EVENING PARTY.

I sat quietly in the gazebo and inhaled the cool morning breeze, content with being outside the mansion for a change but in a bad mood still. 

I picked at my breakfast, thinking about the previous night and let out a deep sigh as I loosened my braided hair to ease the headache building up. 

Staring off at flowers wavering in the breeze, I noticed a figure approach in the distance; It was no doubt Enzo.

"I don't need company, please let me be!" I exploded, in what came out as a yell.

Enzo snickered, "Well, good morning to you too. Lovely weather isn't it?"

I froze, tensed up when he took a seat next to me unasked; his cologne filling up my nostrils. 

"Why are you here?" He asked, raising his eyebrows for effect. 

"What do you want?" I ignored his question and asked one of mine.

He cleared his throat and turned, facing me. I kept a straight face, avoiding his eyes but I could tell he was staring into my soul.

"What do you want?" I asked again, low-key seething pent up anger.

"Look at me" He said softly but firmly, his hand attempted turning my chin his way.

I resisted. Bold of him to act like we didn't have any altercations the night before.

He applied more pressure and I squirmed in my seat.

"You're hurting me!" I cried out.

"I'm sorry, but you need to stop being difficult." Enzo replied in frustration.

I turned, facing him finally.

"What do you-"

"I already told you Yvonne, I want to talk." He paused, as though remembering something. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a fat envelope. I eyed both him and the envelope suspiciously.

"Wh-w-what's that?" I stuttered.

Enzo let out a short laugh, "it's nothing serious Yvonne, be calm. It's just an invite " He opened the envelope and brought out a gold plated card with lovely calligraphies.

I scanned the card and two words caught my eyes, 'Yvonne' and 'Mafia.' 

"An invitation?"

"Yes, that's correct, it's a mafia party. And as my wife, you're invited. It's tonight and you're coming with me." He continued authoritatively.

I scoffed, "I am going nowhere, I don't see the reason why I need to"

"You're my wife. Doesn't that stand for something?"

I rolled my eyes internally at the mention of the phrase 'my wife' once again.

"No, Enzo."

"Okay, fine. Have it your way" Enzo rose to his feet in defeat and walked away.

....

At the hospital later that day, I was ecstatic at the news of my mother responding speedily to treatment. I listened to her and my sister, Ariel chat away; my mind someplace else.

"Did you sweetie?"

It took a while for me to realize she was talking to me. I blinked repeatedly and smiled, urging her to repeat herself.

"What are you thinking about? I asked if you told your husband about the vacation I suggested"

My smile waned at the mention of Enzo. I looked at her and shrugged.

"No Mother. Infact, I'll suggest you don't bring that topic up any longer. It's bad enough that I'm married to someone due to inevitable circumstances- that you're aware of. But you acting like the reverse is the case isn't fair."

"What is not fair is you denying yourself the chance of having a beautiful relationship with your husband. The fact that you don't love each other now doesn't guarantee it being that way forever; but you need to be willing"

I raked my finger through my hair in exasperation; she wasn't going to see reason and I had enough. I kissed her goodbye and bustled out the hospital doors, Ariel at my heels.

....

I opened the door to my room and to my utmost surprise and also Ariel's, there was a flair flowery dress and several bouquets of flowers on my bed, awaiting my arrival.

Ariel shrieked in excitement, clapping and awwing. I on the other hand remained frozen like a mannequin; trying to process what was going on, my cheeks flushed.

"Would you look at this beauty" Ariel said, snatching the dress for better scrutiny. 

"Your husband is absolutely romantic" I rolled my eyes as far as they would let me and took the dress from her, placing it back on the bed.

"What's the occasion, sis?" Ariel asked, winking and scanning the room for clues.

"I have no idea, honestly. I'm as bedazzled as you are."

Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Ariel pick something glittery from my dresser and everything suddenly adds up.

"Wait a minute!!!! You were invited to the mafia ball?!!!" Ariel went into a frenzy as she read the details aloud.

"You have zero idea how lucky you are, sis"

I snatch the invite also out of her hands and drag her to sit.

"Stop it already, I'm not even going"

"What?! Are you kidding me!!??" Ariel's eyes bulge out of their sockets in shock.

"I don't belong there"

"Whatever that means. You're wife to the top mafia lord, ofcourse you belong there."

"What's with everyone and this wife talk, like I'm his actual wife. I hardly know the guy for crying out loud"

"Exactly! This is a good chance to get to know him don't you think? Plus I don't see any reason why you shouldn't go. Give me one good reason why you don't want to"

"I..i- i"

I stop suddenly; Ariel is right, there's no reason why I shouldn't go. I have zero excuse. I bit my lip and sigh in defeat.

"Okay, okay, maybe you're right"

"Maybe?"

......

I walked into the ball room and sighting the crowd I nearly lost balance on my six inches stiletto heels. Everyone and everything looked exquisite and I felt out of place. A waiter offered a drink and I thankfully took a glass to help loosen up. 

I felt several stares on me and shyly walked across the room, head down, towards the place I believed was the restroom.

A hand suddenly gripped my shoulder, halfway across; swiveling me until I came face to face with its owner's torso

"The party is this way, madamemoiselle"

"I know, I just wanted to use the ladies. Let me go" I responded angrily on impulse.

"I'm sorry but I would never do that" the voice spoke the second time and I paused at how familiar it suddenly was. 

I slowly looked up and saw a smiling Enzo looking down at me. His eyes shone so brightly, dentition perfect. My eyes went back down, staring at his brogues. I bit my lips, he looked so good.

"I've been watching you since you came in, I'm glad you changed your mind. You look absolutely stunning."

Caught unaware, the compliment unsteadied me once again and I clung to Enzo's tuxedo for balance.

He held me firmly by the waist and chuckled softly.

"Don't worry I got you"

What was happening? I pinched myself repeatedly trying to ascertain if it was real.

"Why are you being sweet to me?" I asked, not daring to look at him.

"Because you're Enzo Dimitri's, you're mine."

My heart raced a thousand miles in that single second, my skin crawled with goosebumps all over and I could feel heat rise up my cheeks and warmth seep into my heart.