I gasped when I saw the house, it was massive with balconies and white wood. It stood, at least six stories high, with armed bodyguards surrounding the perimeter.
People around us were dressed in formal attire, long ball gowns, and tuxedos. When the car door opened, and I climbed down, all eyes went on me and him. Glances from every corner were on us, I only saw Alec smiling in front of me, and his date, Davina.
Zavi turned to Will and said, "Give me your gun." William nodded and took off his pistol which he had kept on his jacket and handed it to the Don. Being armed is what he does at all times, you don't know what happens next.
"Zavi Romano." An unfamiliar voice calls him from the two upper stairs. Both Alec and Davina turned around and gave way to the owner of the voice.
A guy with beach blonde hair and emerald green eyes was standing and smiling at us. I could feel the tension from everyone around me. Zavi remained standing silently as he approached us.
"Long time no see, old friend." He pushed out his hand to shake him.
Zavi takes his hand, "Hey, nice to see you, Matteo Luciano."
From the look of things, this man must be extremely dangerous, he just sent everyone on edge. Alec was glaring at him, I don't know about Davina but I do not need a prophetess to tell me that he's an unfriendly friend.
A few seconds later, they let go of each other, "I'm happy that you're finally back, friend. Though I don't think you're really happy to see me." Too fast, he saw through us, he was not wanted. At this point, his eyes drifted to me. My breath hitched as I looked into his eyes, my body reacted like I had known this person before, but all I knew was that any reaction that my body had taken was in negative way.
"Davina, take Nora with you," Zavi commanded when he knew the atmosphere was becoming too intense. Davina held my hand and led me away.
There were a lot of people watching us as we walked in together. The place was filled to the brim with rich and important people who were unaware of what just happened outside.
"Nora, I know you lived in Sicily, I recommend you not hide your accent, it'd help the Italians feel comfortable around you."
I looked at her, "How did you know?."
She smiled, "I'm not stupid, Ms. Campbell."
"But they would know through my last name." It was useless trying to fit in here.
She placed her hand on mine and said, "Don't worry, we have other people who speak Italian but they are not from here. For example, a second in command of the Luciano family was once from Scotland."
I sighed in relief.
"Who was that man we met outside?." I finally decided to ask.
"He's the Don of the Luciano family. He manages the northern part of Italy."
I shake my head and asked, "He's dangerous?."
"You can say that. I'll give you a hint of how things work here. The three powerful families of the Italian mafia are Romano, Luciano, and Gambino. The least is the Gambino family, they manage the business in the east, the Luciano manages the northern regions and the Romano manages the southwest. You can say the Romano manages the biggest part of the mafia, they are recognized and powerful. They head the mafia, that is why everyone fears Zavi, he's more powerful than you think."
Her eyes reached the pinky ring on my finger, "I see he gave you recognition." I ran my hand on the ring.
"I don't know what it means."
She smiled, "You will find out soon."
"Hello, beautiful." A voice calls behind us and we both turn.
A man and a woman stood in front of us, the lady has long brown hair just like the man's, and eyelashes to match. She was ravishing, with slim features and well-tanned skin.
"Davina Bernardi, long time, beautiful." The man continued with a flirtatious smile. This was the first time I heard Davina's last name.
"Ciao, Don Bretton. è molto tempo che nonci si vede, (Long time no see). How have you been?."
"I've been good, all thanks to you." He winked at her and I looked away, he's such an ass. I can see how he's digging into her, dumb mafia boss. Besides him, stood the lady who wasn't smiling at all, her eyes were all fixed on me, giving me deadly looks.
"I can see you're finally back in one piece, Dav." The lady said.
Davina scoffed, "I won't die easily." Oops, they're not on good terms.
She hissed and looked around, "Where's Zavi?."
"He's speaking with Don Matteo, oh, meet Zavi's date, Vanora Campbell."
There was silence.
Her haunting blue eyes dug into mine. She was looking at me with contempt, it was as if I had taken something precious from her.
"La puttana non è Italiana( The bitch is not Italian.)" She said in Italy.
"si, ma parlo Italiano. (Yeah, but I do speak Italian.)" I answered her. Her eyebrows rose, and she turned around and walked away.
Her brother chuckled and looked at me, "I like you."
I try not to disrespect him, "My pleasure, Boss." He smirked and scrutinized me for a few seconds, his eyes stopped on my finger.
He frowned and said, "Fine. See you around." Turned around and left too quickly.
I breathed out at last.
"I seriously need a drink," I told Davina and searched for a waiter around.
"The Gambino's family are the weirdest among all. The Don is a pervert and weak. Some people rumors that his elder sister might take his place in the business."
"The bitchy one?." I asked, stopping a waiter. I picked two glasses and murmured, "Grazie" to him. I gave one to Davina.
"How did you know they were siblings?." She asked me, amused.
"Anyone could see it, tell me about her," I answered, taking a sip from the wine.
"She's the eldest daughter of.."
"Not that," I interrupted her. "About her and Zavi," I stated, looking into her eyes.
"You're very observant, Nora."
"Zavi didn't think so."
She laughs, "Don't mind him."
"He's a dick, annoying, and an ass," I said, raising my glass to my lips.
"Am I?." I heard him ask. I stopped drinking and looked at him, standing by the side with a glass of wine. I licked my lips and looked at Davina.
"Excuse me." She said and walked away.
He came to stand closer to me.
"I see you're getting quite a stare from everyone."
"That's what I get from being your date."
"This is my first time bringing a date to a party." I cock my head at him in shock.
TBC.