Saved And Claimed By The Mafia Alpha

Gianni

“I just want to let you know that I have arrived safely and am currently waiting to be taken to his house.”

 I told my best friend and ignored her grumbles of disapproval. Ever since I told her that I will be moving away from The Netherlands completely, she has been against it but I refused to let her talk me out of it because for once, I am doing what I want.

For once in my whole life, I am choosing to do what I want. Something that will benefit me. Only me. I am done putting other people first and the invitation came at the right time. My siblings are both done with school now and both have jobs.

Now they can support our mom and I will do my part but from far away. I spent all my life until now working hard for my family and now, it’s finally time for me to take a break and just do me. I need to have a life and it starts here in the beautiful city of Venice.

“I don’t know why you have refused to listen, Gia! You don’t even know this man! Not to mention that  he’s years older than you.”

 I made the mistake of answering her questions when she asked me about Arturo. I shouldn’t have told now. She hasn’t stopped talking about our eleven-year age gap as if that meant anything in the first place. 

 Arturo is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I found him when I needed him the most and we have been together for nine whole months now even though we haven’t met each other in person yet. Well, that’s about to change because I am here in his country now and we will be together.

The thought of finally being able to hug him and touch him excited me so much. Even through the long plane ride, I couldn’t stop feeling excited. Finally, after nine whole months of talking through texts and calls, we can finally see each other.

“It’s just eleven years, Eloise. Also, there’s nothing you can do about it now. I have already arrived here. I might be out of reach for a while so don’t even try to contact me. I need some time alone with my man.”

 I told her.  

“That’s not the only problem, Gianni! You don’t know the man! You know nothing about him. It’s not too late to turn back. I am begging you!”

 Usually, I listen to Eloise but not this time. We are the same age but she already has her life figured out. She works a cool job and is already married with her first kid at twenty-nine and a second on the way. Meanwhile, I am still a virgin at the same age.

I dedicated my life to my family. I worked hard to help my siblings through school while also paying my mother’s hospital bills. I had no time for myself. No time to date or even think of getting married. Now that I don’t have to look out for my siblings or pay my mother’s hospital bills now that she has gotten the bypass surgery and healed, it’s time to focus on myself.

When I told my family about it, they were all sad but they knew better than to stop me. they knew how much of my life I dedicated to them so when I told them it was time for me to put me first, they all gave their blessings. The only person who refused to listen is my best friend Eloise.

She thinks something is off about Arturo but she is wrong because Arturo is a good man. I have known him for nine whole months now and those nine months have been the happiest I have ever been. Even with the distance, he still showered me with love and made out time for me.

We talked so much in the last nine months that he no longer felt like a stranger to me. I know we will be just fine because I already like him so much and he likes me too.

“Gianni!”

 I sighed when Eloise yelled my name over the phone. Maybe I shouldn’t have called her to let her know I already arrived. I didn’t feel good about leaving without telling her and that’s why I decided to call her once I arrived. Now I feel like I made a mistake. I should have waited a few days before calling her.

“What? Eloise? Why can’t you just support me in this? You have a life, don’t you? You have a job, a husband, a two-year-old, and another baby on the way. What do I have? Nothing! I am twenty-nine and still haven’t had a proper first kiss! How many twenty-nine-year-olds do you know who are still virgins? Stop trying to stop me from living my life when you have yours.”

 I hate having issues with my best friend but sometimes, it’s like she forgets that we are age mates. She acts like she knows so much more than I and tries to act like my mom. I may not be as experienced as her when it comes to certain things but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how to navigate my life.

I am grown and for the first time in my life, I made a grown ass decision that will benefit me. Only me. While not hurting anyone. No one will be hurt by my decision so even if it turns out to be a bad decision, which won’t even be the case, I will take all the blame. I refuse to continue my boring life. That life is gone now and I am going to enjoy the last months of my twenties.

“I want you to have a life but moving away from the country to go be with a man you barely know isn’t the way to live your life, darling! Come back home. There are plenty of men here in Amsterdam! You will find the one for you here. It’s not over there and it’s certainly not that man.”

 I scoffed at her words. I have lived in Amsterdam all my life and never found anyone for me. All the guys who asked me out walked away as soon as they realized that my priorities were my family. Of course, I can’t fault them for not wanting someone who wasn’t ready to commit.

“There may be plenty of men over there but there’s none there for me and I am done having this conversation with you. I will call you in a few days. You can choose to ignore my call but for now, bye.”

 I said and hung up immediately. I didn’t want to hear her say more or try to talk me out of living my life. We will make up later but for now, fuck her.

I sent a quick text in my family group chat to let them know I had arrived, after which I turned off my phone because I didn’t want anyone to call me. I looked around for the black SUV that Arturo had told me would be waiting for me.

I saw a man wave at me and didn’t move until I saw the paper he was holding which had my name. Behind him, I saw a black SUV and that gave me the push to go to him.

“Hello, welcome to Italy.”

 The man said with a deeply accented voice. I smiled and bowed politely.

“My name is Maxwell and I am to escort you to the mansion where you will meet the boss once he returns.”

 I smiled and handed my luggage to him. I didn’t pack much because Arturo told me he will provide everything that I need. I let the polite man lead me into the SUV and relaxed into the soft seat with a deep sigh. I finally arrived. Finally, after months of planning, I finally arrived in Italy and now a new life awaits me.

As the car zoomed out of the airport, I couldn’t help the happy smile that found its way to my face. It was hard not to be excited for my new life when I had spent every day in the past four months since Arturo proposed that I move to be with him preparing for this day.

“It’s finally time for me to live my life and I will live it to the fullest without holding back. I earned this and I am going to live it shamelessly because I deserve it.”

 I whispered to myself. I felt tired after the long flight. I yawned tiredly.

“Can you wake me up when we arrive at the mansion?”

 I asked the man who was seated in front of the driver. He turned to look at me and nodded wordlessly. I thanked him and closed my eyes to sleep. I would have looked around the city but I knew I would get the chance to explore. For now, I need to rest a little. I don’t want to be sleepy on such an important night of my life. The night I will fully become an adult woman. A bit late but better late than never.

“Madam? We have arrived.”

 I woke up with a start when I heard someone say. It took me a few seconds to remember where I was and when I did, I smiled, rubbed my eyes to clear off sleep, and thanked the man who woke me. I stepped out of the car and yawned softly before looking around. My brow furrowed in confusion when the house looked different from the pictures Arturo had sent to me.

“Excuse me? Is this Arturo’s house? It looks different.”

 I let out. not that this house wasn’t eye-catching. It was huge. From where I stood, I could see how massive the house was but it was different from the house Arturo showed me. unless he moved overnight which can’t be the case.

“Sorry, this is not Arturo’s house, there’s no Arturo in this place. This is the residence of Luca Amore Riccardi.”

 I blinked in confusion at the name mentioned because I had no idea who that was. Arturo never mentioned that he had another name and this was definitely not his house. Damn, maybe I got into the wrong vehicle.