THE MAFIA'S RUINATION
The Mafia's Ruination - Episode 5
Subtitle; {Between Love and War}
Authoress Rejoice
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A man lay sickly on a hospital bed, his pallor noticeable. His wife sat beside him in a chair, holding his hand when Alexander entered the room.
The woman, who appeared to be in her fifties, stood up and warmly embraced him, wearing a broad smile as she hugged her son.
"Mio caro, come stai?" she asked, patting his back.
Translation: My dear, how are you?
"Sto bene," he replied, enjoying his mother's embrace. "Come va?"
Translation: I'm fine. How are you?
She released the hug and kissed his cheek. "Sto bene, tesoro." She looked over at her frail husband lying weakly on the bed and sighed. "Ma tuo padre no."
Translation: I'm fine, darling. But your father isn't.
Alexander walked over to his father, taking his hand. "Padre, come ti senti oggi?"
Translation: Father, how are you feeling today?
"Come mi sento oggi?" his father repeated the question, chuckling. "I'm great. How are you?"
Translation: How am I feeling today?
"Are you taking your medication?"
"Trust your mother; I never miss a day," he replied, withdrawing his hand from his son's grip. Alexander watched as his father deliberately pulled his hand away. "It's pointless; I'm dying soon anyway."
"Aidan, I swear to God, I'll kill you if you say that again," Lauren snapped angrily.
"Calm down, honey," he said as he sat up with Alexander's assistance. "The only thing I'm concerned about is my legacy."
Alexander sighed, knowing what was coming next. "Unfortunately, my son isn't worthy enough to lead the clan, my Mafia."
"Please don't start; Alexander is doing his best," Lauren tried to stop him from saying hurtful things to their son.
"Beh, il suo meglio non è abbastanza!" he yelled, startling Lauren, who was by his other side. "Non sei degno di guidare niente. Come osi portare una ragazza nella casa da cui ti avevo detto di andartene?"
Translation: Well, his best isn't enough! You're not worthy to lead anything. How dare you bring a girl into the house I told you to move out of?
Alexander remained unfazed, having grown used to this treatment. In his father's eyes, he had never done anything right from the beginning of his life until now. Even when he got sick, his father worried only about his legacy, his clan, his empire, and his Mafia, but never about Alexander.
Aidan Romano found nothing likable or sensible in anything his son did; instead, he saw it as senseless or childish. While he showered his daughters with love, affection, and money, he relentlessly trained Alexander.
Alexander had never experienced his father's love in the same way as his sisters did. He received love from his mother and sisters but not from his father. His father's dark eyes never revealed any hint of love or affection; instead, Alexander was treated like any trainee under his own father's command.
Alexander had spent his entire life yearning for just one thing: for his father to be proud of him.
"Why?!" Aidan shouted at the top of his voice. "You keep disappointing me over and over again, Alexander. You're a disgrace to the Romano name."
"Aidan!" Lauren snapped at him, her face contorted with anger and her gray eyes simmering with fury, glaring at her husband. "We talked about this; will you please stop?"
"Fermare? Tesoro, tutto questo non finirà finché questo ragazzo non farà funzionare le cose nella sua testa." He looked over at Alexander, who remained as silent as ever, biting his tongue. "Voglio quella ragazza fuori da casa tua oggi."
Translation: Stop? Honey, this won't end until this boy gets things straight in his head. I want that girl out of your house today.
Alexander scoffed and laughed before running his fingers through his hair. "No. She isn't going anywhere."
"What?!"
"Ho detto, quella ragazza non andrà da nessuna parte. Hai detto che è casa mia, quindi per favore rispetta questa mia unica cosa e lasciami in pace, cazzo."
Translation: I said, that girl isn't going anywhere. You said it's my house, so please respect this one thing of mine and leave me the heck alone.
His father stared at him, shocked. It was the first time his son had spoken back to him. Meanwhile, his mother's face was filled with pride and joy for her son finally standing up to his father.
"E non hai altri figli per colmare questo vuoto, quindi guarisci presto e torna a riprendertelo perché non mi piace essere il capo del tuo impero." Alexander stated, tucking his hands into his coat. "Se Alice viene ferita anche minimamente, vedrai l'altro lato di me, padre."
Translation: And you don't have any other sons to fill this gap for you, so just get well soon and come take it back because I don't like being the leader of your empire. If Alice gets hurt even in the slightest way, you'll see the other side of me, father.
