THE DINNER BALL

It was the morning after the wedding and the mansion is so quiet. Avelina wakes up from sleep to find herself on the bed still dressed and untouched.

“He didn’t touch my last night, Good”. She muttered under her breathe.

For a while she stares at the ceiling wondering why Allessandro had not put a bullet through her head to end her father’s name. Before she could come to a conclusion a knock on the door broke her thoughts.

“Signora Rossi” The maid from yesterday calls.

“You can come in” She says flatly hating her new title.

The maid walks in holding a beautiful sage green dress. “The Don asked prepare and bring you down for breakfast.” The maid says.

Avelina couldn’t help but laugh. “The Don cares now?”

The maid’s eyes darts towards the door nervously. “He... he says says you will need your strength later.”

“For what?” Avelina asks.

She sighs and responds. “He’ll explain at breakfast.”

She was about to tell the made she was not going down for breakfast but the small of freshly baked bread and coffee drags her out of the bed. Her stomach begs for food even when she does not feel for it.

When she is done taking a shower and dressing up, she was led down the staircase again. The guards stands at each turn like statues without blinking their eyes. The world outside shines bright and looks too alive for the Rossi mansion.

The dining room looks different this morning.

Allessandro sits alone.

He sits at the end of the table sipping coffee and reading his papers and his phone placed besides his cup. He doesn’t look up from his breakfast when Avelina walks in.

“Sit,” he says simply.

Avelina takes her seat beside him trying to stay calm.

He finally lifts his head from his papers. “Hope you slept well?”

“I didn’t have a good night.” Avelina responds

“Good. It is not a big deal and you will get used to it.”

He pours coffee in a cup and slides it towards Avelina. His movement seemed calculated and measured. As if he still anticipate war.

“I can’t drink anything you offer me.” Avelina says pushing the coffee back to him.

He smirks. “You really think i will kill my wife with poison?”

“You seem to forget you have done worse.” Avelina fires back at him.

He pushed his chair closer to Avelina. “You seem to misunderstand my intentions , Avelina. If i really wanted you dead you would not be here but instead sharing a coffin with your father

Avelina clenches her jaws. “So what is it you want from me Allessandro?”

“I just need your cooperation.”

“What for exactly?. You think marrying me will bring peace? Or this is just a show for your public image.” Avelina asked.

“I married you for your survival.” He responds quietly.

His words made her freeze in her chair.

Before she could respond Allessandro stands up and walks towards the glass window. He stares outside as the morning light shines across his face.

“Your father still has enemies. They will find ways to bring the Moretti name down. You are next in line and if you do not listen to me they will destroy us both without a second thought,” He says calmly.

“Are you trying to say i am your partner in crime now...Is that why you killed my father so you can marry me? Avelina asked in tears.

Allessandro turns to face her with cold eyes. “This is not a partnership Avelina, this is our reality now. The sooner you accept it the better for everyone.”

He moves closer to her. “My family has organized dinner for tonight and you are expected to be in attendance.”

“I would not be in attendance to what ever party you or your family has planned.” She spits back at him.

“This is not a negotiation. You are my wife and wives do as they are told and stand beside their husbands. So you must do so tonight.

She lifts her head to meet his eyes. “You can chain my up, Allessandro, but i know where my loyalty lies and it is definitely not with the Rossi clan.

He smiles at her. “Fortunately for me i do not require your loyalty tonight. Just your body.”

Night soon came and the mansion glows with bright light.

Music cold be heard from the ballroom where the party was hosted.

The dress she was given was pretty. Suits her perfectly like gloves. It is a mauve coloured dress. It is too beautiful for someone in the state of mourning. She lifts her head and stares at her reflection in the mirror. She could not recognize herself anymore. She looks so slim and pale and had sacks under her eyes from too much crying.

Suddenly the knocks came.

“May i come in?” It is Allessandro.

“It is your house, You do not need my permission.”

“Well tonight i need your permission.” He says.

He opens the door slightly and steps inside. The scent of his perfume fills the room. Tailored in a black suit, his hair slicked back, he stood so tall and handsome. For a moment none of them speaks.

“You really do clean up well.” he says breaking the silence.

“I was brought up properly. I need to always look presentable no matter the circumstance i find myself.”

He could not help but twitch his jaws. “Well try not to act as a victim tonight. You are not in captivity.”

“I am in captivity, and i am also a victim.”

His eyes falls to the floor and back at Avelina. “You better stop acting like one.”

He offers her his hands when they walk our of the room.

She hesitates but then takes it.

The ballroom is filled with unfamiliar faces when they arrive. The chatter stops and people murmur.

“Smile at them and play your part.” Allessandro whispers into her ear

“I am doing just that.” She says to him.

Allessandro walks towards the direction of his business partners with Avelina in his hands. He greets them, his voice calm and composed. He moves with so much composure that his associates fear him. Avelina stands by him, she is silent until they were approached by an older man.

“So this is your wife now?” The man says staring at her. “A Moretti bloodline in the Rossi clan.” He says as he chuckles.

After a forceful conversation with the old man, he finally leaves. She turns her gaze at Allessandro and notices a smile on his face but before she can say a word the smile vanishes as quickly as it came.

The dinner drags until midnight. By the time it ends her cheeks aches with pain from forceful smiles.

Immediately the last guest leaves she feels a sense of relive. She walks towards the balcony, the cool night air falls on her skin. The streets of Florence shines below, more alive in ways the Rossi Mansion would ever be.

This voice calls behind her. “You did great today.”

She doesn’t turn. “I know this was a test too”. I don’t turn. “Did I pass your test?”

“It was not a test, i assure you.” He speaks calmly.

“Everything with you is a test Allessandro.” She replies.

“You did well and nobody suspected you were in bondage. That is progress” He says standing beside her.

“Even a blind man can see i am a victim here. Nothing is going to stop me from hating you.” She says almost laughing.

“Hate is a good thing. It can be useful.” He says with a smirk on his face

For a moment their eyes meet. Allessandro breaks first.

“It is late, You need rest.”

“I will go to bed when i want.” Avelina shoots at him.

He nods and leave without saying a word.

Avelina stands at the balcony alone. The cold night being her blanket of comfort.

The ring still shines bright on her finger.

She takes a deep breathe, closes her eyes to feel the wind on her face.

“This cage wouldn’t hold me forever.” She says below her breathe as the wind carries her words into the night.