Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas) >>
“You’re lucky enough to have a crush,” Rhea said with a wry smile, “But I never got to have one nor even think of men. All my life I was more worried about money while other girls worried about their relationship. The opposite sex was a distraction for me nor did I get to think about it much since I was busy trying to fight for my future and survive from my family. And now, when there’s finally hope to breathe, I’m sold off to marry a man I don’t even know, not to think of having feelings for. I feel cheated.” Rhea smiled yet tears slipped from her eyes.
She faced Cassie with her tears streaked face, “It’s quite scary. Even scarier than a nightmare. At least I fight my nightmares in my dreams and wake up to see them vanish into nothing, but these monsters are right in my face,”
“Madam….” Cassie felt the sorrow in her voice and felt pity for her.
Rhea turned away immediately, “Why am I even crying, I would ruin my makeup,” She said, trying to carefully wipe the tears away so as not to ruin her makeup only for Cassie to touch her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I’d redo the makeup and perhaps, with the waterproof ones this time,” Cassie said earning a smile from her.
And so, Rhea sat down as Cassie began to work on her face once again. There was absolute silence between them until Cassie said, “Truthfully speaking, it’s not all bad getting married to Big Joe,”
“Really?” Rhea snorted. So much for thinking the girl understood her, “Perhaps, you’d be a more willing participant in my place,” There was sarcasm in her tone.
“You get the privilege of being his wife, that includes the money and connection, think about it,” Cassie said to her.
Rhea was more than shocked. She never thought Cassie would say that to her, no, she was thinking the girl would more of suggest her getting to know Big Joe first before anything. And trust her, that bullshit logic has landed a lot of women in hot shit – only a few were able to get a responsible mate.
“I’m telling you this because I’m your fellow woman and we should look out for each other. I don’t know what plans you have, but don’t run, they would always find you wherever you go, however, bid your time. Keep your claws sheathed as long as you can and work your way into their body, mind, and soul so when the time is right, you strike!”
Rhea was startled because Cassie said that end part with quite a bit of force. But what shocked her the most was that the Cassie she thought was innocent wasn’t as naive as she thought.
“Who the hell are you?” The words left her mouth before she could stop it.
“Someone bidding her time just as you,” Cassie grabbed her hands together forcing her to look down on her and back up at her, “I never thought I would see the light until you arrived. Use whoever you want, don’t delude yourself into thinking anyone here really cares about you. You’re just potent because of your usefulness and when it expires, you’re as good as nothing. My only request is that you remember me in paradise, ” She added, “Please,”
Rhea was so shocked that she couldn’t speak hence she only nodded her head in response.
“Thank you,” A wide smile full of relief spread across her face.
However, a knock on the door startled the both of them and they broke apart knowing that it was time to leave.
“Ba-dum!” “Ba-dum!” sounded Rhea’s heart like a beating drum. Every step she took was taking her closer to her miserable fate. She was scared and wanted to run, sadly, where could she run to? They would hunt her down like a chicken on a Christmas morning about to be sacrificed for breakfast. Hence she had to be brave because she needed to survive.
“We are here,” said one of the men who has escorted her here. There were three of them in total and although the situation looked grand as if she was some big shot protected by her security details, Rhea knew she was nothing but a prisoner. They were not here to protect but enslave her.
At once, he went to the door, grabbed the doorknob, and pushed the huge frame open to an audience. Rhea’s jaw dropped to the ground, what in the name of the lord is going on here?
When Rhea was told she would meet Big Joe today, she thought it would be a casual meeting and not this splendid ceremony going on right now. She should have known a casual meeting wouldn’t involve her wearing a magnificent evening gown. God, this was not what she wanted.
Rhea gulped, all eyes were on her as if she was the star of the occasion. Well, she was supposedly the star since she hasn’t met this many people since she was kidnapped here.
The guard cleared his throat subtly from behind and she knew that was the cue for her to get in. With her head held high and her back straightened, Rhea walked in like she was some royalty.
She was not the only one dressed to the nines here, Rhea noticed. Women as expected craved attention and so they made sure they surpassed each other in dressing as if they were competing for some prize at a fashion contest. Rhea couldn’t help but wonder if they came to witness her engagement or to steal the show from her. Well, who knows, they might have eyes for her soon-to-be husband.
Rhea was sure if Big Joe loses interest in the marriage thing, they would kill her first before harassing her uncle for the rest of the money. Even if they kept her alive, there was no telling what they could do to her – gosh, they could even r*pe her and use her to their contentment. As Cassie said, the only reason she was standing here and well, still alive, was because of her usefulness, so she had to be on guard.
She stood like a lost sheep in the midst of wolves and as if the universe heard her prayer, Kenith finally emerged from the crowd and came to her.
“As I thought, the dress fits you just well,” He complimented her, his eyes twinkling.
Rhea didn’t know what to feel towards this man. She was mad at him for having left her standing these past days yet was relieved that he was here and at the same time was grossed out. The only way he was able to know her size must be after noticing her body and being overly familiar with a woman’s body to have been able to guess her right. It made her skin crawl. This man was creepy yet he was her only anchor in this place.
“Yes, you indeed have an eye for fashion,” Rhea didn’t just say that to flatter him. It was sincere.
Unlike the others here, Kenith looked dashing in his red suit and some women were beginning to glare at her. Seriously, women never change. However, looking this handsome, was he trying to steal the limelight from Big Joe? After the confession from Cassie, Rhea was beginning to see some hints the others weren’t able to see.
“Thank you,” Kenith said and took her hand, placing a light kiss on the top of her palm.
Rhea tried not to notice the glares boring into her back. She would surely be careful tonight.
“When you said I was meeting Big Joe, you didn’t tell me it would be a big celebration,” she went straight to her question.
However, Kenith didn’t reply immediately and instead, picked two flutes from one of the passing waiters.
“Want one?” he offered.
“Sorry, I don’t drink,” she rejected his offer without a second thought. She had to be somber tonight to make the right decision.
“It would calm your nerves and a drink won’t get you drunk unless you’re really light-headed,” He urged her.
Well, his persuasive ability was really great because she reached out and grabbed one of the flutes, downing the drink in one go, and God, it felt good.
“Most of the people here are Big Joe’s family members with their friends and business acquaintances,” Kenith explained.
Oh, there was no one to help her then. Rhea had to kick away the idea of using one of them in her long run.
“Don’t speak to any of them,” Kenith said to her, causing her brows to raise.
“Why shouldn’t I talk with any of them?” She was curious. Did he see through her plan?
“You’re not exactly trustable after your last stunt and you don’t want to create a bad first impression in front of your husband-to-be,” Kenith told her.
Of course, he knew what she was thinking. Come to think of it, why was he looking out for her? What’s his real motive?
“Where’s my husband to be then? I don’t think he’s cowardly enough to let his second in command welcome me,” Rhea subtly reminded him of his place.