2. Bold Announcement

Virginia's jaw dropped upon hearing what Gerald just said. It never crossed her mind that a man would take her as his wife, let alone a sickly mafia boss. It was frightening enough for Virgina to be in the same room with a higher-rank mafia, and her thought couldn't even process the scarier thing she would face if she married Gerald who knows how long.

"T-this can't be real," the girl expressed her thought as she stuttered, "My father told me to be your heart donor."

Gerald chuckled slightly and a faint smile began to be carved on his face. "I changed my mind, so rest assured. Your gut won't be cut open and this won't be the end of your life. By the way, what's your name?"

The girl quickly avoided the mafia boss' glance and responded shyly, "Virginia."

"Virginia … " Gerald repeated the name and said, "What a beautiful name."

Virginia felt her cheeks get warmer and slightly turned red, but she was too scared and shy to show it. For her entire life, nobody had given her any compliments, so this was something strange that made her flush. A surprising tap from Gerald on her shoulder made Virginia woke up from her little reverie, followed by the man's husky voice.

"Come with me."

"To where?" she cluelessly asked.

Gerald led the way followed by Harold as Virginia clumsily walked behind them. The boss then answered her question as they walked down the empty hallway. His voice echoed as he said, "I'm taking you to my mansion. You’re going to be my wife anyway, so what’s better than showing you our future home?"

Harold escorted his master and the new girl into the black limousine parked by the headquarters entrance. He turned the engines on and began driving, cutting through the silent and dark night streets with the searchlights from his car. Virginia sat on the opposite side of Gerald who inhaled the cigar through a wooden pipe.

The mafia boss exhaled, creating thin smokes, and made Virginia cough slightly. He then spoke in a calm and collected manner, "You don't have to worry about being the organ donor for me, Virginia. I've asked Harold to find another one."

The assuring words made Virginia's heart somewhat at ease. After clearing her throat, she replied, "Are you sure about that marriage, Sir? I mean, I'm just a poor girl and I don't even know who you are, personally."

"Please just call me by name, Virginia." smiled Gerald, "you're my soon-to-be wife, there's no need to call me Sir like that."

Virginia chuckled awkwardly and put a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I don't know what makes you think and see that I'm the perfect choice to be your wife."

"Well, let's just say I know from the first time I see you." Gerald shrugged with another secretive smile. He didn't want to spoil the truth about Virginia's uncanny facial features and similarities to his late wife Helena. He leaned backward and continued, "What you need to know is that I plan to have a simple wedding, and only family members and mansion workers will attend."

A feeling of doubt began to be erased by the girl's thoughts. She got a hunch that the man who sat before her was a nice guy, despite the reputation and image of his criminal-like job.

It was late at night when the limousine stopped by the grandiose and tall iron gate. Virginia peeked from the window, noticing that Harold was talking to some men that she assumed was the mansion guard. Not so long after that, the four-wheeler that Harold drove back towards a large colonial-style house.

"Welcome to my mansion," introduced Gerald before he grabbed his cane and jumped down from the car.

Virginia then followed him. As far as the eye could see, Virginia was amazed to see how luxurious and big the house owned by the mafia boss was. She turned around and heard Gerald calling a young woman who she assumed was the maid in the mansion.

"Susan, this is Virginia," he introduced her to the newcomer who soon put a smile on her face. "Please escort her to the guest room. She needs to rest since it's already late."

Gerald then tilted his head to face his soon-to-be wife and said softly, “Virginia, this is my maid Susan. She’ll take care of you.”

“This way, miss.” Susan pointed to the left wing of Gerald’s mansion and led the way to Virgina’s temporary room. Once she unlocked and swung the door open, the guest stood in awe, thinking how huge the room was. Virginia was deep in her thought, thinking that this room could fit up to five people in it.

“Please enjoy yourself at this mansion, Miss Virginia,” said Susan, “if you need anything don’t be afraid to call me.”

Virginia nodded as she thanked the maid’s kindness toward her, “Thank you, Susan. Don’t you think this room was rather big for a humble guest like me?”

“Ah, don’t be shy,” joked Susan as she made the bed and patted the bed that will be occupied by Virginia later. “Sorry if my question sounds rude, but I was wondering how old you are, Miss. You look so young.”

The guest lifted her fingers and began counting. She stopped for a moment before saying, “I’m 22.”

“Really? We’re at the same age!” cheered Susan, “I bet we have so much in common.”

The two chatted for a while before Susan left the room to let Virgina rest. After ensuring that she was all by herself, Virginia shut the door and went back to admiring the intricate details on every corner of the guest bedroom. She sighed and smiled, knowing that she didn’t even need to worry since she had Susan who was the same age as her.

Virginia plopped her tired body on the plush bed covered in a green bedsheet. The delicate fabric stroked her skin and made the girl feel relaxed. For her entire life, Virginia lived in poverty and suffering inflicted by Patrick. Her stepfather showed her neither any kind of humane treatment nor luxury. She smiled lightly and had never been more grateful for what she had now.

The girl now laid her head onto the cottony pillow and then pulled the fuzzy and warm blanket up to her chest. After dimming the bedside lamp, Virginia closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She finally could sleep at ease without any fear of getting assaulted or tortured by her stepfather again. For the first time, Virginia drifted to Neverland peacefully and slept soundly.

***

“Virginia, wake up.”

