Claimed By The Ruthless Mafia

Ryder’s POV.

At 9:00 a. m. on a lazy Sunday morning, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. I groggily reached for it, wondering who could possibly be disturbing me at this ungodly hour. To my delight, Bella stirred in my arms, her tiny meows adding a touch of charm to the waking chaos.

I carefully placed Bella on the pillow, ensuring her continued comfort, before reluctantly sitting up to answer the call. The screen displayed my mother’s face, which meant it was likely to be something important. I swiped the answer button and, slipping my feet into slippers, made my way to the balcony, hoping to maintain some tranquility around Bella’s sleeping form.

“Hey mum! What’s up? Why did you have to call so early on a Sunday morning?” I questioned, attempting to sound both concerned and slightly annoyed.

“Ryder, I’ve sent some pictures of the daughters from reputable families to your number. Take a look and choose one of them. I’ll set up a date for you,” she commanded, her tone brooking no argument.

I sighed internally, not wanting to be part of any matchmaking endeavors. “Mum, I really don’t want to meet any girl, and you know that,” I protested, hoping she would understand my reluctance.

Her response was one of surprise and concern. “Are you alright, Ryder? Refusing to meet a girl? What’s gotten into you? This isn’t just an ordinary date. I want you to choose a girl and get married. You’re turning 29, and it’s time for you to settle down and start a family,” she insisted, her determination evident in her voice.

“Mum, come on. I’m still too young to get married,” I argued, trying to reason with her.

She played her trump card, appealing to my emotions. “Oh no, son. I’m getting older, and I want to see you settled down before time slips away. Please, consider my feelings,” she pleaded, making it harder for me to resist.

“Mum! Now you’re emotionally blackmailing me,” I retorted, a mix of exasperation and affection in my tone.

After my mother hung up, I found myself grappling with conflicting emotions. The pressure she exerted to get me married was stressful, and I couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh as I pondered my predicament. As much as I wanted to believe in a future with Bella, our relationship felt uncertain, and I knew she wasn’t ready to take it to the next level. Nevertheless, I had to find out where we stood and what she truly desired.

As I reentered the room, there was Bella, emerging from the bathroom with a bright smile that momentarily eased the tension in my heart. “Good morning, Ryder!” she greeted me, and I couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss her forehead affectionately. “Morning, baby girl,” I replied tenderly, grateful for her presence.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she inquired about the phone call. “Who was that?” she asked, sensing my unease.

“Oh, just my mom calling this morning,” I disclosed, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Her concern was evident, and I could see her trying to read my face. “Is everything alright?” she probed gently.

With hesitation, I revealed the reason for my mother’s call, “Yeah, my mom wanted me to meet some girls.” I observed Bella’s reaction closely, hoping for some indication of how she felt about it.

At first, her face showed a fleeting frown, betraying a hint of discomfort, but almost instantly, she masked her emotions, and her countenance became blank and unreadable. Her eyes, usually so expressive, turned cold and distant, making it difficult to gauge her true feelings. I tried to delve into her mysterious eyes, but they revealed nothing. She looked away, feigning interest in her phone, as if the topic was of no consequence to her.

Feeling a pang of hurt, I couldn’t help but express my disappointment, “You don’t want to ask me why my mum wanted me to meet those girls?” I yearned for her to show some concern, to exhibit a desire to understand my feelings.

Her response was surprisingly indifferent, as if she had detached herself from the situation entirely. “No. I mean, it’s between you and your mum,” she replied nonchalantly, her words cutting through me like ice. “Who am I to interfere? That’s your life, and you are free to live it as you want,” she added indifferently.

I could feel anger and frustration bubbling up inside me. “Do you really not care if my mother wants me to marry a girl of her choice? It doesn’t bother you,” I asked, my voice trembling with suppressed anger.

Her response shocked me, as she remained calm and matter-of-fact. “Why should it bother me? We are not committed. We are not in a relationship. You should get married, and your family wants it too,” she stated, causing my frustration to escalate.

Feeling a mix of desperation and vulnerability, I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Bella, I want to settle down with you,” I confessed shamelessly, my heart laid bare before her. I knew she might not fully understand, given her age, but I had to take the chance. I was willing to set aside my pride and beg her to marry me.

Her response was not what I had hoped for, and it hit me like a heavy blow. “Are you mad? Ryder, I am still in school. I want to complete my studies. I want to make my career first. I can’t think about settling down in my teenage years. It would be better if you listen to your family and get married to a girl of their choice,” she said curtly, closing the door on any hopes I had.

The pain I felt was overwhelming. She seemed unfazed, as if my happiness meant little to her. I was at a loss for words, my heart aching with the realization that our paths might be diverging irreversibly.

“So… After marriage, we won’t be the same, you know that?” I asked, trying to gauge her emotions. She nodded, confirming my worst fears. “Can you live without me?” I questioned, wanting to understand just how much she was willing to hurt me.

“Listen, Ryder. I had never expected this from you. You were always a practical guy who thinks from the brain, not from the heart. It’s obvious that we can’t continue this relationship after marriage,” she said sternly. Her response was like a knife to the heart.

Fuck! She was blunt.

“This is not you, Bella. Tell me what you are hiding? Why are you so insecure about us? Why don’t you see that I don’t want anyone else but you to live with me, to stay with me forever,” I probed, determined to break through her facade.

She seemed hesitant, struggling to find the right words to express her thoughts. Finally, she admitted, “Ryder… We are not meant to be together. We are so different. I mean… I like you, but I never think about it.” Her voice quivered as she continued, “I don’t think it will work. You should be with someone classy, elegant, and as gorgeous as you are. I am too simple to be with you, almost a nerd.”

The words spilled from her lips as she nervously bit them, revealing her self-doubt.

Her misconceptions about herself struck me like a dagger to the heart. I couldn’t bear to hear her belittle herself when, in my eyes, she was the epitome of beauty and grace. The fire of my affection for her blazed even brighter, and I closed the distance between us, tenderly cupping her face in my hands.

“No, baby girl. You are so wrong,” I declared with a soft intensity. “You are the most hot and gorgeous girl I have ever seen in my life. You are the only girl my heart desires all the time. I can never get enough of you, after thousands of times making love to you in 24 hours, and you have no idea how stunningly incredible you are.”

But she resisted my attempts to reassure her, pulling my hands away from her face.Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

“Stop it, Ryder. Just stop it,” she pleaded, her tone carrying a mix of vulnerability and resolve. “Don’t make it more complicated. I like to live in a planned way, and I have planned everything in my life, and marriage and settling down are not on the list. Don’t force me to do anything which I don’t want,” she asserted, putting an end to any hopes of a future together.

Her decision felt like a miracle turned nightmare. I, the former playboy, was begging to get married, while she, the sweet and normal girl, wasn’t ready for it at all. It was a cruel twist of fate that left me feeling lost and defeated. With her verdict made, I knew I had to move on to plan B.