Marked By The Mafia – Episode 61&62

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             ✮{…THE UNDERGROUND…}✮

Aurora slipped back into the dining room with the same graceful calm she had worn since she entered the DeLuca mansion. Her heartbeat was steadying now, even though the image of that sealed metal door still pulsed sharp and dangerous at the back of her mind.

Nicholas stood as she approached.

“You took a while, love” he said gently, pulling out her chair for her.

Aurora offered a small, apologetic smile. “Ah yes… I got confused with the doors”

Nicholas chuckled. “Sorry about that. This house is quite big”

Before Aurora could respond, Antonio reappeared from the hallway… silent, composed, his presence heavy enough to fill the room. 

He walked behind Aurora and patted her back lightly, his touch almost fatherly… yet it made her muscles stiffen.

“Hope you’re familiar with this place now?” he asked.

Aurora turned, meeting those eyes with an easy smile. “Yes. Like Nicholas said, this place is quite big”

Nicholas stepped beside her, adjusting his collar. “Father, I’m taking Aurora out now. Is there anything you want me to help you get?”

Antonio waved a hand, dismissive and amused. “I’m good, son. Carry on with your bride-to-be”

Nicholas flushed at the teasing, a soft smile breaking across his face. Aurora lowered her gaze just enough to play the part but inside, her mind remained cold steel.

Nicholas offered his hand, she placed hers lightly in his.

As they walked out of the dining room together, Antonio remained behind, watching her with an expression that revealed nothing… but felt like everything.

Nicholas led Aurora down the front steps, the bright late morning sun warming the marble beneath their feet. The DeLuca mansion glowed in soft daylight, its gardens vibrant and perfectly trimmed. A sleek black Mercedes was parked in the driveway, its surface gleaming under the sun.

He opened the passenger door for her. Aurora slipped inside, her gown settling around her legs. Nicholas circled the car, sliding into the driver’s seat as the engine hummed to life.

The large gates opened and the car rolled out of the estate, sunlight pouring through the windows.

Nicholas glanced at her with a soft smile.

“Guess where I’m taking you?”

Aurora let out a small laugh. “Umm… I really have no idea”

“You will see soon, and I promise you that you will love it. It’s somewhere cozy for just me and you” He winked.

Aurora returned a shy smile, though her thoughts were far from shy.

A few seconds passed before she spoke again.

“You know… everyone has a favorite number out of all. Mine is 9, followed by 5, 3 and then 1. What’s yours?”

Nicholas chuckled. “Interesting. I love number 1 a lot because I always want to be first in everything. I love number 7 too. It’s my special number and that’s the day I was born”

Aurora nodded slowly, studying him. “Wow. What of your dad’s?”

“Oh, my dad?” Nicholas laughed lightly. “He’s a boring man. I actually have no idea”

Aurora smiled politely, turning her face toward the window as the city passed by in golden daylight.

But inside, her mind was already piecing things together.

‘Number 1. Number 7. Two digits. Two steps closer’

She relaxed against the seat, eyes half-lidded.

Nicholas glanced at her again, a playful smile tugging at his lips. Without warning, he reached over and gently took her hand in his.

Aurora froze for a heartbeat, then subtly shifted her position, pulling her hand back just enough so it was no longer in his grasp.

“Oh, sorry,” she said lightly, her tone casual and airy. “I just have a bit of sunscreen on my hands. Don’t want it on the steering wheel”

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. “Sunscreen, huh? Clever excuse”

Aurora offered a faint smile, letting her hand rest elegantly on her lap instead. “I like to keep things clean” she added smoothly, her gaze returning to the passing cityscape, giving nothing away.

Nicholas let out a soft laugh, shaking his head, but didn’t try to take her hand again… for now. 

The car slowed as Nicholas turned to a quiet, winding road lined with tall trees. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng” The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the asphalt. Aurora leaned back in her seat, taking in the peaceful scenery.

“Almost there,” Nicholas said with a grin, his eyes on the road. “Hope you’re ready for this”

Aurora raised an eyebrow, curious. “For what exactly? You’ve been teasing me all morning”

“You’ll see soon” he replied, his smile widening. “It’s somewhere cozy, just for us”

A few minutes later, the car rounded a bend and the view opened up. A serene lake stretched before them, the water glinting under the late morning sun. A small wooden dock jutted into the water, and the soft rustle of reeds framed the scene. A neatly arranged picnic blanket with cushions and a basket rested near the shore.

Aurora’s eyes widened slightly, taking in the idyllic setting. “Wow… this is beautiful”

Nicholas parked the car, turned to her, and winked. “I promised you’d love it”

Aurora gave a faint, appreciative smile, stepping out to the soft grass. The warmth of the sun and the gentle lapping of the water added a surprising calm to the morning.

