Fractured bonds
Alesia stood by the floor-to ceiling windows of her bedroom, gazing out at the sprawling gardens below. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the meticulously manicured lawn she sighed, feeling the weight of life pressing down on her. She had been married to Leonardo for weeks, yet he remained a distant, icy figure.
Leonardo entered the room without a sound, his presence commanding and intimidating. He was tall and impeccably dressed, his sharp features and piercing blue eyes giving him an air of unapproachable authority. Alesia turned to face him, her heart pounding.
'why is he here today? Is he sleeping here tonight?' She thought to herself. Because he was always sleeping in another room and leaving her in the master's bedroom.
"Good evening," she said softly, trying to break the tension that always seemed to hang between them.
Leonardo barely glanced at her. "Good evening," he replied curtly, his voice devoid of warmth. He walked past her, heading towards his private study. "I have work to do. Don't wait up."
Alesia watched him go, frustration and sadness swirling within her. She had hoped that with time, they might find some common ground, but Leonardo's cold demeanor made it clear he saw her as nothing more than a means to an end. Their marriage was a business arrangement, a merger of two powerful families.
Determined not to wallow in self-pity, Alesia decided to go downstairs meeting Ricardo and Emilia in the living room.
They chatted for a while. With Emilia filling Alesia in on the family dynamics. It was clear that Emilia and Ricardo were close, and they both seemed determined to make Alesia feel welcome. It was a stark contrast to Leonardo's cold indifference.
As the night wore on, Alesia found herself relaxing in their company.
Later that evening, after Ricardo and Emilia had bid her goodnight, Alesia made her way back to the bedroom. She paused outside of Leonardo's study, the door slightly ajar. She could hear him talking on the phone his voice low and tense.
"We can't afford mistakes," Leonardo said, his tone hard. "The shipment has to go through without a hitch. Make sure everything is in place."
Alesia's heart raced. She knew Leonardo was involved in dangerous dealings, but hearing it so plainly was unnerving. She continued down the hall, her mind racing with thoughts of what she had overheard.
In her room, she tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on her resolve to make the best of her situation. She picked up a book from the nightstand and settled into bed, hoping to escape into the pages for a while.
But sleep did not come easily. Her mind kept drifting back to Leonardo, to the tension in his voice and the coldness in his eyes. She wondered if there was any way to break through his icy exterior, to find the man beneath the mafia boss.
As the moonlight streamed through the window, Alesia thought to herself that she would find a way to survive in this world of shadows and secrets and maybe, just maybe, she could melt the ice around Leonardo's heart
******
In the early hours of the morning, Leonardo returned to their bedroom. Alesia pretended to be asleep, her breathing steady and even. She felt the mattress shift as he lay down beside her, the heat of his body a stark contrast to the coldness he exuded during the day.
For a moment, she allowed herself to hope that this closeness, however fleeting, was a sign of something more. But as Leonardo turned away from her, the distance between them felt more insurmountable than ever.
Alesia stared at the ceiling, the flicker of defiance in her heart growing stronger. She would not let this world break her. She would find a way to thrive, no matter the cost. And perhaps, in the process, she would discover the true nature of the man she had married.
***********
The next morning, Alesia awoke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the heavy drapes. She stretched, feeling the empty space beside her. Leonardo had already left, no doubt consumed by his work. She sighed, pushing aside the blankets and rising to face the day.
Determined to maintain a semblance of normalcy, Alesia took her bath and dressed quickly, choosing a tailored suit that exuded confidence and professionalism. She had a full schedule at the firm, Martinez and associates, and was determined to focus on her work.
As she descended the grand staircase, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. In the dinning room she found Emilia and Ricardo already at the table, chatting animatedly over breakfast.
"Good morning, Alesia!" Emilia exclaimed, her smile brightening the room.
"Morning," Alesia replied with a nod, grabbing a quick cup of coffee. "I have to get to the office. Busy day ahead."
"Don't stress to much," Ricardo advised with a wink.
Alesia smiled faintly, appreciating Ricardo's support. "Thanks. I'll see you both later."
