Trapped in the Mafia’s hell

Gabriella “Damn!” I gasped as I threw my eyes open, the fluorescent lights above me were harsh and piercing, intensifying the dull ache at the back of my skull. Was the nightmare over? I asked myself, as the fog in my vision began to clear, I can still remember Marcello men dragging me into the Van, my feet cutting on broken glass and my dress torn beyond recognition. I still can't forget that damn smirk on Marcello's evil face as he claimed me as his plaything like I was one of his properties he just acquired, his pride and joy. It made me mad with anger and I wanted to stab him across the neck badly. Then I remembered my father was dead, his last words still echoed in my ears and that reopened the wound. God knows I wanted to protect him, but it was too late I couldn't even defend myself, they were too strong. And now I had somehow miraculously landed here, in a fully furnished room that resembled a suite. An expensive one. With expensive artworks on the beige-pai

Gabriella. I sat on the cold floor with my arms wrapped around my knees because I couldn’t bring myself to sit on that bed, it was tempting, maybe too comfortable but then I didn’t want to feel relaxed, at this point I just wanted to be dead. I’d rather die than be his bride. The windows were shut so I couldn’t tell what time it was, I just paid attention to the noise from outside the door and fiddled with the chains around my wrist. I still can’t believe how fast I went from being a princess to a prisoner. Just then the door cracked open and two masked guards, dressed in black, strode in. I stiffened immediately, swallowing hard. “Stay away from me!” I shrieked, my voice loud enough to make one go deaf, but they didn’t respond. Instead, they grabbed me by the arms one on each arm, their grip bruising. They dragged me down the dark hallway down the stairs till we stopped in front of a huge wooden door. When it burst open, I saw a long dining table across the room, with

GABRIELLAI walked back into the room, what felt more like a cell to me. I finally sat down on the bed even though I didn’t want to. The wedding was over.I was now Marcello’s bride, officially part of his family. I rose again and stood before the mirror. The reflection that stared back at me didn’t look like me at all. It all felt like a dream. A few days ago I dreaded the idea of getting married to someone I didn’t even know, but loyalty to my family was what mattered to me more than love.And now here I was, married to the same man who had destroyed my life.I had one of those nights before I slept, I told myself that I would bring myself to love him after a while but now, love was completely out of the picture. Hate would even be an understatement.I once told myself I’d try to love him someday, that maybe I’d find a way to accept it. But now, love was no longer part of the equation. Even hate felt like too small a word.I slipped out of my shoes. My soles were swollen, a reminder

GABRIELLAI coughed out, letting out the sound I had been holding in for a very long time. I was in a cell, an actual cell, for two days. The air was tight, and I struggled to breathe.My defiance to eat caused me further pain, and this only proved that Marcello wasn’t joking when he said he was going to punish me.I had neither eaten nor drunk any water. For the first time in days, I valued my life much more than I did death.“Anybody, help me!” I screamed.I screamed every single day, hoping that someone would hear me. There was no ventilation, no air.“Marcello! Get me out of here!” I screamed again, my voice weakening.Suddenly, I heard the door open. That was the first time it had opened since I was imprisoned. Light poured in from the hallway, almost blinding. I saw a figure walk in, but the rays of light kept me from seeing who it was.The figure came closer, grabbing my wrists and dragging me up.Then I saw that it was one of Marcello’s men.“What do you want?” I asked, trying

Gabriella “Oh my….” I gasped when I realized I’d missed, he dodged so the knife hit the wall falling to the marble floor. I tried to kill my father’s murderer yet I failed once again. I’d expected him to flare up or even slap me hard across the face but instead, I got no reaction, he kept his facial expression straight and emotionless as if he was considering killing me on the spot or starving me for the next five days like he always did. “I’d have skinned you alive but I’m in quite a good mood because we have a date to attend, wife,” he said taking a step forward, we were now standing face to face. He lifted my chin so I could look into his big black eyes that had no soul in them and then a small smile played at the side of his lips, “ Get ready wife, but don’t waste my time.” He motioned to Luca to carry me back to my room, which he did. I was so shocked that I had no words. I thought I would be punished, but instead, here I was in my room, preparing for a stupid date I