Chapter 23: The Omerta Ball III

Her heart thudded erratically in her ribcage and in the blink of an eye, he was gone like she had just been making things up, but she had seen him—he was there a second ago.

She looked at the floor, the glass pieces now scattered in bits like her sanity, the red wine spiraled on the white marble floor.

It was then she noticed the small crowd that had formed, curious about what had happened to her. Her hands felt cold as she nearly shrunk in her seat.

“Get someone to clean this immediately,” she heard the deep masculine voice behind her.

She turned, and her heart skipped a beat on seeing Leone. The small crowd that had gathered dispersed on seeing him. 

“Are you okay?” he asked, his words warm but his eyes the exact opposite as he stared down at her.

Anna was still in shock from what she had seen. Her heart was a mess, and her mind was all over the place.

“I wish to be excused,” she looked everywhere but him, unknowingly to her, it irked him to no end as he had been worried after seeing the little commotion. His brows quirked up, his eyes narrowed. Not now, but he was sure he would get the answers he wanted.

He ordered one of the staff to show her to the washroom. The girl bowed and immediately obliged. Anna stood up, following the staff while feeling the weight of Leone’s stare on her back.

When she got to the washroom, she stood in front of the large mirror, staring at her reflection—a huge contrast to her previous self. She no longer wore rags but was now draped in expensive clothing.

Was she crazy? Was she drunk? She hadn’t even gotten a sip of that wine before she saw him. She believed she did; there was absolutely no way she was making it all up.

Dark brown hair, brown eyes, a smile that could bring a wilted flower back to life—she couldn’t be mistaken. She had seen him, draped in an expensive suit and blended with every other rich folk in here.

Since she knew him, he never mentioned he was from old money. He had worn the most casual clothes, had the most humble and politest smile, he never let her pay for anything, and he bought her gifts. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined he was wealthy enough to get invited to the Omertà Ball.

That, or there might also be a possibility that she might have lost her mind. Perhaps being around Leone too much was starting to get to her.

She turned the tap on and splashed some water on her face. She took out the small napkin in her purse and wiped her face with it.

When Anna came out of the bathroom, she was shocked to see Leone’s bodyguard standing right outside. What was he doing here? Had Leone sent him?

“Are you ready to head back now, ma’am?” he asked politely, as if telling her he wasn’t letting her out of his sight, giving her absolutely no choice.

Anna didn’t want to head back and sit alone at that table. She wanted to look around, to see if she could find Rocco.

Testing the waters, she shook her head. “No, I would like to be alone for some time. You can go ahead without me.”

“I’m sorry, miss, but I was given strict instructions to not let you out of my sight.”

Of course. Her face scrunched. She couldn’t move around, she couldn’t do as she liked with her body, she couldn’t make calls or go anywhere. She couldn’t have a fuckin’ time alone too. These people were making her lose her damn mind.

Without another word, she began walking back to the party, and as expected, Leone’s guard tailed behind her. 

She walked through the doors to meet a more lively atmosphere. Classical music was being played by some people on stage, and the elderly man who had talked with her and Leone now stood on the stage with a mic in his hands.

“As you know, this is the 20th Omertà Ball which has been hosted by the Maurizios,” he began.

Anna almost couldn’t believe it. This was the man who was responsible for hosting the ball? Anna could only begin to comprehend just how rich this man would be. Was he a mafia too?

Anna walked back to their table to see Leone sitting on one of the chairs. Instead of sitting directly next to him, she sat on the next two chairs, keeping him at a safe distance. For all she knew, his madness might be really infectious and might’ve started getting to her already. 

She gazed at the floor to notice that the shattered glass and the wine were gone; it had been cleaned with zero traces.

Her eyes wandered about. Maurizio’s voice dulled over the speaker as she stared with anticipation, hoping she might find him amidst the crowd, but she couldn’t find him.

It might’ve been better if she was allowed to take a walk around. Maybe then she might find him. But if she does find him, what next?

How would she explain to him that she was no maid? How would she explain why she was here with another man? Would he understand? If she were in his shoes, she definitely wouldn’t. As much as her heart and mind craved to see him, this wasn’t the right time. This wasn’t the right place. She was still bound by shackles which the Lorenzo and Vicenzo empire had put on her.

“Anna, get your cute little ass here right now.” 

The voice sharply cut through her thoughts as she turned to see Leone staring at her. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a rather grim expression.

Her eyes widened. Had she heard right? She stared at him in disbelief.

“If you don’t come here in the next five seconds, you’ll be sitting on my lap till the party ends.” He flashed her a sinister smile—one she knew too well, one which promised her no good.