Taken By The Mafia Lord

The woman went on to say to her, "I'm sorry, dear, I didn't intend to build our relationship based on lies but I heard your relationship with this little imp started on the wrong foot...."

Arianna was more than shocked when she saw that woman grab Marcel by the head and push his face into the bowl of warm, homely, comforting bean and sausage hotpot served with cheese toasts.

What the fuck?! Arianna was hanging on the borderline of laughter and disbelief.

Arianna took back her word from earlier, she was hundred percent sure that she would get along with this woman - if Marcel doesn't kill her after this incident.

However, to her surprise, Marcel only lifted his head, a chopped sausage slipping down his face and she couldn't help it anymore. Arianna burst into loud laughter that made Marcel's lips form into a thin line as he wiped the tomato purée with the help of the napkin Beatrice boldly handed to him.

This was so hilarious, Arianna wished she had her cell phone by her side so she could snap this moment and turn the photo into a meme. God, this was the one time she got to see Marcel utterly embarrassed and he didn't react. He and Beatrice must be much closer than she thought for Marcel to forgive her this easily.

"While you ladies laugh over my misery, I'll go make myself presentable," Marcel said wryly, pushing back the seat with his butt as he stood to leave.

When Marcel left, as if someone shouted, "Jack Robinson," Arianna and Beatrice burst into another round of laughter that was much more savage than the previous one.

"That was so original," Arianna told the woman, "For a moment there, I thought I saw smoke oozing off his head," She deceived commically.

This was the first time she was having this much fun since she arrived here. Finally, when the humorous ambiance eased, Arianna turned to the woman, stretching her hand, as she introduced herself to her, "I'm Arianna, Marcel's captive."

"Poor child," The woman murmured with sympathy, and instead of accepting her handshake, pulled her into a warm embrace.

Emotions choked Arianna and she fought intensely to keep the tears down. She didn't know if this woman was sincere but she needed her consolation at the moment.

She has been fighting this battle all alone, the burden weighing down on her so much it was suffocating with no one to share her experience, to lighten the weight in her heart. Hence, that simple gesture warmed Arianna's heart especially coming from an older woman - it felt maternal.

"I understand how hard it is, it's never easy in the first place," Beatrice said, rubbing her back soothingly.

As she thought, the woman had an idea of what was going on here and seemed okay with it. For how long has she associated with Marcel for her to be comfortable with this twisted kingdom. Would there come a time when she possesses the same level of comfort about the underworld? The thought of that scared Arianna.

She was young and had dreams to achieve. Although if she thought about dreams now, Arianna couldn't give a clear view of what she wanted anymore.

Back at home, her dream was to be independent, be free of her uncle's family hassles, and live comfortably with her trust fund money. But now, all she wanted was to be free of Marcel's clutches and run off to a place where he would never be able to find her.

She would live quietly and start a family with a responsible guy that would pierce together her currently shattered heart. And maybe, she ends up as a dance teacher in a local school - her dreams of being a famous dancer would draw too much attention since she wanted to be far away from that Mafia Lord, Marcel. She had to lay low in that situation.

"You should have your meal before it gets cold," Beatrice brought it to her notice after they pulled away from the now awkward hug.

Sigh, Arianna, you can't just open up to any stranger that looks kind. Looks were deceiving and Cassie's betrayal should have taught her enough already. But she had this feeling that Beatrice wasn't that kind of person, perhaps, because she was an elder?

Cassie wanted to murder her because she assumed that she wanted her lover, Kenith. Clearly, Beatrice was over that lively pleasure of life because an old woman trying to murder her over Marcel's attention was a trauma Arianna wouldn't want to experience. It even sounded ridiculous in her head.

However, just because Beatrice wouldn't murder her for catching Marcel's attention doesn't mean she should be trusted. After all, Marcel told her they've known each other for a long time, meaning she's his person and would likely never betray him.

Arianna had to be careful what she said around the woman in case she turns out to be a spy instead of a mother figure.

"Here, you should have this. The toast is to kill for," Beatrice pushed the plate to her front, taking a seat beside her at the same time.

Arianna ended up accepting the food against her plan of starving. But what could she do? The food here was tantalizing and she was almost beginning to salivate like a dog. This was a perfect temptation.

The moment she took a bite of the toast, Arianna shut her eyes and moaned in bliss. The food tasted good, comparable to the ones Mimi's mother used to prepare the both of them.

God, she missed her cooking.

"Do you like it?" The woman asked, her expression full of expectation.

With her mouthful, Arianna couldn't reply, so she only gave her a thumbs up, her delighted expression telling it all.

"That's a relief," The woman breathed, "I thought I might have touched my magic touch with the long break,"

Beatrice, having been observing Arianna eat, poured her a glass of water seeing she was about to choke.

"You should slow down, the food isn't going anywhere and there's more," Beatrice advised her while she drank the water.

Arianna set the glass down on the table with a deep breath. She then asked the woman, "How long have you known Marcel?"

"Since he was in diapers?"

Arianna raised a stunned brow, since he was in diapers? Wait a minute, didn't that mean she has every necessary information she needed to know about Marcel.

This should be interesting.