MAFIA TIES

Chapter Seven

Sophia

The ride to university was unlike any I'd experienced before, marked by the sleek comfort of the grey Audi gliding smoothly along the road. I'd made sure to stop by my department earlier to grab my bag and books, so I was ready to head straight to class.

When the car pulled up to the university, I was already reaching for the door handle before the driver could open it for me. I stepped out with a brisk, purposeful stride, determined not to let the lavishness of the ride slow me down. The students milling about on the campus turned to look at me, their gazes a mix of surprise and curiosity at the sight of the luxury car and the driver waiting behind the wheel. Their stares were almost palpable, but I brushed off their attention and focused on the building in front of me. I had a day to get through and I wasn't about to let anything distract me.

My morning class was in full swing as I settled into my seat in Dr. Collins's lecture on Post-Colonial Literature. Dr. Collins, with his silver hair and deep, resonant voice, was discussing the themes of displacement and identity in the works of Chinua Achebe. As always, his lecture was both insightful and engaging, though I struggled to concentrate. My mind kept wandering, the events of the past few days weighing heavily on me.

The clock on the wall ticked relentlessly towards noon. I was just beginning to focus on Dr. Collins's analysis of Achebe's narrative technique when there was a soft knock at the door. It was Mr. Thompson, the principal, who entered the room. His presence was enough to make everyone pause. I felt a jolt of panic, my stomach twisting into knots. Had something gone wrong with my coursework?

"Miss Sophia, could you come with me, please?" he said calmly, his gaze directed at me.

My heart raced as I followed him out of the classroom. The murmurs of the students faded as the door closed behind us. I glanced down the hallway, bracing myself for a possible discussion about my recent performance. But as soon as we stepped into the corridor, I was met with a different scene entirely.

There, leaning casually against the wall, was Alexander Russo. His presence seemed to command the very air around him. A few girls passed by, their heads turning as they whispered to each other, their eyes lingering on him with a mix of admiration and curiosity. Alexander, seemingly unaffected by the attention, kept his gaze fixed ahead, his expression unreadable.

"Alex?" I said, a little taken aback.

He turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting mine with a hint of amusement. "Sophia," he greeted, his tone smooth and confident.

I swallowed, my nerves still frayed from the unexpected interruption. "What's this about?"

Alexander's expression remained unfazed. "We need to go."

I frowned, "I'm not finished yet. I have class until 2 p.m."

He shrugged slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I don't mind carrying you all the way to my car."

I hesitated, momentarily thrown by his casual confidence. "Alright, just wait a moment while I grab my stuff."

Without waiting for a reply, I turned and quickly packed my things, trying to ignore the stares from my classmates.

~~~~

As we arrived home, I stepped inside, only to be greeted by a sight that left me gasping in shock. The living room had been transformed into something out of a high-end fashion magazine. A large array of outfits and dresses were neatly arranged on mannequins and racks, each one more stunning than the last.

There was also a full makeup setup and a hairdresser's station, complete with all the tools and products one could imagine. It was like a mini salon and boutique rolled into one, right in the middle of the living room.