Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 427

ARIELLA

I kept watching Leon and Asher's figure even when they had disappeared completely when Sia asked,

“So you're not a morning person, are you?”

I turned toward her.

“I am. But not if I have to exercise first thing.”

“Not at all?”

“Absolutely not.”

She laughed.

“And Asher's trying to get me to start running every morning,” I added.

"It must be tragic.”

“I feel like I'm going to die.”

That only made her laugh harder.

“I would have to find some way not to come running tomorrow.” I folded my arms dramatically. “Maybe fake my own death.....”

“Ariella,” Sia exclaimed eyes wide.

“What?”

She shook her head, still laughing.

“It's going to be good for you. Running is the best way to clear your head, burn some serious energy and crush your day before it starts.

“That's what everyone keeps saying,” I replied with a sigh.

“It is,” she said cheerfully. Then she glanced at me briefly. “It's good for all of you.”

The conversation quieted after that. For a few moments, there was only the hum of the car. Then Sia spoke again.

“So... how have you been doing?”

I looked out the window And then I smiled at her. The fake one, the one I had perfected. The smile everyone seemed willing to accept.

“I'm great.”

Sia was quiet. A little too quiet after my response but nodded. “Okay.”

A few seconds later she pulled up in front of the house.

“We are here.”

“Great. Thanks for the lift.”

I climbed out of the car and headed straight inside. The second I got upstairs, I took a very much-needed shower. Afterwards, I went directly to bed; which seemed to be calling for me, and I was exhausted. Completely exhausted.

But the second I sat down, something unexpected happened. I got hungry... Food. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was really hungry. I had barely been eating lately, Food had felt like a chore, like something I had to force myself to do. But suddenly I was starving.

I got right back up, Forget sleep, Food first. I headed downstairs and found Margaret setting the table.

“Good morning, Margaret.” My hand was already reaching for a croissant before I even finished speaking.

“Slow down,” she said.

I was already taking a bite.

“You went running today?” she asked, a hidden smile tugging at her lips.

“Yes.”

I pointed at the croissant.

“Sorry. I'm starving.”

“I've got you.”

She placed both hands gently on my shoulders And then she gave me a look. A motherly look, an understanding look. The kind of look that made my chest tighten unexpectedly.

Without saying anything else, she started piling food onto my plate: more eggs, More fruit, More pastries, More everything. And I ate every single bite. I was so focused on the food that I didn't even realise she was still standing there watching me.

Only when I finished did I finally look up. Margaret smiled at me, A real smile. There was relief in her gaze.

“That's more like it.”

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