An ambitious countryside girl moves to the city of New York to play her part of a deal to marry a dying Mafia. When her life takes a new turn with her prince charming, an ugly past strikes, targeting her and her family and forcing her to summon her killer instincts. However, she is not the only one with a hothead for revenge amid a whirlwind of crime.
Chapter 1 Marrying a Moribund Mafia
"You want a recommendation letter to Stanford surgical school? Very well then, marry the dying mafia from Gambino family in place of my daughter!"
I remained speechless for a while before softly replying, "Deal."
.......
I whisked silently into the Gambino manor in a blue car.
Roselle Gambino's pen slipped on the floor the moment she saw me. I could tell the reason, to Roselle, I looked hideous.
I had carelessly tied up my blonde hair and smeared my face with pancakes, making my skin rough and spotty. My dried and cracked lips was devoid of colour. Only my blue eyes retained some semblance of attractiveness.
"What is the Graham's family playing at? My son's fiancée is Laura, and now they are deliberately trying to humiliate me by sending a bastard daughter!"
"Excuse me," I interrupted her accusations on purpose, "may I use the bathroom please?"
Roselle paused, her anger appears to lessen. I knew what pacified her.
A lot of people say my voice was pleasant and crisp like a hummingbird.
At the attendant Xavier's gesture, I dashed into the bathroom and shut the door.
I took out my late mom's best dress: a sapphire gown with navy blue corset belt. I changed into it before carefully washing the pancakes off my face, let my hair down and examined myself in the mirror. Satisfied with the transformation I stepped out.
Hearing my footsteps, Roselle lifted her face with instant amazement in her eyes.
I took a deep breath and tried to present my best self.
My teacher normally say I have a healthy complexion, sparkling golden hair and blue eyes as stunning as the Pacific.
"My name is Dylan Graham, Stephen Graham's illegitimate daughter. My status is indeed a disgrace." I uttered honestly. "Laura ran away never wanting to marry Mr. Gambino, but I do."
Roselle was quiet for a moment.
Finally she spoke, "Check on my son upstairs before you decide if you want to stay."
My lips parted knowing I had won.
To become a surgeon, even if her son stopped breathing afterwards, I would gladly marry him.
....
Xavier led me to meet my soon to be husband, David Gambino.
A glow from the moonlight through the windows casted on the bed where a handsome man with black hair lay in silence. His pale complexion could not hide his chiseled features. I was stunned momentarily: even in his sleep the aura of a top mafia was overwhelming, radiating intense attraction. After Xavier left saying nothing, I walked to the bed and softly uttered, "Hi, I am Dylan Graham."
The man remained static, his beautiful face showing no reaction, his brows furrowed.
I looked at the electrocardiogram and other instruments beside the bed and sighed, "Pity, your time is running out." No doubts his organs were slowly failing though he looks strong outwardly.
I pondered and added, "Maybe I can help you live a little longer. Let me tell you a secret, I am a healing fairy." And my teacher is the fairy queen. "I am twenty, young, academically gifted and trained by the priestesses since little, now I want to study surgery." I listed my virtues.
"Marrying me is a win for you. So, do you want to marry me? If you remain silent I'll take that as a yes." David remained unresponsive though I talked at length. His hands lay quietly on the sheet, his fingers long and slightly curved as if he was expecting something.
I went downstairs, seeing Roselle still waiting on the couch.
"I've decided." I didn't let the unfortunate mother wait anymore, I continued "I am staying to marry your son."
She relaxed finally with a broad smile, she declared "Very well, from now on you are David's wife." We gazed at each other happily feeling a sudden closeness.
"My name is Roselle Gambino. Could I call you Dylan from now?" She quickly took out a card from her bag and handed it over to me.
"I noticed you didn't come along with much luggage. Here is 200 thousand dollars for your pocket money."
"Two hundred thousand just for pocket money? I took the card, surprised. "Thank you.. Mom."
Roselle was startled by my sudden address. Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened slightly, looking cute and funny. I chuckled, running back to my room, feeling a flush of warmth surge in my heart.
Since I lost my mom, I hadn't felt maternal care for long.
Returning to my room I told the still-sleeping David "Your mom is so nice, I'm confident we'll get along well!" His eyelids scarred, marring his perfect face. I heard he was in a severe car accident during a chase, lost feeling of his legs and went blind before falling into coma.
For a mafia, this must be a huge blow.
"May the Urim of the divine restore you... Let me give you a full check-up."
Other books by EJS
More