10 ~ Mira

After the whole drama at breakfast, Donna Carmela asked me to come to her in her quarters when I was done eating. I barely had an appetite after what happened between me and Jace so I just got up and followed her instead.

I expected her to scold me. 

"You have an event to attend tonight. Jace told me to inform you. In a couple of hours, the stylists would be here." She told me.

"Yes Donna,"

"You may leave."

I was unable to hide my surprise. That was it? 

She was not going to yell at me for disrespecting her son? 

I turned to leave.

"One more thing Mirabel,"

There it was.

I swallowed and turned back to face her.

"A Don like Jace needs a woman who knows her to wrap him around her finger. If you want to enjoy this union for however long it may last, you have to learn the ropes." She advised.

"But...how?"

She gave me a slight smile. It was barely obvious.

"I believe you're a smart girl. You'll figure it out."

Leaving her quarters, my shoulders were slouched. I felt overwhelmed by this strange place I was in. I was confused by everything as the days went by. I felt so dumb and foolish for letting myself get into this.

This was beginning to look like an out of body experience because me from a month ago would have never dreamt of marrying a powerful mafia lord whose hobby was probably bloodshed and all form of criminal activities that made him filthy rich.

"Donna,"

I looked up at the sound of a strange female voice.

She looked like a new guard because there was no way she would call me that if she wasn't new. 

"I'm just Mira."

"You're Don Romano's wife yes?" 

I looked her up and down. She was gorgeous. She had small eyes that looked they were constantly narrowed to slits and her curves were massive compared to mine. 

"Yes I am." I answered. 

"Then who else is supposed to be called Donna?"

"His mother is." I said and tried to walk away.

"I'm Tia." She introduced herself like I asked her name.

"Hello Tia." I said with a forced smile. "Welcome to the team, I guess." 

"I may not stay on the team for too long." She said with a meaningful smile.

I frowned, wondering what she meant.

"Hey newbie! Why are disturbing Don's wife?"

Thankfully another one of the guards on patrol came in just then.

"I was just introducing myself." She said with so much sass. 

I could tell the other guard was immediately offended. 

"No one speaks to the don's wife. She is his prized possession."

I felt my breath hitch as he said that. Were they all trained to believe that?

Was I Jace's prized possession.

"We'll see about that." Tia muttered and I heard her.

What was her problem with me? I did not even know her from anywhere. 

"Thank you, Ali." I said, reading his name tag. Then I turned to Tia. "I'll see you around I guess."

She smiled back at me and after that I walked away deciding to not think about the very weird conversation I had just had.

~~~

True to Donna Carmela's words, the stylists came few hours later. It all started with a spa treatment, then a manicure and pedicure before the hair stylist got started on my hair and the make up artist did her thing.

When the wardrobe stylist brought the dress I could not help but gasp.

It was a sleek floor length satin gown with a high slit that went up my thigh. It had a plunging neckline with just enough cleavage. It wrapped around my curves perfectly and the thin straps showed off my shoulders.

For jewelry, I had on a diamond choker necklace with matching drop earrings. 

My shoes were black stilettos with gold designs. 

When I looked at myself in the mirror after the whole glam session, I could barely recognize myself. My brunette hair fell to one side of my shoulders in waves, the make up was flawless with a bold red lip and a smoky eye. 

I had to admit to myself that I was gorgeous. And on top of that, I smelled really good.

"Mr Romano is ready for you ma'am." 

I took my eyes away from the mirror and turned to the stylist who had brought me the message.

I had not seen him since after the situation at breakfast. I wondered if it would be awkward.

I walked down the stairs and saw that he was waiting for me at the bottom. Our eyes met and stayed locked for a few seconds before his steely gray eyes took me in from head to toe. How did I never take note of his eye color until this moment?

He met me halfway and took my hand as he led me down the remaining stairs.

"You clean up well," he said taking a hungry look at me yet again.

"You do too," I responded plainly as he of course looked very nice in his tux. 

"Here," 

He took my right hand and slid on a statement. 

"It's a family heirloom. Don't lose it." He said as I kept staring at the shiny gold emerald stone ring. It looked like it cost a fortune.

"Why do I have to wear it tonight?" I couldn't help but ask him.

"It's a symbol that you have been accepted into the Romano family. My mother said to give it to you."

After our conversation earlier, this was the last thing I expected from her.

But of course with me getting married to someone like him and into a family like this, I had to learn to expect the unexpected. 

I let out a sigh hoping and praying that the night would go smoothly.