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“You look stunning, Zo. Hurry, let’s get you dressed so we can take pictures,” JD gushes as the artists turn around.
Her words of affirmation make me feel like I’m a princess in a fairy tale instead of a mafia daughter in a ballroom.
I grab my favorite white lace panties from my lingerie dresser before peeling off my silver satin pajamas and tossing them onto the bed. JD pulls the dress from the back of my closet door and unzips the bag as I change my underwear. “Here,” she directs as she holds the dress open for me.
I steady myself, using her shoulders for balance as I step into the dress. The white color makes my skin look a little less pasty than it is. JD takes the time to button up the back of my dress as I stand motionless in front of the floor-length mirror and stare at my reflection.
Christopher walks out of my closet with a white shoebox. He kneels to help me into the silver heels as Madeline secures the heavy dangle earrings on my earlobes.
“My knight in shining armor! Thank you!” I tease as he stands.
He swats my shoulder playfully. “Oh, honey, you know I’m much more damsel in distress. Fuck the armor! Unless I’m the one taking it off the knight!”
Laughter fills the room as we make our way out to the hallway. I love our girl time!
My assistants escort me down the hallway and staircase and out the giant front doors to where my car waits. It’s a white stretch limo that glitters in the late afternoon sunlight. JD is the first to enter through the door the chauffeur is holding open for us. All three of them help me into the tight space, giggling and struggling all the while.
“Oh, my god! That movie was right. It is like stuffing a creampuff through a keyhole!” Christopher remarks.
I have to clench my legs together to keep from pissing myself because I’m laughing so hard. JD pulls me in by the arms as we carefully stuff every bit of my ball gown into the limo. Christopher and Madeline follow behind me, and we are soon on our way, laughing and toasting with champagne-filled flutes.
~
The ballroom my father bought for my birthday party is decorated in black, white, and silver. The stairs leading to the tall double doors are lined with lanterns and a black velvet runway carpet. It even has a balloon arch that people will walk under when they first get out of their vehicles. I trot up the steps and through the doors held open by masked men in black suits.
My silver lace mask is adorned with crystal gems, concealing my true expression as I glide into the room. Everywhere my eyes look is decorated in the same colors. People line each corner, turning their heads and bodies to greet me. There is not a single guest that doesn’t appear in some form of black or white.
Everyone claps as if I am an actual princess, not just a mafia don’s daughter. I curtsy and gracefully make my way through the crowd– my body aches to dance and relax. This will be a twenty-first birthday to remember. Nothing can go wrong.
Chapter 11
Atlis
I straighten my tie in the mirror and pull the black suit jacket down. I make sure that none of my tattoos are showing. Double-checking my silver, crescent-moon-shaped cufflinks, I note everything is perfect. Today is the day.
I leave my father’s house and enter the garage. This will be the last time I have to get ready here. I got the call this morning saying that construction was done, and the designers had come in to finish getting the space ready.
Waiting for me is my matte black BMW i8. I slide into the driver’s seat and rest my left hand on the steering wheel and my right on the gear shift. Noticing the time on my watch, I realize I am right on time. Pulling out of the driveway and onto the street, I leave my house for Zolina’s party. With one car in front of me and one behind, we speed out onto the highway. Hopefully, the back door will be propped open for me, permitting me to avoid anyone I didn’t want to see. I have friends and enemies. I hate all of them. They don’t need to see me walk up the front steps. I don’t need any more easy targets on my back.
I pull my car up to the venue, crawl out, and drop the keys in my pocket. I notice the back door to the hall has been propped open, giving me access just as I hoped for. Throwing on my mask, I check my reflection in the tinted window of my car. It hides the tattoo on my face, and my suit hides the rest.
“Go. I have business to attend to.” I wave off the four men who follow me. They put their masks on and walk into the building. I sigh, rolling my eyes as I saunter into the hall, knowing I won't look back until this is finished.
I searched the hallways and the dance floor for my brother. Unable to find him, I make my way upstairs. Checking behind every door, I sweep through the rooms. Finally, finding him in the last room, I step in and quietly shut the door behind me.
“Hello, brother,” I whisper to myself while I shuck off my mask. His back is towards me, and he hasn’t heard me walk in. I walk up to him, the carpet muffling my steps as I creep closer. When I am two steps away from him, I make myself known. “Kias.”
He visibly jumps. I love it when I scare him senseless. I try to do it anytime I can. I’m surprised he didn’t shit himself.
“God dammit, Atlis!” He spins around to face me. “You scared the fuck out of me. What are you doing?”
“Just enjoying the party.”
“Okay, what are you doing in this room?”
“Playing with my favorite toy,” I reply. Kias wrinkles his brows, confused as to what I mean. “You, dumbass.”
His eyebrows jump to his hairline in understanding.
