Chapter 3
The moment I pulled the door open, I heard someone ask, "Isn't Serafina the star of today's party? Is the party going to continue now that she's leaving?"
"Forget about her. I've spoiled her too much. That's why she has such a short temper. Let this be a lesson. She needs to learn. Come on, let's continue."
The people who had been rummaging through the trash ended up going home empty-handed.
It almost seemed fated that the diamond ring would disappear into obscurity.
It didn't take long before the atmosphere in the villa turned lively again.
I strode out of the villa and pulled out my phone, dialing a number that I had committed to memory long ago.
A deep voice echoed from the receiver when the call connected, asking, "Salve. Who is this?"
My heart suddenly started racing. I didn't say anything for a long time, but the man didn't rush me, and we spent a long time in silence.
A few minutes later, I finally whispered, "It's me."
"I know. You can tell me anything. I'll fulfill all of your wishes. You just have to say the word."
"I… Do you need someone who knows how to launder money? That's the only thing that I know how to do," I choked out.
Terrified that he wouldn't believe me, I blurted out, "I'm a real professional when it comes to money laundering!"
"I know," was the man's response.
"Our doors are always open for you as long as you're willing. When would you like to join us? I'll send someone over to pick you up."
"In the next three days. I still have some business that I need to take care of. I'll contact you once I'm done."
"Va bene. I'll wait for you."
Tears streamed down my face when I ended the call. It turned out that a few simple words were more than enough to show someone that you cared.
I was the daughter of a Soldato who worked for a mafia family.
I fell in love at first sight with Teodoro during high school, dazzled by how radiant he was.
Not only was he the president of the student council, but he was also the point guard of the basketball team at the time. He had many girlfriends and was constantly surrounded by people because he was so popular.
His future was also already set—he was to take up the role of the family's Underboss one day.
Teodoro and I were meant to be two parallel lines, whose lives were never meant to intersect with each other.
I studied as hard as I could on how to launder money, just to get closer to him. I attended classes during the day and worked a part-time job after school to contribute to my family's finances.
I clung to this goal, using it to motivate me.
When Teodoro was about to graduate, I plucked up my courage and confessed to him.
At first, I assumed that he would reject me without any hesitation. Never in a million years would I have expected him to accept my confession and be my boyfriend.
I was over the moon with joy and didn't get a single wink of sleep that night.
To get even closer to him, I didn't hesitate for even a second and joined his family. I didn't complain a single time as I worked myself to the bone and helped them with their money laundering.
I even rejected my childhood friend, Emilio Vitarelli's invitation to join his family.
"I need to return to the family to take over as Don, Fina. Why don't you come with me? You can utilize the skills you've learned for the family, and I'll also protect you for the rest of my life."
However, my mind had been filled with nothing but Teodoro at the time. I just wanted to be by his side at all times and never wanted to be apart from him.
"Grazie, Emilio, but I've found the man of my dreams. I want to always be by his side."
I thought about how I had thoughtlessly rejected Emilio, who had doted on me like I was his own sister.
Emilio had already become the new Don of his family at the time.
Meanwhile, Teodoro didn't care about me at all, even though I poured all my blood, sweat, and tears into working for him.
After returning home, I filled the bathtub and scattered more rose petals than usual into the water. I then stepped into the tub and sank into the water.
The warm water washed away the exhaustion that clung to my body, and I accidentally fell asleep while still soaking in the tub.
I was dragged out of dreamland when Teodoro shook me awake. Through eyes that were still weighed down by sleep, I saw him sitting next to the tub and shaking me gently.
"Why are you sleeping here? Who are you throwing a tantrum at now? Get up and go to bed if you want to sleep."
The haze of sleep immediately melted away when I heard his familiar voice, laced with criticism and concern.
"You're back. Mi dispiace. I accidentally fell asleep," I explained calmly. "Can you wait for me in the living room? I want to get out of the tub now."
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