Nicholas held the car door open, and as she passed, he reached for her hand again. Aurora moved it lightly, offering the same casual excuse about sunscreen, but this time, a small, amused sparkle danced in her eyes.

“Come on,” he said, gesturing toward the picnic.

“Let’s enjoy the morning while we can”

Aurora followed, her mind both alert and intrigued. The lake, the sun, and the soft breeze were a perfect cover for the game she was playing, and Nicholas seemed oblivious to the full extent of her mission.

•••

EVENING, A PARK*

Maya sat on a worn wooden bench near the edge of the park, her posture relaxed but alert. One hand rested loosely on her knee, the other brushing through her hair as she adjusted the small earpiece in her ear. The ambient noise of the city faded, muted by the device, leaving her fully focused. She was waiting for someone.

The sound of soft footsteps on the gravel made her glance up. Axel slid to the bench beside her, face partially hidden under a cap.

“What did he say?” Axel asked quietly, leaning back, his gaze cautious.

Maya exhaled slowly, shaking her head. “He wasn’t enthusiastic about it. I’ll keep convincing him”

Axel’s eyes narrowed. “I knew that bastard wouldn’t agree. Don’t worry. I’ll work on my own if I have to”

Maya leaned forward slightly, her tone sharp. “Drop your pride. I’ll talk to him. The situation concerns you too”

He smirked, shrugging. “Alright. Fine. What’s the latest update?”

“His wife is at the Deluca’s doing her part” Maya said, eyes scanning the area as if expecting someone else to appear.

Axel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “About the wife… is she trustable?”

“Of course”

Axel leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Isn’t she Vincenzo Bellanti’s second daughter?”

Maya nodded. “Yeah”

“And… is she… s+×y?” Axel teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

Maya let out a sharp smack on his arm. “You idiot!”

Axel chuckled, rubbing his arm where she hit him. “Relax. Just asking”

Maya shook her head, smirking despite herself. “Focus, Axel. This isn’t about appearances. She’s playing her part perfectly. That’s what matters”

Axel leaned back again, his grin fading into a more serious expression. “Got it. Let’s just hope she doesn’t slip up. One mistake, and everything falls apart”

Maya adjusted her earpiece again, eyes narrowing. “She won’t. I trust her”

They rose from the bench, stretching slightly before starting to walk along the gravel path.

As they rounded a bend, two small kids suddenly darted in front of them, holding colorful posters with excited grins.

“Excuse us, mister, miss! Look at this!” one of the children called, holding the poster up high.

Maya bent down slightly, taking it in. Axel leaned closer to get a better look.

The poster was bright, adorned with hearts and swirls, and read: “You’re invited to the Grand Lovers’ Evening! Come with your partner and share the magic!”

The second child piped up eagerly, “Yeah! You have to come with your lover!”

Before either Maya or Axel could respond, the kids giggled and ran off down the path, leaving the poster fluttering slightly in the breeze.

Maya straightened, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile as she glanced at Axel who seems lost in thought.

•••

EVENING, BACK AT THE LAKE*

The evening had deepened into night. The lake reflected a silver sheen under the soft glow of the moon. Aurora sat on the blanket, the cushions beneath her slightly rumpled from Nicholas’ earlier antics.

Nicholas, swaying slightly on his seat, held a half-empty bottle of wine. His normally composed demeanor had melted into a carefree, drunken blur.

“Nicholas, I don’t think you like me” Aurora said gently, feigning concern as she leaned closer, keeping her tone light.

He blinked slowly, a lazy grin spreading across his face. “Like you? Oh… I like you… a lot” he slurred, his words heavy with wine.

She smiled faintly, letting the moment linger. “Then… why won’t you tell me your dad’s favorite number?”

Nicholas laughed, a deep, slightly hiccupping sound. “My dad… boring man… favorite number? Uh… 4, 8… maybe 6? No… wait, 2… and… 9!” He waved his hands in the air, nearly tipping his wine bottle.

Aurora stiffened slightly, her mind racing. Is that the code to the secret room? she thought, heart skipping a beat. 

She leaned in, voice barely a whisper, “Nicholas… is that the code to the secret room?”

He froze mid-laugh, then blinked at her, eyes slightly unfocused but playful. “What? No… no, silly. That’s not it” he said, waving his hand dismissively.

Aurora exhaled slowly, trying to mask her panic. Her fingers tightened slightly around the blanket, thinking quickly.

Nicholas tilted his head, still grinning drunkenly. “But… I can give you a hint… hmm…” He leaned back, squinting at her. “It’s… like… two of my numbers… the ones I told you about earlier. That’s all I’ll say. Keep thinking, love”

Aurora’s mind raced. ‘Two of his numbers… from earlier… Number 1 and number 7…’ She nodded subtly, a flicker of relief hidden behind her calm expression.

“Thank you… I’ll keep that in mind” she said, keeping her voice even, all while mentally noting the sequence.

