The Mafia's Heir

Chapter 35

"Buonasera, famiglia, amici, alleati, potenziali nemici o spie!" Grandpa greeted the entire courtyard with so much enthusiasm, I thought he was only pretending to be excited tonight. Good evening, family, friends, allies, potential enemies or spies!

"It's quite an honor to have all of you here this week. It has been awhile since someone held a mafia ceremony here at the Russo Mansion. Today marks a very important event in our lives. On this day, in exactly three hours, the Woo family was sentenced to public humiliation. How about we cover that grueling memory with a new one."

I looked around for Youngmin, but see him anywhere. I suspected he was still sulking in the room somewhere. If he was out here he had to be hiding. A Woo was never welcomed here and will never be welcomed here. Too many times have I been tricked by so many people. Tonight was my night. This whole week was my week. No one would ruin it for me.

"Please, give a warm welcome to my granddaughter, Cynthia Russo. She just returned from the States not too long ago with her family." Grandpa gestured to me. Zachary took Lucio and sort of shoved me to the front. Really? "I'd love it if everyone would accept her as you did all those years ago."

I smiled at everyone and even managed to catch a glimpse of a few cousins I hadn't seen in awhile. Zach was busy keeping Lucio from grabbing his tie. So cute. Youngmin was still nowhere to be seen, but I could feel his presence. Maybe he was watching from a window.

"I know the question of who's going to be the next mafia leader has been running through your minds. It has been running through mine for some time. Answer me this: Would you all accept Cynthia, if she was to be your next mafia queen? You don't have to answer this now, but later it will be a question I look forward to hearing the answer to."

Guests began to roam after this leaving me and grandpa on the stage alone. He looked at me and heaved a sigh. I knew they weren't going to accept me automatically. Some knew Youngmin was my husband while others didn't like the idea I was coming back to claim a birthright I didn't know was mine until recently.

"Go talk with some people. Maybe go meet Afan's family," he suggested and walked away.

I didn't have to go to Afan, he came to me with his sister and mother in tow. I have to say they both were more beautiful than the pictures he had shown me. I guess natural beauty was what they had in Malaysia, because any woman here could tell you they didn't have any on. I was instantly jealous. I felt out ugly standing in front of them.

"Cynthia," Afan greeted. I dropped into a low curtsy, putting on a show for his family. "I told you about bowing, Cynthia. Meet my mother, late Queen Aisha and my sister, Princess Amina."

I knew I had to bow to them so I did. His mother smiled while his sister just stared at me like I'd lost my mind. Look here, I was just trying to be respectful. If you don't want any of that I can take it all back and be the rude future mafia queen I've been wanting to be.

"It's an honor to finally meet the both of you. I've heard a lot of good things about you," I gushed.

"I can't say the same about you," Queen Aisha said truthfully. "It is nice to know that Afan is still out and about these days. How are you, Cynthia? I do not remember seeing you at the convention in the States."

"Oh...I'm great. Not much going on here." I tried to smile naturally. "How about you?"

"I'm fine. I take it Afan has told you about me coming for the French men?"

"Of course he has. I see you know what you like."

"I follow what I can get."

She smiled at Afan and told him something in Malay. Amina began to protest, but her mother stamped her foot and left. Well, isn't that something. I held back a smirk and looked at Afan. He was full on smiling and already pulling Amina to his side.