Blacks Layout

Business Dinners

I could tell that he was unsure.

Monti stood in between my doorpost, frowning as he answered. "Yes sir Alessandro. She's here, but I do want to ask. Why her?"

I bit my lip, as I pushed my knees closer to my chest. I know this man wasn't on the phone, degrading me. As if I audition to be here. I rolled my eyes, and shifted myself farther away as I can from him on my bed.

"No no, sir. I would never. It's just...there's so many candidates..." He trailed off, eyeing me down. I could tell, this man was going to hate me. "No sir...yes sir. No sir, I think that's it. Everything is packed and guarded. Just waiting on your consent."

With that Monti hung up the phone with a sigh and looked back at me. "Ok, little ragazza, listen up.." He said stern, bending on one knee to catch my eye. "Alessandro will land here tomorrow, in the meantime. Get some rest, Alessandro's orders."

I turnt my head away and Monti let out a frustrating sigh as he pulled my chin towards him. "Look, I'd prefer you be home rather than here. There are so many better women lined up to be in your shoes." He spat, pushing my chin away.

His breath reeked of excessive alcohol and cigarettes. This wasn't the Monti I knew. His eyes grew tried, and red but quickly turnt to rage as I stared at him. "I don't even know why he picked you in the first place!"

Tears stained my face as they fell. So much for trying to keep a poker face.

"Then tell me Monti, why am I here!?" I finally said, wiping my chin from his dirty fingertips.

He barely chuckled. "Neonata, little do you know. Your father was so determine to switch up the offer, but Alessandro already had his mind set. Shame your father won't be able to see you after-"

"Monti!" A voice shouted in a thick Italian accent. "Cosa fai!? Alessandro arriva domani!"

Monti growled and got up from his position, and walked out of my room. Slamming the door in the process.

I was so confused. My father would never put me in this predicament. Him and this Alessandro got along so great, well what I heard of. So why am I here as if I was being punished?

I managed to slip under the covers, and turn towards the cream colored walls. There was nothing else I could do. Nothing else but sit and cry. My dad, couldn't save me. Not this time. And my mom? Does she even know I'm gone? How was dad going to break it to her? That her daughter is gone forever? Or that he wouldn't never think it'll get this far? So many thought flooded my mind but it wasn't too soon after I closed my eyes.

I met my slumber.

***

2 weeks earlier

"Wow, this is the school your looking at?" My mom said, handing me a plate.

"Yeah, it's student ratio is 14:1. You can't beat that." I scrolled once more, submitting my application to the University of Acatos. I was beyond excited to live in an actual dorm than my room, which I shared with my older sister Carla.

My mom sets down her plates a cups my cheeks as she looks in my eyes."My beautiful, beauty child. Going out into the big bad world... a mother could other take so much." She sucks in some air. " I don't know if I can let go."

I groaned. "Mom, you have to. You let Carla and Eran live there lives. And I'm not even the baby child!"

"I don't know," She hummed, setting up the rest of the plates. "It's kinda big. You might get lost or even worst f-"