Betrothed To The Ruthless Mafia

"Your father is waiting in his study"

Rosana looked down at the luggage she was holding and sighed. She couldn't help wondering why her father urgently needed her in his study. What could be so important? She wasn't even allowed to drop her bags before her mother conveyed the message.

"Is anything the problem, Mammà?"

"No, absolutely not," Aria responded with a faux smile. She looked worried and anxious and Rosana could tell because she kept rubbing her hands.

She gave her mother a suspicious look and turned to look around. Surely, this was not the atmosphere she expected to meet after being away for the past three years.

"I will drop my bags first and then I will meet him in the study"

Aria smiled and returned to the kitchen while Rosana headed up the stairs. Once inside her room, she smiled and dropped her bags on the neatly dressed bed. The room was clean which meant that Aria had taken care of it in preparation for her homecoming.

Rosana looked at the ring on her middle finger and smiled as she headed out to meet her father. Tonight or the next morning, she was going to share the good news with everyone. Her parents were going to be so proud of her, she thought.

"Father!" She called out in excitement after bursting into the quiet room. Mr. Santos turned from the window and smiled at his daughter who had long grown into a beautiful woman.

"Principessa!" He smiled as she rushed into his arms.

In his father's arms, Rosana was relieved. When she had gotten the call from him, asking her to return home immediately, she had thought the worst. She didn't even waste time. She just booked the next flight and rushed back to Italy.

"Father, you are well. I thought something bad happened"

"Oh, not at all, mio caro" Mr. Santos replied and motioned for her to take a seat at the other end of the table. "I am glad you came quickly"

"I have good news, Papito. I..." Rosana started but was cut off by her father.

"We can talk about that later, sì? Right now, there is something important you need to know"

Disappointment flashed across her soft features but she covered it up quickly. She nodded and smiled instead, wondering what was so important that couldn't wait until the next day.

She had just arrived some minutes ago and wasn't properly welcomed by her parents. She wasn't even allowed to relax after hours of sitting on the plane.

"You will be married soon..."

Her heart skipped in excitement. She didn't even know when she cut him off. "Yes, Father, I..."

"The wedding is tomorrow, Rosana, and you must be prepared" Few seconds passed and neither of them said a word. They just sat, staring at each other.

"My wedding? Tomorrow?"

She was speechless. Her wedding? It was hard to process any of what her father had just said.

"Sì, sì. We do not have any more time, Rosana. You have to be ready"

She stared at him, still confused. "We have a lot of time, Papito. We are not planning to rush anything"

With a deep sigh, her father stood up and walked over to a smaller table in the room. He picked up a bottle and poured himself a glass of alcohol. After taking a sip, he looked heavenward, thinking deeply.

He still did not know how to break the news to his only child. She had been betrothed some years ago and it hurt him that he couldn't change the situation. Tomorrow, he was going to come and collect her and there was nothing anyone could do about it.

A sigh ripped out of Rosana's chest as she looked at the ring on her finger. She wasn't surprised that her father had found out about it before she could break the news to them. He was in the mafia and he had lots of connections all over the world but what still surprised her was why he was asking her to marry the next day.

"Look, Papito, everything is going to be fine, you do not have to worry. Allen and I would get married and make grandbabies for you and Mammà immediately"

Mr. Santos paused and turned to look at her. It was now his turn to look confused. When she smiled and looked down at the ring on her finger, his heart stopped in his chest. The glass he was holding fell from his hand and broke into pieces.

"Papà!" Rosana yelled in shock and got out of her chair. She immediately rushed over but he stopped her before she could get closer to him.

"What have you done, Rosana? You got engaged?"

The look on his face terrified her but she managed to respond. "Yes, Father. Allen and I got engaged one week ago" When he sighed deeply and went over to stand in front of the window, she had to explain. "I wanted to tell you and Mammà, Papito. Allen and I have been in love for the past four years. I did not mean to keep it a secret"

"Do you know how dangerous this is, Rosana? He could have our heads if he finds out!"

She stared at him then, the confused look returning to her face. What was he talking about? She wondered. Who was he talking about? If the wedding wasn't with her fiance, Allen, then who?

"You are going to return the ring and end things with this man, è chiaro?" [Is that clear?]

"His name is Allen, my fiance"

"I do not care, Rosana!" He yelled and walked over to her. Rosana was now frightened. Her father had never yelled at her and she had never seen him look this way. "He is coming to take you tomorrow, so you will do as I say, Principessa. Tonight, you will pick your wedding gown and you will be ready for him."

Rosana was on the verge of bursting into tears but she held herself. She still could not understand a thing he was saying and silently prayed it was not what she was thinking. It couldn't be a forced marriage. No, her father will never do that. He loved her so much and wanted her to be happy, always.