Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127

The next morning, I woke up to a clean house and the rich, mouthwatering smell of food drifting from the kitchen. I couldn’t remember the last time something had smelled so delicious.

Without thinking, I jumped out of bed and hurried downstairs. As I turned the corner, I found Maria standing in the kitchen, busy over the stove, moving with the same rhythm and care I’d come to recognize. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d gotten used to her until she disappeared. I hadn’t realized how attached I’d become.

I ran up to her and wrapped my arms around her tightly. She turned around, caught off guard, and gave me an awkward little hug back.

“You left us without saying anything,” I whispered. I wasn’t accusing her, I was just… happy. So happy to see her.

“Where did you go? Where have you been?”

Maria raised an eyebrow, a small smile forming. “It’s only been a few weeks. Why are you making so much out of it?”

Then she softened a little. “Mr. Luca gave me some time off. I hadn’t seen my parents in a long time, so I went home to check on them and on what they’ve been doing with all the money I’ve been sending.” Her eyes went distant for a second, thoughtful before she blinked it away.

“Anyway,” she said briskly, brushing off the subject, “no need to talk about my personal life. How have you guys been? I missed Leon, so I made his favourite breakfast.”

I smiled, heartwarming. “He’s still asleep.”

Maria grinned. “So, how was my replacement? Judging by that hug, I’m guessing she wasn’t much of one.”

She laughed awkwardly, and I joined her, equally awkward. Because she didn’t know. How could she? She had no idea what had happened here while she was gone. She was just a maid to them. Just a ‘nobody’ in Asher’s world. How could she know that he had started his punishments with her time off?

“No one can replace you,” I told her quietly.

She gave me a surprised look, but I just hugged her again and grabbed a mug off the counter. I can’t wait to eat whatever you’re cooking. Just give it to me already.”

At that moment, I heard the sound of tiny footsteps padding down the hall, and then,

“Auntie Maria!” Leon’s voice lit up the kitchen as he squealed and ran straight toward her, throwing his arms around her legs.

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Maria bent down and pulled him into a big, warm hug. “There’s my little prince,” she said, her

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Chapter 127

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voice bright and full of joy.

For a moment, it felt like everything was normal. Like nothing had broken. Like this, this warmth, this breakfast, this moment could stretch on forever.

That night, when I went to bed, call me crazy, call me anything you want, a fool, a mess, a hopeless dreamer… but this time I want to get rid of the word, ‘Get the clothes off’ that seemed to be Asher’s favourite word, and decided to go to bed naked. I stripped off my clothes, left them scattered like forgotten thoughts on the floor, and slipped under the sheets completely naked.

I know what you must be thinking. Maybe I have given up. Maybe Asher had finally broken me. But I have decided to take Luca’s advice. If I ever dream, if I ever think of leaving this house, I have to be prepared. I have to choose my battles, and I’m choosing to give him what he wants, for now.

I hope he lets his guard down because he will. And that’s when I’ll strike and Leon and I will finally disappear. And this time, I hope he never finds me. He never finds us again.

So, I lay there, still and waiting, imagining the door opening. Imagining him stepping inside like a shadow I had invited.

But he didn’t come. Not that night. He didn’t show up the second night either. Or the third.

And on the fourth day, when I came back from getting Leon to bed, I opened the door to my room and stopped. There was a box. Not just any box, but a wrapped gift box sitting on my bed, neat and pristine like it had been placed with purpose.

Warning bells started ringing in my head. I stepped closer, my feet hesitant on the carpet. Part of me wanted to run downstairs and ask Maria if she had seen the box or placed it there. But then I thought, no, this was Asher’s doing. It had to be. And deep down, I didn’t want anyone else involved.

So I opened it.

Inside was a simple card, the handwriting unmistakable…. his. Asher’s.

[Be ready tomorrow at seven. Wear the red dress in the closet.]

Still holding the card, I turned slowly and walked to my closet. I opened the door to my walk- in, and there laid out carefully on the centre table was a blood-red dress.

A breathtaking, evening gown kind of red.

I moved toward it like I was in a trance, my fingers brushing the silky fabric, soft and expensive under my fingertips. It clung to my skin. Mesmerizing, rich, dangerous. A shade that whispered seduction and destruction.

What did he mean? I knew he wasn’t taking me on a date. He probably just wanted me to wear it so he could rip it off.

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But still… I tried it on.

It fits perfectly. As if it had been sewn just for me. And for a brief second, I looked in the mirror and saw someone beautiful. Not broken. Not scared.

Beautiful.

The next day, I took my time, more time than I had in months. I ran a warm bubble bath, shaved every inch of my skin, and did my full nightly skincare routine, the one I’d almost forgotten I used to enjoy. I slipped into the red dress, paired it with gold heels that shimmered subtly under the light, and applied my makeup, just enough to enhance, not to cover.

And when I looked at myself in the mirror, I paused.

Who is this woman?

I looked… stunning. Elegant. Almost unrecognizable. I had twisted my hair into a sleek ponytail, let a few baby hairs fall loose around my face, and sprayed my best perfume, floral, soft, seductive. Since Maria’s return, everything in the house had been restocked, and tonight, I looked like someone who belonged in a magazine, not in Asher’s cage.

Honestly? I’d date myself right now.

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