Claimed By The Ruthless Mafia

Bella’s pov.

A soft but distinct knock echoed through the room, pulling me away from my thoughts. I approached the door and turned the handle to find Ryder’s mother, Savannah, standing there with a warm smile, accompanied by a professional makeup artist. Her presence radiated a sense of maternal warmth that put me at ease.

“Hey, Bella! You look so pretty,” she exclaimed, her eyes glowing with genuine appreciation.

A faint blush crept up my cheeks as I replied, “Thank you, Mrs. Knight. You look stunning as always.”

Savannah chuckled lightly, brushing off the compliment. “Dear, this is Michael, our makeup artist. He’s here to help you with your makeup and hair,” she explained, introducing the makeup artist.

“Hello, Michael,” I greeted him, extending my hand with a smile. “I’m really grateful for your help.”

Michael returned the smile, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “It’s my pleasure, Bella. I’ve been working in this industry for years, and I must say, you have such a lovely canvas to work with.”

As I took a seat, Michael moved with the grace and speed of a seasoned artist. He skillfully applied makeup, enhancing my features while keeping the look natural and radiant. His nimble fingers weaved through my hair, creating an elegant yet effortless hairstyle that complemented the overall look.

When he finally stepped back, I turned to the mirror, and for a moment, I couldn’t recognize the reflection staring back at me. A whole new version of myself beamed back with confidence and grace. The transformation was incredible, and I felt like a princess ready for the ball.

“Michael, you’re amazing! Thank you so much,” I exclaimed with genuine admiration, feeling a renewed sense of self-assurance.

He chuckled modestly, “You’re very welcome, Bella. You were a pleasure to work with. Now, go and enjoy the day!”

After expressing my gratitude to Michael once more, Savannah patted my shoulder affectionately as she left the room, leaving me alone to gather my thoughts. I took a deep breath, savoring the moment of excitement and anticipation and then I headed to the wedding hall to witness Alex and Sarah’s wedding.

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The grand hall exuded an air of opulence and elegance, as the well-dressed guests mingled and chatted, creating a harmonious buzz of excitement. The polished marble floors reflected the soft glow of chandeliers hanging from the ornate ceiling, casting a warm, golden hue over the entire space. I felt a mixture of awe and gratitude for Ryder and his family’s thoughtful gesture of providing me with the makeup and dress, ensuring that I seamlessly blended in with the sophisticated crowd.

My heart raced as I scanned the sea of faces, seeking out Ryder among the glamorous attendees. After what felt like an eternity, my eyes locked onto him, standing in a corner near the stage. His presence felt magnetic, and his bright smile, directed solely at me, filled me with a surge of happiness. The way he looked at me, his eyes filled with admiration, made my cheeks flush with a rosy tint.

With a soft nod, acknowledging his presence and affectionate gaze, I gracefully made my way towards my designated seat. As I walked, my eyes couldn’t help but trail back to Ryder, taking in every detail of his appearance. His tailored designer suit accentuated his broad shoulders and chiseled features, while the perfectly knotted black tie added a touch of sophistication. He was the epitome of handsomeness, a sight that momentarily stole my breath away. I inwardly chided myself for letting my mind wander into thoughts about him at a time like this, but I couldn’t deny the flutter of my heart in his presence.

The grand moment arrived, and the room hushed in anticipation as the bride made her grand entrance. Her white gown flowed elegantly around her, and the bridesmaids, like ethereal angels, accompanied her on each side. All eyes were on the bride, and yet, I couldn’t help but notice Alex on the stage, standing with an aura of detachment. His expression appeared cold and distant, a stark contrast to the joyous occasion. It was puzzling and disheartening to witness such indifference on his wedding day.

In this emotional swirl, I turned my attention back to Ryder, who seemed to sense my unease. His eyes locked with mine, and I caught a glimpse of an enigmatic expression that flickered across his features. Was it love? I wondered, my heart fluttering with hope and uncertainty.

Before I could find that answer, the officiant began the wedding rituals, and the bride and groom exchanged their vows. When the officiant announced them as husband and wife and permitted the groom to kiss the bride, the room erupted in applause and whistles. However, the kiss between Alex and his new wife seemed more formal than affectionate. It struck me as odd, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss with Alex’s behavior.

As we exited the wedding hall, I observed that Alex didn’t even carry his wife, walking away as though he were desperate to leave. I felt sympathy for his wife, as she appeared to be a genuinely nice woman. I could only hope that they would resolve whatever issues lay between them. In the midst of these thoughts, the bride tossed her bouquet, and a girl in the crowd caught it, grinning widely. I shook my head, standing in the back row, content with not having any immediate plans for marriage. I had a career to pursue.

Ryder approached me, taking my hand in his. “You look beautiful,” he remarked, his voice filled with admiration.

“Thanks. Now you finally have time to spend with me, huh?” I playfully teased him, lightly punching his arm.

Ryder chuckled softly. “Alex is family, so it was my duty to take care of his guests.”

“But… I was eagerly waiting for it to be over so I could finally meet you,” Ryder whispered in his deep, low voice. Blushing, I lowered my head to avoid his gaze.

Ryder led us to a grand hall where dinner was arranged for the guests. We made our way to the dining table, where everyone was seated along a long, expansive table. Ryder took a seat next to me.

“Why are you smiling so much, baby girl?” He couldn’t help but ask, curious about the reason behind my constant smile.

“Oh, umm… nothing,” I replied awkwardly, feeling caught off guard.

“Come on, tell me. You can share anything with me,” Ryder insisted, turning fully towards me.

“Well, I was thinking about marriage. It symbolizes a lifelong commitment, two people being together forever,” I said, my blue eyes shining with excitement.

“So you believe in marriage,” Ryder stated, more as an observation than a question.

“Of course. My parents are happily married and deeply in love. I want something like that for myself,” I replied with a bright smile.

“Do you believe in marriage?” I couldn’t resist asking, even though I already knew the answer.

He chuckled. “I don’t know, but I want to find out,” he said, locking his gaze with mine. He paused for a moment, studying my face, as if searching for something.

“Do you truly believe in happily ever after?” Ryder asked, raising his right eyebrow.

“Hmm,” I responded, merely humming as I nodded my head.

Ryder shook his head and proceeded to eat his meal.

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Tonight, I was staying at Knight’s mansion as Savannah insisted. Wishing everyone a goodnight, I made my way to my room, feeling exhausted from the wedding festivities.

Upon entering my room, Ryder followed closely behind me. He halted me from closing the door, positioning himself with one hand on the door and his legs between the door frame.

“Ryder! Oh my god!” I exclaimed, placing a hand on my chest. “You scared me…”

Ryder grinned, stepped inside, and closed the door behind him.

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” Ryder said.

“Ryder, I’m tired. Can’t it wait until morning?” I replied, yawning and covering my mouth with my hand.

“No, Bella. I need to talk now,” Ryder insisted, sounding urgent.

“Okay, fine. Go ahead,” I sighed, sitting down on the bed.

Ryder took my hand and pulled me up, guiding me towards the adjacent balcony of the room.

The city looked breathtakingly beautiful from the balcony, especially at night. I found myself mesmerized by the view, unable to hold back an appreciative “Wow.”

I turned to face Ryder, noticing that he appeared lost in his own thoughts. “What’s wrong, Ryder?” I asked, furrowing my brow in concern.

Ryder looked down at me, his grip on my hand tightening. He took a deep breath and finally spoke, “Bella, you’re my best friend, and I like you.”