Chapter 20: Chapter 20
GISELLE
"The tension in the air will be high tonight. Don't do anything stupid," Nicholas warned as I buckled the straps of my heels.
Weeks had passed since the little bonding we did in the kitchen, and while there weren't many changes in our relationship, we'd learned to tolerate each other better.
We had our dinners together, usually in silence, and sometimes, I talked about how my day went. He couldn't talk about his for obvious reasons.
Not once did a thought of stabbing him cross my mind during that time, and I was glad for the change. I didn't like the confrontations between us in the past.
"And by stupid, you mean?" I asked, spritzing my perfume on.
Nicholas came to stand behind me. "Don't run your mouth. Others might not appreciate your temper and sharp mouth."
"And you do?"
He slipped his hand down to my neck, tipping my head back. "Did I say nude was my favorite color on you? My bad, dolcezza. Nothing trumps this color on you."
And by this color, he meant the deep red lipstick I wore to Daniella's house.
"Your parents will be there," he said.
"I know. The party is for the Five Families to interact, isn't it?" He nodded. "My father is one of the five bosses, remember?"
"I'd rather he wasn't, but we can't have what we want all the time."
I chuckled at that. There was hardly a person who met my father for the first time and didn't find him annoying.
I knew from eavesdropped conversations that our family was the weakest of the Five Families, and Father was an ass kisser who wanted to be relevant at all costs. Hence, the reason he slapped me in front of all those people in the church.
"Let's go. I can't wait to reconnect with my mother."
I hoped we wouldn't interact with my family, but until we got there, I could never know. I exhaled, mentally preparing myself for the interaction.
***
"I didn't know it was an auction," I whispered as we took our seats at a table reserved just for us.
We were the last people to arrive, and to say I was mortified was the biggest understatement of the year, but Nicholas just strode in like he owned the place.
The impact of his presence had everyone turning in their seats to look at him. From the corner of my eyes, I saw a few women shamelessly eyeing him like they'd like to strip off his clothes and have their way with him.
I couldn't exactly blame them. I had the same reaction when I first saw him. His choice of clothing was effortless - a velvet tuxedo - but he was still drop-dead gorgeous.
"Now, you know."
The rest of his family sat at a round table, just like us at different tables of their choice. They sectioned different areas for the Five Families with a huge center stage.
"Please, tell me they're not trafficking humans."
"Do you think I'd take you to a trafficking auction?"
"You don't traffic humans, do you?" I let my distaste for the act show on my face. It didn't sit well with me; never has, and learning Nicholas was involved in that would be heart-shattering.
He frowned, still managing to look hot with his brows bunched together. "I don't. I have morals, you know?"
Relief coursed through my veins. "Your morals are gray. Not dark, so I can deal."
"What would you do if it were dark? It's not like you could escape."
"Never ask a woman that question. She has her ways." I turned in my seat, looking at the stage in anticipation.
Shortly after, a man climbed the stage, testing the mice before speaking. "Now that we're all here."
I tuned the man out, snapping my gaze back to Nicholas. "They were waiting for us?!" I whisper yelled.
He shrugged. "Yes. It's just thirty minutes late, not an eternity."
I scowled at him. "Thirty minutes? Oh, my God." Now I understood why some men shot me dirty looks. "Why didn't you tell me? I'd have rushed through getting ready."
He shot me a look that said to let it drop, so I turned my attention back to the man on the stage. The first piece for tonight was on the screen - an emerald necklace. It was beautiful, but it didn't hold my attention for long.
"Do you plan to bid on anything?" I asked Nicholas.
"I'm registered into the bidding, but we'll see."
I mentally huffed at his dismissive tone. If I was a burden to him, he shouldn't have bothered to bring me. It wasn't like I wanted to be out here playing nice to a bunch of people I didn't know or care about.
I knew it'd be rude to pull out my phone in front of everyone, so I stuck to staring at my nails. The people around us bid on different items for ridiculously high prices, which made me wonder where all the proceeds were going.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a few difficulties. While we wait, shall we have dinner?" The auctioneer suggested, his voice shaking at the end of his question.
