8

8
Arabella

Six followed me until I reached the restroom. I glared at him before walking in, hatred burning in my veins at the way he shadowed my every move.

Just as I was about to shut the door, he put his foot between it. “I’ll be out here waiting for you,” he said, his voice cold and possessive.

I didn’t reply. I tried to close the door again, but he didn’t move his foot.

“Don’t lock it,” he instructed, eyes narrowing with suspicion that made my stomach clench.

I huffed and nodded. He pulled away, and I shut the door. My heart was thumping so hard in my chest that I was sure everyone in the building could hear it.

I carefully tiptoed around, my eyes scanning the dimly lit space for something, anything, that could aid my escape. I wasn’t just searching for a temporary outlet; I was searching for a way out of the life that threatened to trap me.

Near the far corner, half-hidden by a streak of moonlight, I spotted a large, unguarded window. My pulse quickened. Without a second thought, I rushed over and began preparing myself. I swept my long, unruly hair into a high ponytail, tugging it tight against my scalp.

With one determined hand, I yanked up my dress just enough to reveal my legs, and with the other, I gripped the cool metal of the window frame. The glass was slightly ajar, inviting and dangerous all at once.

I climbed, using every bit of agility I possessed. My heart pounded in my chest. I felt the adrenaline pumping in my veins.

Once outside, I ran through the maze-like corridors of the event hall. My heels clacked against the marble floors. I was tempted to pull them off, but the last thing I wanted was unnecessary attention.

Every eye in the room would be on me if I showed up without shoes in the main hall. I was almost there, almost free.

In a secluded corner of the bustling room, under a soft pool of light that cast a shadow in that part of the hall, stood Don Corleone, an old man with a gaze that cut sharply.

I hesitated as I got closer, my heart hammering in my chest.

“You must be Arabella,” he said, his voice a grave murmur that both intimidated and comforted me.

“Yes,” I managed, barely above a whisper, trying to steady the tremor in my voice. I couldn’t help but feel exposed, as if every secret of mine were laid bare in that moment.

He led me to a quiet corner away from prying eyes, where the murmur of conversation faded. He grabbed two glasses of wine just as a waiter passed by.

He extended a hand, offering me a glass of deep red wine. “To new beginnings,” he toasted, with a tinge of amusement in his voice. But I also couldn’t ignore the watchful look in his eyes.

I took the glass, its cool surface grounding me for a moment. “To new beginnings,” I echoed, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. I sipped the wine slowly, each drop burning away a little of the tension that knotted my insides.

“Do you like wine?” he asked suddenly.

I was taken aback by the line of questioning. “Yes…” My voice was barely above a whisper.

Then he began rambling about his favorite wine.

I drowned out his voice, only managing a small, nervous smile here and there. I peered behind me, worried that Six would pop out of nowhere and put an end to the meeting that had only just started.

I hadn’t even brought up the main reason I was here in the first place.

“So, tell me,” he said suddenly, leaning in as if about to reveal a secret. “Are you expecting someone? Is this a trap?”

My throat went dry. “No—no, please,” I stammered, shaking my head continuously. “This is not a trap. I’m here alone, all by myself.”

He raised an eyebrow, studying me as though he could unravel the truth just by looking at me. “Do you know who I am?” he asked softly, as if he already knew the answer.

I nodded, my hand trembling as it cradled the wine glass. “Yes,” I replied, my voice barely audible.

“And you’re the Capo’s bride-to-be?” His tone was light, but I could sense the challenge hidden within his words.

I could only nod again, my heart pounding so fiercely I thought it might burst free from my ribcage. The silence between us was heavy, interrupted only by the distant clinking of glasses and murmured laughter from the rest of the room.

“So you know how much I hate the Capo?” he continued, his voice lowering to a whisper.

I nodded once more. “That’s exactly why I’m here,” I blurted out. “I need your help. I need to escape. I have to stop—”

He reached out and placed a gentle but firm hand on my arm. “Shh,” he cautioned, pulling me closer so that his words were for my ears only. “The walls have ears, Arabella. We must be cautious.”

His grip was reassuring, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling of fear, of danger. He took my hand and led me outside the hall. I panicked at first, my eyes darting across the room, hoping to spot someone, Six.

But my fear vanished when he led me into a secluded part of the yard, shielded by tall trees, and finally let go of my hands.

“What is it you truly want?” he asked, his eyes searching mine as we stood in the half-light.

I took a deep breath, the cool night air caressing my skin. Inside, though, I felt warmth from all the wine I had been sipping. “I don’t want to be married to the Capo,” I began, my voice trembling with pent-up frustration and fear. “I can’t bear the thought of a life where I’m just a pawn in this dirty game. I don’t want to be part of this at all. I’m suffocating in a role I never chose. I want - no, I need - to be free.” My words tumbled out in a rush, raw and unfiltered.

“I want to help you take him down. I can’t live like this, and I believe you can do it. I’m willing to risk everything.”

A slow, calculating smile spread across his weathered face as he listened, his eyes never leaving mine. “And what do I gain from this alliance?” he asked, his tone even, yet laced with unmistakable intrigue.

I tilted my head slightly, lifting my chin. “You gain an ally in conquering your enemies,” I said, my voice growing steadier as I embraced the risk of speaking my truth. “Someone who knows what it’s like to be under his thumb, someone who has been forced into a life that isn’t hers.”

I paused. “Your big plan to bring down the Capo won’t be easy without help from someone on the inside, someone as close as I would be to him.”

He chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to echo in the cool night. “You’re an eccentric woman, aren’t you?” he remarked, pulling a small cigar from the inner pocket of his tailored jacket. With deliberate care, he lit it and took a slow, contemplative drag.

“I’ll think about it,” he said after a moment. I watched as the smoke curled upward until it dissipated.

Panic flared within me. “How will you contact me, then?” I asked.

He exhaled slowly, the smoke drifting between us like a silent promise. “I will find you,” he replied, his tone final, before turning and walking away into the shadows, leaving me with a feeling of both anticipation and fear.

I stood there for what felt like an eternity, my thoughts spiraling out of control. I had done it. Somehow, I had managed to do it. I had played my part. Now all I had to do was wait.

The cold air caressed my skin, sending goosebumps all over my arms. I rubbed them, sucking in a deep breath before shutting my eyes—

“Arabella.”

I heard that familiar deep baritone voice.

I snapped out of my reverie and turned around sharply.