The Increasing Number of Gifts

Bella was in her cramped room, staring at the dresses, shoes, and bags that she had laid out on her bed. These three items were indeed real, right in front of her eyes. Until now, she could only see them in the media or behind the display cases of their outlets in downtown Brooklyn. She decided to admire all the expensive items up close before she could think of the motives behind the man named Marco Vilante giving them to her for free.

She tried on the red dress. It fit her perfectly, embracing her slim body. Bella twirled in front of the mirror with a broad smile on her face. Expensive items were truly different. They felt so comfortable on her body. The fabric was soft, and Bella felt incredibly elegant. Then she tried on the high-heeled black shoes and the cream-colored handbag. Like a model, Bella walked towards and away from the mirror, strutting as if she was on a catwalk.

After enjoying the expensive gifts, Bella put the items back into their respective packaging. She was not allowed to wear them until she knew Marco Vilante's intentions. Just his name sounded like a dangerous gangster leader. And his henchman, what was his name, Pablo, as he called the guy, even showed a gun to her. Bella shivered in fear.

Meanwhile, at Marco's residence, a mansion located by Swann Lake on the outskirts of Brooklyn, Marco called his henchman, Pablo, to come to his room.

"Have you given her the gifts?" Marco asked. Yes, he called Pablo just to ask that. He was curious about the girl's reaction.

"Yes, Sir, I have given them to her."

"Did she accept them happily?"

"At first, she refused outright." Marco murmured as he stroked his chin. Then he asked how Isabella eventually agreed to accept his gifts.

"I threatened her, with this..." Pablo showed his gun at his waist.

"Are you serious?" Marco chuckled. "She was scared? Ah, how pitiful," he said. Imagining Isabella's reaction when she saw Pablo's gun must be adorable.

"I'm sorry, Sir, I had to do it because she... is a stubborn girl."

"Stubborn? Hmmm, quite challenging." Sometimes he admired his own instincts. If he liked something, no matter what it was, that something would surely have high value. And his feeling about Isabella must be right. From the moment he first saw her, he felt like she had something that no other woman possessed.

"Give her another gift." Pablo looked at his boss, furrowing his brow. Giving another gift to the girl seemed excessive. This time, Pablo decided to speak up.

"Wouldn't it be better to invite her here for dinner or something?"

"It's not the right time. I want to make her curious about me. A stranger who gives her many gifts. Besides, my business with the shipment from Venezuela is not finished yet."

Pablo sighed softly. That meant he had to think hard again about the gift to give to the girl. It was truly troublesome. Moreover, he was too lazy to argue with Bella. His energy was drained because of his annoyance with the headstrong and chatty girl.

***

"So, the car you crashed into is owned by a man named Marco Vilante?" Darrell asked that night when he and Bella were enjoying dinner at a small restaurant near Bella's apartment.

Bella nodded while chewing a bite of her hamburger. Her mouth was so full that she couldn't answer Darrell's question. After she swallowed the food in her mouth, she could finally speak.

"Yes, and that guy is really strange. Yesterday, he sent me lots of gifts through his henchmen. Do you know what he gave me? Designer dresses, shoes, and bags that are so expensive... you can't even imagine."

"Why did he send you so many gifts? Is it because he felt guilty for hitting your bike? If that's the reason, it's too excessive."

"How would I know," Bella replied with a shrug. She chewed another bite of her hamburger. She felt incredibly hungry that night. Even though she had eaten snacks that she always kept as stock in her apartment earlier that afternoon. "By the way, it seems like you know who Marco Vilante is?"

"Yeah, the name sounds familiar. If I had to guess, he's probably the head of a big gangster in 

Brooklyn." Bella closed her mouth. Her guess was the same. His appearance was not far from the gangsters in movies. Neat, arrogant, and cold.

"What if you're being targeted to be kidnapped and sold into the human trafficking market?" Darrell teased.

"Hey, why are you scaring me?" Bella pouted. Darrell burst out laughing.

"I'm just kidding. Or maybe he's fallen in love with you. Ah, so romantic. An innocent girl chased by a ruthless and cold mafia boss." Bella sneered. Until now, she couldn't conclude Marco Vilante's intentions.

"Ah, let's not think about it too seriously. Maybe Marco Vilante is just bored and wants to do something random."

"I think that's the most appropriate reason." Darrell ended their conversation because they had finished their dinner. They both left the restaurant and went home.

Since leaving the restaurant, Bella felt like someone was watching her. However, every time she looked around, she didn't see anyone suspicious. Maybe it was just her imagination. Bella entered her apartment without thinking about it.

As soon as she lay down on her bed, someone knocked on the door. Bella grumbled. Who would visit someone's house at this late hour? It couldn't be Darrell. He would have called first if there was something urgent. Bella dragged her feet to the living room, which was separated from her bedroom by a long cabinet.

"Yes?" she said when she opened the door. Her eyes widened. It was him again, Pablo. What did he want now?

"Good evening, Miss Millers," Pablo greeted with a nod. "I have a delivery from Mr. Vilante." The man took something out of his coat pocket. It was a medium-sized black velvet box.

"Another gift? You must be joking. Sorry, I can't accept it." Bella immediately rejected. This was too much.

"Are you sure?" Pablo opened the box and made Bella gasp. It was a diamond necklace with green gemstones. This must be very expensive.

"You must be joking. This necklace is expensive. Why would he give me such an expensive necklace? What does your boss, Marco Vilante, mean by this?" This time, Bella was not happy but rather angered. She was frustrated with that man named Marco. Frustrated with his random behavior.

"You have to accept it." Pablo reached for Bella's hand and placed the box there.

"Are you trying to threaten me again?" Bella pulled her hand away. The box almost fell if Pablo hadn't caught it in time.

***