Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Five years Ago

That must have been, the end for us. I tried calling him. He never picked up.

And so, I did what everybody said-I moved on.

It was just a prom date. He just took me because, maybe, he probably felt sorry for me or whatever. I didn’t know his reasons. But that didn’t mean we were ever getting close, and it definitely didn’t mean we were getting

married any day soon.

So, I tried to forget him.

Of course, there was still news about him. Stories about his arguments with his father, because supposedly, he blamed his father for his mother’s death. And then, there was the talk of him coming back every now and then.

When I turned 18, he was 21.

I had just turned 18, and a lot of our friends-had either been proposed or already had arranged marriages. I didn’t have any prospects yet. I didn’t know if I even wanted any.

We were at my cousin’s wedding. She was 19, and this was my first wedding. My mother told me I needed to attend so I could be prepared, and maybe someone might actually find some interest in me.

My father argued, saying, “She’s going to college.”

But my mother had insisted, “Just in case. If we get a good proposal from a good family, why would we stop our family from climbing the ladder?”

So, we went. The wedding was fine. I wasn’t really interested in it Until we went to the reception and I saw him again.

Asher.

He was in the crowd, standing next to his younger brother. And he looked even more handsome.

More mature.

Colder.

He watched the scene unfold around him, his gaze sharp, his posture stiff-like the whole world had done something to offend him.

The minute I saw him, my heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t stop looking at him. I thought my feelings for him would have already died by now.

But nothing had changed. Seeing him again felt just like the first time.

The memory of prom was burned into my mind-the way he had made me feel, the way he had taken care of me. And just as those thoughts ran through my head, our eyes met.

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Chapter 33

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At first, he frowned. Then, he looked at me again.

And then, just like that, he broke eye contact and turned to speak to the man next to him.

Embarrassment flooded me. I had foolishly thought he would recognize me.

I turned away, stepping out of the ballroom and into the garden. The reception hall was made of glass, and from where I stood, I could still watch the people inside-dancing, laughing, drinking.

I let out a breath, trying to shake off the strange, lingering disappointment. And then, all of a sudden, a voice whispered in my ear.

“I guess we’re just destined to meet like this.”

I froze. That voice.

It was deeper now, richer, more powerful-harsher. But I still recognized it. I turned around.

“Asher.”

His lips curled slightly.

“Hello, butterfly.”

Butterfly. The name he had once called me. I had been a teenage fool to think it was special. Maybe he called every girl that. But I had stupidly believed it meant something.

I looked at him properly now, and there was something different in his face-something weighed down by time, by loss.

Before I could stop myself, the words slipped from my lips.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

He stilled. “What do you mean?”

“Your mom,” I clarified. “I tried calling but you never picked up. I wanted to come to the funeral, but my parents thought I was being childish. That I had no connection that needed me to actually be there. But I wanted to tell you…I’m sorry.”

He nodded slightly. “I kind of lost my phone.”

“Okay…” I hesitated. “Well, how have you been?”

He exhaled, then let his gaze sweep over me.

“You look good,” he said, Changing the subject. “Beautiful. Older.” His lips twitched. “Old enough to kiss, I’m guessing.”

I laughed. “How old do you think I am?”

He tilted his head. “Eighteen.”

I nodded. A slow smile formed on his lips.

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Chapter 33

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