ACCOUNT BALANCE
USD: -408,000.00
MOVEMENTS:
AMORIELLE, VITTORIO ------- 07:38 AM
+ $65,000.00
AMORIELLE, VITTORIO ------- 06:00 AM
+ $7,000.00
AMORIELLE, VITTORIO ------- 05:57 AM
+ $20,000.00
Ellis woke up to the sound of a notification on her phone. She glanced at the screen and saw the message from the bank about the deposit of $65,000 when it was supposed to be only $60,000. She furrowed her brow and muttered to herself:
"What the hell is this? Why did he deposit more than agreed?"
She got out of bed, grabbed her robe, and walked to the living room of the suite, where she threw the contract in Vittorio's face from the previous night. She started reading the contract clauses, looking for an explanation for the extra amount.
"Participate in all meals...," Ellis began reading the clauses with corresponding values. "I didn't even eat properly yesterday... Ahnnn, Recreational activities... Only if throwing the contract at him counts as a recreational activity... Ahmmm... Masturbation, definitely not! Social events... Well, the wedding one already covers that. The next one is..."
She turned the page, and there it was, clause 4.1.10 – INFIDELITY. As she reached the clause about infidelity, she realized that the extra amount in the deposit could have come from that clause. Ellis felt a pang of pain in her chest and wondered if Vittorio had betrayed her.
Ellis looked down the hallway, towards one of those doors, where Vittorio might still be sleeping, or not, and felt a mix of anger and sadness. After a few seconds, she decided to confront him. She walked through the suite, searching for Vittorio. She was eager to find out what was going on and hoped to find him in one of the rooms and be certain that it was just a mistake, but they were all empty. Vittorio was not in the suite, which made her even more certain that he had betrayed her.
The brunette decided to go back to the living room, and that's where she found him entering the room with Rocco and two other henchmen.
"Why did you deposit more money than agreed?" Ellis asked, irritated.
"Good morning to you too, Ellis. I thought you were still asleep," Vittorio said, ignoring his wife's anger. "You two, grab our bags, and Rocco, search the room, please."
"Don't change the subject. What is this?" Ellis asked, showing him the bank message. "You know very well that the amount for last night was $60,000."
"Ah, yes, that. I deposited a little more than agreed. I thought you might like a bonus," Vittorio lied, looking at his phone screen.
"I can't believe this," Ellis said, skeptically, narrowing her eyes. "Why did you deposit this extra amount?"
"You can read the contract, my dear. It's because of the clause about infidelity. The clause says I have to deposit $5,000 every time I cheat on you, and that's what I did. I received a very good business proposal last night, and it was impossible to refuse," Vittorio replied to Ellis, who was shocked to hear this. He raised one eyebrow and asked, "Is everything okay? I thought you didn't care about that..."
"And I don't care," Ellis replied, crossing her arms. "And
if you think this affects me, forget it."
"Actually, I didn't think anything," Vittorio said, looking at her seriously. "Ellis, not everything is about you."
"I didn't think it was, Don Vittorio."
"Great. But changing the subject, I have a surprise for you."
"What is it?" Ellis asked, suspiciously.
"We are going to spend our honeymoon in Pesedina, my family's hometown," Vittorio revealed. "I'm going to show you the beauty of Italy."
"Pesedina? I've never heard of that place."
"It's a small but charming town. You'll love it. I've made all the preparations," Vittorio informed her. "Now get ready because our plane leaves in an hour."
"Okay, Don Vittorio. Let's go to Pesedina," Ellis said as she turned to go back to her room.
"Believe me, our honeymoon will be unforgettable. You won't regret it," Vittorio said, unsure if Ellis had heard him or not.
***
Vittorio and Ellis sat side by side in the black car as it navigated the busy streets of New York. The tension between them was palpable, and both avoided making eye contact. After a long period of silence, Ellis finally spoke up.
"So, do you have any idea what we're getting ourselves into here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, is it just a trip, or will there be a business involved like last night?"
Vittorio turned to look at her, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Trust me, Ellis, you'll love it there," he said, his Italian accent becoming more pronounced.
"Yes, I'm sure. Just as sure as I am that you won't try to kill me at the first chance," Ellis commented, and Vittorio let out a low laugh.
"You watch too many movies, Ellis. We're not like that."
"I'd rather not pay to find out."
Vittorio laughed at her comment and looked at her for the first time since they left the hotel. He couldn't help but notice how stunning she looked, even in just a black coat and jeans.
"You look beautiful, Ellis," Vittorio complimented.
"Thank you, Don Vittorio. You don't look too bad yourself," Ellis replied, pointing to her husband's black suit.
The rest of the journey was spent in silence as both nervously anticipated what was to come.
Vittorio and Ellis sat silently next to each other as they flew in Vittorio's private jet from New York to Pesedina, Vittorio's family's hometown in Calabria, Italy. Ellis looked out the window, admiring the view of the Italian coastline below, while Vittorio read a newspaper. They arrived in Pesedina at sunset.
As the plane landed on the runway, Vittorio looked up from his newspaper and turned to Ellis.
"Are you ready for this?" he asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Ellis replied nervously.
They disembarked from the jet and were greeted by a tall man with broad shoulders, piercing blue eyes, and a thick mustache.
"Vittorio, my nephew!" the man exclaimed as he embraced Vittorio in a strong hug. "And you must be Ellis. Welcome to Calabria."
"Hello," Ellis replied. "Nice to meet you. What's your name?"
"Ellis, allow me to introduce my uncle, Matteo Amorielle," Vittorio introduced as he looked at his uncle.