The Mafia’s Wanted Desires

ASHLEY

I placed my hands on my kneecap, pulling my jog to an abrupt stop. My breathing came out in loud wheezes and harsh pants as I struggled to get a hold of it. My chest constricted in a dull pain that had me squeezing my eyes shut for a moment before I got upright and tied my messy hair in a ponytail. My knees were almost numb, a dull ache shooting through them. I puffed out some hair through my mouth and began jogging lightly back to the villa.

Irritation surged through my veins, making my skin crawl as I remembered that I didn’t get much sleep throughout the night. All I could do was close my eyes and just hope that, somehow, I would fall asleep, but I didn’t. I roughly got two hours of sleep before I got out of bed around 5 am, resorting to clearing my head and this feeling of utter helplessness that threatened to consume me. I was suffocating and I needed to get out of that house before I lost my fucking mind.

The light jogs I engaged myself in slowly reduced to walks and I gave up on trying to jog. I had done enough for the day, at least. I pressed the button attached to the wall by the gate and heard a soft click. The gate opened slightly and I was able to step in. One of the guards hanging around bowed his head in respect and I couldn’t resist the urge to roll my eyes. As I approached the large front porch, that sense of dejection and helplessness washed over me, overwhelming me and it suddenly became so hard to breathe.

This place didn’t feel like home, instead, it felt like a fucking cage. A golden cage, one I needed some sort of escape from because if I didn’t, I would lose my mind. I lost myself already, my mind was the one thing I was desperately clinging to. I didn’t even know who I was anymore and this girl wasn’t the girl I knew. The girl I knew had a purpose, she had a life, she had a vision, and she had goals, but that girl was gone the minute I got a ring on my finger.

Everything was taken away from me and God, I was exhausted. I was so tired. I didn’t know how to deal with this. It was bad and it was eating me up.

I let out a frustrated sigh, brushing my fingers through my hair and being careful enough not to allow my earbuds to drop from my hair. I rang the doorbell, my lips pursed in an irritated frown, accompanied by the impatient tapping of legs on the floor as I waited for someone to answer the door.

The door was pulled open after a while and the maid bowed her head, mumbling a greeting I couldn’t bring myself to give a damn about. I pushed past her and stepped into the house. I started walking away but I stopped, taking a deep breath. I suddenly felt a twinge of guilt hit me for what I just did to the poor girl.

She didn’t deserve that. I shouldn’t have been so rude to ignore her greeting. It was unlike me and I knew I had to apologize. So, I spun around to face her. I saw an unmistakable look of fear flash in her eyes and I furrowed my brows.

“I am not going to hurt you,” I didn’t know what prompted me to say that, but I did because I didn’t want her to perceive me as that kind of person. I didn’t want to be feared. I wasn’t the big bad mafia boss. I was just a girl who happened to be taking his last name.

Yeah, not like I wanted to.

I watched her tense features visibly relax and a smile crept upon my face.

“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you out of the way.” I apologized and I meant it. A smile overtook the dullness that had been imprinted on her porcelain skin and she nodded eagerly, her green eyes twinkled with softness.

“It’s no problem, Mrs Gray.” She grinned at me and I chuckled, nodding my head. I spun around with a grin on my face, my eyes doing a quick scan of the busy living room. The maids were at it again. Was there a day they didn’t clean?

“Good morning, girls!” I chirped with a warm smile on my face. They stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads a little, greetings trooping out of their mouths.

“God, you all should stop with the head bows. My husband and I are two different people. When you see him, you can bow or go on your knees for all I care but me, just a greeting is fine.” I relayed, and I watched doubts spread all over their faces.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Okay, I didn’t want to do it this way.

“Understood?” I arched my brow, sounding as cold as I could.

“Yes, Mrs. Gray.” They chorused.

“That wasn’t so hard now or was it?” I asked, grinning. I planted my hands on my hips and watched them go back to their various positions. I brought my hands to my ears and took out my earbuds, tucking them in the case I retrieved from the pocket of my hoodie, which I pulled off immediately, leaving me in just my sports bra and short yoga pants. I retrieved my phone from its pocket and unlocked it, tapping away at it as I made my way to the kitchen.

“Ashley!”

Oh, crap.

I tried to prepare myself for the impact of the bone-crushing hug that was coming my way, followed by her loud footsteps that echoed in my ears. I looked up from my phone with a vibrant smile on my face.

“I’m sweaty!” I announced, but that didn’t deter her because she flung herself in my arms and I giggled, wrapping my hands around her midsection. I inhaled the sweet scent that emitted from her, sighing softly as I patted her back, running my palms across its length.

“Ugh, it feels like I haven’t seen you in years.” She whined, detaching herself from my body. And of course, Zelda was glowing. Her beauty was like a slap on the face. It hits every time I stare at her. Her eyes were at their brightest. Her lips shimmered with her signature berry gloss, appearing so full. Her long thick lashes flapped against each other as she took me in, brushing her brown hair away from her face.

“Girl, you saw me a few weeks ago!” I exclaimed and she looped her arm around my neck, leading me to the kitchen. She pushed the door open as she filled me in on some random gist at school, our loud squeals filling the air. Alberta had an amused look on her face as she assessed us.

“Good morning, Alberta.” I smiled warmly at her.

“Good morning, Mrs Gray.” She answered and I skipped out of Zelda’s arms, making my way to the fridge to get myself some water. I was dehydrated and it felt like my brain wasn’t functioning properly. I took out a bottle and went to the sink to rinse my glass before pouring my water into it and taking a large gulp.

“So, what’s for breakfast?” I asked her.

“There’s French toast, waffles, coffee, and some pancakes alongside varieties of syrups.” She answered and I grinned, my tummy rumbling at the same time.

“Great! Set the tray!” I chirped.

“Oh, it’s all set, alongside you and Mr Gray’s.” She told me and I furrowed my brows in surprise, dropping my glass on the marble that surrounded the sink.

“I thought… I thought he would be at work by now.” I spoke, confusion hanging in my voice. Although, I was a tad bit excited about him not being at work yet because I have been meaning to talk to him about something very important we haven’t had the time to talk about. If he wasn’t on a trip, he would come home late and sneak into bed to cuddle me whenever I was asleep. That man needs to learn some manners. I was his wife and I needed his attention too!

“You know what? Don’t worry.” I gave a dismissive wave of my hands in the air. My eyes roamed the kitchen and they settled on the tray on the counter. I stalked over to Zelda and Alberta, kissing their cheeks before grabbing the tray and then, I made my way out of the kitchen.

I was going to reason with him and heaven knows I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I would do anything to make him say yes.