The Mafiaso And The AD 1024

Marcel and Victoria

I stood on the edge of the dance floor, the excitement of the masquerade buzzing around me, but I couldn't quite make out what the announcer was saying.

The room was too large, the noise of conversations and music too overpowering.

Frustrated by the lack of clarity, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

With a simple wave of my hand, I summoned a microphone stand to the stage, ensuring the announcer's voice would carry throughout the grand ballroom.

The crowd murmured in surprise as the microphone materialized out of thin air, but they quickly adjusted, turning their attention back to the stage.

The announcer looked a bit startled but recovered quickly, stepping up to the microphone and continuing with the awards ceremony.

His voice boomed clearly now, reaching every corner of the room, and the guests applauded in appreciation.

I glanced over at Donte, who was watching me with an amused expression. "Couldn't hear a word," I explained with a shrug.

He chuckled softly. "Always finding a way to make things easier, aren't you?"

"Just making sure everyone gets their due recognition," I replied, grinning. "It's only fair."

Donte shook his head, still smiling. "You certainly know how to make an entrance-and an impression."

The awards ceremony continued, and I found myself standing next to Donte, our shoulders almost touching.

There was a comfort in the closeness, even if we weren't speaking.

The tension from our earlier dance was still there, simmering just below the surface, but for now, we allowed ourselves to simply enjoy the moment.

As the announcer finally concluded with the awards, the orchestra began another song, and the guests returned to the dance floor.

I felt Donte's gaze on me, and I turned to meet his eyes, a silent question lingering between us.

But before I could say anything, someone called his name from across the room.

Donte hesitated, clearly torn, but duty called. He gave me a small, apologetic smile. "I'll be back."

I nodded, understanding all too well the demands of his position. "I'll be here."

As he walked away, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. The night was beautiful, filled with magic and mystery, but reality always had a way of intruding.

Still, I took a deep breath and let it go. There would be other moments, other chances to peel back the layers we both hid behind.

For now, I watched the crowd swirl around me, the music playing on, and let myself be swept up in the masquerade once more.

When the announcer declared, "And the winners for the best costumes are Marcel and Victoria!" the crowd erupted in applause.

I joined in, clapping and smiling as Marcel and Victoria made their way to the stage.

Their outfits were indeed impressive-Marcel dressed as a classic 1920s gangster, complete with a pinstripe suit and fedora, while Victoria looked stunning in a glamorous gown reminiscent of an Italian mob queen.

As they accepted their award, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Winning wasn't something I needed tonight.

I already had more than enough attention from the mafia because of my abilities, and the last thing I wanted was to be under even more scrutiny.

I glanced over at Donte, who had returned to my side after being called away earlier. He caught my eye and gave me a knowing look, as if he understood exactly what I was thinking.

"You're not disappointed you didn't win?" he asked, leaning in so only I could hear him over the applause.

I shook my head, still smiling. "Not at all. I've got enough attention as it is. Besides, Marcel and Victoria deserved it-they look amazing."

Donte chuckled. "True, but you would've made quite the impression up there."

"More than I already do?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He laughed softly, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. "Fair point."

As the applause died down and Marcel and Victoria returned to the dance floor, I found myself relaxing into the evening.

There was something freeing about not being the center of attention, about simply enjoying the night for what it was-a beautiful, extravagant celebration where I could just be another face in the crowd, even if only for a little while.

The orchestra struck up another tune, and the dance floor filled once again. I watched as the guests twirled and swayed, their masks adding an air of mystery to the night.

It was enchanting, and for a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the atmosphere, forgetting all the responsibilities and the dangers that usually surrounded us.

"You want to dance?" Donte's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I looked at him, surprised by the offer. There was something different in his expression tonight-something softer, more open. I hesitated for just a second before nodding.

"Why not? Let's enjoy the night."

He offered his hand, and I took it, letting him lead me onto the dance floor. As we began to move to the music, I felt a sense of peace that had been elusive for so long.

Here, in this moment, surrounded by the magic of the masquerade, everything else faded away.

For now, that was enough.