Charade Games | Completed

Chapter 42: A Gamble

A/N: After 42 chapters, you'll now know what Leo looks like (more characters on the way.)
Anyhow, this chapter is really long but also fast paced. It'll start picking up. Sorry that it's not the best.

Happy reading!!

1987 Milan, Italy

No one spoke.

No one moved.

No one even dared to flinch a muscle.

All the while, the echoes of the golden cane follows the sounds of the sharp hinted heels, until it reaches a blaring volume.

His stature was tall and proud despite his curved back and bolded shoulders. The lines and creases on his faces didn't add to his age, but rather his authority.

The crisp movement of his eyes sent a chilling sense inside the room. But all the while, I forced down a breath as my fist curled beside me.

Alden started approaching the man.

His back straight and with a cheerful grin planted on his face. They looked similarly. The traces of blonde can still be seen at the root of the man's head.

Their sharp jaws and eyes of light green was an exactly mirror of each other.

An air of silence and intimidacy still lingered as he motioned towards him.

Bowing his head, Alden looked indifferent despite facing the man who was the previous leader of the group.

"Welcome, sir." Alden addressed formally.

The man nodded, a smile jerked on his lips with the creases forming under his eyes. Patting Alden's shoulders, his long --skinny fingers smacked against his suit to create a ripple of the sharp sound.

"My pleasure. Happy birthday, Alden." The man followed along.

The air of silence was still drifting inside the room.

Sounds slowly lingered back in our ears. The sound of jazz.

The sound of clinking glass.

The sound of talking.

And the sound of relief.

Alden and the man drifted to the side of the room to greet the guests. In particular, the Marino family.

That allowed for an air of relief to be revived in our lungs.

But not for long.

Clutching my glass of champagne, I pressed it to my lips as I watched as the guests continued their own course. Women partnering up with men for chattering. Even dancing has already started.

The older men were socializing with each other.

Famous faces even lurked amidst the crowd.

But the sight only spiced my own feelings.

I was nervous. Probably a little more than I should have been. Glancing at the clock, it marked approximately 30 minutes left before the official time of the party.

It only made me more anxious. The longer I had to wait, the more I couldn't suppress the feelings of nervousness from erupting.

The room was a little stifled.

Chugging down the champagne, I tried to cover up my anxiousness with the drink. At least my pursed lips and reddish tint on my face can now be explained.