Vittorio and Ellis walked hand in hand, their steps light but their hearts heavy as they made their way back to their room in Pedesina. It was their first night together as husband and wife, but the weight of their contract marriage hung over them like a dark cloud. They entered the room, both feeling a mixture of nervousness and anxiety.
Vittorio looked at Ellis, his eyes betraying his restlessness. He knew this charade they had gotten themselves into was necessary to pay off his brother's enormous debt, but he couldn't help feeling guilty about the whole arrangement. Ellis, too, felt the weight of the situation, but she maintained her composure, determined to fulfill her part in the agreement.
They stood near the bed, their eyes fixed upon it, the silence between them palpable. Vittorio walked toward the grand, ornate bed in the center of the room, his eyes fixed upon it. Finally, the mafioso broke the silence, his voice tense but gentle.
"This bed has witnessed many generations of my family, Ellis. It's where dreams were born and secrets were shared."
"Secrets, huh?" Ellis asked, curious.
"But tonight, it guards our secret. Ellis, I... I know this isn't how either of us imagined being married, but we have to maintain appearances. I hope you understand."
Ellis nodded, her eyes shimmering with a mix of resignation and understanding.
"I understand, Vittorio. I knew what I was getting into when we agreed to this. It's just... difficult. We barely know each other, and now we're about to share a bed as if we were truly married."
Vittorio lightly squeezed Ellis's hand, drawing her attention and offering a reassuring smile.
"I promise, Ellis, I'll do everything in my power to make this as easy as possible for you. We'll maintain our boundaries and fulfill the terms of our contract, but we can't let anyone in this house suspect that our marriage isn't genuine."
Ellis gave a faint smile, appreciating Vittorio's understanding and support.
"Thank you, Don Vittorio. I appreciate your willingness to make this situation bearable. But we need to find a solution to our problem. I don't feel comfortable sleeping in the same bed as you, but we can't request another room..."
Vittorio nodded, his gaze still fixed on the bed.
"To make things easier for now, how about we hang a sheet in the middle of the bed? That will help us maintain the appearance of a proper marriage while respecting our boundaries," suggested Ellis.
Vittorio's eyes sparkled mischievously as an idea formed in his mind.
"Perhaps we can create that symbolic boundary. A division that represents our unspoken truth. We can hang the sheet from the wardrobe to the canopy of the bed," suggested Vittorio.
"That sounds like a sensible idea, Vittorio. Let's do that."
They approached, retrieved a sheet from the wardrobe, and carefully placed it over the center of the bed, effectively creating a visual barrier between them. They proceeded to hang the sheet on the bed canopy, carefully dividing the sleeping area into two distinct halves.
As they stepped back to observe their work, a bittersweet smile touched their lips. Both knew that the sheet was more than just a physical division—it represented the emotional distance they needed to maintain for their own sake. Stepping back, admiring the symbolic boundary they had created, Vittorio took Ellis's hand.
"It's not ideal, but it's the best solution we have for now," commented Vittorio.
"I agree. We have to remember that this is temporary. Once we return, we can sleep in separate rooms," affirmed Ellis.
"Now, Ellis, we have our own territories, just like we did on our honeymoon. No crossing the line, capisce?" Vittorio teased with a smirk.
"You can rest assured, I promise to control my desire for you tonight," Ellis joked, laughing.
They exchanged one last glance before each went to their respective sides of the bed.
As Vittorio began to undress his shirt, Ellis's slender silhouette was projected onto the wall, creating a charming dance of shadows. He paused for a moment, marveling at the sight. His eyes traced every gentle curve outlined by the play of light and darkness.
Vittorio's gaze remained on Ellis as she moved behind the makeshift partition, starting to change her clothes. He watched her silhouette dancing through the fabric, admiring her grace and beauty.
"You have a way of turning even the simplest actions into poetry, Ellis," whispered Vittorio to himself.
Sensing Vittorio's gaze upon her, Ellis felt a shiver run down her spine. She decided to return the attention being directed at her. With a touch of shyness, she began to unbutton her dress. Sunlight penetrated the fabric, revealing a graceful silhouette. She delicately lifted the dress, allowing the shadow to extend onto the opposite wall, where Vittorio stood.
The two shared an intimate moment, connected by a silent dance of shadows that revealed their vulnerabilities. No words were spoken, only the silent communication of hearts now bound by an agreement.
As Ellis slid the dress off her shoulders, revealing her soft skin, Vittorio felt a mix of admiration and respect for his new wife. The outer beauty was evident, but what fascinated him most was the courage and determination she had shown in accepting this marriage of convenience.
Ellis blushed, feeling Vittorio's eyes on her, even though she couldn't see him. She was intrigued by the mystery of his shadowy figure behind the sheet. As she undressed and put on her nightgown, she stole glances toward Vittorio's side, trying to catch a glimpse of his movements.
Vittorio chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice as he removed his jacket and began unbuttoning his shirt.
"Ellis, our marriage may be contractual, but that doesn't mean everything has to be strictly business. There's room for a little fun, don't you think?"
"Oh, Vittinho... Maybe in your business world, things work that way," Ellis said, smiling. She bit her lip as she watched Vittorio's masculine shadow and continued, "But in my world, I don't mix business with pleasure."
"Such a shame, as things could get much more interesting between us."
They continued changing, stealing glances through the thin veil of the sheet. Although the physical division was present, a nonverbal connection seemed to develop in its place.
When they had finally finished changing, both felt a special connection. A tender smile formed on Vittorio's lips, revealing his appreciation for Ellis. It was as if, through the shadows, they could see each other's true essence.
"Ellis, I know we started this with a business agreement, but who knows what might bloom from it?" Vittorio asked Ellis.
She remained silent, her eyes fixed on Vittorio's shadow formed on the sheet, a mix of uncertainty and sadness. Everything was too complicated for her. And it only got worse when she remembered the moments of tension she had experienced with the mafioso.
"Goodnight, Don Vittorio," Ellis limited herself to say.
Vittorio and Ellis then lay on opposite sides of the bed, looking at each other over their respective sides of the sheet, hesitating.
"Goodnight, Mrs. Amorielle," said Vittorio.
Both closed their eyes, silently wishing each other goodnight, but afraid of the consequences...