A familiar cheerful female voice greeted the guest’s ears as she blinked her weary eyes. Virginia squirmed and stretched her limbs for a moment as her brain tried to process who was the girl that opened the window’s curtain and let the warm sunlight enter and light the guest bedroom. After squinting and getting a better look, Virginia realized that it was Susan.

“Sorry, I just woke up, Susan.” Virginia sat and put her legs down on the floor.

“It’s all right, Virginia,” replied the maid. She turned around and greeted her friend of the same age with a warm smile, “did you sleep well last night?”

“Yeah, thankfully I got enough sleep,” said Virginia.

“Sir Gerald asked me to wake you up and join breakfast,” Susan informed, “let me help clean and dress you up to look beautiful.”

Virginia nodded in agreement, letting Susan escort her to the ensuite bathroom. After the maid filled the bathtub with water and fragrant soap, Virginia took her clothes off and went in. She backed Susan so the maid could rub and clean her back. Susan was surprised to see some bruises and scars there, but she kept cleaning gently so the guest won’t feel hurt.

The pampering treatment Virginia received felt comforting and soothing. She nearly fell asleep again as Susan massaged her head and scalp lightly. For once, the young woman felt like a queen who receives expensive treatment. After rinsing off the soap and shampoo, Susan handed Virginia a white bathrobe and a towel for drying her hair. Virginia, who was all clean now went to the sink and brushed her teeth while Susan went out to take the best outfit to wear for the guest.

“This is your dress, Virginia.” Susan told her once Virginia finished and came out from the ensuite, “Let me dry your hair first before wearing this.”

Virginia just nodded and did as Susan said. She sat before the vanity mirror and let Susan blow dry her hair and applied light makeup on her face. While Susan powdered her face, Virginia opened her mouth and said, “I've never done makeup before, Susan. Do you think that’s too much?”

“Of course not!” suggested Susan as she took some blush on and applied that on Virginia’s cheeks. “I bet you’ll look pretty and made Sir Gerald feels lucky to choose you as his wife.”

“I still don’t understand why did he want to marry me. I mean, I’m poor and I’ve been through some hard times. He could have married another woman who was more suited than me, isn’t that strange, Susan?” Virginia expressed her thought to the maid.

“No one really knows what’s inside his mind, Virginia,” told Susan, “maybe he has fallen in love since the first time he saw you.”

Virginia shrugged, what Susan just told didn’t really make sense but she didn’t want to prolong it. She then parted her lips when Susan applied red lipstick to her face. The maid then told her, “Tonight you’ll move to another room, Virginia. I have prepared the room as Sir Gerald told me to.”

“He doesn’t have to,” Virginia carefully refused, “I’m all right with this room, to be honest.”

“I’m afraid Sir Gerald would insist you move,” responded Susan, “he told me that your room was close to his chamber. I'll show you later when we pass through the hall to the dining room. Let’s get you dressed, Virginia. I’m pretty sure Sir Gerald’s family had been expecting you.”

After putting the laces up, Susan escorted Virginia out and went downstairs. Arrived at the dining room, she saw Gerald sitting there along with other five people. Virginia initially smiled at them and tried to be nice, but the glare and dislikeness began to creep on her.

“You look beautiful, Virginia.” greeted Gerald before turning his head to the remaining member of his family, starting with two teenagers that sat across him.

“These are my children, Cedric and Michelle. Cedric is the oldest.” explained Gerald before facing the remaining group, “and this man here is my younger brother Vincent. The woman next to him is my oldest sister Lusiana and her husband Miller. Everyone, this is Virginia.”

Virginia nodded and tried her best to be polite, but still, the bitter and scornful look from Gerald’s family made her uncomfortable. She was seated close to the mafia boss, which only made the others wag, especially Lusiana and Michelle. Even though the complaint was spoken at a low volume, Virginia could hear the teenage girl clearly.

“Is there really no other place, or does she has to sit next to Dad?”

“Why should this stranger join our breakfast? Does she want to ruin our morning, huh?”

Virginia ignored the sayings despite they hurt her feelings. After the mansion servants serve the meal, everyone began to eat. The clanking sound from cutlery filled the dining room. This was Virginia’s first time tasting delicious and expensive food, so she ate a lot. Not to mention that Patrick rarely gave her food back then so she was left to starve. Gerald chuckled at Virginia who ate heartily and called the servants, “Can you bring some more food for Virginia?”

His servants nodded and went back to the pantry, serving more food to the guest. Everyone but Gerald didn’t seem pleased with Virginia’s behavior, especially Lusiana. The eldest sister put on a disapproving face as she saw the pile of plates close to the guest. She cleared her throat and began jeering, “Do you have any manner, young lady? Oh sorry, I don't deserve to call you lady because your behavior isn’t ladylike. Disgusting.”

Virginia stopped chewing the food as she felt all the eyes were darted on her. She looked down and pushed her plate away, suddenly the girl lost her appetite and her stomach had already full. She sipped the water served in a glass and didn’t have the courage to look at Lusiana's eyes.

“What are you doing, Lusiana? Where’s your manner?” confronted Gerald, “you ruined everyone's mood.”

Lusiana’s eyes widened, surprised that her brother put the blame on her. She stood up and didn’t accept Gerald's words. “How dare you to blame me, Gerald? It’s that girl with her unelegant manner that ruined our mood today! Ask your children and everyone in here if you refuse to believe.”

“Don’t talk to my soon-to-be wife like that,” Gerald emphasized and made everyone in the room thunderstruck. They thought that Gerald had lost his mind, or Virginia had put a spell on the mafia boss so he would fall in love with her and she could take over the family’s fortunes.