"Bella," Roberto greets her, his voice low and filled with a quiet authority that only a man like him can possess.
Roberto stands near the center of the ballroom, his tall frame commanding attention.
Dressed in a sharp black suit, his eyes cold and calculating, he's the epitome of control.
His empire, vast and dangerous, is the result of years of meticulous planning, of sacrifices that only a few could understand.
He watches the room with the same intensity he applies to every deal, every negotiation.
But when his eyes meet Bella's, everything shifts.
She's across the room, standing by her father, Giovanni, the head of one of the most powerful mafia families in Italy.
Bella is the epitome of grace, tall, with long dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her green eyes sharp with intelligence.
Despite the opulence around her, there's a quiet strength in her demeanor that commands more respect than any of the guests in the room.
Every move matters. Every look counts.
The sound of glass clinking against crystal echoes through the expansive room, mingling with the soft murmurs of laughter.
A lavish reception is in full swing, the kind that only the powerful can afford.
The room is filled with men and women dressed in their finest, their faces masked by polite smiles that hide the predatory instincts lurking just beneath.
It's a world where loyalty is currency, and betrayal is a constant threat.
The two families have been allies for years.
The marriage between Roberto and Bella, arranged from the beginning, was supposed to solidify that alliance, a union that would take both empires to new heights.
As Roberto makes his way toward her, the energy in the room shifts.
He's not just a drug lord, he's the drug lord, feared and revered.
But Bella? She's more than just the daughter of a mafia boss.
She's a woman who has the power to break or make him.
When he reaches her side, Bella's lips curve into a smile, one that speaks of something deeper, something more than the surface pleasantries.
She knows the weight of her father's expectations, and she carries them with a grace that only few possess.
His hand reaches for hers, the touch warm, yet there's a coldness in his gaze.
She meets his eyes, her smile lingering.
"Roberto," she says, her voice soft but commanding in its own way.
"It seems our marriage is the talk of the town."
He chuckles, though there's no humor in it.
"Let them talk.
They always will."
As they speak, Bella's mind drifts for a brief moment.
In this room filled with gold and power, with every hand extended in either greeting or manipulation, she finds herself questioning whether the marriage she's in is built on love or simply necessity.
Her father chose Roberto for his strength, for his power.
She's never questioned her father's decisions.
Until now.
But the moment is fleeting, and she brushes it aside, returning to the conversation at hand.
She's been trained for this her entire life, to play the role of the dutiful wife, the supportive partner.
But inside, she's not sure she knows who she really is in this marriage.