Chapter 104
Vitale's lips were warm and dry as they gently pressed against Isabella's forehead.
"Of course, but when you wake up, can you go on a date with me tonight?"
Isabella's eyelids grew heavier.
A wave of tiredness, like warm water, flowed from her limbs to her brain, drowning her consciousness.
Isabella wasn't sure if she agreed or not; she just mumbled something unclear and buried her face deeper into his chest.
"Isabella," Vitale called her name, his voice carrying a hint of amusement and helplessness.
She felt his lips move away from her forehead and lightly kiss her cheek.
Isabella mumbled again, this time with a playful tone, her fingers unconsciously grabbing the fabric of his shirt at his chest.
Vitale seemed to find her reaction funny.
She could feel the vibration in his chest and hear his low chuckle.
"Come have dinner with me. Let me take you out on a proper date. Please, Isabella, we've never gone on a normal date like regular people."
There was a strange vulnerability in his words that Isabella picked up on, even in her half-asleep state.
She forced her eyes open to look at Vitale's face.
The usual playful smirk was gone from his lips; instead, they were slightly pressed together, showing a rare hint of nervousness.
This man, who could handle the darkest deals without batting an eye, was now nervously waiting for her answer.
Isabella's heart softened completely.
She smiled at him. "Okay."
Vitale's eyes widened slightly, as if he couldn't believe what he heard.
"Are you saying yes?" he asked, a trace of uncertainty in his voice. "Isabella, are you sure you're awake? Or is this just sleep talk?"
Isabella couldn't help but laugh at his reaction.
She lifted her head and kissed his chest through his shirt.
Even through the fabric, she could feel the firm, warm muscles underneath and his heartbeat speeding up in surprise.
"Yes, you can take me to dinner, Vitale. A proper date."
Then she couldn't hold on any longer and fell asleep.
When Isabella was brought back to her apartment, she was practically carried upstairs by Vitale with her eyes closed.
He insisted on walking her to her door and even offered to help her take off her shoes and change into pajamas, but Isabella refused with the last bit of her awareness.
She didn't want him to see the faded old T-shirts and sweatpants in her closet.
"I'll manage," Isabella mumbled, leaning against the doorframe, barely able to keep her eyes open. "Go back. See you tonight."
Vitale stood at the door, reaching out to gently stroke her cheek.
"Sleep well. I'll pick you up at seven."
Isabella nodded, closed the door, and, without even showering, collapsed onto her bed, face buried in the pillow, falling into a dreamless sleep almost instantly.
When she woke up, the room was already dark.
Isabella lay in bed, confused, her brain slowly restarting like a rusty machine.
It took her a full minute to remember where she was and what had happened.
Then her phone rang.
Isabella practically jumped to grab it.
Vitale's name was on the screen.
Her voice was hoarse from just waking up.
"Sleeping Beauty," Vitale's voice came through the phone, low, pleasant, with a teasing edge, "you should be awake by now, right? Can you come down and hop in my car for our date? I'm downstairs."
Date.
That word was like a key, instantly unlocking the floodgates of her memory.
Isabella gasped, her eyes widening.
"Oh my God," she groaned, covering her face with her hand. "I almost forgot about this. I'm supposed to go on a date with you, Vitale. I'm sorry, I—"
"It's okay," Vitale interrupted, the amusement in his voice even clearer. "No rush. I'll wait for you forever. But if you don't want me sitting in the car until the engine dies, you'd better hurry."
Isabella jumped out of bed, her bare feet hitting the cold floor.
"Wait for me five minutes! No, ten minutes! I'll be ready soon!"
Vitale chuckled, the sound vibrating through her ear. "Of course, take your time."
After hanging up, Isabella rushed into the bathroom like a whirlwind.
She brushed her teeth extra carefully, not wanting Vitale to smell bad breath if they kissed.
God, just thinking about that possibility made her cheeks burn.
Then Isabella dashed back to her bedroom, opened her closet, and quickly decided between her limited options.
In the end, she picked a simple black knit dress.
Not one of the expensive gowns Vitale had bought her, but something she'd purchased herself—affordable, well-fitted, knee-length, with a conservative round neckline but a cinched waist that showed off her curves.
She paired it with black tights and the only pair of heels she owned.
Also black, with a heel that wasn't too high, so she could still walk.
Isabella quickly applied light makeup, took a deep breath in front of the mirror, grabbed her small bag, opened the door, and rushed out.
Then she froze.
Vitale wasn't waiting downstairs.
He was right outside her apartment door, leaning against the opposite wall, dressed in a new outfit.
A white shirt, no tie, the top two buttons undone, revealing his Adam's apple and a glimpse of tanned skin.
His red hair was combed, though a few stubborn strands fell over his forehead, adding a touch of casual charm.
