Chapter 10

Sophia arrived at the office, eager to catch up with Rachel. She hadn't seen her best friend in weeks, not since her whirlwind marriage to Dante. As she walked towards Rachel's desk, she was greeted with a warm smile.

"Hey, girl! Long time no see!" Rachel exclaimed, jumping up from her chair to give Sophia a hug.

Sophia laughed, feeling a sense of normalcy wash over her. "I know, I'm sorry. Life's been crazy lately."

As they chatted, Sophia couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. She glanced around the office, but everyone seemed to be busy with their work.

Shrugging it off, Sophia continued to catch up with Rachel. But as she was leaving the office, she felt a hand grab her arm and pull her into a waiting car.

Sophia struggled to free herself, but her captors were too strong. She was thrown into the backseat, and the car sped away before she could even process what was happening.

As the car drove through the city, Sophia's mind racing with fear and uncertainty, she overheard one of the henchmen saying on the phone " Yes madam Bianca, we've got her".

But before Sophia could react, the car turned a corner, and Bianca's face disappeared from view. Sophia was left alone, wondering what Bianca wanted from her, and what she had planned.

Sophia's eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light of the abandoned building. She had been dragged here by Bianca's henchmen, and now she was face to face with the woman herself.

Bianca stood tall, her eyes flashing with anger. "So, Sophia," she spat, "I see you're enjoying your little marriage to Dante."

Sophia stood her ground, despite the fear that was rising up inside her. "What do you want, Bianca?" she demanded.

Bianca sneered. "I want you to know that you'll never be able to replace me," she said. "Dante will always love me, no matter how hard you try to steal him away."

Sophia shook her head. "I'm not trying to steal him away," she said. "I'm just trying to make my marriage work."

Bianca laughed. "Your marriage?" she repeated. "You think that's a real marriage? Ha! Dante only married you to spite me. He'll never truly love you."

Sophia felt a sting from Bianca's words, but she refused to back down. "I don't believe you," she said, her voice firm.

Bianca's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that," she said, a sinister smile spreading across her face.

Bianca's smile grew wider as she took a step closer to Sophia. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Marrying Dante just to get close to the Moretti family secrets."

Sophia's eyes widened as she realized that Bianca knew her true intentions. She tried to play it cool, but Bianca's next words sent a chill down her spine.

"I know all about your little investigation, Sophia," Bianca said, her eyes glinting with triumph. "And I'm not going to let you get away with it."

Meanwhile, Dante on the other hand gets home for lunch as he promised Sophia.

He doesn't find her anywhere.

He doesn't panic but wonder where she went.

Then his phone rings:

"Hey Dante, how have you been."

"What do you want Bianca."

"Hey, that's no way to talk to the person you once loved.

Anyways, I guess you're wondering where you little wife is."

"What did you do, You better not mess with Sophia" said Dante, without any hint of panic on his face.

"Why don't you come first, I have a little surprise for you" said Bianca, smiling mischievously.

Dante smirks but replies.

"Where are you, I'll meet you there" with no hint of panic on his face.

Dante's eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to Bianca's words. He could sense the malice in her tone, but he didn't let it get to him.

"I'm at the old warehouse on 5th and Main," Bianca said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "Come alone, Dante."

Dante's smirk grew wider as he replied, "I'll be right there."

He hung up the phone, his mind already racing with possibilities. He knew Bianca was up to something, but he wasn't going to let her get the better of him.

Dante's eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Sophia's things. He felt a pang of unease, but he pushed it aside.

With a calm and collected demeanor, Dante headed out the door, ready to face whatever Bianca had in store for him.

Sophia's eyes widened in panic as Bianca revealed her plan. "Dante's going to find out, and he's going to leave you," Bianca sneered, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "You'll be nothing but a footnote in his life, a mere inconvenience. And I'll make sure he makes your life miserable."

Sophia felt a chill run down her spine. She had never intended for things to go this far. All she had wanted was to uncover the truth about the Moretti family, not to put herself in harm's way.

Bianca's words struck a chord, and Sophia's priorities shifted. She no longer cared about the story or the secrets she had uncovered. All she wanted was her safety.

"Let me go," Sophia pleaded, trying to keep her voice steady. "I won't write the story, I promise. Just please, let me go."

Bianca laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You think it's that easy?" she said. "You think you can just walk away from this? No, Sophia. You're in this now, and you're going to see it through to the end."

Just as Bianca's hand was about to make contact with Sophia's face, the door burst open and Dante strode in. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the scene before him.

"Bianca, what's going on here?" Dante demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Bianca's hand froze, and she turned to face Dante. A sly smile spread across her face.

"Ah, Dante," she said. "Perfect timing. I was just about to reveal a little secret about your precious wife."

Dante's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to Bianca.

"I don't think you want to do that, Bianca," he warned.

But Bianca just laughed. "Oh, I think I do," she said, her eyes glinting with malice. "You see, Dante, Sophia here isn't who you think she is..."

Dante swiftly moved to Sophia's side, releasing her from her restraints. "Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of harm.

Sophia nodded, still looking shaken. "Y-yes, I'm fine," she stuttered.

Bianca's face contorted in confusion. "What are you doing, Dante?" she demanded. "You're supposed to be angry with her, not rescuing her!"

Dante's expression remained calm, but his eyes flashed with a warning. "I don't know what game you're playing, Bianca," he said, "but I'm not going to let you hurt Sophia."

