AMONGST THE CROWD

MATEO’S POV~

Clowns! Why did I think that would work? she didn't even know it was me, Silvio was dangling vain riches in front of her and she dared to sob! All this weakness is running through my child, he should be taught how to conquer! He should be listening to my voice.

Here I am hiding behind a servant’s tray and gliding through the crowd, serving all who are beneath me because of you, Ariana.

I turned behind fat Gregori and positioned the tray to cover a good amount of my face, I watched as Silvio’s lover elegantly walked in and offered my wife flowers.

I saw Silvio’s face turn into a nasty scowl, he wasn't expecting this, but of course, I had to anonymously inform his hidden mistress that she was about to lose the battle.

Just a little trick from his handbook.

He was about to speak, but his sister came to his defence.

“What are you doing here Gloria?”  she asked walking over to her and settling a few paces in front of her brother, I always found it odd that she did that, like she wanted him to notice something about her.

But Silvio’s gaze was fixed on his unruly lover.

“It's okay Sophia we don't need crazy sisters today, im just here to congratulate the future Mrs Argento. surely, my invitation got lost in the mail I assume” She smiled her eyes still glaring at Ariana.

They looked fierce, it seemed I had rubbed the dragon’s belly.

I wondered what was going to happen next, now that all hell had been let loose, worse of all right before Silvio was about to have it all.

“step aside,” he said calmly and his sister moved out of his way almost immediately, I saw how the beautiful Gloria hesitated backwards but then stood unshaken.

There was something about Silvio that made her tremble, I'd heard tales about Silvio that I for one have not yet imagined were true.

I knew he was a beast, a force to be reckoned with, but I never understood why the women feared him yet they willingly went when he called them. 

I never could understand the depth of his control.

I watched my wife look in silence, unable to speak, her face was without confusion, it seemed she knew exactly who Gloria was.

“You should not be here, you know the rules, I give you what you want and you stay in your place, I believe I have fulfilled the end of my bargain,” he said calmly as he looked sternly at Gloria.

“It's not enough Silvio! You told me you bought that star for our daughter! but it was a lie, you broke your daughter’s heart for this?” she replied, pointing at Ariana. 

A daughter? The crowd gasped as no one knew Silvio was hiding a daughter.

I saw his father give him a disapproving look.

“This is my future wife, you need to respect yourself and walk out of here right now” he said to her.

Gloria didn't stir from where she stood, she looked intently at Silvio.

Gregori turned and I quickly changed position, moving behind a different person as the drama kept unfolding.

Ariana turned to look at Silvio, “why can't you marry her, you love her,” my naive wife asked.

I laughed subtly, that’s not how the mafia world works baby doll.

Silvio was speechless and the crowd started murmuring again.

 “You have two seconds to leave here,” Silvio said coldly.

Gloria adjusted her gait and her heart san.

 “why won't you answer the question, Silvio?” She asked.

Her eyes longed for the truth about her never-ending suffering.

“I won't say it again Gloria, get out of here before I make you!” His voice was threatening, I saw Ariana step back in fear.

“I can't do this anymore! I'm taking my daughter and I'm leaving you! You can do whatever the hell your father want! since you are too cowardly to say no!” She yelled back.

As soon as she finished her sentence, the justice of his mighty hand landed heavily on her face and she fell to the floor.

I saw Ariana’s face widen with horror, she couldn't believe it. 

The same man who had given her a star, a few moments ago,  just struck a woman down right in front of her.

Gloria gathered herself from the floor and got up, she lunged at Ariana and then I gave the word, and immediately the light went off.

The crowd went wild, “What’s going on!” Flew from every corner of the room.

I snuck into the darkness of the chaos, I heard Silvio's voice next.

“Guard, take her back to her room, stay alert!” He instructed.

“You, come with me, I believe something must be done about your sickening behavior this evening,” he said. The next thing I heard was Gloria screaming “Let me go” among the anxious crowd.

I opened the door and snuck in, I waited behind the curtains and didn’t say a word.

Not long after the door opened.

 “We will be right outside your door, if you see or hear anything just knock” one of the guards said before closing the door.

A little while after the lights came back on, the room was beautifully designed, i peeked from the curtains as my wife sat on the bed, still in disbelief about her intended second husband.

This is the right moment to get her back.

“Ariana” I called slowly.

She turned to the direction of my voice, “who is there?”

I came out from the shadows. “It's me, baby doll,” I replied.

I watched her stand up, amazed to see me.

I moved close to her

“How are you here? I thought with Serena gone, my message would never get to you” she replied softly, I touched her skin lightly.

I raised her chin to my gaze.

“You should never have doubted for a moment that I would come for you. you are mine and I'll protect you with every last drop of my blood”