Vittoria's POV
"What…what kind of event is it?" I asked, wanting to prepare my mind.
Ricardo smirked. "You'll find out when we get there,"
It would have been better if I didn't ask the question than to get the answer that I received.
"But I need to know what to wear," I argued.
"I will handle that."
"Okay," I said quietly, going back to my work.
After work, Ricardo turned to me as I gathered my things. "Come with me," he said, leaving no room for argument.
I frowned, slinging my bag on my shoulder. I wanted to ask where but he was already at the door.
I sighed and followed him reluctantly, he stopped after some time and turned to look at me. "Hurry up, we don't have time to waste."
I nodded and walked fast, catching up to him.
The ride was silent except for the soft hum of the engine. I kept my eyes fixed on the window but I could see his gaze flicker to me once or twice.
The car stopped in front of a boutique and we came down. The building screamed luxury, from the writings on the glass doors to the sleek mannequins in beautiful designer gowns displayed in the windows. I wondered if we were here to get clothes for the event.
"We're here to get a dress," Ricardo said as if he knew what I was thinking.
"For the event?" I asked looking through the windows at the gowns.
"Obviously," he replied as one of the men opened the boutique door. "Stop looking through the windows and come in."
When we entered, a woman with a polite smile approached us. "Mr Lombardi," she greeted in a polished tone. "It's an honour to have you here."
The woman knew him, which meant one of two things, either she knew him as a Mafia Don or he had been here before.
I couldn't help but wonder, how many women had he brought here to buy dresses.
I quickly pushed the thought aside, reminding myself that it was none of my business.
"I need something for her," he said, gesturing to me.
The woman turned to me, her polite smile unwavering as she assessed me.
"Right this way ma'am."
I followed her, glancing back at Ricardo to see he was already making himself comfortable on a couch.
The saleswoman brought out several gowns, all of them very extravagant. My breath hitched as my eye caught the price tag on one of them.
They were unnecessarily expensive.
I looked through the dresses, searching for the one I liked, and then the woman came in with another dress in hand.
It was a sleek, dark green dress with a high slit and delicate details.
"Try this one," she suggested and I took it from her and rushed into one of the dressing rooms.
When I came out, the woman smiled widely, clasping her hands together. "It's so beautiful, I think you should take this one."
"Really?" I asked, moving in front of the mirror to see for myself.
She was saying the truth, the dress was beautiful and it clung perfectly to my figure, the high slit showing my legs in a perfectly elegant manner
"Or you can just ask Mr Lombardi," the saleswoman suggested.
"Oh, that won't be…." I started shaking my head, but before I could finish I saw Ricardo walking towards us.
He was on a phone call and was talking vigorously, his gaze on the floor as he walked towards us. When he looked up he froze, his mouth remained open.
"Mr Lombardi, what do you think of this dress?"
For a moment he didn't say anything, his eyes seemed to have gotten darker as they trailed over me with an unreadable expression on his face.
I couldn't tell if his silence meant disapproval or indifference.
"Mr…. Lombardi?" The woman prompted.
"It'll do," he finally said in a clipped tone.
I stared at him for a moment, feeling a mixture of anger and irritation. Was that all he could say?
I removed the dress and handed it to the saleswoman who packaged it in a bag for us.
Ricardo paid and we walked back to the car. As the driver opened the door for us, I paused. "I'll take a taxi home."
Ricardo's brows furrowed together. "What do you mean?"
"I…I need to get some things at Chelsea Market," I replied quickly.
"Then the driver will drop you at the market."
"Okay," I said quietly and slid into the car beside him.
The truth was I didn't want to ride with him, not after the indifferent way he acted when he saw the dress.
He made it feel less beautiful.
The rest of the ride was quiet until we stopped in front of the market.
"It's a gala," he suddenly said as I opened the car door.
"Okay sir," I replied and stepped out.
After work the next day, Ricardo reminded me of the gala on my way out of the office.
"Be ready by 7pm," he said and I nodded.
