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DOMINIC

Dominic reclined back in his chair, fingers curled as he remembered Claudia Marcello's interview. She sat in front of his desk with a confident grin, her brown hair catching the light and framing a face that radiated warmth. Unlike the usual candidates who struggled to respond to his questions, the woman exuded an effortless charm, her laughter filling the room as she shared stories that danced between bold ambition and quirky humor.

While she spoke, Dominic found himself captivated, his thoughts straying from the customary interview checklist to the unique spark she brought to his company. When she stood up to leave, her delicate figure silhouetted against the doorway, he felt a shift in the air─a promise of something different, something more vibrant than the shadows of his mafia world. He hired her, and as he watched her walk away, he realized he had not just brought an employee into his life, but also welcomed a whirlwind.

He sat across from a redhead, the glow of candlelight flickering off her vibrant hair. Yvette leaned forward, her laughter ringing out, drawing attention from nearby tables. Her cocktail dress clung tightly, accentuating her curves as she playfully tossed her hair back. Yet, Dominic's mind drifted, replaying moments with Claudia─her quiet strength, the intensity in her eyes─while his date's flirtations washed over him like background noise.

"I asked to speak to the manager, and the person wasn't too far away since it was Bloomingdale's. Long story short, I got the bag for half off."

As his date recounted her latest shopping spree, Dominic absentmindedly pushed his pasta around the plate, his gaze drifting to the empty chair across the table. A flicker of longing crossed his eyes─Claudia's smile, her effortless charm, the way she illuminated the room during the interview. He admired women who appreciated the finer things in life, but tonight, as Yvette's voice faded into the background, he felt his heart lean toward someone else.

Asking her out just five minutes before meeting Claudia wasn't a stroke of good fortune; instead, it was something even worse─now he had to tolerate the presence of someone who was barely better than a toilet seat.

"Did you hear what I said?" The sound of her voice made him blink, startled. His date's brow relaxed when she saw his faraway gaze. "Sorry. I didn't mean to ramble," she confessed, a touch of vulnerability seeping into her voice. "I enjoy shopping and wanted to talk about my day."

She averted her gaze from him, and a smile formed over his face. Dominic would've ended the date in the first few minutes if Yvette hadn't been so sweet. This wasn't the result of being shallow or anything. Despite her lack of enthusiasm, he was hesitant to end their time together. He valued his time, but he wasn't that naïve. Whatever the circumstances, he wanted to conclude the night neutrally.

"Don't worry," Dominic said, a warm smile lighting up his face. He leaned in a little closer, his eyes sparkling with interest. "I've heard my fair share of things in life. And just because I zone out sometimes doesn't mean I'm not listening, Yvette. I caught every word you said."

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and beamed back at him. Dominic's gaze drifted to her bowl of steaming linguini and the two golden breadsticks resting beside it. The way she focused on her food, her confidence shining through even as she mentioned "dieting" earlier, sent a flutter through his chest.

"So, what kinds of bags do you like?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation going. But deep down, the small talk felt a bit tedious, like shoveling manure. This date was turning out to be nothing like he had imagined.

Soft Italian music floated through the air, filling the room with a warm, soothing vibe as he drummed his fingers on the table, glancing at her. Yvette furrowed her brow, biting her lip in thought.

"I love big handbags," she replied, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. "They can hold everything."

"Maybe even your closet," he chuckled, his tone playful as he leaned back, hoping to lift the mood of their evening.

Dominic did little more than take a long breath while Yvette giggled. They had nothing in common, and he wondered why he had even asked her out. He was becoming a little bored as she looked through her wallet, but he kept talking, so the evening wasn't a waste.

"How do you like to spend your free time? I know you're an accountant at the bank. What are your favorite ways to unwind?" He envisioned Claudia's response to these questions. It felt as though he was going through the motions of the interview all over again.

"Sometimes I just chill with my friends," Yvette said, finishing the last bite of her meal. "Nothing too extravagant."

He acknowledged with a nod. "I see. Do you all hit up bars and clubs?"

Dominic raised an eyebrow, observing the glint of mischief in Yvette's eyes. Despite her youthful appearance, she carried herself with a confidence that seemed to defy her twenty-one years. As she offered a quick nod, her smile was both playful and knowing, a blend of familiarity and charm that made him chuckle.

"Yep. Nothing out of the ordinary," she said, her voice light, yet laced with a hint of sophistication that hinted at old souls shared between them. "We've been friends since middle school, so we have our way of doing things. What do you like to do for fun? Garbage disposal?"