He looked at Isabella, his lips slowly curling into a smile as he opened his arms.
Without hesitation, Isabella threw herself into his embrace.
Vitale's arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her slightly off the ground before setting her back down. He leaned in and kissed her lips.
The gentle touch of his lips, the soft probing of his tongue, felt like he was tasting her, confirming her presence.
He tasted the mint of her toothpaste and the faint sweetness of her lip balm.
When the kiss ended, Isabella's legs felt weak, and her cheeks were burning hot.
Vitale whispered, his thumb gently brushing over her slightly swollen lower lip, "Don't you think we're like a newlywed couple? The husband waiting at the door for his wife, then going to dinner together."
Isabella's face turned even redder.
She lightly pushed at his chest, but the force was so weak it felt more like flirting.
"Stop talking nonsense. Let's go, I'm hungry."
Vitale laughed and took her hand. "Alright, my princess."
In the car, Isabella glanced at Vitale's profile, a strange feeling stirring in her heart.
In that moment when she had thrown herself into his arms, she really had felt that illusion.
As if Vitale wasn't a mafia boss, not the man who could talk about violence and death without blinking, but just an ordinary husband waiting for his wife to go to dinner together.
And she was that wife.
The thought made Isabella feel both sweet and scared.
Sweet because of the sense of belonging, the illusion that they were one.
Scared because she knew it wasn't real.
Vitale's world was far more complicated and dangerous than she could imagine, and being the wife of a mafia boss meant she could never live a normal life.
But she didn't say it out loud.
"What are we eating tonight?" Isabella finally asked, her voice sounding extra clear in the quiet car.
Vitale glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his brows slightly furrowed as if seriously thinking about the question.
"I asked Amboni," he said, his fingers lightly tapping the steering wheel. "He recommended a restaurant. Said he came here with Laura once, the food was good, the atmosphere was nice, and Laura thought you'd like it. So, we're going there."
Isabella's heart warmed.
"Sounds good," she smiled. "I'm in."
The restaurant was on the top floor of an old building by the Thalassia River, simply named Starry Sky.
The elevator went straight up, and the moment the doors opened, Isabella understood why Laura said she'd like it.
The entire restaurant felt like a giant greenhouse, with a glass dome ceiling showing the night sky without any obstruction.
The interior was simple yet elegant, with dark wooden tables and chairs, white tablecloths, and transparent glass screens between tables, ensuring privacy without blocking the view.
What stood out most were the flowers.
Not over-the-top floral arrangements, but simple yet delicate potted plants and bouquets.
White lilies, pale pink roses, deep purple irises, and green plants Isabella couldn't name, giving off a fresh scent.
The fragrance of flowers mixed with the aroma of food, creating a warm and romantic vibe.
A waiter immediately came over, and Vitale handed over a reservation card.
A simple black card with the time and his name printed in silver lettering.
The waiter glanced at it, his expression becoming even more respectful.
"Please, follow me."
They were led to a window seat, with a perfect view of the Thalassia River and the city's night skyline through the glass wall.
The candle on the table was already lit, flickering with a warm glow inside its glass holder.
After sitting down, Vitale leaned forward, elbows on the table, fingers clasped, his blue eyes like two dancing flames in the candlelight.
"Amboni said," he lowered his voice, a mischievous smirk on his lips, "the first time he kissed Laura, they almost fucked right here. He said the space is big, the vibe is perfect, but the only downside is it's not soundproof, so they ended up at a hotel."
Isabella's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth to stop herself from gasping out loud.
Her cheeks flushed again.
"I didn't expect Laura to be so bold. She's totally different around me."
Vitale shrugged, picking up the menu and flipping it open, his eyes scanning the dishes. "People have many sides, Isabella. Take Judy, for example. Could you imagine she's into messing around?"
Isabella paused, then shook her head. "No, I couldn't. So when I saw her at the party this time, I was shocked. She was having sex with a guy and even invited me to join. I ran."
Vitale looked up from the menu, a flicker of something Isabella couldn't read passing through his blue eyes—disgust? Resignation? Or something else?
"Judy's family is kind of a small faction within the Eldoria mafia. Not big, but they've got some influence. She grew up surrounded by men, her father, brothers, uncles, and cousins. No female companions, just a bunch of guys who spoiled her like a treasure but also showed her off like a trophy."
Vitale set the menu down, leaning back, his gaze distant. "You could say she's like a succubus. Not the mythical kind, but a real one. She craves men's attention, sex, and the feeling of being desired. Without men, she can't survive. You think she goes home after work every day? No, she's out sleeping with different guys. Sometimes in hotels, sometimes in cars, sometimes even in empty offices at Tyson Group's building. Amboni's caught her a few times."
Isabella gasped, her hand covering her chest. "Oh my God, I had no idea."