Episode 2

At eighteen, Angelina was the center of attention for her stunning beauty. With a striking and distinctive appearance, standing tall at about 5 feet 7 inches, her presence was graceful and ensured she always stood out. Blessed with the same long, wavy blonde hair as her biological mother, Galinda, she resembled an angel, captivating everyone around her. She possessed the power to beguile even a priest with her allure, much like her mother had. Her sparkling blue eyes could leave anyone unsettled when she locked gaze with intensity.

Her harmonious face featured fine and delicate traits. Angelina had slightly pronounced cheekbones and full, reddish lips. Her skin could be described as fair and radiant, adding an extra touch to her beauty. Slender and athletic, she enjoyed sports. Her lithe figure boasted soft, toned curves. Overall, her appearance was not just beautiful, she was considered sophisticated, elegant, and captivating.

ANGELINA CASTELLANO

Nevertheless, her exquisite features paled compared to her personality. Angelina had grown up spoiled and pampered by Olivia and Joseph. The former, having instantly fallen in love with the beautiful baby that Angelina was, fulfilled the girl's every wish so that nobody could say she favored any of her daughters. Joseph, noticing the girl shared her mother's beauty, foresaw a financially advantageous marriage for her.

With Stella being two years Angelina's senior, Joseph was focused on settling Stella's marriage first and then proceeding with his younger daughter's. By the time Angelina turned 15, a Miami mafia boss had shown interest in her, but aiming to increase his daughter's value, Joseph declined his proposal, claiming that the older sister was to marry first.

In truth, Joseph had bigger dreams. He knew Angelina would grow even more beautiful and could attract the attention of men far more powerful than the Miami capo.

"Are all these pieces from the new collection?" Angelina inquired, twisting her mouth to one side as she eyed the Dior dresses displayed before the launch show, for her eyes only.

Dior, located in Midtown Manhattan, was a renowned and iconic French fashion label that epitomized elegance, sophistication, and luxury. Only the exceedingly wealthy could shop there, a place symbolizing timeless enchantment and refined beauty.

"Yes, Miss Angelina, and you are our first client to see all these pieces," the saleswoman responded eagerly, knowing Angelina was a major patron of the brand and her commission was always hefty when she shopped.

"Oh my God!" Exclaimed Tiffany Heard, Angelina's friend. "Look at this dress. You're going to look gorgeous in it."

"Hmm... I'm not sure I like this style," Angelina mused, examining the extremely short black dress. "I have long legs and I'm afraid it might look vulgar."

"You? Vulgar? Never," interjected the store's saleswoman, flattering Angelina.

Some passersby, while strolling down the sidewalk, stopped in front of the store's window, which had been closed just for Angelina, to look inside, suspecting a celebrity might be present.

"Why don't you try this one, Angel?" Tiffany suggested eagerly, looking forward to seeing her friend in that new release. "It's the most beautiful dress I've seen and you'll be perfect in it."

"If you like it so much, you try it on. It'll be my treat," Angelina said, amused when Tiffany's mouth fell open upon hearing that. Nevertheless, such a gesture was not surprising, as Angelina was incredibly kind and generous with those close to her.

"No, Angel," Tiffany responded, feeling embarrassed. "I can't accept it, and the store made this exception for you, not for me."

"Spare me," Angelina retorted, rolling her eyes. "Go try on the dress before I lose my patience."

Two hours later, not only had Angelina purchased the dress Tiffany liked as a gift for her friend, but she also bought a portion of the new collection from the store, spending almost 500 thousand dollars that afternoon alone. Later, they headed to a trendy Manhattan restaurant to meet some friends for dinner.

This was Angelina's current life. With high school over, her father had not allowed her to attend a university, as it was uncommon in mafia circles for women to complete higher education. Angelina had achieved good grades in school and was outraged by this, even though she expected it to be so. Accustomed to being coddled all her life, she had difficulty accepting her father's dictates, but still harbored some hope for university.

However, as the money came from Joseph, and neither her mother nor Stella had attended university, Angelina felt the struggle was not worth it. Thus, her life was now reduced to shopping, gym, aesthetic treatments, dinners, and glamorous parties.

"I can't get home too late today," Angelina mentioned while deciding what to have for dinner.

"But you've already told them you wouldn't be dining with your family," Tiffany responded, having already chosen her meal.

"Father is having some friends over for dinner tonight and luck has it, he didn't insist on my presence, but he asked that I return in time to greet the guests," Angelina explained.

Typically, her father requested her presence at the most important and chic events. He always liked to show off his most beautiful daughter when possible.

"The witch Stella will surely be there. She always wants to be the saint, the perfect daughter," Tiffany joked.

"Don't speak of her that way, Tiffany," Angelina reproached, visibly upset. Indeed, her sister was a witch, and she herself often referred to her as such, but disliked hearing it from others, even from her best friend. "I think it's extremely hard for Stella always trying to please father in everything."

"Angel, come on. She makes your life hell whenever she can. I can't believe you can feel sorry for her," Tiffany looked incredulously at her friend.

"I don't feel sorry, but Tiffany is about to turn 21, and I think father is already settling her marriage," said Angelina with a hint of worry.

"Nonsense... that's nothing new. Stella knows what's in store for her. I hope your father marries her off to some old and ugly man," Tiffany said, laughing.

Tiffany was right, it wasn't surprising for the daughters of powerful mobsters. An arranged marriage was a certainty in their lives. They just hoped not to be forced to marry men much older than them, widowers on their second or third marriage.