Used To Be My Girl

Glum Lookin' Beauty

The patio was flooded with people, all excited for the news to come. After all, this was going to be the unification of the biggest Italian crime family with another family that had been yet to be announced. Hence the party. Everyone was waiting for the news. Whose son was going to marry the Don's precious Sofia?

There'd been a suitor line up for weeks beforehand and every family within 200 miles of the beach had offered up their best son. The Kane family had of course been one of them. Who in their right mind could possibly pass up the opportunity of a lifetime to get it in good with the Don himself? There would be no need to worry about territory wars and money collecting then.

Miles had been opposed to the idea from the start. He was only twenty for god sakes! There was a whole world to explore past the beaches and streets he'd known all his life! He didn't have time for marriage. He'd scoffed when they told him he would be getting suited up to appear before the Don and Sofia as a possible suitor the next day. Miles had subsequently realized they were serious and threatened to run away. His parents had threatened to shoot him before he got the chance to even grab for a jacket.

In other words, Miles had appeared before the Don the next morning, wearing a stuffy suit that he hated with his hair slicked back. He'd tried his best to come off as someone Sofia would never want without offending her father or her. It was hard but at the end of the day, Miles thought he pretty much had it in the bag.

So here he was, standing at the ceremony awaiting the news of Sofia's husband. Along with many other families, his were sitting at a table waiting patiently for the announcement. There was a small stage at the front of the patio and all looked forward as the sound of someone tapping a mic was heard. There was the Don, sitting in his chair while someone brought the microphone over to him. He took it from the server's shaking hands and quickly shooed them away.

Miles noticed his hair was graying. It was just another reminder of the importance of continuing the family line.

"We all know why you're here. And it's certainly not just for the lovely cocktails provided at the bar."

The crowd laughed and Miles couldn't help but notice how forced it was. These people claimed they were all about respect but really it was just a lie to cover up their hunger for money and power. Every one of them was so fake it made bile rise up in the back of Miles' throat.

"Well there's been enough teasing for today. So without further ado, the lucky family who my daughter will marry into is none other than...!"

The band was motioned at by the Don and quickly began a drumroll. There was a long beat and then...

"The Kane Family!"

The Don exclaimed and Miles' heart dropped. Suddenly all eyes were on him and he wanted to just disappear into the waves crashing on the beach next to them. He was frozen in place, feeling all the eyes suddenly turn to him. The sound of clapping filled his ears and he felt he might actually puke this time.

"Well! Come on up here, my boy!"

The Don motioned for Miles to move but he couldn't get his body to cooperate with his mind. Eventually his mother, obviously embarrassed and not wanting the moment to be spoiled stood up from behind him where she was seated at the table with the rest of his family. She pushed him forward with a firm hand on his back, laughing through gritted teeth.

"He's just so shocked to be able to marry your beautiful daughter, Don Rossi, that he was positively rooted to the spot!"

She laughed again and a sharp pinch in his back told Miles to laugh along with her. The Don's offended frown quickly lifted back up into the smile that had been there before and Miles felt his mother quite nearly collapse against him in relief. It's not like he could blame her though. No one wanted to be around when Rossi was angry. No one.

"Ah, how very understandable. After all my daughter is intimidatingly beautiful."

Miles forced a smile and nodded, ducking his head down in respect. The crowd was clapping again and the tense air had been lifted. He let out a small sigh, hoping it wasn't noticed by anyone before looking back up. There was Sofia, standing next to the Don with a shy look on her face. There was no denying that she was beautiful but... there was just something missing.

This wasn't what Miles had wanted for his love life at all. For once, he'd wanted to be in control of something in his life instead of letting the Don or his family make the decisions for him. But yet again, here he was following someone else's instructions.

"There is still much to be talked about. Come, let us speak about the details in private."

Rossi spoke to Miles' mother with an intimidating smile.

"In the meanwhile, everyone make merry and dance! It's a celebration after all. My daughter is to be married!"

He called out and everyone cheered, the music kicking back up and people swarming the dance floor. Miles quickly melted into the background, looking around anxiously for the bathroom. After a few minutes he finally found it and burst into the small washroom. He shut and locked the door behind him, leaning his entire weight against it.

Letting out a shaky sigh, Mile's ran a trembling hand down his face. His breathing pace quickened and soon he found a single tear running down his cheek. He quickly rubbed it away with the sleeve of his dress jacket and hardened his resolve.

"Don't show weakness."

Miles told himself in the mirror, lifting his chin up and narrowing his eyes. He straightened his shirt collar and took a deep breath, fingers curling around the gold chain sat around his neck.

"Trouble in paradise?"

A slow voice asked from behind him. Miles whipped around with wide eyes, his hands now resting their weight against the rim of the sink as he looked at the man in front of him.

With his hands on his hips and his chest on display, the man had a lazy smile and a navy necktie around his neck to match the navy dress shirt he was currently wearing. His long brown hair was slicked back but some strands had fallen into his face. Despite the dim light, Miles could still make out the man's undeniably handsome features beneath the orange aviators sat atop his nose.

He was-

"It's rude to stare, you know..."

He interrupted Miles' thoughts, who subsequently caught himself and flushed, shaking his head furiously in embarrassment.

"It wasn't like that, you bastard!"

Miles exclaimed perhaps a little too loudly. The man laughed, shifting his weight from one hip to the other in thought.

"Wouldn't care if it was. Not a problem with me, I don't mind the attention. Though you should be careful not to give the wrong idea out to your wife to be."

At the mention of Sofia, Kane deeply sighed and turned away from the man.

"Just... do your business and leave. You didn't see a bloody thing, understand?"

Miles' demeanor turned cold as he forced himself to put up a front again. He didn't get a response, so he assumed the man had left. Though as he turned back around, there he still stood. Just as Miles was about to open his mouth to say something, the other man beat him to it.

"If you ever need someone to talk to, just know I'll be around. Just ask for Alex. Alex Turner."

Turner... That name seemed so familiar.

Looking up, Miles noticed Alex was already unlocking the washroom door, feet already halfway outside.

"It was nice meeting you... Mr. Kane."

And with that he was gone.