CHAPTER 47

Ellis and Sofia continued their shopping marathon through the streets of Pedesina. At every store, Ellis always received nervous glances from the locals upon seeing the mafia boss's wife. However, she was determined to make a difference, so in each store, she started paying for her items, despite knowing that it would put her back into the half-million-dollar debt she was trying to escape. Sofia, not understanding Ellis's intentions, accompanied her, concerned about her cousin's behavior.

Ellis began examining the pieces in yet another store, aware of the high prices in euros. However, the higher the price, the stronger the urge she felt to buy.

"How much are these shoes? And this bag?" Ellis asked the salesperson.

"The shoes cost 500 euros, and the bag is 300 euros," the salesperson replied.

"I'll take both," Ellis said, looking at the price tag of the 1000-euro dress. "I'll take this dress too, please."

"Are you sure, Signora Amorielle? It's quite expensive," the surprised salesperson questioned.

"Money is not a problem," Ellis responded with a confident smile.

"Very well, Signora. I'll prepare the bill for you," the hesitant salesperson said.

After a few hours of shopping, the two women decided to take a break and grabbed a table at a local restaurant. While enjoying their meal, Sofia couldn't help but express her concern about Ellis's extravagant spending.

"Ellis, you don't have to pay for everything. You're Vittorio's wife. People will understand," Sofia said.

"I know who I am, Sofia. And I don't want people to think I'm taking advantage of this situation," Ellis argued. "If it were up to me, every member of Vittorio's family would be required to contribute to the community. We have a responsibility."

"Ellis, I understand your intention, but it can be dangerous. That's not how things work here," Sofia said, worried.

"Maybe it's time to change things, then," Ellis retorted firmly.

"Oh, Ellis, that's so American," Sofia sighed. "Do you really think every place needs a savior, a hero? The idea of being the agent of change is nice, but it won't work here."

"It's worth a try," Ellis emphasized. "Little by little, with small gestures..."

"What? Do you think paying for these things made a difference to the shopkeepers?" Sofia questioned, pointing at Ellis's shopping bags, to which Ellis nodded. "I have bad news for you, cousin: you only made your money circulate. By tonight, it'll be back in your account. But the gesture was beautiful. You know, giving them that false sense that someone is looking out for them."

"There must be a way to change this reality," Ellis said, dismayed.

"Ellis, you shouldn't change it," Sofia refused, seriously. She took a sip of wine and continued, "Understand once and for all that you're part of the mafia side, not theirs. And if it weren't for us, this community wouldn't even exist anymore."

"At what cost, Sofia?" Ellis questioned. "Living a life of terror? Afraid of being killed? That's not right. It's completely unfair and cruel! What the mafia does here is abominable."

"Says the American girl living in a magical world," Sofia mocked. "My aunt will undoubtedly be horrified when she hears these things. By the way, does Vittorio know you think this way?"

"He has an idea," Ellis admitted, receiving a surprised look from Sofia.

"You're an interesting person, Ellis," Sofia commented. "You have this desire for justice, but you married a mobster. Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why marry a man who is completely opposite to what you believe?" Sofia asked, curious. She leaned forward toward Ellis, narrowing her eyes, suspiciously. "It doesn't make sense for you to marry someone who does exactly what you called abominable. Unless..."

"Unless what, Sofia? What do you want to ask?" Ellis questioned.

"I want to ask something, but I'm not sure if you'll be completely honest in your answer," Sofia began, looking around. "However, maybe my cousin will. Shall we ask him?"

"Alright. Ask him when we get back," Ellis agreed.

"Oh no, I'm going to ask him now. After all, he's right over there," Sofia said, turning towards the restaurant's dining hall.

Ellis turned towards the back table of the restaurant and found Vittorio Amorielle sitting at a reserved table, engaged in a lively conversation with a woman with black hair and green eyes. She noticed Vittorio's dark, deep eyes focused intensely on the woman in front of him. They laughed and shared a relaxed moment, unaware of Ellis' presence.

She didn't understand why the presence of that woman laughing with Vittorio sparked a twinge of jealousy in her, but it made her stand up from her seat and walk toward them. Her steps were determined, and her heart was beating fast.

The brunette gently touched the edge of the table, catching Vittorio's attention. His eyes widened in surprise as he turned to face her, momentarily forgetting the conversation he was involved in.

"Ellis," exclaimed Vittorio, a mixture of astonishment and joy in his voice. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Hello, love," Ellis began, surprising the mafia boss who raised an eyebrow. She smiled affectionately and continued, "I was having lunch with Sofia and decided to join you. May I? After all, we're on our honeymoon, aren't we?"

"Of course, please, have a seat," said Vittorio, standing up. "Sit down, cousin."

"Oh no, thank you. I have some things to take care of, so I'll leave you two here," Sofia said before leaving.

"Sit down, Ellis," Vittorio ordered Ellis.

Ellis approached Vittorio and kissed him passionately in front of the woman accompanying him. The kiss was full of passion, leaving Vittorio stunned and the black-haired woman, speechless.

"Oh, excuse me. I can't help it," said Ellis, politely smiling and winking briefly at the woman sitting across from Vittorio. "It must be because we're on our honeymoon, isn't it?"

"You can do that as many times as you want, Bella Mia," Vittorio reinforced, his deep and gentle voice, his eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and affection. He pulled the chair next to him for Ellis to sit.

