Adelina
“What did you find out about this invite?” I hear my father ask Stefano. I passed his study and heard them talking, so I stopped to listen. I shouldn’t, but I do anyway.
“New player is the Russian Bratva. The Pakhan’s son is the one that ate at Amato’s place the other day. They’re opening a casino for the elite, or the corrupt. The invite is for the underground criminal world for the grand opening. The lounge upstairs has drinks and music, downstairs there is the casino and girls. As well as a fighting ring. From what I was told, the son knew we were following him. He didn’t let on, but it was his stance. They will do the same or worse. But we should show our faces anyways, it would raise flags not to go,” Stefano finishes.
“I agree. Put a shadow on the Russians, one that can’t be detected. I want to know what else they’re up to. Tell them not to engage. Oh and take Adelina tonight, show her a good time,” my father replies.
“Yes sir,” he says. Guess I’m going out tonight. Ivan is Russian, is he connected to the Bratva? Maybe he is, that still doesn’t change my opinion of him. What would it hurt to say hi to him?
I hear scuffling of shoes so I back down the hallway and then pretend I was just walking by as Stefano steps out, his eyes boring into me.
“I’m taking you out,” he states, not a question, a statement. I’m getting a look into how our relationship will be, he says how high I should jump.
“Alright, what should I wear?”
“Formal,” he replies before walking off. Well, that was a nice chat. I will find something to make him smile because the world needs more smiles and less of whatever he has going on.
I run to my room, going through my dresses, trying to pick the right one. One that brings out my aura, one that makes me happy. I decide on a pink one, long, flowy with a corset top, with glitter that gives it a shimmer like a rainbow. Perfect. It’s pretty, fun, and sophisticated all at the same time. Stefano will probably hate it because it’s not black, but if he really knew me I’m not a black dress kind of person, I’m more of a pink or yellow or anything in color. That is how I see the world, full of beautiful colors, even red.
I curl my hair in soft waves and swipe on some mascara, opting for colored lip gloss and donning my dress with glittery silver heels. Taking a look in the mirror, I feel like a princess. It’s perfect.
“Adelina,” my father calls out. I grab my clutch, dropping my lipgloss and ID into it, and hurry downstairs.
“Oh my,” my father whistles, yes he whistles as I sashay down the stairs.
“Is it okay?” I ask him, smoothing my hands down my dress while I wait for his verdict.
“It’s perfect,” he kisses my head, just as Stefano comes inside the house.
“You look ravishing,” Stefano looks over my dress. His words say one thing, his eyes say another. He doesn’t like it, but oh well.
“We need to go,” my father ushers us to a waiting car.
“Stay close, Adelina,” Stefano says, “it will be dangerous.”
I just nod, knowing that my father will keep me safe, and Matteo is in the car behind us and he will keep me safe. I’m not worried.
We pull up to a lot that is a city block wide, a couple of buildings on the back part of it, but the one in front with a line out the door is exquisite in looks. Modern meets vintage kind of look, like an old Hollywood movie. We bypass the line and are let in right away, with a man in a suit greeting us at the door.
“I’m Timfur, I’ll show you to your table downstairs,” he says as he turns and leads us through the lounge area to an elevato. The basement doors open and before us is a casino that is opulent and rich in décor, and tasteful.
“The tables are open to gamble, there are several bars around the building that offer a full menu. This is your booth,” he says when he stops, “we’ve put in these private lounge areas so our guests are fighting for tables. If you want to watch the fight, it will start in one hour. Please enjoy yourselves.” He bows out and joins a large man in a nice pinstripe suit. Hold up, that’s Ivan. It’s confirmed when he turns around. He’s here, Ivan is here.
“I’m going to get something to drink,” I say, though my father and Stefano ignore me. I open the little gate and brush Ivan’s arm as I pass him. I pick a bar across the room, far from my father, and wait.
“What are you doing here?”
“My father brought me. What are you doing here?”
“I think you know that by now,” he says, “love the dress by the way.”
“Do you know why I picked it?”
He shakes his head no because he doesn’t know me, but I wish he did.
“Because colors make me feel happy,” I say.
“Not sure what I’m supposed to say to that,” he shrugs, much different than the first time we met.