Sophia's eyes darted between Dante and Bianca, confusion etched on her face. Why was Dante defending her? Didn't he want to know the truth about her?

Dante's eyes sparkled with amusement as he scolded Sophia, "You sneaky thing, I knew you were hiding something from me."

Sophia's face turned bright red as she looked down, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Bianca's face, on the other hand, turned pale with shock and anger. "How did you...?" she stuttered.

Dante chuckled, his eyes never leaving Sophia's face. "Let's just say I have my ways," he said, his voice playful and teasing. "But I have to admit, I'm impressed. You're a pretty good actress."

Sophia looked up, a mixture of relief and embarrassment on her face. "I...I can explain," she stuttered.

Dante's grin widened. "Oh, I'm sure you can," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "But I think I'll let you off the hook for now."

Bianca's face turned beet red with anger, her eyes blazing with fury. She took a step forward, her hands clenched into fists.

Dante's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "I wouldn't do that, Bianca," he warned, his voice low and menacing.

Bianca's eyes flashed with defiance, but Dante's warning seemed to penetrate her anger. She took a step back, her chest heaving with rage.

"I'm letting you go this time as a warning," Dante said, his voice firm. "But next time, I won't be so merciful. You're lucky I'm in a good mood today."

Bianca's eyes narrowed, her face twisted with hatred. "This isn't over," she spat, before turning on her heel and storming out of the room.

Dante watched her go, his expression unreadable. Then, he turned to Sophia, his eyes softening. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Dante swooped in and scooped Sophia up in his arms, cradling her against his chest.

Sophia protested, "I can walk, Dante!"

But Dante feigned anger, his eyes narrowing. "Don't argue with me, Sophia. Just allow me to carry you."

Sophia's eyes widened, and she immediately stopped struggling. "Okay, okay," she said, her voice soft.

Dante's face relaxed into a smile, and he chuckled. "Good," he said, his voice low and husky. "I like it when you obey me."

Sophia's cheeks flushed, but she didn't respond. Instead, she laid her head against Dante's shoulder, feeling a sense of safety and security wash over her.

Dante carried Sophia to his car and drove to a nearby hospital. "We're getting you checked out," he said, his voice firm.

Sophia protested, "I'm fine, Dante. Really."

But Dante disagreed, "You're going to get checked out, and that's final."

At the hospital, the doctor gave Sophia a clean bill of health. As they left the hospital, Sophia turned to Dante and asked, "Why did you pretend not to know about my little secret?"

Dante's expression turned thoughtful, and he replied, "I wanted to see how far you'd go. And I have to admit, I'm impressed."

Sophia's eyes narrowed, "You're impressed?"

Dante nodded, "Yes, I am. You're a very determined woman, Sophia. And I like that about you."

Sophia's expression softened, and she asked, "But why didn't you confront me about it?"

Dante's eyes locked onto hers, and he replied, "Because I wanted to see if you'd come clean on your own. And I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed that you didn't."

Sophia looked away, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice soft.

Dante's hand reached out and gently turned her face back to his. "Don't be sorry," he said, his eyes soft. "I just want to know why you felt like you had to deceive me."

Sophia took a deep breath and replied, "I was desperate to get the story, and I didn't know any other way to get close to the Moretti family."

Dante's expression turned thoughtful, and he nodded. "I understand," he said. "But next time, just ask me. I might surprise you."

Sophia's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "Why did you choose to marry me, Dante? You could have had anyone, like Bianca, for instance."

Dante chuckled, a low, husky sound, and replied, "Bianca is just a beautiful face, Sophia. But you... you are so much more than that."

Sophia's cheeks flushed, and she looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Dante's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "I've always admired you, Sophia. From the day I met you, I knew there was something special about you."

Sophia's eyes snapped back to his, surprise written all over her face. "You've known me for that long?" she asked.

Dante nodded. "I know everything about you, Sophia. Your favorite foods, your favorite books, your favorite music... I know it all."

Sophia's eyes widened, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. "Why did you never approach me, then?" she asked.

Dante's expression turned serious, and he replied, "Because of who I am, Sophia. I'm a mafia boss, and that comes with a lot of risks. I couldn't pursue you normally, because that would have put you in danger. Just like Bianca's plan did."

Sophia's eyes dropped, and she felt a pang of guilt.

Dante's voice brought her back to the present. "So, I decided to do it this way. And I'm so sure that you'll fall for me, Sophia."

Sophia's heart skipped a beat at his words. Fall for him? Was it already too late?

Sophia's cheeks flushed, and she shook her head. "I'm not falling for you, Dante," she said, trying to sound convincing.

Dante chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, really? Then why are you blushing?" he teased.

Sophia's face grew even hotter, and she quickly turned around and ran.

Dante's laughter echoed through the hallway as he yelled out, "Be careful, Sophia!"

He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He knew Sophia was falling for him, and it was only a matter of time before she admitted it to herself.

Dante smiled and followed Sophia out of the hospital. They walked to the car in comfortable silence.

As they drove home, Sophia gazed out the window, her mind replaying the events of the day.

Dante's eyes flicked to her, his expression soft. He reached out and gently took her hand.

Sophia didn't pull away, and Dante's fingers intertwined with hers.

They drove the rest of the way home in silence, the only sound the soft hum of the engine.