ACCOUNT BALANCE
USD: -360,892.25
MOVEMENTS:
Today
AMORIELLE, VITTORIO ------- 02:08 AM
+ $10,000.00
Ellis Barker lay in bed, surrounded by silk sheets. Her face displayed a serene expression as she slept deeply. The red velvet curtains swayed gently in the breeze, while the scent of roses permeated the air.
Vittorio walked towards Ellis, his dark, intense eyes fixed on her as she awakened, causing her heart to race.
He approached slowly, reaching out to caress Ellis' delicate face. His fingers gently traced her skin, sending an electric sensation throughout her body. She surrendered to his touch, drawn in by his magnetism.
Without a word, Vittorio pulled Ellis towards him, enveloping her in his strong arms. Their lips met in a passionate, fiery kiss. The world around them faded away, leaving only the fervent passion between them.
"Vittorio..." Ellis sighed as Vittorio's lips began to trail down her body, igniting a fiery sensation.
Heat and passion spread throughout Ellis' body, engulfing her in a state of ecstasy. Vittorio then positioned himself between the brunette's legs, looking at her with desire-filled eyes before lowering his lips towards Ellis' intimate area, fueling the flame that existed between them.
"Vittorio... I love you," Ellis whispered.
The brunette's eyes widened as she realized she had declared her love for Vittorio, and then Ellis abruptly awakened in her room. She looked around, still feeling the memory of the dream in her mind. Reality hit her as she realized she was alone in Vittorio's massive bed.
"It was just a dream..."
Ellis got up, feeling somewhat disoriented. She walked towards a bedside table where her phone was charging. As she picked up the phone, she noticed a notification on the screen. She checked and saw it was a recent transfer to her bank account. Her eyes widened as she realized Vittorio had deposited a considerable sum of money.
Ellis was momentarily surprised, trying to guess which clause in the contract corresponded to that amount.
As she stared at the numbers on the phone screen, Ellis decided she should request a copy of the contract to have better control over what Vittorio was putting into her account. The brunette went to the bathroom, freshened up, and then walked towards the door—it was time to start the day.
***
Ellis walked through the Amorielle mansion, still somewhat lost in the luxurious and imposing surroundings. She marveled at the grandeur of the corridors and halls, dazzled by the opulence that surrounded her. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the silent corridors, creating a solemn atmosphere.
As she continued, Ellis encountered a mansion staff member, dressed impeccably and with an attentive gaze.
"Excuse me, could you help me? I'm looking for the breakfast table and would like to know where I can find Don Vittorio... I mean, Vittorio. Or everyone."
"Good morning, ma'am. The breakfast table is in the main dining room on the ground floor. As for Mr. Amorielle, I believe he has already left for his morning commitments. Mrs. Amorielle is in the garden."
The staff member's response left Ellis slightly disappointed as she wanted to talk to him about her contract. The staff member showed her the way to the dining room, and Ellis thanked her before continuing on her way.
As soon as she entered the main dining room, she was amazed by the magnificence of the daytime environment, which was no less impressive than the nighttime atmosphere. The table was impeccably set, with a variety of delicious and fresh foods. She chose a seat and sat down, ready to enjoy a comforting meal.
"This breakfast could feed my whole neighborhood," she said.
She began savoring the food, enjoying every bite, as Vittorio's wife had chosen not to have dinner and had gone straight to sleep after Jason left yesterday.
After finishing breakfast, Ellis decided to explore the mansion a little more. She walked through the outdoor area of the house, where she found a beautiful, meticulously cared-for garden. Colorful flowers spread throughout the environment, creating an explosion of colors and gentle fragrances.
As she walked through the garden, Ellis spotted Antonietta Amorielle, Vittorio's mother, standing in front of a row of roses. She was wearing an elegant white shirt and beige pants, gardener's gloves, and a wide-brimmed adorned hat, completely focused on her work, demonstrating the same sophistication that permeated the entire family.
"Good morning, Mrs. Amorielle. I hope I'm not interrupting," Ellis said as she approached.
Antonietta looked up, revealing kind eyes and a warm smile upon seeing Ellis.
"Ah, my dear Ellis. You're not interrupting, you're family," the matriarch said, smiling gently. "So, did you rest well? Have you had your breakfast?"
"Yes, I rested and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast," Ellis replied, feeling a bit awkward.
"I'm glad to hear that, my dear," Antonietta commented with a smile. She then cut a rose and continued, "By the way, congratulations. We had the pleasure of meeting your brother yesterday. He's a lovely young man..."
"Thank you."
"His name is Jason, right?" Antonietta asked, receiving a nod of affirmation from her daughter-in-law. "Why didn't your brother, Jason, come to live with us here in the mansion now that you're married to Vittorio?"
