07. Madam Giulia

"To survive with seasons you must change with them"

~ cf

"Daisy!" I hear someone call my name, I look up from my plate to find Ray and Jade walking towards me, their lunch trays in hand. I look down and resume playing with my peas, pushing them around in the plate.

"That's rude" Ray says pointing to my lack of attention, she slides beside me, Jade sits adjacent to me, she stares at my dull expression.

"What happened there?" She asks straight to the point.

"What happened where?" Ray asks with a mouthful of her food. We both stare at her in disgust, she hides her mouth behind her palm and chews fast then gulps down her bite. "Sorry, what happened? What did I miss? You do look a little upset" she continues, matching Jade's stare on me.

"Nothing" I say plainly.

"Come on, spit it out" Ray moves her right hand in a spill the tea kind of motion.

"It's nothing, really" I don't want to share anything, it took me 20-25 minutes to calm down myself after I ran away from his office.

"Ray, let her eat in peace" Jade stops her before she can continue on her  persuasion. Thankfully she stops and we eat in silence.

My chores for the day are done. I decide to head back to my room, on my way I bump into another maid. She is a short petite girl of my age, she looks in a rush. She has a pile of fancy clothes stuffed in her hands which fall down by our collision, she hurriedly bends down to collect them, I help her. "Thank you so much" she says gratefully.

"No problem" I smile at her and give her the remaining clothes but her little arms couldn't accommadate so many. "I'll help you with them, where are you heading too?" I ask her.

She smiles brightly at me, "thank you, I need to get these clothes to madam within 5 minutes, 1 second late and she'll have my head" she starts running while explaining. I also run after her to keep up with her pace, after many turns and stairs I realize we are heading towards a fancier area of the palace. "This is the boutique area of madam, she prefers to dress here" the maid explains.

Rich people and their rooms.

Back home we only have two rooms, one is a bedroom and the other a open space, a kind of sitting area with the kitchen there. I remember I had to scream at my siblings each day to get out of the bedroom so I could change in peace.

I couldn't change in the bathroom as there was always panic outside it's door. My younger siblings threatened they would pee outside if I didn't come out fast enough. Those devils, I miss them.

The maid pushes open a big oak door, sudden bright light disturbs my vision for a moment, I blink to adjust it. My eyes and mouth both widen in pure excitement as I set foot into the most luxurious room I have ever laid eyes on.

The room is something from a fashion magazine, with rows and rows of dresses hanging, most of the dresses seem new because of the price tags attached to them, pair of heels are lined on the floor, ready to be worn and walk out.

The room has big windows at the top portion of the wall which brings in natural light, floor to ceiling mirrors line another wall, there is a separate corner with all kind of makeup layed out perfectly on the shelves and dressing table. Every shade of lipstick and eyeshadow existing in the world can be found on the table, some of them I couldn't even recognize.

"Hurry!" the little maid calls for me and I realize I've been standing and gaping around. We walk further inside, fancy chandeliers are hanging by the ceiling, every corner of this room screams class.

This is every girls dream room! I can loose myself here for days. I am surprised to find another set of fancy stairs that lead to a second floor it has a red carpet laid in the center as if a celebrity is going to walk on it. We climb up, I glide my hands on the shiny railing, it's so smooth under my palms, I can even see my reflection in these golden railings.

We step foot on the second floor, this area is much tidier and with more open space.  A beautiful soft grey sofa set is placed in one corner, 2 racks are placed at one side with more dresses hanging on them, a wall is dedicated for the bags.

I can see many expensive brands and one of a kind designs. I compose myself as my eyes land on madam Giulia Moretti, the current queen of the mafia.

I cannot comment on her because what I've heard about her is that she can be the most giving person on this earth or an enemy you wished you never had.

This is the first time I’ve seen her. She is standing in front of a full length mirror, two maids are assisting her with a beautiful royal blue evening gown. She looks at us through the mirror "on time, very good" she says.

I can visibly see the little maid sigh in relief, I stand beside her not knowing what to do next. I look around the room then back at the mirror only to directly stare in madam's eyes. "You" she says pointing at me through the mirror, my heart beats rapidly.

"Yes, madam" I bow my head and answer respectfully.

"Are you new here?" She asks pushing away the two helping maids from her side.

"Yes, madam" I keep my answers short and precise. She glides her hands over her figure, a small smile spreads on her lips, she is admiring herself. I cannot help but notice how youthful her hands look, I'm sure my mamma is younger than her, I compare their hands then my mammas are full of blisters and wrinkles, while madam has her nails done, her ring finger possesses the biggest diamond one can imagine. A diamond bracelet is loosely hanging on her right wrist.

There is no doubt that madam is a beautiful woman, with long blonde hair that sway with her hips, her tiny waist which she is very proud of.  Her baby blue eyes that look too innocent but I know nothing can get past them and lastly her perfect facial features with not even a spot on her skin, she is one to be stared at. Even after 2 sons she has managed to maintain her charm and keep herself looking a few years younger than her real age.

I imagine how she must have looked in her youth if she is so beautiful right now.

In my opinion, rich people age slower compared to us peasants, I can actually envision my future right now. 5 years from now, my palms will harden because of hard labour, my once youthful face will age twice as fast, worry lines will permanently be etched on my forehead, my face will loose it's baby expression and turn into a permanent hard bitch face. I shudder at the very horrific vision.

"What's your name?" Madam's question shakes me out of my reverie.

"Daisy, madam" I respond quickly, she turns around, facing me.

Her eyes scan me, I want to squirm but I stay rooted in my position, "take the clothes" she orders the two maids, they walk towards us and take the clothes from me and the little maid. "You can go" she says, we both turn around to exit, "only Cara, you stay Daisy" she orders. I realize Cara is the name of the maid I helped, she gives me a nervous glance but unfortunately couldn't stay or say anything. I turn back to madam as Cara walks away. What is with everyone stopping me today?

"What do you think of my dress, Daisy? You think it's suitable for tonights event?" She asks me casually, turning back to the mirror to admire herself.

"It depends on what kind of event you are attending madam, if it's a formal party then it's perfect" I answer keeping my head low.

"It's not a formal party dear, it's an annual gathering for all the mafia families around the world which we host each year" she explains, walking towards a set of drawers, she opens the top one and starts rummaging through it. Everything she does is so precise and neat, she even looks through the drawer in a composed fancy manner, pushing away unwanted items with her pointer finger.

I stay quiet, she pauses and looks at me, "so, what do you say?" She asks raising a brow. I don't know whether to lie or be honest, I choose the latter, I turn to her direction, keeping my gaze submissive.

"I think you should choose something in black" I answer and hold my breath immediately. I hope she doesn't get offended.

"Why this specific color?" She asks moving towards the other drawer, her long nails tapping on the knob before pulling it open.

"Tonight's event is very important, all powerful families will be gathered under the same roof, in this situation you have to show your authority, let them know that your family is the one who hosted them, black is a dark yet powerful color, it naturally intimidates people, I think it will be the best choice for tonight" I answer confidently.

Madam gives a small smile, she glances at the drawer and pulls out a beautiful diamond necklace, it shines as sunlight falls on it, "found it, I think diamond would look great with black, right Daisy?" She asks for my opinion once again.

Does that mean she agrees?

"Yes madam" I respond, now breathing normally.

"If your idea manages to be successful tonight, I will reward you" she hums putting the necklace over her neck, seeing how it would look. "But if I am considered a fashion disaster then..." she leaves the words hanging in the air. I look at her nervously, she chuckles almost evilly at her intentions. Surviving in this palace seems more harder then I imagined.

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