I walked into the room and met him pacing while he was over the phone.
I took a closer look at him. Even while looking a little bit disheveled, he still managed to look so hot.
Why was I sounding like a woman in heat?
I needed to snap out of it.
"Where have you been?" He asked as soon as he dropped the call.
"I went for a walk."
"Next time you go for a walk, pick up your damn phone." He muttered angrily.
I looked at my phone and saw that he had called me thrice and my phone was on DND.
"I had no idea you called."
"Your phone should never be on DND."
I looked down as I said. "Yes Mr Romano."
I felt his eyes snap back to me and look at me intensely. He was probably surprised by my meek response. But I was in too much of a good mood to have him ruin it with his paranoia and controlling behavior.
"We're heading back to New York. Go and pack your bags."
My good mood immediately evaporated. "So soon?"
"Yes."
"But why?"
"No questions Mira, just do as you're told."
"I'm not some cargo you can move around." I stated through gritted teeth.
"You're my cargo and I'll move you however the fuck I want."
I gasped.
Not wanting to waste my time arguing with him, I walked into the closet. Arguing with him was like talking to a brick wall. I did not have the energy for that. So I just picked up my box and began to pack up everything I came with.
As usual there were no words between us as we packed. I half expected him to get someone to do it but it seemed he didn't trust anyone here to get it done for him. I couldn't blame him. He had family members that saw him as a rival. That's crazy but it was his reality. I almost felt pity for him.
"Dinner's at eight. Dress fancy.",He said and walked out of the room yet again.
Why did I have to dress up to sit at a table with people that were not exactly pleasant to be around? I groaned.
He had a new dress hanging in the closet waiting for me. It was white, contrary to all the blacks I had to wear before.
"Jace?" I called out to him from the closet.
There was no answer.
I sighed and corrected myself. "Mr Romano?"
"Yes Mira?"
I rolled my eyes. Why did he have to be so formal?
"Why do I have to wear a white dress?" I asked, coming out of the closet to show it to him.
His eyes pinned me to the spot.
Yup. That was my answer. I was not supposed to be asking questions but just doing as I had been told.
I was just zipping up my suitcase when he came into the closet.
"Did you forget something?"
"Yeah." He rasped and pulled me towards him.
I fell into his chest with a gasp.
He looked at me intently and as he rubbed his thumbs over my face. I swallowed and parted my lips, hoping in the back of my mind that he would break his strict rule and place his lips on mine.
He leaned closer and I stretched a little closer to him. Just then, his phone rang, interrupting the little moment I foolishly thought we were having.
I escaped his grip and went into the room as he answered his call.
~
Dinner time came around a few hours later. I got up an hour earlier to prepare for it.
As usual, I curled my hair and applied minimal makeup. The white sleeveless dress clung to me like a second skin.
I took one last look in the mirror, picking up my clutch and adjusting my waves once again.
I saw him through the mirror, watching me. He looked smashing in his all black suit as always.
"You're lucky we're late. I would have bent you over right now." He said staring at me intently.
That was the closest thing to a compliment I had received from him.
I immediately felt a pool of wetness in my panties as he said that. Why did he have to tempt me like that?
"Let's go." He said.
I stood up straight and turned to him. He offered me his hand and I took it.
When we trailed down the stairs, I saw the look of admiration from some of the staff. It was unmistakeable.
I looked up at him for a bit. Maybe we did look good together after all but I could never get my hopes up with him. Maybe I was his flavor of the month with a wife title. Maybe he was going to dump me soon which would actually turn out in my favor because I did not want to be here in the first place.
We walked into the dining room and everywhere seemed silent as we got in.
There was a look in Donna Carmela's eyes. I had no idea what it was. Maybe it was approval, maybe admiration but it was nothing negative.
I was courteous enough to salute everyone at the table as Jace and I sat down. As usual, I sat next him on the seat which was obviously reserved for me now.
Dinner began and was uneventful for the most part asides the small side talks I was choosing to ignore.
My eyes met Lucia and her mother's for a minute. They were probably speaking about our altercation in the garden. I did not want to mention it Jace that his cousin almost hit me. The good thing was that she was not able to.
I was still pondering on the thought when Jace decide to give a toast.
He raised his glass as his eyes scanned the room like he owned everyone in it.
"To family..." he started.
Everyone raised their glasses. I did too.
He smiled and it did not reach his eyes.
"To the ones who break us, to the ones who bleed for us and to the ones who sit at the table and pretend to love us."
He raised his glass slightly higher as he said, "Salute."
Everyone clinked glasses in silence.
Jace looked at me for a minute. Then he took my hand and I got on my feet, slightly confused.
"Good night family."
We walked side by side as we walked away. I followed his lead until we were out of the house and into the waiting car.
The trip I thought was going to be the next day was happening tonight.
(