"Well, Mrs. Antonietta, Jason is still on parole," Ellis replied with a sigh. "The address of this house is what was provided to the authorities, so he can't just leave."
"That can be easily resolved, my dear. We have ways to take care of that and ensure that he can come here without any issues."
"I appreciate your concern, Mrs. Amorielle, but I prefer to leave things as they are," Ellis said hesitantly. "I don't want things to be resolved the mafia way."
Antonietta smiled at Ellis, narrowing her eyes at her daughter-in-law. Then, she looked thoughtfully around the garden, and a glimmer of an idea illuminated her eyes.
"Ellis, my dear, would you join me for a walk?" she asked.
"Of course, Mrs. Amorielle. I would love to accompany you," Ellis replied, curious.
The two women walked together, following a narrow path that led to a more secluded part of the garden. The scenery changed slightly, with a small clearing surrounded by majestic trees.
"It's beautiful here," Ellis commented, amazed.
"It's a special spot I often visit for peace and reflection. I want to share it with you," Antonietta said.
The two women stopped at the center of the clearing, observing the nature around them. Antonietta placed a caring hand on Ellis's shoulder. She looked deeply into Ellis's eyes, her expression enigmatic and full of meaning.
"Ellis, my dear, I'm curious. What would you be willing to do for your brother, Jason?"
"Everything. I would do anything to protect him and ensure his safety and happiness," Ellis replied determinedly.
Antonietta stared at Ellis for a moment, letting a brief silence hang in the air before asking her next question.
"And what about what Vittorio did, killing his own uncle? What do you think about that?"
"I... I found it cruel," Ellis replied honestly. "I can't understand how someone could do that, even to an enemy. There are other ways to deal with problems, other ways to resolve conflicts."
Antonietta looked intently at Ellis, her gaze serious and penetrating.
"My dear, you don't understand the intensity of the word 'everything.' Yes, Ellis, my dear, I understand that you say you would do anything for your brother, but there is a crucial difference between what you consider 'everything' and what is necessary within Vittorio's world. But when we are raised in this environment, we learn to be very careful with extreme words like 'always,' 'never,' 'forever,' 'nothing,' and 'everything.' We take them very seriously because of the burden they place upon you. Vittorio has always been capable of doing anything for the family. When you're a Don, 'everything' means exactly that—anything, even things you couldn't imagine doing. Your 'everything' doesn't even come close to what my son's 'everything' entails. He cannot limit himself to what morality and the law demand to protect our family."
"That may be true, but... how can someone justify those actions? How can one accept so much violence? How can that be considered normal?" Ellis asked.
"Because, my dear, being a Don is more than just a title," Antonietta replied firmly. "It's a responsibility, an obligation to protect and strengthen our family at any cost. When Vittorio became a Don, he also assumed the weight of difficult decisions and necessary actions to maintain our position."
"But does that mean we should abandon our morality?" Ellis questioned, troubled. "Should we give up our principles?"
"Yes, Ellis. It means exactly that. Vittorio, as a Don, needs to go beyond the limits of morality and the law to uphold the respect and security of our family within the mafia."
Antonietta observed the confused and disturbed expression on Ellis's face, understanding the difficulty she faced in confronting the harsh realities of the mafia.
"But does that mean killing? Does it mean torturing? I can't accept that..." Ellis said.
"Yes. It means everything. And as the wife of a Don, you need to understand what the family and the mafia expect of you," Antonietta said firmly. "It is your obligation to support Vittorio unconditionally. As his wife, it is your role not to show weakness or uncertainty. You must be loyal to him, even when the choices are difficult to accept. He already has enough enemies in his life, he shouldn't have to deal with one more within his own home."
Ellis swallowed hard, trying to absorb Antonietta's words. She began to realize the extent of the dark world her husband was involved in.
"But... I don't know if I can support those actions. I don't know if I can condone something so brutal," Ellis said.
"I know you're not from our world, that you didn't grow up in this environment. But now that you're married to Vittorio, it is your duty to accept and not question. Vittorio is a Don, and there are no limits when you're one," Antonietta said, moving closer to her daughter-in-law. She held Ellis's face and continued, "I see the determination in your eyes, Ellis, but now I need to see loyalty. If you're not loyal to Vittorio, he will be in danger. He will need you to face the challenges of this life because, believe me, it's almost impossible to survive everything alone. If you don't support him, you will be putting my son's life at risk. And I, Ellis, am capable of anything to protect my son from anyone. So, are you willing to risk knowing what I am capable of for him? Because I hope I don't have to show you, as, despite everything, Vittorio is much happier with you in his life."
Antonietta's words echoed in the air, enveloping Ellis in a mixture of confusion and inner conflict. She began to realize that her commitment to Vittorio not only involved love and companionship, but also the acceptance of a world where the lines between right and wrong were blurred.