Page 1 of Unwanted Marriage with the Mafia Boss

CHAPTER 1

Chiara

I lookup at the computer screen as I trace my finger over a line in the notebook. Everything checks out. Good.

The door swishing open startles me, and I let out a small gasp. My shoulders relax a moment later. It’s just my dad. He’s still wearing an apron. His graying dark brown hair is slicked back.

“Honey, what are you still doing here?” he asks, his hazel eyes narrowed at me.

“Not much. Just checking some things.” I give him a small smile. “But you should really get a new computer. This one is super slow and freezes all the time. I bet I could finish things faster if—”

“But I like this one. It’s notthatslow, and you should be out having fun with your friends and not be stuck here in my office.”

“Dad, you already work hard enough. I only want to help.”

“And you’re helping enough.” He takes off his apron. “It’s Friday night. You can’t spend your days going to the university, studying, working here... When do you plan to relax?”

“Well, you’re here all the time too. You help the staff, even when you don’t have to.”

He shakes his head at me. “That’s because the restaurant is my responsibility now. When I was your age, I wouldn’t even think about being stuck in here with my old man.”

“Fine. I’ll go out.” I sigh as I close the notebook and get to my feet.

Fighting with my dad about anything is pointless. He’ll only keep talking until he convinces me to agree with him. But maybe he’s right.

When I’m not studying or going to my economics classes, I’m usually here. This restaurant, Rosa Bianca, has been in my family for decades, and one day, it’s going to be mine. It’s a nice, cozy little place just across from our house. I love it here. Despite all the chatter and hecticness, especially during the summer months, it makes me feel peaceful and calm.

I love to watch and learn from my dad as he gives instructions to the staff, or when he approaches tourists and tries to make them laugh and feel comfortable, even though he doesn’t speak a word of their language.

When his friends come over, a party is guaranteed. Then my mom joins too, and we all end up talking and singing long after the closing hours. Sometimes, I’ll find my dad sweeping after he sends everyone home, and he won’t let me take over, even if his back hurts.

But I think I understand why. He loves this place, just as I do, and I don’t think he’s looking forward to retiring. And maybe he’s a tiny bit of a control freak and sees the restaurant as his baby that he refuses to give up or let anyone else take care of.

Even once I take over, I don’t think he’ll go anywhere too far or get a hobby. He’ll be here all the time. His excuse will be that he only wants to make sure things are running smoothly, especially because our house is so close.

But I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s perfect. I love having my family close because that one time when I didn’t...

I swallow hard. I won’t think about my ex-boyfriend now. It’s better to forget all about my little adventure into independence when I turned eighteen that ended up in a disaster. Not even my mom and dad know all the details. They were just happy to have me back. Our house is big enough for all of us anyway.

“Have fun!” My dad lightly claps me on the shoulder as I go past him.

“I will.” I flash him a smile.

“Oh, and if you see Mom, tell her I’m in here.”

“Sure.” I bet she already knows it, because if she can’t see him in the dining area of the restaurant, he’s either in the kitchen or in his office.

Just as I’m out in the hallway, my phone rings. The number of my best friend, Elena, shows up on the screen.

“Hey, what’s up?” I say as I answer.

Elena and I met at the university. We pretty much go to the same classes. None of my friends from high school chose to study economics, so we drifted apart. Elena was just sitting there in class all alone, and from the moment I sat down next to her, we became good friends.

She’s from Savona, so she didn’t know anyone here. But her cheerful and outgoing personality helps her make friends very quickly. Sometimes, I envy her that.

“Chiara, are you free? Because if you are, I know just the perfect place for us tonight! There’s a new nightclub, and I hear it’s going to be awesome. You’re coming, right?”

“Um...” I’m not a fan of nightclubs or hanging out with drunk people, especially after my ex.

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