Nicholas chuckled again, his head tilting back as he swayed slightly, then muttered, “Now… you look too serious… let’s enjoy the night, hmm?”

Aurora relaxed just enough, letting him enjoy the illusion of drunken camaraderie while keeping her mind sharp. She silently thanked the wine for buying her a little more time.

She exhaled softly, glancing at Nicholas who had slumped a little more to the picnic blanket, his drunken haze evident in the way his head lolled to the side. She reached out, sliding an arm beneath his shoulders and another under his knees with surprising ease.

“Come on… let’s get you home” she murmured, lifting him with the calm precision of someone accustomed to handling heavy burdens.

The walk back to the car was quiet, the only sound the soft rustle of his breathing and the distant lap of water against the dock. Aurora maneuvered him into the passenger seat, settling him carefully before slipping into the driver’s seat herself.

The engine purred to life, and she guided the car along the winding roads. He muttered something incoherent behind her, and she only smiled faintly, focusing on the road.

The drive back to the DeLuca estate was smooth. By the time they arrived, the late-night streets were nearly empty. She opened the car door and lifted him with ease again, his arms draped loosely around her neck in a careless imitation of affection.

Inside the mansion, silence greeted them. Antonio was nowhere to be seen… likely out, which suited her perfectly.

Aurora set Nicholas down gently on the sitting room couch, arranging him so he looked comfortably asleep. His wine-scented, careless form was the perfect distraction for anyone who might pass by.

From her bag, she retrieved her phone… she had switched it off earlier that morning. She typed quickly:

“I’m progressing. Will update you later”

A small tap sent the message to Matteo, and with a soft click, she turned off the phone, slipping it back into her bag.

Her eyes immediately turned to the heavy metallic door at the far end of the hall. Her pulse quickened slightly as she approached it.

Aurora crouched briefly to examine the keypad, her fingers brushing lightly over the cool metal. 

“Let’s see what you’re hiding” she whispered, almost to herself, before preparing to enter the code.

Aurora’s fingers trembled slightly as she stared at the metallic door. She had tried so many times, her mind calculating every hint Nicholas had given, every number she had observed, but the door refused to yield.

First attempt. Nothing.

Second, third. Each failure tightened the knot in her chest. The quiet of the mansion was almost oppressive now, and the soft hum of the keypad seemed to mock her.

By the seventh attempt, her breath came in shallow, controlled bursts. She pressed the final sequence, “1-7-9-5” and held her breath.

A single, metallic click shattered the silence. The door creaked open slowly, the shadows inside swallowing her whole. 

The darkness was immediate, thick, and suffocating, but just as she stepped inside, harsh white lights flickered on, illuminating a narrow stairwell plunging deep underground. The door slammed shut behind her with a bone-jarring “thud,” sealing her in.

Aurora’s pulse thundered in her ears as she descended. Each step echoed, a ghostly drumbeat in the silence. The air grew colder, damper, carrying a faint metallic tang that made her stomach churn. 

Finally, the stairwell ended. Aurora’s legs wobbled as she stepped on cold stone, the vast underground chamber spreading before her like a nightmare. Ten doors lined the walls, each with a padlock glinting ominously under the stark fluorescent light.

And then she saw the walls.

Portraits of naked girls stared down at her, their eyes hollow. Smears of dark crimson streaked the plaster, painting grotesque shapes that made her stomach lurch. 

Paintings, sketches, photographs, everywhere, the evidence of obsession and cruelty. Her fingers itched to turn away, but she could not. She had to find the truth.

She moved cautiously toward the nearest door. The cold stone pressed against her palms as she reached for the handle. Then a faint, trembling sound cut through the silence.

“Please… help me…”

Her breath caught as she froze. The voice was so weak, so desperate.

Aurora’s instincts screamed at her to run, but she could not leave. Not now.

Her fingers tightened around the cold metal handle, and she leaned in, straining to hear the faint voice again.

“Please… help me…”

She took a cautious step forward, and then, without warning, something hard and heavy struck the side of her head. Pain exploded through her skull, and the world tipped violently. She stumbled, tried to catch herself, but her legs gave way. She collapsed flatly on the cold stone floor.

The underground chamber seemed to exhale around her, the fluorescent lights flickering as if struggling against the darkness. Shadows danced on the walls, distorted and menacing. Her vision blurred, and the metallic tang in the air filled her senses.

As she lay there, barely conscious, the voice came again but closer this time, dripping with desperation.

“Save me… please…”

Her eyelids fluttered, the words echoing in the cavernous silence, chilling her to the bone. Every nerve in her body screamed in alarm, but she could do nothing but listen as the room seemed to pulse with unseen life…

The lights flickered one final time before plunging her into darkness. Silence swallowed everything, leaving only the faint, desperate whisper.

“Save me…”

•

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TBC😈

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