Do Not Let One Kiss Make You Confused
Chapter Ten -- Do not let one kiss make you confused.
Florence's Point of View
An hour into the Gala and I realize what Vuk said, but he stayed with me all through. Now, the official part is over, the donations are over and we are supposed to mingle through the crowd, I feel so young in the midst of everyone.
"That is the Chinese Triad, the Wei Family." Vuk says and I look ahead to see a group of Chinese people hurdled together, dressed wonderfully and I smile, but look away, because none of the women look single and I need single women.
"Florence, we have been looking everywhere for you." Darla says and smiles at me, my mom, dad and Vuk's dad are with them and I smile "Lovely party."
"How is the baby making party coming? You look so beautiful today, I hope Maxim is planning to bend you over like a -- "
"Mom." I whisper, horrified, and Vuk chuckles, with his hand around me. I smile at my dad and we engage in light conversations, but Vuk does not even acknowledge his dad, and when we walk around the hall, I ask him about it "You have a tense relationship with your Dad, why?"
The question flipped a switch in him and he glares at me "Do not overstep your position, Florence. We are making this work by pretending to have a friendship, but do not think we are more than this, more than nothing, because that is what we are, nothing. Do not let one kiss make you confused." He tells me, his words dripping with venom and each word hit me like a slap to the face.
"I'm gonna go, and you are gonna stay away from me. I don't want to make a scene." I say, polite and detached, he says nothing and I walk away, heart beating fast, hurt spreading in me. I feel so stupid for thinking this could have been anything but nothing. I don't see the woman in front of me, until I bump into her.
"Oh, no, I am so sorry." I gush and I look at her and she smiles "Hi, there is no need to apologize. A - Are you okay?" She frowns and I nod, I look back and I see Vuk standing far away, looking at me.
"I'm fine. I'm Florence Visconti-Romanova." I introduce and she nod "I'm Carolina Salazar." I look at her, in recognition, The Salazar Family leads the Colombian Mafia, and everyone knows how powerful the Colombian Mafia is, even in New York, Pablo Escobar was Colombian.
"Do you wanna get a drink with me, Florence?" She asks and I nod, smiling.
__
"We should not get drunk, we belong to powerful families, after all." She giggles and I chuckle, taking another long sip of my champagne.
"Tell me about you, Carolina." I urge and she exhales "I'm Carolina, the first of three girls and two boys, I am from a large family, in a sense, I guess. I work at the Family's Law Firm in New York and I live a quiet life. Also, I'm thirty years old which is a big disappointment to my mother."
"Have you never thought of an arranged marriage?" I ask, curious and she shrugs "I don't really need much in a marriage, and I am not waiting for a Prince Charming, I am not a little girl, I know what is real and what is not, but whoever I must marry must be a good addition to my family. The Mafia cherishes alliances." She explains and I smile "Like my brother?"
She flushes instantly "Dante?" and my eyes widens "You like Dante?" "No - no - I - I met him once, a while back and he was really nice to me, that's all." She stammers and I chuckle "Oh, wow, this is golden. I was actually thinking you and Donatello will be a good fit, but you want Dante, don't you?"
"I must confess." She whispers and I nod. "I was coming to meet you, when we ran into each other, in hopes you can introduce me to him. Dante seems lovely, but he is always surrounded by your husband, and his brothers and other men. Can you imagine going there? My mother will faint." She admits and I burst into laughter, unable to hold it back and her eyes widens, but she joins me.
"This is golden, Carolina, and I think you will be a wonderful addition to the family. I can introduce you to him if you want and don't worry, I'll be chill." I say and she nods, a bit hesitant, but also curious, so I text Dante and we wait, because I know he will find me.
"Your husband seems taken by you, are you sure it was an arranged marriage?" She asks and my smile fades, she notices the change and frown. I clear my throat "We had a bit of a spat, he hurt my feelings and I don't want to talk about him now." I explain and she nods.
"Florence." We hear and I smile when I see it is Dante, but that smile fades when I see Donatello with him.
"Dante, this is my friend, Carolina Salazar. Carolina, this is my brother, Dante Visconti. I believe you have some things in common." I get up and make Dante sit opposite her, it is not subtle, but I don't care.
"Text me, Caro." I smile and link my hand with Donatello, walking away, so we can give them space to talk.
"Little matchmaker." Donnie mutters and I chuckle "Don't worry, I'm on the lookout for you, too." I assure him and he shakes his head "Don't set me up." "Why?" I ask suspicious.
"I have someone in mind. Don't ask me anything else, you will know when the time is right." He states, while only edges me on "Tell me about her."
"Tell me what happened between you and Maxim, he has been sulking all day and I can see the hurt in you. Do I have to shatter his jaw?" He asks and I stay silent. Well played.