"Thank you, Don Vittorio," Ellis replied, her voice steady despite the internal turmoil. "I hope I'm not interrupting something important."

She sat next to her husband, placing her hand on his thigh, demonstrating an intimacy that surprised Vittorio.

"Ah, so you're Vittorio's wife," commented the woman, smiling provocatively as she looked Ellis up and down with her green eyes. "What an interesting surprise."

"Yes, I'm Vittorio's wife," Ellis replied, maintaining her composure. "And you are?"

"Allow me to introduce a business colleague," Vittorio replied. "This is Miss Isabella Bianchi."

Isabella Bianchi, a woman of imposing beauty and mysterious air, continued to provocatively gaze at Ellis, a slight smile on her lips.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ellis. Vittorio has spoken a lot about you," Isabella said in her smooth Italian accent.

"The pleasure is all mine, Isabella," Ellis replied with a polite smile. "It seems like you both have very important business matters to attend to, given that my husband had to leave so early."

"Oh, dear, believe me," Isabella began, smiling. "I miss when Vittorio and I mixed business with pleasure. That way, we didn't have to wake up so early, and we could settle things right there... in bed."

"Isabella..." Vittorio uttered, serious.

As Isabela continued to taunt Ellis with her words, the young woman continued to observe her calmly and determinedly. Then Vittorio's wife smiled and slid her hand down his thigh.

"I understand perfectly, Isabela. However, don't worry, now you take care of the business while I enjoy all the pleasure," Ellis concluded, stopping her hand on top of her husband's member.

Vittorio looked at Ellis with admiration and surprise at her gesture. He knew she was probably just acting, but he was impressed with how Ellis had positioned herself up to that point.

"Well, Isabela, I think we're done here," Vittorio said to the woman.

"Of course," Isabela agreed, standing up. She looked at the couple, specifically at Ellis's hand that was still smiling, and then said, "Enjoy your honeymoon."

As Isabela walked away, Ellis removed her hand from Vittorio and took a sip from the mafioso's wine glass, gathering courage before addressing him.

"I see you're enjoying our time here in Pedesina. Are you going to cheat on me with all the women in town during our honeymoon?" Ellis asked.

"Not all of them. Only women between twenty-one and fifty years old," Vittorio replied, mocking Ellis, who glared at him. "What? You're the one who said you didn't care who I slept with."

"And I don't care," Ellis emphasized, staring at Vittorio. "We established that in the contract, remember?"

Their gazes held a silent conversation, conveying emotions and unspoken words. Ellis cleared her throat, summoning the courage to address the matter weighing on her mind.

"Don Vittorio, there's something we need to discuss," she began, her voice firm but tinged with a slight vulnerability.

Vittorio's forehead furrowed slightly, his expression showing concern.

"Of course, Ellis. What is it?"

Taking a deep breath, Ellis continued, maintaining her steady gaze.

"I know our marriage was a way to pay off my brother's debt. But, for everything else, we are married and partners. To the people of Pedesina and wherever else you're recognized for who you are, I will be your wife. However, I don't agree with the way you operate. These people are afraid of you, of your name, and who you are. But I don't want to be seen that way. Because I'm not like that, I'm not that person, and I don't know how to be, nor do I want to be."

A mixture of surprise and admiration crossed Vittorio's face, and he reached out his hand across the table, gently placing it on Ellis's.

"Ellis, you have always surprised me with your strength and integrity. And you being who you are makes you unique. And I must admit that every day I find myself falling in love with you. I know I'm taking a risk, but I wouldn't change that about you. If you fear that one day I'll ask you to change who you are, know that I will never do that to you because that's what attracted me to you. I've never met anyone like you before."

Vittorio continued to look deeply into Ellis's eyes, then leaned in to kiss her. Ellis looked at him with a serious expression, suppressing the conflicting emotions she felt. She avoided physical contact and decided to express her feelings.

"Thank you, Don Vittorio, for telling me that, but it's hard for me to ignore the fact that you're a mobster. I can't agree with your actions, with the violence and crime you're involved in. I can't ignore the reality of what you do. I don't agree with your behavior, with the way you lead your life."

Vittorio lowered his head for a moment, visibly affected by Ellis's words. He knew she was right, but he couldn't deny who he was.

"Ellis, I understand your concerns, but I can't simply change who I am. This life, this family... it's what defines me. I won't change that for anyone, not even for you if that's what you wanted to know."

"That's what I wanted to know. Thank you for your honesty, Don Vittorio," Ellis thanked him.

"I will always be honest with you, Ellis," Vittorio said.

"That's good to know. So, to be honest with you, being who you are makes it impossible for us to be together."

There was a brief tense silence between the two as they reflected on what they had said. Vittorio then decided it was time to end the lunch. He stood up from the table and extended his hand to Ellis, offering to take her home.

"Let's go, Ellis. Let's go home."

Ellis hesitated for a moment, looking at Vittorio's outstretched hand.

"Alright, Don Vittorio."

The two walked silently to the car, their minds filled with doubts and uncertainties about the future. As Vittorio drove through the streets of Pedesina, they knew they needed to find a way to reconcile their differences, and the mobster wondered if there was a way to move forward together.

"I want to take you somewhere before we go home, okay?" Vittorio asked, looking at Ellis.

"Where?" Ellis asked, curious.