The Mafia’s Wanted Desires

ASHLEY

Ivana’s dream wedding has always been a fairytale wedding. This was the most anticipated wedding of the year. The highest-paid actor in the Hollywood industry and one of the top event planners in the country. You can imagine the number of dignitaries that were in attendance at the reception that was being held at the Floral Hall.

Ivana was known for bringing her A-game to any work she did, but she went all out with the interior decor of her wedding. The hall was completely transformed. I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off it since we left the church and headed to this place for the reception event. My mind wandered to the event at the church. A light giggle flowed breezily from my lips as I remembered how Vince couldn’t control himself from breaking into tears while he watched Ivana walk down the aisle.

He couldn’t keep it to himself.

The church program was beautiful and concise. It evoked emotions in me. Both the ones I knew I was capable of feeling and the ones I didn’t know I was capable of feeling. It was both intense and emotional. I was an emotional wreck for several seconds. The vows were so heartfelt and left goosebumps all over my skin.

The only thing the decor reminded me of was pink clouds. It felt like an entirely different world on its own like I had transcended into a different plane. I was completely hooked by the purplish-blue aura, complemented by beautiful cream flowers.

The long soft lilac chandeliers that hung from the ceiling in a string of beads looked so fascinating. The baby bluish light that filtered from the chandeliers that occupied every inch of the ceilings illuminated the room, giving it a wonderland feel. Balls of blue cotton candy had lilac bulbs hung in their middle. Cream flowers hung on some parts of the wall but it mostly dominated the tables.

The circular furniture was surrounded by cream-coloured chairs that were six in number. The middle of the hall created a pathway that was littered with flowers at the side, leading to the massive couch with lilac flowers hanging at the side and right in front of it was a dance floor. The six-step, square-shaped cake hung a few feet away from the dancefloor, dotted with cream frosting and roses.

The room was filled to the brim with guests, whose voices aided the lively and bubbly atmosphere. Waiters and waitresses pranced around with trays of food and champagne flutes. The background music was soft, not overly loud, because it was overpowered by the chattering that belonged to the guests, alongside the clanking of cutleries.

I was grinning from ear to ear where I sat. I watched the love-struck couple on the stage. Vincent had his arm wrapped around Ivana’s waist, who was now dressed in a shimmering gold A-line floor-length dress. Vince’s tuxedo was already gone. He had the sleeves of his white shirt rolled to his elbows. Ivana had her arms looped around his neck, occasionally giggling when Vince stole cute kisses now and then. The duo looked lost in each other’s eyes as they moved to the music ever so softly.

They were so adorable!

I brought my champagne flute to my lips and was going to take a sip but it nearly spilled on my dress because of the low, harsh voice that came up behind me. I swung my head over my shoulder, my eyes landing on Dawn, who looked infuriated. She was standing beside a tall, dark-haired man. The first thing I could pick up about him was his rich golden skin that complimented his white shirt that was tucked in black slacks. His grey eyes were fixated on a fuming Dawn.

Beautiful seemed like the right word to qualify him.

“Matteo, get out of my face!” Dawn gritted. I was going to step in but it was obvious Dawn knew him and I knew she could handle herself, so I stayed put.

“D, listen…”

“Don’t ‘D’ me!” She snapped, irritated.

“D, I just want to talk. You have to stop treating me like this. You keep pushing me away every time,” The dark-haired guy cried out. His Italian accent was not hard to pick up.

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you! God, you are so annoying, Matteo! Pain in the ass! That’s what you are!” She growled over the music, not caring if she was being heard or the fact that she was drawing attention to herself.

“Get lost!” She yelled and walked away from him. My eyes didn’t leave his dejected frame. He was obviously trying to speak with her but Dawn wouldn’t give him the chance to. His grey eyes paled and he sighed, spinning on his heels.

I turned to my right.