He kissed his mum on the cheek. "Bye, Mum, take care."
Aidan's face remained frozen in stupefaction as he watched his usually quiet son bid his mom goodbye.
Before leaving, Alexander turned to his father and smiled. "Ciao."
---
Alexander slammed his hands on his mahogany brown desk in his office, still upset about the earlier confrontation.
He looked down at the buildings surrounding his company through the office window and sighed.
"What am I doing wrong?" he questioned himself as a tear escaped his eye. He blinked it away and sat down at his swivel chair, focusing on the files scattered across his desk until nightfall.
Alexander had never wanted anything more than his father's love. He longed for his father to smile at him, recognize his efforts, hug him, and use affectionate names. He wished to have been born into a normal home with loving parents instead of a Mafia family.
Alexander glanced at his wristwatch and exhaled tiredly. His eyes were heavy with fatigue, and his body felt drained.
He looked at the clock on the wall; it read 10:30 PM. He left his office, exited the building, and walked to the parking lot to his car.
---
In the dimly lit living room, with only the TV as a source of light, sat Alice. It was currently 11:15 PM, and Alexander had not yet returned. She was bored to tears and had tried watching TV to no avail.
Soft, familiar footsteps drew nearer, stopping right in front of her. She beamed at him while he maintained his usual standoffish expression.
"Why are you still awake?"
"I'm waiting for you to get back," she replied, getting up. "How was your day?"
"Didn't your parents teach you to mind your own business?"
"Did you eat something? Are you hungry?"
He ignored her and walked to his room.
---
Alexander freshened up and went to his office.
He didn't stay there for more than twenty minutes before Alice knocked and entered the office, carrying a bowl on a tray.
He let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his wet hair. "I'm not in the mood to talk right now, so please leave and don't provoke me," he muttered, his voice low but audible enough for her to hear.
"I brought something for you," she said, placing the tray on the table. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He gazed at her, noticing the happy smile on her lips, and briefly closed his eyes. When he reopened them, she was approaching him with the tray. She set it down and took a seat at the table in front of him.
"Alice..." he began, but his words trailed off as he studied her face up close. Their eyes locked, his gaze fixated on her emerald green eyes as she lifted a forkful of noodles towards him. "Are you okay?" he snapped. "Just leave."
"I will..." She
"Alice..." he started, but abruptly stopped himself, captivated by her close-up face. Their emerald green eyes locked as she brought the bowl and fork closer to herself. Alexander's gaze shifted from her to the forkful of noodles she offered him, causing his eyes to dilate. "Are you okay?" he snapped. "Get out."
"I will..." she replied, pausing for a moment. "But first, have you even eaten today? You can threaten me later, I promise. Just eat." Reluctantly, Alexander accepted the bowl of noodles and the fork, and began to eat.
Alice watched him devour the noodles hungrily, secretly wishing he could savor her with the same intensity.
As he finished the last bite, a drop of noodle water lingered on the corner of his lips.
Alice observed it for a moment before gently wiping it away with her index finger. Alexander's eyes twitched with surprise as he stared at her.
From the moment he laid eyes on her, he knew he desired her, yet he had resisted acting on it, and now she did this...
However, her simple gesture awakened a primal instinct within him.
Sensing the tension in the air, Alice realized she was at fault. "I'm sorry," she said, acknowledging her mistake. "I'll leave now." She promptly stood up, carrying the tray with the bowl, and walked towards the door. "You should be grateful," she blurted out before opening the door. "At least say thank you."
Alexander ran his hand through his hair, contemplating her words. "You want a thank you?" he asked. She nodded, and he approached her, stopping right in front of her. Leaning in close to her ear, he caused her to drop the tray onto the floor. Ignoring the commotion, he whispered, "You should know never to touch a man without his consent."
His warm breath caressed her face, his lips tantalizingly close to hers. His eyes fixated on her mouth, torn between the desire to claim her and the restraint to hold back.
The minty freshness of his breath stole her own, leaving her breathless. As his gaze lingered on her lips, she tried to steady herself, her own lips drawing near in an attempt to regain composure.
When her eyes fluttered open, they locked with his, leaving her unable to draw a breath.
Alexander moistened his lips with a flick of his tongue, and Alice's eyes followed the movement. He leaned in, and she instinctively closed her eyes, anticipating the moment their lips would meet.
But he resisted the urge, pulling away instead. "Out," he uttered, his voice filled with frustration, anger and resistance.
TBC📖✍️
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