Lord Of Reticence

3

This was all crazy. I was stuck in something I had nothing to do with. Just yesterday, I was a happy girl doing my internship, and today, I am watching people get killed, staying at a Mafia lord's house and almost got shot four times.

Maria eyed me suspiciously, I ignored her and went to sleep with my mother. Thankfully, she didn't ask anything and just caressed my head while I tried to sleep.

The next morning, everybody was acting as if nothing had happened. Perhaps it wad the norm here. Obviously, my family was shaken, but since I was the only one who witnessed the act, I was the only one who walked like a zombie.

Kiara was at the breakfast table, ordering the servants around, while others got seated.

Arsenio arrived, and the usual silence filled the dining hall. He looked at me, his face expression less. I avoided meeting his gaze and focused on the food on my plate. But he didn't shift his gaze. I could feel it piercing me, all the while he walked to the table and, instead of taking his usual place, took the seat beside me.
"Are you alright?" Arsenio asked softly.
I shrugged, avoiding looking into his face.
Everyone else was staring at me too now. The brooding, dangerous mafia lord was sitting beside me and asking me how I was.

"I am fine, thank you",  I mumbled, still not making eye contact with anyone.
"If there's anything you need, just tell me", Arsenio whispered, so nobody could hear.
"We have a ball tonight, I hope to see you"
"Okay, I will be there"
He left the room.
I sighed, leaning back against my chair. I didn't know what to think about any of this.

"Wow", Kiara said, "I have not heard him talk that way to anyone, ever since I got here".

Aunt Greta was quick to respond, "She saved his life. Some people know how to be grateful".
And then the rest of the meal proceeded as normal.
~*~*~*~
Later that night, everyone was busy preparing for the upcoming ball. A group of men were carrying a huge, heavy box upstairs, the other men and the maids worked around the house. Some beautiful dresses were brought for all of us.  Everyone was working efficiently, but I wasn't helping out at all. My mind was far away from everything, wandering through endless corridors of memories of last night.
I heard footsteps coming closer, and saw a familiar face approaching me.
"What's up? You look lost", Maria asked me.
"I am trying to find the right words", I admitted.
"Can you just enjoy the moment, and try to let go what all happened earlier?" she said.
"Enjoy what? The ball? Just to remind you, this isn't a prince's ball. This is going to be all the most wanted criminals under one roof, horror show.  I can't help myself. How did you expect me to enjoy it? Besides, we don't even know anyone."
Maria sighed deeply.
"You're probably right", she replied, "but we will have to make a good impression. And, not leave a very lasting one because, we cannot attract the attention of any mafia made man and invite marriage proposals".

"Exactly", I said, though I had not given that possibility any thought.
"Well, at least you'll get a chance to dance with your handsome future husband", she teased me.
I couldn't resist the smile on my lips, "he'll definitely not be a handsome suitor. Or a future husband, for that matter". Just another monster. We laughed a little and then mother reminded us to get ready.
My  dress was hanging neatly in the wardrobe. It was simple and elegant; white lace fabric and golden embroidery, with tiny golden flowers. There were small diamonds sewn into the dress. It had a deep cleavage, that obviously concerned me. I had never liked much of skin show, and I always had been a simple girl who enjoyed simple dressing.
But, it was the first time I was actually attending a ball. I had even missed my high school prom night. So, this was my first time to play dress up .

I took a quick shower, and then putting on the dress, I applied some makeup, and did my long hair up  in a bun. After putting on some jewellery, I looked at myself in the mirror, satisfied.
Then, Maria knocked on my door and entered when she saw me looking at myself in the mirror.
"You look absolutely stunning!", she exclaimed.
"Thank you", I said, blushing slightly,
"So do you".

We joined hands and  went downstairs to join the party.
The mansion was packed full of people dancing and drinking in various places. The men looked fine in their expensive, branded suits, hiding their crimes well behind the well put masks. Their women, dressed in perfect gowns on the latest fashion, smiling and dancing, young ones trying to get the attention of the bachelors, the elders indulged deep in gossip.  Every once in a while they'd turn their heads and catch our gazes, and then turned around, not wanting us to know that we had noticed them.
There were few groups of people talking in groups or just standing by themselves, enjoying some drinks.
The music played loud , filling the room. Everybody seemed to be having fun, except me. I didn't really understand why I was there. It was a social gathering, meant to impress the guests, but I wasn't impressed, it was just boring and tedious.

I spotted Kiara standing with a group of women. She caught my eye, but ignored me. Obviously she didn't want us to be introduced to her friends. The feeling was obviously mutual.

Maria and I went to stand with her sisters, my mom was talking to my aunts.

"Excuse me", a man,  wearing a suit with a black tie approached us. He was tall, dark and handsome.
Maria gave him a smile and introduced us, "this is my sister, Camilla Serrano, ".
We both smiled politely.
"I am Sergio Rossi, from Rossi Salvatore's gang".  he introduced himself.
Oh crap. Here I go again. I didn't want to be associated with a mob.
Sergio looked at me expectantly. "I don't know you."
I glanced at Maria who was smirking and raised an eyebrow.
"You must be new in town", Sergio continued, "anyways, let's have a dance".
"No".
"Come on", he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the dancing floor, "we can get to know each other ".
"Wait!," I said letting go of his grip, "I do not wish to dance with you".
"No body is asking for your permission gorgeous. You are a woman. You do as we please" he tried to grab my waist, but I was grabbed by someone else and pulled into his arms. To my surprise, it was Arsenio.
"She is mine", he said  firmly before I could say anything.
Sergio stared in shock and anger, but nodded and left.
Arsenio led me onto the dance floor and started to dance slowly. I felt uncomfortable with the closeness and started to walk away, but was stopped by his hand.
"Let go", I mumbled.
"Don't create a scene. This is a ball, if not me, someone else would snatch you"
"Don't you people have the concept of consent?" I asked, as he twirled me.
"Girls who belong to no superior, don't. If you had a powerful father, you would" he explained, "but then your father would choose for you. Your choice wouldn't matter".
"That's ridiculous", I protested, trying to keep my composure.
I caught him staring at my cleavage, and it made me all the more uncomfortable.  I averted my eyes and looked anywhere but him.
"Why are me and my family being dragged into this?" I asked, hopefully.
"Someone installed drugs in your car" he said.
"Why? Why did you shoot at my car?",  I asked angrily.
"To divert the attention of the cops".

"Oh", was all I could manage.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you" he assured me, smirking.
"Is someone trying to trap me?"
"Yeah, I guess they are".
"Why? And who"
"We don't have answers to both of these questions, but we soon will"
"I don't feel safe here. I want to go home", I said, feeling anxious.
"You can't. Not until we catch our culprit."
"They have to be caught, or else, I'm gonna be stuck in a place where I don't want to be".
"We will find them", he assured me, "till then, you are under my personal protection. No one can lay a finger on you". The music end, we both bowed and he escorted me to my mother, to join for dinner.
This man was known to be dangerous, but to me, except for the first time, he had been a true gentleman.