By 6pm that evening, I stood in front of my mirror staring at the green dress. It was breathtaking and I hoped he would allow me to keep it after the gala. Even if I had to pay for it.
I opened the jewellery box Ricardo gave me that morning at work and my breath hitched.
Inside it was a delicate diamond necklace with matching earrings. They sparkled brightly as I fastened the necklace around my neck.
I had put on some subtle makeup, a soft eyeliner, a touch of mascara, light pink blush on my cheeks and I finished the look with a not-so-subtle red lipstick.
I styled my hair in soft waves, the curls cascading down my back. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back.
At exactly 7pm, a car horn blared outside. Ricardo. I grabbed my clutch and took one last look in the mirror before heading out.
"Be careful," my mother said softly, with a sad expression on her face. She was still unhappy about my mission but she had stopped complaining.
A sleek black car along with three black jeeps was at the curb. As I approached, the driver opened the door for me and I slid inside, my breath catching as I saw Ricardo.
He looked effortlessly elegant in his tailored black suit, his black hair styled perfectly.
He looked like a gentleman, nothing at all like what he actually was.
He looked at me and for a moment I saw something flicker in his gaze but he masked it quickly.
"You're ready," he said, his voice as calm and collected as ever.
"Yes sir," I said, unsure of what else to say.
I turned my attention to the window as the car began to move, watching the city lights.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ricardo's gaze flicker to me, he studied me for a moment. When I turned to look at him, he quickly moved his gaze to his phone.
I turned my attention back to the window, bracing myself for what was to come.
The car pulled up in front of the Ritz Carlton, with its grand exterior and golden lights. A valet came forward and opened Ricardo's door immediately.
He stepped out slowly and straightened his jacket before turning to me. "Come," he said in a soft but commanding tone.
I stepped out of the car and adjusted my dress, then turned to see Ricardo watching me intensely.
"You look….presentable," he said softly with an unreadable expression, extending his arm slightly.
"Thank you," I replied, placing my hand on his arm and we walked to the entrance.
The glass doors opened to reveal a lobby that radiated luxury. It was filled with elegantly dressed men and women, their laughter filling the room as they mingled with each other.
Ricardo leaned slightly and whispered in my ear. "Keep your head high, and stay with me at all times. Most of these people are very dangerous."
Like you. I thought but I didn't dare say it. "Okay," I simply replied.
"This way please," a man said, gesturing for us to follow. "The event has already started."
Ricardo nodded and we followed the man through a corridor to the ballroom. As we stood in front of the double doors, Ricardo turned to me. "Remember what I told you."
I nodded slowly and opened my mouth to respond but then the door opened abruptly.
"Don Lombardi!!" A man who seemed to be in his 70s exclaimed and came close to us.
"Don Moretti," Ricardo replied calmly."It has been so long."
"Yes, yes it has," Don Moretti said as he kissed Ricardo on his cheek.
"We've been waiting for you Ricardo, come in, come in." He said, his gaze flickering to me for a moment before he walked back in.
The moment we stepped in, another man approached Ricardo, they shook hands and greeted and then another came. One after the other they came to greet him, some with respect and others with familiarity.
I stood silently at his side, observing. They were all part of the Mafia, seeing them laugh and greet in their suits and dresses like their hands weren't drenched with blood disgusted me.
I watched Ricardo mingle, trying to decipher those who were his friends and allies and those whose smiles were fake.
A lot of them were fake.
I watched as their expressions changed as they turned away after greeting him. They were pretending. Perhaps he already knew, perhaps he was pretending too.
After the greetings were over, an Italian band was introduced to play and we settled down to listen to them.
I was beginning to relax when I saw a familiar face coming towards us.
I froze, my hands trembling as I stared at the man. It was my Uncle.
He was dressed in an expensive suit, his hair was greyer than when I last saw him. But there was no mistaking it.
It was Paolo Russo.
My mind raced as he came closer. My cover was about to be blown.
He came to stand in front of our table, confusion evident on his face.
"Vittoria?"