Dominic clenched his jaw, his grip on the wine glass tightening until he feared it might shatter. A forced laugh escaped her lips as Yvette joked about the Mafia, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

His stomach twisted. She leaned closer, the scent of her perfume mingling with the sharp tang of tension in the air. He could feel the weight of her assumption settle between them, like a dark cloud.

He glanced down at his plate, appetite vanishing as he thought of the thrill-seekers who found danger exciting. This wasn't what he wanted, and with her joking about his side job, that even turned him off even more.

Dominic shifted in his seat, the vibrant laughter around him fading into a dull roar. This woman was beautiful, but the allure of her adventurous spirit felt more like a trap than a seduction.

"I don't like it when people make jokes like that, Claudia."

Did I just call her another woman's name? Did that mean she would now leave me alone?

Yvette's hand shot up, and before he could react, the cold, red liquid splashed across his shirt, staining the fabric and sending droplets flying. Her eyes blazed with anger as she stood up, her chair scraping against the floor. The silence around them felt heavy.

Dominic blinked, stunned, as she stormed away, her heels clicking on the tile. He wiped his face with a napkin, a mix of shock and disappointment washing over him.

As he watched her disappear into the crowd, a tightness settled in his chest. He inhaled and picked up his fork again, the tension easing. With each bite of his dinner, he reminded himself that one messy moment couldn't ruin the mood. He focused on the warm food and the quiet hum of the restaurant, determined to enjoy the rest of his night despite the chaos.

A few moments ticked by, each second heavy with unresolved emotions. The door creaked open again, and she re-entered, smoothing the fabric of her fitted dress as if the act could erase the storm that had just passed.

With a quick flick of her fingers, Yvette tucked a rebellious lock of hair behind her ear, her posture rigid yet hopeful. "Are you not going to check on me? You're not going to apologize for how you acted?" Her voice trembled just enough to reveal the vulnerability lurking beneath her bravado.

Dominic sat back, unyielding, his fork poised above an untouched plate. "Yvette, you just hit me in the face with your drink. We aren't compatible, so our date is over."

A flicker of disbelief crossed her face. "Nicco, you're not serious."

"No, I am." He took a deliberate sip of his drink, savoring the bitter taste as if it could wash away the awkwardness. Her exasperation was palpable. "I can call a taxi for you if you want me to."

She huffed and replied, "No, thank you. I can deal with it myself."

"Goodnight."

Dominic fought to avert his gaze, yet he couldn't ignore the quiver of Yvette's bottom lip. He continued to eat his meal, his gaze fixed on her as she made her way to the front of the restaurant. He had to give her credit. In that red dress, she flaunted her incredible figure. Yet, that physique alone failed to capture his attention.

Despite the earlier humiliation, Claudia remained the one he desired to sit beside. After their first encounter, he realized she was the one he was eager to learn more about. Complicated? Perhaps. Now, it was challenging since he brought her on board at his company.

Twenty-four. Single. Smart and witty. Genuine and bright. He then realized the extent of Claudia's hold on him; his feelings for her were pushing him beyond his usual boundaries.

Dominic shook his head, pushing away the fog that clouded his thoughts, and continued to eat, feeling the weight of their stares, as if the other customer's eyes were whispering that he should regret ending the date alone. Being the leader of a prominent mafia family and CEO of their successful business earned him recognition. What makes these people matter to him? Did they benefit his daily life? Were they out mowing the lawn and paying his bills? No, no one in the restaurant mattered to him.

His fingers scanned his texts as he lingered over his phone. He pushed back his chair, the scrape of wood against tile breaking the restaurant's hum. With a satisfied smile, Dominic slid a crisp hundred-dollar bill across the table, catching the server's surprised gaze before stepping out into the bustling street.

Once Dominic stepped through the grand entrance of his mansion, the opulence wrapped around him like a familiar cloak, yet it felt heavy today. He glanced at the intricate chandeliers above, their crystals sparkling like distant stars. He poured a generous glass of whiskey, the amber liquid glistening in the dim light, as he craved its warmth to chase away the fog that clouded his mind.

Regret gnawed at him, a relentless echo of choices made and paths taken, even as he stood in the splendor he once relished. Claudia, or Dia, as he fondly called her, was the one who looked him in the eye, her words flowing like a warm breeze, making him feel seen and heard in a world that often overlooked him.

He sat at his kitchen table, the dim light casting soft shadows across his phone. A smile crept across his face as he recalled her laughter, a soothing melody that always made the world feel right. Without second-guessing himself, Dominic pressed the call button. The first ring seemed to echo through the quiet room, his heart thudding louder with each passing second.

