Relationship Status: Mafia

Chapter 50

________Alice POV_______

Nanomi took Matsuo away from the table by the hand to the dance floor. He faced away from our table as the slow music began to play. Watching him alone with Nanomi was different from watching him alone with Serena. Unlike the Italian snake, Nanomi and Matsuo shared something between them. It almost seemed that they were rekindling an old flame as they danced with each other.

"Sorry if I may have soured the mood; I mean no disrespect to you Alice especially." Kenji got back into the booth sitting closer to me.

"None taken; I am surprised though." I cleared my throat and waved down a server. "I think I need another drink."

"I'll take one as well," Zhen chimed in, looking just as stressed as I felt.

The server returned with our round of drinks and handed them to us. As the men I sat in between slowly sipped at their drinks, I chugged mine in one go. Kenji raised both his eyebrows and cracked a crooked smile.

Meanwhile, I'm still processing the fact that Matsuo has a marriage proposal. I didn't believe that sort of thing was on the table for him. He doesn't seem like the type interested in marriage.

"Don't take it too personally. This is strictly business." Kenji tried to reassure me when he spoke. "Our family has been doing business for more than a decade, so as you can imagine, the bonds run deep. My sister and Toma had always been close until he moved away some time ago. But now we can get things back on track."

At this moment, I am divided on the matter. I am just Matsuo's fake mistress, but I can't help feeling a little disappointed that Nanomi showed up now. I'm kind of jealous of how Matsuo looked at her so softly. He seemed to enjoy dancing with her right now. I let out a self-pitied laugh, thinking how ridiculous I was wanting the attention Nanomi was receiving.

"I wouldn't take it personally, I'm just his mistress. There is nothing more, so there will be no interference from me." I set down my empty glass as I felt my eyes start to sting.

Why am I getting emotional now?

All that is between us is an arrangement, and I have to remind myself it was forced on me in the beginning.

"Good to hear. With you out of the way of their marriage, things will go according to plan." Kenji sounded so happy when he heard my response.

I faked a smile at him, "Yep. Very good news."

I can feel Zhen staring at me from the side, and I meet his eyes. He didn't scowl, glare, or look at me in disgust. Instead, I saw the worry on his face and concern when he gazed back over at Matsuo. I forced myself to appear happy before them to save myself from embarrassment.

"We should celebrate, huh!" Questionable enthusiasm burst out of me to change the depressing atmosphere. "More drinks!"

The server came back with more drinks and shots of tequila this time. I'm setting myself up for disaster now that I have hard liquor in front of me. Plus, my stomach is empty, so tonight will be an absolute blast when I mix it up with tequila.

After the first shot that burned and warmed my chest, I let out a woot, looking over at Zhen.

"Com'on, do a shot with me!' I slide the tequila over to him.

Zhen pushed it away and out of my reach, "You had enough."

"Please," I clumsily reach for the shot glass that Zhen pushed even more out of my reach. "Zhen, don't be a party pooper."

Zhen didn't find me amusing and started to glare at me with his fist balled up tightly. I might want to lay off him, but my buzz is not letting me behave.