𝘈𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 | Mattia Polibio

026

My eyes shoot open and I sit up in fear, my hands trail my body as a sigh of relief escapes me.

It was just a dream Layla, you're fine.

I plop down on my back but I don't fall asleep again, every time I close my eyes I picture that scene, I don't want that to really happen. I get out of bed and walk into the kitchen to make myself some coffee, checking the time as I walk, it's 5, that's not too bad. I sit at the island and wait for my coffee to finish, staring into space since I'm still exhausted and scared, it felt so real. If that really happens at the meeting today, they'll never want to work with us. The coffee finished brewing and I make myself a cup and sit on the sofa while i drink it, Alex comes down about 2 minutes into my coffee and sits next to me.

Alex: You're never up this early.
I glance over at her as she's already on her laptop.
You: Yeah, I know. I just had a horrible dream and I couldn't fall back to sleep after I woke up from it.
Alex: What was it about?
I tell her about the dream and she looks up at me.
Alex: That's not necessarily weird Lay, could just mean you're nervous he's gonna crash it and you're not afraid to do anything about it.
You: But now I am, I can't kill them in front of everyone, that'll never convince them that we're not bad people.
Alex: Lay, come on dude, Mattia's gonna have them all convinced that this is what's best for everyone. And it is! If we team up with the Jags, we'll literally have every element. Strong leadership skills, brains and brawn.

I nod and sip my coffee once more.
You: I know that you're right, I'm still just a little bit scared.
Alex: Don't think about the negatives then, think of the good that could come from this meeting.
She smiles and walks back up to her room to get ready for the day and I do the same. I want to look really professional today, so I throw on some black jeans with a white polo shirt and a black blazer atop, and I throw my black and white 1's on since I gotta be a little casual. I lightly curl my hair and brush my teeth and then walk down into the living room where everyone is.

Mari: You look nice.
You: Professional?
She nods.
Grace: You look nervous, don't be. Everything's gonna be fine.

I hope so.

You: I know, it's just a big day, can't let anything mess this up ya know?
They all nod and Mark walks in behind me.
Mark: The cars gonna be here in like an hour so you guys should get dressed.
The girls bolt up the stairs faster than I've ever seen them run as I sit lightly in the couch, I pull out my phone and text Mattia to see if he's there yet. He normally doesn't respond right away, but he answered with a simple 'yeah,' I click my phone off and try to control my nerves.

Mark sits next to me and places his hand on my back making me jump slightly, he looks at me concerned.
Mark: Are you ok?
I shake my head.
You: I can't stop thinking about it...
Mark: About what?
You: The dream I had, I killed Mattia's dad and his sister...
Mark: But it wasn't real Lay, it's ok, you're ok.
He pulls me tightly into his embrace.
You: It just felt so real... what if it actually happens??
Mark: It won't, everything's gonna be fine today.
He lets me go and watches as I begin to shake in fear, he puts his hands on my shoulders and helps me calm down. Everyone comes down shortly after that and we walk out to the car and drive to the building.

——

All our henchmen follow behind us as we walk into this room filled with Jags, Mattia spots us and makes his way through the crowd. He hugs me when he's close enough.
Mattia: You ready?
I nod and take his hand as we walk up to the front of this crowded room, he grabs the mic and catches everyone's attention.
Mattia: Welcome all to the first official team meeting of the Jags and the Mambas. As future leader of the Jags, we welcome you.
He smiles down at me as he pulls me close to him, I snatch the mic from his hand.
You: And as leader of the Mambas, we accept your welcome and offer our own. We are beyond excited to finally be working with you all.