She made her way to the garage, where her driver was waiting. The ride to Martinez and associates was brief, and Alesia used the time to mentally prepare for the day's cases. As the car pulled up to the sleek, modern building, she took a deep breath and stepped out, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.
Inside, the firm was a hive of activity. Lawyers and paralegals bustled about, the phones ringing incessantly. Alesia greeted her colleagues with a confident smile, her presence commanding respect.
"Morning, Camila," Alesia said as she approached her best friend's office.
Camila looked up from her desk, her eyes lighting up. "Morning, Alesia. Ready for another day of fighting the good fight?"
"Always," Alesia replied with a grin. "Let's grab lunch later and catch up."
"Absolutely," Camila agreed. "Good luck with your cases."
Alesia nodded and headed to her own office, but as she passed the conference room, she overheard familiar voices. She paused, her curiosity piqued, and peeked inside.
Her father, Lucas, was deep in a conversation with Sergio. The sight of them together sent a chill down her spine. The tension between Leonardo and Sergio was well-known, and seeing him in her father's firm was unsettling.
"Lucas, we need to ensure that the deal goes through without any complications," Sergio was saying, his tone authoritative.
"Of course, Sergio," Lucas replied, his expression serious. "Our interests align, and we both stand to gain from this."
Alesia stepped into the room, her presence commanding their attention. "Good morning, gentlemen. I didn't realize we had such important visitor today."
Lucas smiled, though his eyes held a hint of concern. "Alesia, this is an important meeting. Sergio and I have business to discuss."
"Business that affects all of us," Alesia replied smoothly. "I trust everything is under control?"
Sergio's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded her. "You have a sharp mind, Alesia. Just like your father. But this is a matter for us to handle."
"Of course," she said, maintaining her composure. "I'll leave you to it. But remember, transparency is key to any successful partnership."
With that, she exited the room, her heart pounding. She could feel the weight of the mafia world pressing down on her, even within the walls of her father's firm.
**********
Leonardo penthouse<Shooting range < p>
Leonardo loaded another rounds into the gun and focused back on the range, he started shooting directly, firing and without missing out a point at all.
"Hey," Santiago said beside him as he dropped his own gun.
Leonardo didn't turn, he only continued shooting.
"You've not gone back home today" Santiago said and Leonardo looked at him but then turned back to the target.
"You don't want to see your wife?" Santiago asked. Leonardo threw his gun away and let out a low grunt.
"Are you trying to annoy me or something?? What the f**k are you talking about?" He asked and Santiago chuckled.
"Stop getting mad unnecessarily, it's just a question" he said
"Am I married? Do I look like someone who's ready for that shit called marriage?" Leonardo asked
"It's just a business deal, Leonardo said.
"Honestly.... No" Santiago said
"Exactly" Leonardo rolled his eyes
*********
MARTINEZ AND ASSOCIATES
Determined to focus on her work, Alesia dove into her cases, meeting clients and preparing for court. She was a fierce advocate, her reputation as a brilliant lawyer well-earned. By mid-morning, she was fully immersed in her role, her earlier unease pushed to the back of her mind.
Around noon, as she was wrapping up a meeting with a client, her phone buzzed with a message from Camila. "Lunch?"
Alesia smiled and replied, "Meet you in the lobby."
They walked to a nearby Cafe, enjoying the rare moment of normalcy. As they sat down with their salads and sandwiches, Camila eyed Alesia curiously.
"What's going on? You seem distracted," Camila said, concern evident in her voice.
Alesia sighed, stirring her iced tea. "It's Leonardo. And his father. Sergio was at the office this morning, talking business with my dad."
Camila's eyes widened. "That sounds intense. How are you holding up?"
"Honestly? It's hard," Alesia admitted. Leonardo is so distant. I feel like I'm married to a stranger. And now, seeing Sergio involved in our business.....it's overwhelming."
Camila reached across the table, squeezing Alesia's hand. "You're strong, Alesia. Don't forget that. And you're not alone in this"
Alesia nodded, grateful for Camila's support. "Thanks, Camila. I needed that."