As the line connected, he leaned forward, anticipation coursing through his veins. The sound of her voice would be the spark he craved, a rush of energy igniting the stillness of the night. The weight of the evening's uncertainties hung heavy in the air, but with every beat, he felt a growing certainty that her words would banish the shadows.

What was I doing? What am I going to say?

The third ring clicked as Claudia's voice said, "Hello?"

The soft lilt of her voice wrapped around him like silk, yet there was an undeniable weight behind her words.

As she spoke, Dominic could feel an electric current, a teasing dance of energy that ignited something within him. "Hey, it's Dom," he stammered, his heart racing as he searched for a reason to justify the call. "Did I say 8 a.m.?"

The words tumbled out, clumsy and desperate, a thin veil over the tension simmering in the air. "Yes, you told me that. 8 a.m., Mr. Beretta." Her response rang with a lighthearted confidence that sent shivers down his spine, reminding him that approaching her outside of work put him in risk.

He pressed the off button, a heavy weight settling in his chest. With a deep breath, Dominic let the device slip from his fingers and land on the coffee table with a soft thud. He sank into the worn fabric of his couch, a wave of embarrassment crashing down on him. His hand instinctively pressed against his forehead, as if trying to contain the turmoil swirling within.

He leaned back, its surface cool against his skin, as he stared at the ceiling above. Shadows danced across the walls, creating a chaotic tapestry that mirrored the tumult in his mind. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, willing the remnants of his sour date with Yvette to fade like vapor.

Vinny, his devoted guard, interrupted his thoughts with a quiet, almost hesitant voice.

"I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but your father is at the front gate," he said, maintaining an upright stance.

Dominic's heart sank. The usual, gnawing chest tension became unbearable.

"Great," he muttered under his breath, barely above a whisper. The last thing he wanted was to engage in a conversation that revolved around business─a world where numbers and expectations collided like thunderclouds, darkening both his mood and the evening. "Let him in," he added with resignation, despite exhaustion.

The air in the room felt heavier as if it knew a storm was brewing, one that had nothing to do with the weather outside. As Vinny turned to obey, Dominic's gaze drifted to the large window overlooking the sprawling estate.

The sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and violet, a breathtaking contrast to his internal chaos. It had been a long day; the remnants of his time with Claudia lingered like a sweet aftertaste that had soured. He recalled her smile, the way her eyes glittered beneath the lights, and how they had danced around important and inconsequential things before being stopped by the realities of his chaotic life.

With a deep breath, Dominic tried to shake off the impending sense of doom. He could feel his father's presence before he even entered the room─the way the air shifted, becoming charged with authority and expectation.

"Nicco," Damian said, his voice deep and resonant, cutting through the haze of Dominic's thoughts. "We need to talk."

The air thickened with unspoken words, and Dominic shifted in his spot, the couch groaning beneath him. He glanced down at his hands, resting on the polished surface of the desk like two reluctant soldiers preparing for battle.

"Can we do this later?" he replied, the edge of frustration slipping into his tone. Feeling like a string that is about to break, the stress was growing in him, but all he wanted was to get away, be alone with his thoughts, and think about what he had lost during the interview with Claudia.

His father stepped closer, the scent of expensive cologne blending with the lingering aroma of the evening. "No, we can't. Your future is at stake."

Dominic felt the heat rise in his cheeks, a mix of anger and confusion. "My future is my own," he shot back, his voice sharper than he'd intended. He could sense the familiar cycle of their arguments beginning to churn, the same old dance of expectations and disappointments, and it made him long for the simplicity of his earlier thoughts—thoughts of Claudia, her infectious smile, and the potential for something more than just fleeting moments.

"Dominic, I need you to take charge," Damian said with conviction in his voice. "Are you paying attention at all?"

As his father continued, Dominic's mind drifted away, breaking free from the confines of the conversation. He couldn't help but picture Claudia's face, the way her laughter seemed to light up the room and chase away shadows. He felt a flutter of hope, a small ember of possibility that ignited within him, combating the heaviness of his father's words. What would he say to her when he next saw her? Would he admit how much he enjoyed their short time together, how she had managed to peel back the layers of his guarded heart?

The thought sent a thrill through him, pushing aside the clutter of familial obligations.

Dominic shook his head, trying to pull himself back into the present. This wasn't the time to retreat into daydreams. He needed to hold his ground with his father, but the promise of Claudia lingered like an unspoken vow, pushing him to challenge the weight of expectation. There was so much more waiting for him outside the walls of duty that he wouldn't let the business of life take over this night.

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