“Don’t ask,” Dawn shunned me, snatching my champagne flute and chugging the golden liquid down her throat. She slammed the flute on the table and I caught a glimpse of her shaky hands. I furrowed my brows and reached over the table, placing my hands on hers and squeezing them gently.

She wouldn’t look at me.

Then, I realised how triggering this was for her.

“Dawn…” I trailed off.

“He is just a colleague at work, Ash. He got transferred to our branch not quite long ago. He’s been on my neck and wouldn’t let me breathe!”

“I have told him countless times that I do not like him! I don’t even know how he is here!” Her words came out so rushed. Her voice was so shaky. She turned to me, blinking rapidly. My eyes darted to her fingers, which were now tapping the surface of the table.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

She was lying…

Not the part about him being her colleague, but the part about not liking him. It was so glaring. Her body language sold her out. Dawn found it difficult to make eye contact whenever she was lying. Her shaky voice always sells her out, not to mention the rigorous tapping of her nails on a flat surface.

Dawn was a very composed young lady. She could be crazy but she was composed. The only thing that could ever make her feel so rattled was whenever she was lying. It was as clear as day that she was terrified of attachments. She has always kept her guard up ever since the incident with her ex-boyfriend in college. She never lets anyone in. She always keeps men at arm’s length.

It was purely logical that the only reason Matteo was under her skin was because she liked him and that scared her so much. It felt like history was repeating itself and she didn’t want that. She was trying to convince herself that she didn’t feel anything for him.

Just like you. The tiny voice in my head reminded me, but I shut it out. I didn’t want to dwell on that thought.

The whole thing was very complicated. I knew I had to tread carefully. Any poke could throw her over the edge, so I decided to play along.

“Why didn’t you tell Ivana and me?” I asked her, against my judgement. I just couldn’t hold back.

She looked at me. A swift emotion flashed across her eyes but she was quick to mask it.

“A lot has been going on…Jaxon, the wedding…I didn’t want to bother you guys.” She mumbled.

“Of course,” I forced a smile.

“Will you be okay? I have to use the bathroom.” I demanded softly. She met my gaze, nodding with a faux smile. I exhaled heavily and kissed her cheek, rising to my feet.

I smoothened the crease that might have formed on my dress, passed her an assuring smile and began making my way through the crowd. I occasionally brushed shoulders against the waiters and waitresses but I made sure I flashed them an apologetic smile before walking past them. I heaved a sigh of relief when I got to a less crowded part of the hall.

My eyes wandered around the vast space, in search of the hallways that led to the bathrooms. I couldn’t find any, so I spun around, colliding with a hard, firm chest. I groaned in pain, taking a step backwards.

“I am so sorry!”

“Did I hurt you?” The deep, baritone voice asked.

“You are damn right you did!” I fired, looking up to face him. His blue eyes brightened with a light smile when his gaze anchored on me. Although he was smiling, I couldn’t miss the hint of remorse in his tone, eliciting a sigh from me.

“I am sorry too,” I mumbled.

“I was looking for the bathroom. I don’t really know anywhere around here. Could you point me in that direction?” He asked softly, his eyes fixated on me.

“Over there,” I nudged my head in the opposite direction. My tone was a little dismissive.

“I am Aaron.” He grinned at me, stretching his hand forth for a handshake. I eyed his outstretched hand, his intentions getting clearer to me. So, I decided to be petty. I stretched out my palm, the one housing my ring finger, shaking him. His eyes darted to my wedding band and he looked up, unable to hide the surprise that flashed across his face.

My lips twitched in a smirk.

“And what the hell is going on here?”

The all-too-familiar voice was cold, dark and threatening. I whirled around to see my husband. One of his hands was tucked in the pocket of his black slacks while the other held his phone against his ear. He looked like he had just gotten off the call he excused himself to take.

His green eyes were narrowed at us in dangerous slits, a hint of challenge engraved in them.

Uh oh…

“Hey, baby.” I crooned.