It was clear that Hayden shared my sentint of not wanting to be part of this. However, I could tell that Hayden was paying enough attention and seed to be committed to playing his part as the representative of the Torex gang. I guess they call that a sense of responsibility.
"I don’t have to do anything, right?" I asked just to make sure.
"You do. Look pretty and smile. No matter what anyone says, just smile. Do not answer any questions. I’ll do all the talking. Even if soone directs a question at you, just smile," Hayden instructed.
Those were so pretty harsh instructions. I nodded in acknowledgent. Not quite understanding what was going on, I would rather not say anything wrong either.
When it was ti, the few maids that ca along helped
dress while the make-up artist made up my face and the hair stylist styled my hair. They also helped make up and style Hayden’s hair. When we were both dressed, the whole event started to feel real. Well, at least the annoying feeling of wearing high heels that were too high felt very real to .
Hayden looked like a movie star straight out of a spy action movie. He’s so hot in his immaculate white suit and new hair style. I couldn’t help but stare and prayed that he wouldn’t realize. However, knowing that it was Hayden, he probably realized straight away. Although, he was too focused on thinking about sothing that he didn’t comnt on it.
"Let’s go," Hayden said as he offered
his arm when we were ready to go.
I placed my hand on his arm and nodded obediently. Just like Hayden had said to
earlier ’be careful and don’t die’. I intended to do just that tonight.
…
The bright red dress that I had on felt too tight around the waist just as I had expected. Although my reflection looked very pleasing to the eye in the mirror, the price for that was my lack of comfort. Hayden led
to where the evening gala was being held for the night along with Luka and a few other n who were supposed to be acting as our bodyguards.
The atmosphere seed festive enough, but I could feel an underlying sense of tension in the air. There were a lot more people that I had anticipated. Of course, I didn’t know who was who at all. Surprisingly, there were more won there on the scene. I was far from being the only one. It seed that it was common for n to bring an escort or two to the event with them.
Perhaps that was why the boss wanted
to accompany Hayden in the first place.
"Torex…" a low voice said from behind us.
I could sense Luka and the n stiffen around us as they beca very alert. Hayden on the other hand seed so relaxed and at ease. We turned towards the voice that had just called out to us. It was an old man dressed in a very expensive-looking grey suit. All of his hair was white, and he had a very serious look in his grey eyes.
"Mr. Antonio, it is an honor to et you," Hayden said smoothly.
I felt the old man’s eyes on , and I quickly smiled just like Hayden had ordered. Smile and don’t say anything.
"Your old man decided to send you, huh? I’m not surprise…" Mr. Antonio said. He seed to be on friendly terms with Hayden’s father, so I guess that was good, right?
"He got lazy. You want to send a ssage to him?" Hayden said with a small laugh.
"No need. We should talk later over so good wine. I just wanted to let you know that I prefer that you’re here…and not your old man…or your brother…" the old man said and his eyes were as sharp as knives.
I felt Hayden stiffen a little at the ntion of his elder brother and I didn’t have a good feeling about this.
"Sure. Let’s do that," Hayden replied, the smile never slipping from his fa??ade.
"You’re really not going to introduce this beautiful lady to ?" the old man said to Hayden, but his eyes were already on .
"Excuse my poor manners. This is my fiancée, Malissa," Hayden replied smoothly.
What the hell is he saying now? Suddenly, I’m his fiancée now? Now I was starting to understand why Hayden had told
to shut up and let him do the talking; it was so he could spew whatever bullshit that he wanted. Just like he had instructed before the event took place, I plastered a smile onto my lips and looked straight at the old man.
"Wow…you’ve really grown up into a fine man. I look forward to working with the next generation of the Torex family," the old man said with a laugh before he winked aningfully at .
"Take care, Mr. Antonio. We look forward to doing more business with you this year," Hayden said warmly.
"Of course," the old man said and that was the end of their conversation.
With that, the conversation ended, and Mr. Antonio walked away along with his large entourage of n. It was clear that that old man was the head of so gang who was engaged in business with the Torex. At least, the conversation ended well without any issues. I heaved a sigh of relief when he was out of earshot and realized that I had been so nervous all this ti.
"Antonio is a good friend of my dad. He’s been rooting for
to take over all this ti because he thinks business will go more in his favor if I take over compared to my brother. Well, it’s not like my elder brother is a viable option anymore…" Hayden explained softly as he whispered in my ear.
I was beginning to see that the mafia world had a lot of politics of its own. The conclusion that I arrived to very quickly was that it was best if I just shut up and smiled. Now’s not the ti to worry about gender equality and won’s rights. I need to survive this cruise!
--To be continued…
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