Finally, someone who was intimidated by all of these dark men seated around the room as much as I was. The staff swung into action, serving food to every table around the room. Classical music filled the air
I contemplated eating the food. This was the mafia. Any of it could have been poisoned, but when Nicholas cut into his steak, I took it as a go-ahead to eat mine.
Mumbles filled the hall as quiet conversations were held amongst different people. The unease in the air didn't let me finish my food, so after a few bites, I pushed the plate forward, wiping my mouth with a napkin.
I felt eyes boring holes into the side of my face, and when I turned, my eyes clashed with familiar dark eyes. My eyes roamed his face. He was handsome, but I found myself looking into his eyes again.
The man leaned back in his seat, completely abandoning his food, a smirk tipping at his lips. He knew me.
"What are you looking at?" Nicholas asked.
"Nothing," I lied, plastering a fake smile on. Who was that guy, and how did he know me?
"You look flushed," he noticed.
"Anxiety."
"No one will hurt you here. At least, not tonight. Tonight is like a bonding exercise for the five Families." Nicholas shook his head in a way that said he thought the party was ridiculous.
I took a look around the crowd, shaking my head. "That's failing miserably. Everyone is tense. Some even have their hands ready on their guns."
"I didn't say it was completely safe. Just said no one would want to do anything to cause a war between the Families."
I nodded, looking down at my lap. Anywhere actually to make sure I didn't look at that familiar stranger anymore.
I was successful for the rest of the dinner. An hour later, the tables were cleared, and it was back to the auction. A few more items were sold, and it was time for the last piece for tonight.
My jaw dropped when I saw the next item on the screen. A 24-carat pink diamond emerald-cut ring.
"That is so beautiful."
"Do you like it?" Nicholas asked.
"Yes, but it's expen-"
"You like it?"
"Yes."
"And for the closing deal of tonight, ladies and gentlemen. A magnificent stone from a private collection. I'll open the bidding tonight for fifteen million dollars," the auctioneer said with a smile.
My eyes bulged out of my head when Nicholas raised his card. Fifteen million dollars and he wanted to buy it?
"At sixteen million dollars now. Sixteen… seventeen million. We have a bidding for seventeen million."
I turned and guess who had his number card up? The stranger who had been looking at me.
"Eighteen million. Thank you. We have a bidding for eighteen million."
I snapped my gaze back to Nicholas who had his hand raised. What the ever-loving fuck? They went back and forth until it was at twenty-five million dollars from Nicholas.
"Twenty-five million dollars. Twenty-five million. Going once, going twice, and gone. Congratulations to Nicholas Rossi."
Murmurs filled the air at Nicholas's victory. I turned to look at the stranger, and he had a smirk on his face. Who was he?
"Why did you pay an outrageous amount for that ring?" I hissed.
"The proceeds are a way to give back to the community. It's all goes to different causes. Plus, I can't exactly wear a pink diamond," he explained with an indifferent shrug.
"So, I'm just a model for the ring?" I asked with a grin. He was awkward about getting me the ring, and this was his excuse to play it off.
He smirked turning from cute to smoking hot in mere seconds. "More or less."
God, if there wasn't a crowd around us and a table between us, I'd jump at him at this very moment.
"Say whatever you will, Nicholas, but I don't think you hate me." His eyes narrowed into slits. "You're just angry, and you think your anger is justified. I just want you to know I'm sorry you lost Gianna, but I'd never hurt another soul. At least not on purpose."
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I looked away from him before they fell. I wasn't being emotional in front of him, but these were tears of sadness and frustration.
Sadness because he thought I was a monster who killed her sister out of jealousy, and frustration because I'd never be able to prove him wrong. I had no memories of the accident or anything that happened that night.
"Can I dance with your bride, Nicholas?" A shadow fell over us. Somehow, I knew it was the stranger before I looked at him.
"I don't think she's in the condition to dance right n-"
"I'm fine," I cut Nicholas off. I'd do anything to get away from him at this moment. I'd made a fool of myself by crying.
I jumped to my feet, taking the man's hand, and we took to the dance floor. All the while, I could feel Nicholas's burning gaze on me.
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