"Excuse me," Ellis apologized, trying to dry the table and the guest's face with the same napkin.
"That's alright," replied the guest, wiping his face with his own napkin.
"Bring a napkin for this ragazza and a glass of water," Antonietta requested. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes," mumbled Ellis awkwardly. "I just didn't expect a date so soon. There's so much to do..."
"That's why my mother will help you, my love. She's great at this," Vittorio said. "And from what I can tell, you two are getting along very well."
"Yes, we are," Antonietta answered on behalf of Ellis, who was now drinking her glass of water. "We even scheduled a lunch tomorrow... She'll make Zuppa all'omertà... Everyone is invited!"
Ellis spit the water on the man's face again, just as he had finished cleaning himself, and started coughing uncontrollably, supported by her mother-in-law.
"You need to take care of this reflux," Antonietta said to her daughter-in-law. "It could even kill you."
Dying, that's what Ellis wished for at that moment, just to get out of that crazy family. She took a deep breath and then stood up, saying,
"Excuse me, everyone, but I need to go."
"I'll accompany you to the car, my love," Vittorio said, getting up.
He walked over to Ellis and extended his arm towards her, which she held onto. The two then walked out of the room. Vittorio continued to smile, but between his teeth, he said to her,
"You know it was a disaster, right?"
"I did my best, Don Vittorio," Ellis replied without looking at him.
"If that's your best, I can already see us celebrating our Wine Anniversary," Vittorio said as he watched his employee open the main door.
The two stopped outside, and Ellis turned to the mafioso, saying,
"Keep dreaming... I saw what you did."
"What did I do?" Vittorio asked, surprised.
"Getting married in two weeks?" Ellis questioned. "You're rushing things, don't you think?"
"I'm helping you," Vittorio said, getting closer to the young woman. He then fixed the brunette's unruly hair behind her ear and continued, "Unless you want to stay married to me..."
"Me? It was you who... gave a speech... a speech..." Ellis started to stutter, nervously. She hated it. Every time she got nervous, she stuttered, especially when she was around him.
"A speech...?" Vittorio asked, leaning his body even closer to the young woman, forcing her to raise her head. He found the height difference amusing, as she looked like an irritated cute animal.
"A sappy and passionate speech. I know there's a clause in that contract that mentions it... and that you have to pay..." Ellis explained. "In this case, it cancels out my debt to you."
"Clause 4.1.9," Amorielle quoted, smiling at the young woman. He touched her chin and then brought it closer to him. "However, I'm not in love with you, Miss Ellis..."
"N... no, no?" Ellis stuttered with the mafioso's touch. "No... it didn't seem like that..."
"I'm not in love with you, I assure you," Amorielle reaffirmed, bringing his lips a little closer to hers. "I just fulfilled my part. Unlike you."
"Did I not fulfill mine?" Ellis asked, surprised. "I even spoke to your mother! Aren't you
going to pay me?! You have to pay me for tonight!"
"Shhh..." Amorielle said, placing his finger over the young woman's lips. "I will pay you for the obligations you fulfilled tonight, don't worry."
"Alright..." Ellis whispered, stepping back from Vittorio. "I hope so."
"Speaking of which," Vittorio said, taking out a cellphone from his pocket. He handed it to her, saying, "This is your new phone. I created a special account for you, where you can track all the transactions."
Ellis took the phone from Vittorio's hands and opened the screen, which displayed the Wild bank app.
"The password is your birthday," Vittorio said.
Within seconds, the app opened Ellis' account:
Welcome, Ellis Barker
ACCOUNT BALANCE
USD: -500,000.00
MOVEMENTS:
"By tomorrow, I will send the amounts for tonight," Vittorio explained.
"As you wish. Let me return your ring..." Ellis began as she tried to remove the engagement ring from her finger.
"No, keep it," Vittorio requested, touching Ellis' hand. "After all, you are my fiancée. It wouldn't look good to walk around without it. People might get suspicious..."
"Alright," Ellis agreed, looking back at Vittorio.
The two of them remained silent, gazing at each other. Vittorio observed how stunning Ellis looked that night. The dress looked just as perfect on her as it did on the model, but Ellis' beauty surpassed everything else. He couldn't explain it, but there was something about her that caught his attention from the very beginning, and it wasn't just her eyes that kept searching for his. She hoped to find something good in this man who always made a point of showing himself as powerful, unfeeling, and cruel. If only he showed some goodness, perhaps all of this could be taken more lightly, Ellis thought sadly, but he's cruel, and that's all there is to it.
Rocco's car pulled up in front of the couple.
"Thank you for tonight, Miss Barker," Vittorio emphasized. "I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing you tomorrow."
"As you wish, Don Vittorio," Ellis replied before walking towards the car.
Then she felt Vittorio's hand touch her back, causing her to turn and find the mafioso next to her. He offered his other hand for her to hold, saying,
"Just helping you get in, Miss Ellis."
"Thank you, Don Vittorio," Ellis responded as she entered the vehicle.
The mafioso then leaned down and placed the rest of her dress on the car floor. He closed the door next to Ellis, allowing Rocco to drive away.
"What a night!" Jason exclaimed, startling his sister. She hadn't noticed his presence in the vehicle. "Glad it's over."
"Yes, glad it's over," Ellis said, restraining herself from looking back.