White angel

Part 2

"You stayed up all night again didn't you" Ciara countlessly ranted for the third time this morning. The first was how my hair seemed to be too tangled for her liking. The second was how my nails looked chapped and 'unladylike'.

Right now it was the bags under my eyes. How they were darker from yesterday. More patches of greens and purple appeared.

"Flower, you need to look after yourself" she croaked "staying up all night reading isn't going to make you look beautiful". She patted the side of my shoulders moving to grab more pins from a bag.

"It won't happen again. I promise" I lied through my teeth. Tonight I most definitely wouldn't be getting much sleep. I never did.

Ciara's brows rose "don't lie mi amor" she stuck the last pin through my hair. "There" praising her own work.

I looked up from my thigh, looking at the person who sat in front of me in the mirror. This wasn't me. Nothing about this was me.

The hair that sat in an low elegant bun was different from the long waves of hair that rested on my back.
My lips were too red, too seductive. It made me look ten years older and my cheeks were so pink they cancelled out my natural tone.

My back stiffened in protest. I wouldn't tell her I didn't like it. Not after all the effort she had put to make me look semi presentable.

The dress I wore was far too open at the back, revealing most of it and inviting a cool breeze. while the front was covered with a chocker attached to the long black gown.

I stood up putting on the stilettos and turned to Ciara, who seemed to be beaming at her masterpiece.

"Beautiful" she mouthed. "Antonio is waiting to take you down" her body swayed towards me, gripping my fingers. "Keep your head down and don't speak unless you're spoken too" she cautioned. "We don't want another 'accident'"

Today my father would be celebrating his new settlement with the Russo clan. The late Don died mysteriously transferring his title to his son, Fabiano. with that change came the new agreement.

They had been rivals since the beginning of time. No one knew what caused the fuss but being in the mafia you didn't really need an explanation. In this world all that mattered was the money in your hands and the power you showed and if there was one person I knew did that well it was my father.

"Don't worry about me" my lips cracked into a smile "I'll be fine. Father knows not to touch me when guests are around"

"Have fun mi amor" Ciara hugged before releasing me out of the door.

Out stood Antonio, draped in his finest suit for the occasion. His was a big guy. With a broad built body and the heigh of a tower. One glance at him would send people running. But he didn't scare me. Even if he barely muttered a word. The only thing I got out of him was small gruff noises.

"I'm ready" my lips twitched to the side. I really didn't want to be here. No one was my ally. Not after what my mother had done. It was always the children who got punished for their parents behaviour and never left under the grave with them.

Antonio nodded, turning to walk down the long flights of stairs where my father and step mother and sister would be waiting to introduce Fabiano and his members.

My father stood in his freshly pressed tuxedo. Being the man he lies about being. Hiding behind his money and greed was a coward. I figured that out a long time ago. Besides him was Bianca wearing an elegant red dress that flattered her features and figure. She might look like the woman of any many dreams and at her age. But behind all that makeup stood a raging bitch obsessed with plastic surgery.

Like mother like daughter they say as Gia looked poised wearing a pale pink mermaid dress that showed off her plastic breasts looking nothing like an 18 year old.

My feet touched the last stair. My black dress cancelling me out from their image of a family even if it was a messed up one.

"Juliette" my father announced In his stern voice. By the look on his wrinkled face, he wanted me play the obedient daughter of a 'whore' and marauding mad man.

"Yes father" I rose my head high telling him I got the message and took my place behind him where I was seen but never truly seen.

The double door opened revealing a group of men standing outside, all wearing expensive suits money could buy and strong cologne that reach all the way here.

It seemed stupid we were only greeting them, while my uncles and underbosses remained in where the party was taking place.

My fathers soldiers surrounded the top stairs while others sprinkled them self on steps. Preparing for any blood spill, any sign of violence.

The Russo's parted for their Don. A tall man with slightly broad shoulders. He was younger than I had expected. Maybe in his late twenties. I was expecting someone older maybe.

He walked closer towards and I could make out his features. He had grey hollow eyes that struck through you with one glance. Stubble covered his face going well with his onyx mid length hair that quaffed to the side.

Fabiano wore gloves on his hands as expected. There was a rumour that went around saying he murdered his brothers to become the next Don. That his hands were stained with his families blood and he used his gloves to cover up his crimes.

I felt my fathers body go rigid in front of me at the sight of the man. I couldn't help the small dance of a smile seeing him afraid, even if it was barely noticeable by anyone. I saw it and that's all that mattered.

"I hope you had a steady journey" my father greeted without any pleasantries. "Welcome to my home".

"Great" Fabiano grinned.