The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

“But baby, today I want to have your favorite food,” he said, pulling her closer. Leonardo wrapped his arm around her and guided her inside the room from the balcony.

“Okay, now it’s your turn to order our breakfast,” he said, handing her the intercom and pressing the button for room service.

She looked at him with fear in her eyes. “I… I’ve never ordered take-out or food delivery before. I… I don’t know what to order.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Her words ignited Leonardo’s anger. How could the Ricci family treat their own daughter like this? She was so innocent and unaware of many things in their society.

Now he was certain that the rumors about Sofia in society were false. She was completely different from what he had heard about her. He wondered who could spread such lies and vowed to find the culprit and make them suffer for their actions.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Leonardo softened his voice as much as possible. “It’s very simple, Sofia. Just tell them what you want for breakfast. Anything, but today I’ll eat whatever you order for both of us,” he insisted firmly.

“Are… are you sure?” she asked, seeking reassurance. Leonardo nodded, smiling.

She bit her lip and mustered the courage to make the call.

“Um… Hi, can you… send some frittata, croissant with two cappuccinos to room number 2101?” she stammered, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

“Oh yes, Sofia, and add omelet and toast. You like those, right?” Leonardo suggested, noticing her eyes light up. He was discovering more about her preferences.

Sofia nodded eagerly and continued the order, her voice filled with excitement. “And add omelet and toast,” she added, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

Leonardo had to suppress a laugh at her adorable and childlike excitement. He gave her a subtle nod of approval of her breakfast choices. Although he never really preferred those items for his own breakfast, he was willing to change his eating habits for her.

“Okay, now you freshen up and take a shower while we wait for breakfast,” he instructed.

Sofia walked towards the cupboard, took a dress, and headed towards the bathroom. As she opened the door, he swiftly placed his hand on it, preventing her from closing it completely.

“That’s not fair. You can’t shower alone,” he teased, smirking as he approached her.

Sofia’s eyes widened, and her face flushed with embarrassment. “NO,” she exclaimed, pushing him playfully. He let her go and she quickly closed the door, leaving him chuckling outside.

He couldn’t resist teasing her further, unsure of what had come over him.

After lunch, Sofia headed to the fancy boutique that Mark had mentioned. Since Leonardo had a conference call, he entrusted Mark with accompanying Sofia to the store. The store was filled with an exquisite collection of dresses and accessories. Sofia was filled with excitement as she couldn’t wait to try on these stunning garments. They were even more beautiful than she had ever imagined, like something straight out of a dream.

In the past, when Kat used to wear these expensive and limited edition dresses, Sofia secretly longed to try one for herself. Unfortunately, she never had the opportunity. Upon their arrival, they were greeted by the two designers, Jeorge and Pablo, who introduced themselves. Jeorge suggested Sofia try on some dresses to see what suited her best. First, she tried on a red off-shoulder dress that reached her knees. Although the dress was nice, it was too bright for Sofia’s taste.

She then opted for a long, shimmering backless gown with a high slit that reached her mid-thighs. As she put on the dress, it beautifully accentuated her figure, making her feel somewhat sexy and confident. The gown concealed her slim appearance and enhanced her natural curves.

She stepped out of the room, dressed in a stunning red gown, catching Jeorge and Pablo off guard. Their jaws dropped, and they instinctively covered their mouths, captivated by her beauty.

“Wow, darling, you look absolutely breathtaking,” Pablo complimented, unable to tear his eyes away from her.

“I couldn’t agree more. This dress was made for you. It’s settled, you’re wearing this gown to the Gala. Now, let’s focus on the accessories,” Jeorge declared. They began rummaging through their collection, carefully selecting various pieces to adorn Sofia. Earrings, necklaces, and footwear were tried on, one after another, as they sought the perfect combination.

After much deliberation, they discovered a delicate diamond necklace paired with diamond stud earrings and sleek black high-heel stilettos that complemented Sofia’s attire flawlessly.

“Thank you for helping me to find a perfect dress for the event,” Sofia expressed her gratitude, thanking them for their assistance. She then headed to the renowned salon, accompanied by Mark.

Sofia found herself sitting in the bustling salon, where she met Jane, a talented makeup artist. Jane got to work skillfully applying layers of makeup and styling Sofia’s hair. Sofia couldn’t help but feel a sense of tedium as the process dragged on. She observed as Jane meticulously applied a makeup base and flawlessly blended it. Next came the contouring, but Jane kept the conversation flowing, asking Sofia if she had any specific requests or questions. Sofia expressed her desire for a light makeup look, but Jane insisted that a heavy makeup application would suit the dress and the occasion better. However, she assured Sofia that she would try to keep it as natural as possible.

After what felt like an eternity, Sofia’s makeup was finally complete. Jane then proceeded to work her magic on Sofia’s hair, fashioning an elegant high bun that added a touch of maturity to Sofia’s appearance, leaving a few loose curls cascading down the side of her neck.

Now, Sofia was ready to attend the Gala. As she caught a glimpse of her transformed self in the mirror, she couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the remarkable work done by Jane. She looked entirely different, almost unrecognizable, and exuded confidence, beauty, and a hint of allure that went beyond her years. Sofia couldn’t contain her excitement.

“Wow, I can’t believe it’s me. Thank you so much, Jane,” Sofia expressed her gratitude, truly appreciating the effort that had gone into her transformation.

“It’s my pleasure, darling. You were already beautiful, we just enhanced some of your features,” Jane responded graciously, maintaining her polite demeanor.

Sofia beamed with a radiant smile, thanking Jane once again before bidding farewell and heading to the hotel where Leonardo, her husband, awaited her.