𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟜 : 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕚𝕖𝕘𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕤

The after-effects of the party had made my legs shaky. Never in a million years would I have imagined witnessing a party like this. It didn't resemble a business conference at all. Instead, I saw Sant and Auriella dancing their way through the ball with such carefree abandon that it was almost surreal.

Now, we were seated in the car, Noir's head resting heavily on my shoulder while the twins bickered drunkenly, their arguments punctuated by Spencer's attempts to keep the peace. The elder ones, exhausted from greeting countless representatives of other mafia families, sat silently, their fatigue evident.

"We're home," Spencer announced, breaking the quiet.

Noir stirred, lifting his head from my shoulder just as Spencer spoke. Sant opened the car door, letting in the cool night air. We all climbed out, stretching our limbs after the cramped ride.

"I think all of us are too drunk, so, Noir and Auriella will stay the night here," Sawyer declared, his voice firm with authority.

"Nah, it's fine, dude. I'll walk home," Noir responded, giving Sawyer a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Alright then," Sawyer conceded with a nod.

As the others made their way into the mansion, Noir paused. He leaned in and gave me a quick, tender kiss on my nape, sending a shiver down my spine. His touch was a silent promise, a reminder of our unspoken bond. I smiled, watching him disappear into the night before following the others into the mansion.

Inside, the luxury of the estate greeted us. The grand halls, with their marble floors and chandeliers, seemed almost otherworldly after the chaos of the party. I felt a sense of relief, a momentary reprieve from the swirling vortex of alliances and rivalries that defined our world.

As I made my way to my room, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight had been a turning point. The dance, the laughter, the tension were a prelude to something far more significant. The night had peeled back layers of pretense, revealing glimpses of the truths that lay beneath.

Lying in bed, the events of the evening played through my mind like scenes from a dream. Noir's touch, the warmth of his presence, lingered with me. In a world filled with uncertainty and danger, he was my constant anchor.

As sleep finally claimed me, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Bound by our shared history and an unbreakable bond, we were ready for whatever the future held.

(...)

It was Monday, and I had a chemistry test looming over my head. As much as I loved the subject, I hadn't prepared much for this one.

"Kill me," I muttered to Laure, who was visibly trembling with anxiety. I couldn't help but chuckle softly at her dramatics.

Mrs. Renesmee handed me the test paper, her sharp eyes scanning my face.

"You alright, Sage?" she asked, her tone gentle but probing. "You look like you didn't prepare."

"I'm fine, don't worry," I lied, forcing a confident smile.

"Then I am expecting an A+ from you," she said, her voice taking on a serious edge before moving on to the next student.

Laure barely contained her laughter, clamping a hand over her mouth.

"Shut up," I mouthed silently, rolling my eyes.

I glanced at the paper and began scribbling down answers, hoping muscle memory would save me.

"You all have thirty minutes to complete the paper," Mrs. Renesmee announced. "This may be the easiest paper I've ever made."

Easiest, she says. As I worked through the questions, it felt like deciphering an ancient, cryptic language. If this was her idea of easy, I dreaded to think what the actual exams would be like. Each question seemed to stretch time, but I pressed on, determined to make the best of it. The classroom buzzed with the sound of pens on paper, a stark contrast to the silent panic in my mind.