Chapter 04 Eric
I feel a shiver run down my spine as I see her entering through the door. Ariele, the young nun who had caught my attention from the moment I first saw her. Her dark brown hair cascaded in soft curls around her angelic face, and her blue eyes shone with a sweetness I had never seen before.
She was an enigma; there was nothing in the orphanage's records, just a nickname, Ariele.
But I couldn't let her perceive the effect she had on me. I was Eric, a cold and ruthless man, and there was no space in my life for someone like Ariele.
And now, here she was, standing before me, with a timid smile on her lips and a gleam in her eyes that left me breathless. I couldn't avoid feeling a pang of happiness seeing her there, even though I knew I shouldn't – she was being forced to be there.
"Ariele, you finally arrived. I was starting to wonder if you would show up or if you gave up on joining our little family."
"You know very well that I never wanted to work here. And now you're playing with me, using your influence to put me in this position." She doesn't give me space, she wants me to see how dissatisfied she is.
"Ariele, you need to understand that I only made a suggestion to Mother. She was the one who decided to hire you as a nanny. And that's not how things work. I'm not playing with you. I just thought it would be a good opportunity for you. And besides, you need money, don't you?"
"I don't need money from you. I have my dignity. And I don't want to stay in a place where I'm not valued."
"I'm not undervaluing you, Ariele. I just thought it would be a chance for you. But if you don't want to, it's because you still don't understand. I'm a dangerous man, and I get everything I want. You can choose to work for me and have a good life, or you can choose to go against me and suffer the consequences."
"Mr. Greco, I don't understand why you put me in this situation." Her voice comes out low, apprehensive, and no longer has the same enthusiasm as before.
"Because I want it to be this way, that's all. Now come, I'll show you your room. My niece is at a friend's house, but she'll be back in the morning."
As we walk through the corridors, I can't help but notice Ariele's beauty. Her blue eyes shine under the lamplight, her brown hair cascades over her shoulders, and her skin looks as soft as silk.
I make an effort not to look at her inappropriately, but it's hard to resist. With each step I take, my desire for her grows stronger. I think I've never wanted anyone so much.
Finally, we reach Ariele's room, and I open the door for her to enter. As she settles in, I step away to give her privacy. But even so, I can't stop thinking about her and how her beauty makes her irresistible.
This sharp-tongued girl is driving me crazy, and I can't stop thinking about how to deal with her, because I didn't lie about my niece.
But, let's be honest, what I really want to do with this girl is take her to an isolated place and show her how good my tongue is. I want to kiss her passionately, lick her lips, her neck, her breasts, her whole body.
I want to smell her, taste her skin, and explore every inch of her body with my tongue. I want to make her moan with pleasure and lie down beside me, exhausted, after a whole night of sex.
The next morning, it was early when I left for my family commitments. I wasn't surprised when my sister-in-law arrived. She had just returned from vacation, but her appearance was different from the last time I saw her. Her eyes were sunken and sad, and she looked tired and worn out.
"Hi, Eric," she said weakly. "Sorry for not getting in touch earlier. I've been dealing with some things."
I knew what she wanted to say. Her husband had been killed a few months ago, and she was struggling to cope with the loss. I tried to be understanding, but, honestly, I didn't fully understand what she was going through. I loved my niece more than anything, but my sister-in-law had distanced herself from the child's life since her husband died.
I knew she was struggling, but I admit that I couldn't understand how someone could distance themselves from their own child at a time like this. I couldn't imagine my life without my niece, and I would do anything to be close to her.
"Are you okay?" I asked her, trying to be kind. "I missed you, but more importantly, Toni missed you."
My sister-in-law let out a sigh.
"I know, Eric. I've been going through a tough time. I fell into depression, and I really needed some time alone."
I nodded, but I was still struggling to understand how someone could distance themselves from their child at a time like this. But I couldn't force her to do anything she didn't want to do.
In the meantime, Ariele entered the room, her hair tied up in a bun, leaving loose strands, looking beautiful. Her cheeks blushed at the interruption of our conversation.
I could see the jealousy in my sister-in-law's eyes as I introduced her to Ariele. She tried to disguise it, but couldn't hide the expression of discontent when she realized how beautiful and competent Ariele seemed to be.
I felt a bit uncomfortable with the situation, but I tried to reassure her by explaining that Ariele had excellent references and would be a great help to us. However, I knew she might cause future problems, but I worried about that at the right time.
After Ariele left, I left my sister-in-law in the living room and went on to fulfill my commitments. In the mafia, discipline is essential, and there are diplomatic matters that only the Don can handle. Above me, there's only the capo del capo, someone who holds an even higher position and commands the other Dons.
