CHAPTER 2- Shadows Of The Past
I sat at the bar, nursing my scotch as I watched the waitress, Mia, flit from table to table. She was a tiny thing, with a mop of curly brown hair and a smile that could light up a room. But it was her eyes that caught my attention - bright, sparkling, and full of life.
As I watched her, I couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. It had been a long time since I'd seen anyone with that kind of spark, that kind of joy. Most people in my world were jaded, cynical, and hardened. But Mia...she was different.
I signaled the bartender for another drink, my eyes never leaving Mia's face. Who was she, really? What was her story?
As I waited for my drink to arrive, my mind began to wander back to the past. To the memories I'd rather forget.
Growing up as the son of a mafia boss had been...complicated. My father, Marco, was a ruthless man who ruled our family's empire with an iron fist. He was a man who demanded loyalty and obedience above all else, and who would stop at nothing to eliminate anyone who threatened our family's power.
I remembered the first time I'd seen my father kill someone. I was just a kid, maybe 10 or 11 years old. It was a brutal, messy thing, and it had left me shaken. But my father had just looked at me, his eyes cold and hard, and told me that it was necessary. That it was the only way to protect our family.
As I grew older, I began to realize that my father's world was not my own. I didn't want to be a part of the mafia, didn't want to be a part of the violence and the bloodshed. But my father would never let me go. I was his son, his heir, and I would do as he said.
The bartender slid my drink across the bar, breaking my reverie. I took a sip, feeling the burn of the scotch all the way down.
Mia was walking towards me, a tray of drinks balanced on her shoulder. As she approached, our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body.
"Can I get you anything else?" she asked, her voice bright and cheerful.
I shook my head, feeling a little gruff. "No, I'm good."
Mia smiled and nodded, before turning to walk away. As I watched her go, I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. Who was this girl, really? And why did I feel so drawn to her?
As the night wore on, I found myself watching Mia more and more. She was a fascinating creature, full of life and energy. And as I watched her, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way out of this life. Maybe there was a way to leave the mafia behind, to start fresh.
But as the clock struck midnight, I knew I was just kidding myself. I was a Lupari, and this was my life. I would never be free.
As I stood up to leave, Mia caught my eye once more. This time, there was something different in her expression. Something that looked almost like...recognition.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes met. What did she see, when she looked at me? Did she see the man I truly was, or just the mask I wore?
As I walked out of the restaurant, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change. That Mia, this bright and beautiful girl, was going to turn my world upside down.
And I couldn't wait to see what happened next.