Silence And Submission (Editing)

Being a Mercurio

"This dress will look beautiful on you." Claudia held up a classic strapless black dress. We were in my bedroom watching the stylist bring out several dresses she'd picked out. I'd come to learn over the twenty four plus hours I'd been in the D' Mercurio mansion that being a Mercurio meant shopping in the comfort of your home. It meant wearing well tailored clothes and dishing out orders. I had all these in the De Laurentis household too. There was never a need to work or visit shopping malls but it was something I loved to do.

"It's beautiful," I said, "but don't you think it's a bit revealing?"

"Oh come on," she said. "I've seen all the dresses you have in your bag and I think it's time for you to live a bit. This dinner my brother is taking you to is your outdooring. It wiil be your first time out as a member of this family... perhaps one of the most important members."

I frowned.
"What do you mean?"

"I've seen how my brother looks at you. I know he likes you. If this dinner goes well, you will be the woman at his side... the voice of reason in his ear... the queen to his king," she lowers her voice, "the donna to his don."

The stylist paused in her movements for a few seconds before she resumed again.

I eyed her suspiciously. Claudia caught my eye.

"She knows what the consequence of opening her mouth is. Don't you, Ingrid?"

"My mouth is shut, ma'am."

"Consequence?"

"I'll kill her teenage son and maim her beautiful baby girl for life."

"That's drastic," I said.

"That's nothing compared to what my brother does to his enemies."

I can't imagine anything worse than killing a mother's children.

"So, are you taking the dress or do we settle for the plain cream dress you chose," she asks.

"I'll take the black one. Despite my reservations, I think you are right. The black dress is a beauty."

Claudia turns to the stylist.

"We'll take both the cream and black dresses. Your check will be delivered to you at your house. You may leave."

Ingrid packed her things as quickly as she can and rushed out of the bed room.

Claudia laughed loudly, clutching her belly.

"Did you see her face," she asked, gasping.

"I did," I said. It wasn't funny though. I really worried about her and I wonder how the hell she roped herself into serving Claudia.

"You look tense," she said.

"I'm just worried about the dinner date with your brother."

"It will go well." She stood and placed a well manicured hand on my shoulder.
"I meeting with Laurentia in the garden at two pm. I'm certain she's already there. Will you join us?"

Meeting with Laurentia was a recipe for disaster... and I craved it.

"Why not?" I missed her. I can't wait to tell her all about my date with Antonio."

I have a feeling you and I will get along so well."

**************

"What's she doing here?" Laurentia asked.

"She's my friend but most importantly she's family. She has as much right to be here as I do."

"You've known her for a day and she is already family?"

"I'm her brother's lover. Of course I'm family," I answered as I sat on the chair next to Claudia.

"Antonio's lover?"

"Exactly. I even bought a dress for our date tomorrow night using his credit card."

She glanced at Claudia, glaring at her shrug.

"I have to go," she said, grabbing her bag and storming of.

Claudia sipped her juice and smirked.

"That went well," she said.

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