On that day, my first commitment was with one of our arms suppliers. He was dissatisfied with the quality of the weapons we had provided in the last deal and was threatening to cut ties with our organization. I knew I needed to act quickly and cautiously to prevent that from happening.
Arriving at the meeting place, I got straight to the point and started negotiating. I explained that the quality of the weapons was a priority for us and that we would do our best to improve them. Gradually, I managed to gain the supplier's trust and secure a new deal.
Next, I went to a meeting with other Dons of the mafia. There, we discussed internal matters and plans for future negotiations. It was a long and tiring meeting but extremely important to keep the organization running smoothly.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted but satisfied for having fulfilled my obligations to the family. I knew that discipline and hierarchy were crucial to maintaining a strong and united organization, and my role as Don was essential for that.
So, I left the meeting place and headed home, where I would find my sister-in-law and my new entertainment. But I knew that even at home, I needed to be alert and prepared for any eventuality. After all, in the mafia, you never know what might happen.
I'm sitting at the table, looking at Ariele with a kind smile.
"So, Ariele, how was your day today?"
"It was pretty calm, thank you for asking. And yours?"
"It was a bit hectic, but nothing I can't handle." I notice that Ariele seems a bit uncomfortable.
"Are you enjoying the dinner?"
"Yes, everything is delicious. Thank you."
"You're welcome." I let her eat, not wanting to push her limits.
Cassandra enters the dining room, her gaze falling on Ariele with disdain, but she doesn't hide her look when she turns to me. She wants me to know.
"Hey everyone, sorry for the delay. Any issues?"
I shift my gaze from Ariele to Cassandra.
"No, no issues. Ariele and I were just talking about dinner."
"Oh really? That's nice, Ariele. You seem pretty smart." I sense the underlying intention in her words, though Ariele seems not to understand our conversation, she still responds with what she thought was a compliment.
"Thank you, Mrs. Cassandra."
We finish dinner in silence, and I notice that my little nun hasn't eaten much.
"Ariele, you didn't seem to enjoy the dinner."
"It's not that, Mr. Eric. I just wanted to know when I can go back to the orphanage."
"Why the rush to go back there? You have everything you need here with me."
"I know, but the orphanage is my home. I miss the other girls and the nuns. I have my life there."
"Ariele, you've been here for less than 24 hours. I won't let anything bad happen to you."
"I understand, Mr. Eric. But I feel like I should go back there. They need me, and I need them." That conversation was getting on my nerves; she wasn't going anywhere, and she would know that soon enough. Cassandra just watched without expressing anything, and I hoped it would stay that way; I'd forget diplomacy with her.
"I can't let you go to the convent, Ariele."
"Why not? I'm free to choose what I want to do."
"You don't know what you've gotten yourself into, girl." I say threateningly; we're still sitting at the table, dessert has just been served.
"Mr. Eric, I know you're a dangerous man, but that doesn't give you the right to take away my freedom." Ariele says firmly.
"I don't want to take away your freedom, Ariele." I reply with a dark look.
"Then why do you insist on controlling everything I do? I'm an independent woman capable of making my own decisions. Why all this madness, are you crazy?" Ariele retorts, crossing her arms; she's irritated, making her even more irresistible.
"Because I wanted it this way, and I don't owe you any explanations. Now be quiet and go to bed; you don't want to see my dangerous side."
Ariele looks directly into my eyes, her pupils exude purity, her angelic face seems perfect for the whole package that is her body.
I rise from the table and head for another shower; I decide to go to my nightclub. I need to destress and clear my mind a bit after the tense conversation I had with Ariele. I can't let things heat up too much between us; I can be quite temperamental when I want, and she wouldn't be able to handle it.
But now, nothing better than a lively night at my nightclub to help me forget my troubles.
Upon arrival, I greeted the security personnel and headed straight to the bar. I ordered my favorite drink and began observing the club's activity. The colorful lights were flashing to the rhythm of the electronic music echoing throughout the venue. The dance floor was packed with people dancing, laughing, and having fun.
I felt a smile forming on my face as I realized everything was going well. My nightclub was crowded, people seemed to be enjoying themselves, and I was relaxing after the tension Ariele had caused me. It was as if I had left my problems outside and entered a world where only fun mattered.
But it didn't last long because soon a redhead with Guilda's same features caught my attention. I set aside the hot brunette and made my way to the stairs, leaving the VIP area.
She was heading to the bathroom, amidst the crowd, I managed to follow her; just before she entered the room, I grabbed her arm, feeling my blood boil, and realizing how much audacity the bitch* had to come here.
Her father, the Don of New York, was protecting her; I'm sure of it. Her wide-eyed gaze met mine, and I can't hide my wicked smile, making it clear all the evil that awaits her.