Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

“This is our responsibility; none of us can escape it,” Alajos said to her, his expression still terrifying, but his tone had softened considerably. “Accept the arrangements of fate, and you will find it much easier, Luzia.”

Footsteps sounded from behind, Alajos turned his head; it was Vivian, coming down from the upstairs, the shock still evident on her face.

“What do you mean?” Vivian asked, “Is Luzia going to marry Joseph?”

“Yes,” Alajos answered her calmly.

“Why didn’t I know about this?”

“It’s a decision that was just made,” Alajos said, looking into Vivian’s eyes. “A decision made by your father and me.”

“Another decision by you and my father? Why is it always you and my father’s decision?” Vivian couldn’t understand, a fire of anger roaring inside her chest, for her inability to control her own fate, for Luzia’s similarly tragic destiny.

“Vivian,” Simpson stopped Vivian’s interrogation, knowing that no matter what answer Alajos gave, it wouldn’t be the one Vivian wanted to hear, and it would only lead to another argument.

“Can you help me persuade Luzia?” Simpson asked.

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” Vivian said coldly.

“I know,” Simpson replied. “I just wanted you to comfort her, to stop being so sad. This doesn’t solve any problems.”

“Don’t we even have the chance to feel sad and heartbroken if we can’t choose our own destiny?” Vivian was furious, she turned her face away, no longer wanting to say another word to the brothers.

“You shouldn’t have that attitude, Vivian,” Alajos seemed even angrier than she was. “Joseph is your brother. After Luzia marries him, the relationship between Houston and Los Angeles will only grow closer.”

“You only care about whether the alliance between Houston and Los Angeles can progress further. Have you considered whether Joseph is a suitable marriage partner? I am Joseph’s sister; I understand him better than any of you,” Vivian said. “Joseph is cold, ruthless, and brutal. He kills without blinking. He won’t treat Luzia well; do you want her future to be filled with nothing but suffering?”

“Made Men in the mafia are all brutal, vicious, and kill without blinking-an essential quality for becoming strong. Joseph is clearly a suitable successor. And Luzia, she would have to marry someone eventually. If not Joseph, then some other man. Why not marry the most powerful one?”

He yelled at Vivian, “Stop talking to me about your naive thoughts. You don’t understand anything.”

Vivian was startled by his shouting.

Alajos, with a face full of rage, turned to Luzia, “Stop crying, Luzia. Your wedding to Joseph won’t happen so soon, but you need to get used to your new status quickly-the wife of the next Capo of the Los Angeles mafia. You should feel honored.” Alajos pointed at Vivian, his expression fierce as if he could pull out a knife at any moment, “The two most powerful men in the mafia will be your support. Your tears only make me angry.”

Alajos left angrily, and Simpson patted Luzia on the shoulder before following Alajos out of the apartment.

Alajos’s fury made Vivian feel scared; she truly thought Alajos might kill them. She sat next to Luzia, shivering from fear and cold. Luzia was in a terrible state.

She had cried too much, her makeup was smeared, mascara leaving black streaks on her face, her eyes red and swollen, and tears fell again as soon as she spoke.

“I’m sorry, I’ve been trying so hard to hold it in,” Luzia said through sobs. “Although I have always been persuading you, when it comes to me, I’m not that strong.”

Vivian handed her a tissue, “It’s okay, I know you’re in pain.” No one likes to have their fate controlled by others, whether that person is their father or their brother.

Luzia didn’t like Joseph; she didn’t want to marry him, just as she didn’t want to marry Alajos. But just the same, she had no right to choose, and neither did Luzia.

“I’ve always known my fate,” Luzia said as she wiped her nose, her voice hoarse from crying. “Before, I was sent to my first husband in the same way. I didn’t know him, and he didn’t like me. We got familiar with each other over the days and nights that followed. Then he died.”

“After he died, I knew Alajos would pick a second husband for me whenever it suited him; even if it was a sixty-year-old man, he would send me away.”

Luzia was stating the facts. After a good cry, she had come to accept such a fate calmly. But Vivian still felt sad.

She leaned on Luzia, and Luzia leaned on her, both silent for a good while.

“Vivian,” Luzia called her name, but Vivian didn’t have the courage to respond. “Bless me, at least my betrothed is not a sixty-year-old man. He’s handsome and tall, owns a vast fortune to maintain my current lifestyle, he has the power to protect me from his enemies, and he can give me a child.”

At the mention of a child, a hint of a smile finally appeared on Luzia’s face, “With a child, I will no longer be lonely.”

“I’ll have to start calling you sister-in-law,” Vivian said with a forced smile, which eased Luzia’s sorrow a bit.

Luzia smiled, “I’ll have to call you sister-in-law, too.”

“Ah, what a mess,” Vivian frowned in frustration. They looked at each other and laughed.

“Now let’s watch a movie,” Luzia pulled Vivian upstairs, “Let’s go to the entertainment room. There’s a TV there. What movie shall we watch?”

“Get some ice cream,” Vivian suggested as she went to the kitchen and opened the fridge.

“And bring some popcorn, something sweet. And cola…”

Vivian and Luzia spent the whole day in the entertainment room, watching several movies, each with a touch of tragedy. They were emotional girls, laughing with the protagonists, crying with them, freely expressing their emotions without having to deceive themselves by saying, “Yes, this is my duty,” “Yes, I should accept it calmly.”

“Maybe soon I will leave here, to Los Angeles, but I will still miss the days I spent with you,” Luzia hugged Vivian tightly. “You are my best friend.”

“You are my best friend too, and I hope you find happiness,” Vivian wiped away her tears, her own face already tear-stained. She knew Luzia’s chances of happiness were slim, but she would still pray to God for her.

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After spending a day in the entertainment room, alternating between laughter and tears, Luzia was exhausted, but Vivian was somewhat unable to sleep. The night in Houston was brightly lit; she couldn’t find a single star. The evening breeze was a bit cold, and she closed the window.

Suddenly, a loud noise came from downstairs, and Vivian felt the floor shake. Startled, she wondered, was it a gunshot? It didn’t seem like it.

Vivian opened her door and ran out. There was no one else in the hallway, but the noise from downstairs didn’t stop.

It was Alajos!