Ethereal

Deal

I had arranged a new meeting with the Italians for today, to discuss what happened. I upped the security on the mansion -- where they would be coming. There were guards on every door, whether it was occupied or not. They were even standing outside the bathrooms. They lined the outsides of the mansion, some shown and some hidden with snipers. Maya and Derek lived at the mansion, as well as  Coven and Blake. Maya and Derek were assigned their own personal bodyguards and I had Coven & Blake trailing me nearly everywhere.

I was sitting in the living room wearing some grey sweatpants and a large oversized black hoodie. My hair was messily tied up into a bun as I chewed on some nachos that were set on the coffee table. Coven and Blake were sitting together on a couch to the left of me, wearing t-shirts and sweatpants themselves -- we weren't outside and I preferred them to be able to move around freely if an attack were to happen.

Derek and Maya were also sitting next to me, munching loudly on popcorn as they binge-watched some kind of show. As we were lounging, the doorbell rang. 

I raised an eyebrow suspiciously at my guards when I remembered the meeting that we had set. My eyes widened and I scrambled up.

"Shit. You two, out." I barked at Maya and Derek. I looked back at the mess of a living room. "Clean this shit up and then go."

I ran to the door, snatching up my mask that I had fixed up previously that was conveniently sitting on the table. I positioned it as best as I could on my face as the doorbell rang again. 

The gate guards knew they were coming, so they let them in. Yet they still must wait by the door, by my orders.

I took a deep breath and opened the door. There stood Enzo, Emilio, Matteo, and Mr. Moretti. They all wore expensive Armani suits and watches, with cold expressions. Under Emilio's suit, I could make out the outline of his bandaging -- he looked normal otherwise. I noted the guns they carried on their waist, sticking out slightly of their pants.

They took in my appearance as well as Blake and Coven's, who stood behind me. 

"I..er, hope we didn't interrupt anything.." Enzo said, a little surprised.

"I apologize for the appearances...I was lounging and lost track of time. As for my guards, I prefer them to be as comfortable as possible if they are to follow me around 24/7..gives them the chance to move freely."

Enzo nodded understandably. Rain started trickling down and I let them in.

"Ah. Sorry. You can take off your shoes there," I said, pointing to the shoe rack. 

I hate when people drag mud into the house.

"My office isn't exactly...set up, right now," I winced slightly as I remembered the papers strewn everywhere, the open bag of chips on the table, and the crumbs that were on the chairs. It was not fit for a meeting. "So we will be taking this in the living room. Comfortable, and practical, anyway."

I led them to the living room, where Derek and Maya were holding their bag of popcorn, and the nachos that were set on the table. There were still snacks strewn all over the coffee table and I rolled my eyes.

"Excuse them, they're just the cleaners."

"Hey!" Derek said, offended, "I am not a cleaner! I am your amazing, cool, amazing, hot, best fr-"

"Y'know, maids are just so offended by that term nowadays." I narrowed my eyes in warning and he rolled his and stuck his tongue out, and Maya giggled.

I gave them a warning glare and they snatched up whatever snacks were left and scrambled, realizing how unprofessional they were making me seem right now.