Chapter 2. Meeting the Capo

Aurora’s POV

"Here she is. Aurora Mancini, she came from New York to fill in for the position of a cook." She explained and then I realized that she was the one who interviewed back in New York.

He nodded to her explanation and dug his hands in his pocket. "I trust you to watch over her. You know that Matteo only eats homemade food and detests poorly cooked meals."

Ginevra nodded. "I'll make sure everything goes well." She averted her gaze from him to me and scrutinized me again. "She looks efficient, I don't think she'll give us any trouble." She said to him like I was invisible.

"Fine." He breathed and walked away with a guard who I didn't notice was standing by the corner following him.

She turned to me fully, obviously ready to dish out all the rules she had made for the other staff. I didn't care about her rules. I was there for a reason and even though I'll try to behave well in order not to get caught, I wouldn't allow anyone to mess me up.

"Aurora, you'll prepare our dinner while one of the servants will assist you. For tomorrow and other days, breakfast should be ready by 7am, lunch by 1pm and dinner by 6:30pm. Anything short of that and you'll answer to the boss directly." She said and resumed walking.

"Yes, Ginevra." I smirked as she talked about answering to the boss.

That was my reason for coming here. I wanted to answer to him and see the ruthless son of the people that killed my parents. My uncle had taught me that anyone associated with the mafia were murderers, especially the made men. None of them had clean hands, but there had to be a line drawn when it came to killing innocent people.

She led me into the kitchen and I almost screamed in delight. If not for this revenge, I'd have been in a culinary school, sharpening my cooking skill.

But I didn't plan to stay for too long as three months was enough for me to get my Vendetta and leave. No one would ever suspect that I killed the two sons of Aldo Moretti.

"This is our kitchen." She said with a hint of pride in her voice. "Our former cook used to enjoy cooking here until she got married. I hope you do better than her."

"Sure, I will." I replied with confidence.

My cooking skill was unmatched and the cafe I worked at was. sad to see me go. There was no doubt that I'd replicate everything I had done there.

"According to the roaster, we would be having chicken marsala and spaghetti. That's the Capo's favorite food and he likes it spicy. Don't forget that." She said and I nodded, secretly happy that Matteo was coming for dinner. I wanted to see him up close.

"I'll lead you to your room so that you can drop your things. In ten minutes you should be in the kitchen so you can meet up on time."

Thirty minutes, I was done cooking and serving the meal on several fancy ceramic chinaware.

"Are you done cooking?" Asked Ginevra.

I watched her reaction to the aroma of the meal that filled the kitchen. She swallowed and glanced at me.

"Yes, Ginevra and I've finished serving them. You can alert everyone to come down for dinner." I said softly with a small smile.

I was proud of myself.

"That was fast. I hope the food tastes as good as it smells. To ensure that it tastes nice, I'll have to taste it myself."

"Ok." I agreed and brought out a little ceramic bowl then served a little for her.

She dug her fork into the spaghetti and moaned at the taste. "This is delicious, Aurora. Tell Ilaria to serve this quickly." She ordered.

Finally everyone was at the table excluding Matteo and Angelo. According to Ginevra, the cook was the only worker allowed to sit at the table during dinner in case there was any problem with the food.

"We can't eat until the brothers are here." She informed me quietly then turned her head at the sound of some footsteps.

I averted my gaze from her and stared at the devilishly handsome duo waltzing into the dining room in all their glory. My eyes were fixated on who I supposed was Matteo as his face wore a cold mask just like his younger brother. Only that he had a feisty demeanor alongside the coldness and also an intense stare.

His height was intimidating and I wondered how I was still able to stare without cowering.

He glanced at me and walked towards his chair which was at the booth while his brother sat beside him.

"Let's eat." He rumbled and fixed his gaze on me without looking away.

I looked away and waited for all of them to begin eating before I started. My ears were itching to hear their reviews on the food and only ingrate could say that it wasn't delicious.

"This tastes divine. Did the new cook prepare this?" Angelo asked and I risked a glance at him since he was seated beside me. He ate the meal ravenously and that gave my heart tiny sparks.

I didn't reply since the question wasn't directed to me. My uncle had taught me that I shouldn't speak unless I was spoken to, not because I was daft, but it would give me an edge over the speaker.

"Yes, she prepared it. I think we have gotten the right person to replace Martina." Ginevra declared.

"Let me be the judge of that." Matteo objected in a low rumble that showed that he was in a position to give orders. And I observed that he hadn't touched his meal yet.

"I'm sorry. I just got carried away by the meal and started blabbing. It won't happen again." She apologized and he nodded.

My eyes were fixed on how he held the fork delicately, slowly mixing the spaghetti with the marsala. He brought it to his lips and I forced my eyes to keep looking. I could tell that he wanted to draw out a certain reaction from me which I wouldn't give him.

He finally ate it while shutting his eyes. His eyelids fluttered open and immediately he glanced at me with a look of satisfaction. His lips twitched a bit then returned to normal, but then my heart did a staccato beat.

No way! He was the enemy and I couldn't let my heart pound this way.