Every Mafia's Favorite Girl novel Chapter 63

Chapter 63: "Bait Taken"

Aren slowly turned in place, taking in the vibrant sea of flowers stretching before her in every direction.

She stood now beside Daria inside an upscale boutique florist in the heart of the city.

The air was rich with the mingled fragrance of lilies, roses, fresh greenery, and damp earth, while warm sunlight streamed through broad display windows, bathing endless rows of blooms in golden light.

To anyone else, it would have been breathtaking.

To Aren, it was overwhelming.

She glanced to her left, then to her right, before turning back to Daria.

"There are too many," Aren whispered. "Where do we even start?"

Daria smiled at once, every bit the attentive, capable maid she appeared to be. Stepping comfortably to Aren’s side, she clasped her hands neatly before her dress, as though the answer had always been obvious.

"Don’t worry, my lady," she said reassuringly. "I told you I’ve got this."

Her smile remained calm as she gestured toward the displays surrounding them.

"Since your meeting with Don Gian isn’t until Sunday, buying fresh-cut flowers today would actually be a mistake. By the time you arrive at the Lombardi estate, most of them would already be drooping."

She walked to a nearby display and gently lifted a blue hydrangea bloom between her fingers.

"Especially hydrangeas. They’re beautiful, but they’re delicate. Without constant water, they’ll begin to wilt surprisingly quickly."

"Oh." Aren frowned. "Then coming today was a mistake?"

"Not at all," Daria replied smoothly. "We’ll simply schedule the delivery instead. We choose the arrangement today, pay for it, and have the florist deliver everything fresh to the Sartori estate on Sunday morning, just before you leave. That way, the flowers will be at their absolute best when you present them to your father."

Relief softened Aren’s expression.

"That sounds very efficient. Thank you, Daria."

Daria’s smile widened just enough to appear genuinely pleased.

"Of course. Now..." She gestured once more toward the sea of blossoms. "As for the arrangement itself, which flowers do you like?"

"What would you suggest?"

Daria led Aren toward a display of elegant crystal vases, thoughtfully surveying the surrounding flowers.

"White tulips and blue hydrangeas would be perfect, just as Mrs. Pecora recommended. Since your father is a Don, we want something grand without sacrificing meaning. What do you think about combining the two?"

Aren studied the blossoms for a long moment.

"They’re both very beautiful..."

She turned back to Daria with a small, uncertain smile.

"Could you help me arrange them? I... honestly have no idea what I’m doing."

"Of course, my lady. That’s what I’m here for."

She beckoned one of the florists over and confidently described the arrangement she envisioned — a tall crystal vase filled with pristine white tulips at its heart, embraced by a lush cloud of deep blue hydrangeas.

As the florist gathered sample stems together, Aren couldn’t help admiring the striking contrast.

The pristine white nestled against the rich blue looked elegant, refined, and quietly dignified all at once.

’Daria knows so much about beautiful, elegant things.’

The realization filled her with admiration.

’I need to learn these things from her.’

Her gaze drifted slowly across another flower display.

’I want to buy Don Caio some flowers too.’

’But... what meaning do I want them to carry?’

She stood motionless for a while, searching for words that could express the complicated feelings she had always felt around him. Eventually, her eyes settled upon a row of white peonies.

Hundreds of delicate petals folded over one another, blooming in perfect fullness. Their brilliant white gave them an innocent purity despite their lavish appearance, making them seem both bold and strangely shy at the same time.

Just like the way Caio always made her feel.

A blush crept across her cheeks.

Nearby, Daria had already finished discussing the arrangement.

Her attention drifted from the florist to Aren, who remained standing before the peonies, completely lost in thought.

The small vial of sedative Gael had delivered only yesterday rested safely inside Daria’s pocket. All she had to do now was lure Aren somewhere private, find a way to make her ingest it, and bring her to the agreed location, where Gael’s men were already waiting.

’What could possibly tempt this girl?’

’Ah... right.’

’She bought an absurd amount of cakes.’

’And if I remember correctly, the staff said she’s been baking nonstop lately... and made enough ice cream yesterday to feed an army.’

A plan quickly formed. Turning back to the florist with a bright, polished smile, Daria nodded.

"Yes, perfect. Let’s arrange it exactly like that. Would you excuse me? I just need to check with my mistress."

The smile remained flawlessly in place as she approached Aren.

"Well, that was a successful flower-shopping trip," Daria said sweetly.

Aren immediately snapped out of her daze.

"Yes," she replied. "I’m glad we sorted it out so quickly."

"Me too." Daria smiled. "Since we still have a little time before heading back, would you mind stopping by a café nearby?"

"A café?"

"There’s this amazing little place just two blocks away called Primavera. They make incredible artisan pastries, and honestly, their homemade white chocolate gelato is legendary. I think you’d absolutely love it."

Aren’s attention immediately latched onto several very specific words.

’Artisan pastries.’

’Homemade gelato.’

’Bait taken.’

’This girl is ridiculously easy to lure.’

’She’s changed in many ways recently... but apparently she’s still just as simple-minded and brain-rotted as ever.’

Ding.

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