The Mafia's Flower ( #2 in the Mafia Series )

twenty five

( Reia's outfit above )
{ Reia's POV }

Isabel and I meet Nicolás, Luis, Chan, Ezra, Zach, Sabrina, and Dom at the entrance to the ball where we'll get announced.

I peek through the curtain and I see Annika, Dimitri, and Andrei all standing beside Cristian who has his hand on a blondes back.

I feel a sting in my chest but I ignore it.

Then I see Thomas and Harry with the two girls that work for them, this is still the mafia after all..

I look over and in the corner I see my mother, Vera, my father, Stefan, my uncle Marco, my uncle Lorenzo, and my uncle Alex all standing in the corner talking kind of privately.

I close the curtain before anyone sees me.

Chan and Isabel are now being announced as the Don and underboss of the Asian Mafia.

I look at Ezra and say "Someone can come get me once the business is over."

"What are you saying?" Ezra asks

"I'm saying he brought a date, meaning I'm left dateless. It was a stupid plan which I said wouldn't work anyway." I tell him

Ezra just stares at me sadly and then mumbles "He's a stupid fool.."

"To be fair he didn't know she would be here.."
Sabrina says

"And it doesn't matter, he doesn't owe me anything." I add

"He's still an idiot as far as I'm concerned."
Ezra says

"I'll go get you after the business is over."
Sabrina tells me

"Thank you!" I reply

Then Ezra, Sabrina, Zach, and Dom get announced as the American mafia boss, his date, his underboss, and third in command.

I start to walk away until I feel a hand gently grab my arm..

"Where are you going?" Nicolás asks

"Back to my room there's no way for me to be able to get in without a date. That's one rule I won't break. I don't want to cause a scene." I tell him

Nicolás just shakes his head and looks deeply into my eyes and asks "If you'll allow me, I would be honored to be your date tonight.. I can't promise we won't cause a scene, but I can promise that we won't be breaking that rule. What do you say princesa?"

"I don't know.I know how protective they are, and I don't see them being happy about it. It'll be better for everyone if I just wait in my room." I say

"Reia, you are the whole reason we even agreed to come to this stupid ball in the first place. My men and I consider you family regardless of where you came from. You deserve to be in that room more than anyone else, as far as I'm concerned. If you coming or being my date causes problems or happens to start a fight, then that's on them.
It's your decision but you belong in there with the rest of us. If you walk in there you will be showing all of them that they can't control you... Princesa you gained our loyalty, not them. Don't shove yourself back into isolation just to suit them. " Nicolás says strongly

I think about it then I look over to Luis.

"I'm in agreement with the boss. I personally believe that anyone who can't see how valuable you are is a brainless idiot." Luis says

I smile and say "I'll go but if it causes trouble.."

"If it causes trouble then we'll deal with it."
Nicolás says

Luis gets on my left side and stands, while Nicolás gets on my right and takes my arm in his. Both of them giving me encouraging looks.

"I'm going to seem like a prostitute in their eyes.."
I say

"Then they are blind." Nicolás replies

"They don't know it yet but you hold just as much power as they do. Don't let them get to you."
Luis says

I just nod then we get announced as The Mexican mafia boss Nicolás, his date Reia Moretti, and his underboss Luis.

I take a deep breath as the curtains pull back,  everyone is already starring our way.

All of them wearing different emotions.
The council seems confused, worried, and a little angry. Cristian looks about the same.
The blonde who is his date seems pissed,
and I have no idea what I've done to her or who she even is. Annika is grinning from ear to ear, along with Isabel. Chan looks normal but somewhat happy. Thomas and Harry seem shocked, along with Dimitri and Andrei, my guess it's because of my dress and choice of date.

We reach the bottom stairs and start walking towards Thomas, Harry, Chan, and Isabel.
Everyone is still watching us, and I'm sure they are already whispering about how to get me back and discussing how I got here.

"If I wasn't already a dead man walking for hiding you these past months, I am definitely a dead man now." Nicolás says into my ear

I lightly laugh and joke saying
"I'll protect you."

"At this point you are my only hope."
Nicolás jokes

"At least the three of us will die together."
Luis says making all three of us laugh a little.

We reach Thomas, Harry, Chan, and Isabel.
Isabel pulls me into a hug which I return. After we pull away I wanted to make sure I thanked them for everything. Because after tonight I don't know if I'll ever see them again.

"I want to quickly thank all of you for everything! I don't know who I'll see after tonight, if I ever see any of you again. So I want you to know that I appreciate you all so much, and I appreciate what each of your mafias bring to the table. All of you are great and what you've done for me means more than you could ever understand." I say

All of them smile.

Chan however slightly bows his head and says "Thank you for your heart and bravery!" The others nod in agreement with him. I just smile.

"Fantastic job on your design by the way."
Thomas compliments with a wink

"Thank you.." I say with a smile

"Now if you'll all excuse me. I'm going to go introduce myself, and thank everyone for coming before the dramatics start." Thomas says

"I think they started the minute she entered the room.." Chan says

"It'll only be more interesting from here.."
Thomas says nearly giddy as he goes to introduce himself up on the platform with Harry is standing off to the side.

"Hello everyone, and good evening! In case you don't know who I am, my name is Thomas, and I am the mafia boss over the UK. Off to my left is my underboss Harry, and it is our honor to host the mafia ball this year. I want to thank all of you for coming out..." Thomas says then he smiles

I thought he was done but no he loves the drama of it...