that many would mistake us for twins but the good relationship turned sour after our senior year of high school. He became a disgusting jerk, trying to sabotage me every chance he got because I was my father's first child and he hated the fact that my dad had yet to recognise him as his son.

How I wish to slap his stupid round face or punch his nose to make it match his front tooth. He was the spitting image of his mother and although my stepmother, a former swimsuit model, was a beauty, her son ruined himself by engaging in fights that utterly destroyed his face and the only thing making him slightly attractive was his man bun.

"You do not have to pretend like we are on the best of terms," I said with a statuary face.

"What do you mean? We're siblings, not enemies," he chuckled to himself, tucking his hands into his suit pocket.

"There's a thin line between them and last I recall, we don't share the same blood," I stated smugly and returned the smug smile.

The one thing William hated was being reminded that we didn't share the same blood and that made him feel illegitimate to be my father's successor. His feelings didn't matter to me, just like mine didn't matter after he talked sh*t behind my back for years.

The elevator came just in time and there was no need for goodbye pleasantries. I turned back a little as I walked away to see an angry scowl on his face with his phone to his ears before the elevator doors closed.

The valet soon arrived with my car and drove off to my initial location. Time went by fast and I hoped to get to the vineyard in time before the rain began.

The love story of my mother and father was unknown to me but Eleanor had once mentioned it was an arranged marriage and I was a mistake. I didn't believe her but now that I think about his actions, her words seemed to make sense.

He could have buried her in a cemetery close to the manor in the city or had her body cremated and kept it in an urn or something. But he had abandoned her in the desolate vineyard that hardly anybody visited.

She was laid to rest in the empty fields of the old horse stable, which was a 3-minute walk from the vineyard mansion.

I thought of going to park the car at the mansion to let the workers know I was around because I was certain they were expecting me. The weather had become a lot more dark and windy as the rain was ready to pour at any moment. I decided to drive straight to my mom before the rain could start.

There was a gate around the field and cars couldn't access it unless they passed the mansion grounds. I parked the car, taking only an umbrella as I stepped out of the car and locked the door.

The gate was unlocked with a passcode, which was her birthday. It felt strange coming here when I had never met her before yet knew everything I could learn about her from the things she left behind.

I arrived at the grave site when I realised I had forgotten to get flowers on my way over. The rain suddenly began to drizzle so I turned to leave when, all of a sudden a bag was thrown over my head.

Reacting fast, I swung my hand to hit the figure behind me but the man was faster as he subdued my hands, pressing the mask to my face.

A weird smell filled my nose and before I could scream for help in the desolate field, my whole body felt paralysed and I fell into a deep sleep.