The Engagement Dress

_DAISY<3

"You cursed girl, what did you do?" Selena launched herself at me, making me flinch, but Father caught her arm and swung her right back.

"You have no right to be angry at Daisy. She has saved my honor and this family's from going to the streets. She’s someone else's property now; I cannot afford a bruise on her skin." he said before turning to me.

"Go to your room, Daisy." I let out a relieved sigh and ran as fast as I could upstairs before he changed his mind.

"I am serious. Do not touch her. She's been sold to the Mafia boss unless you want to explain to him what happened to his property." he yelled at Selena.

—

"Which dress did you choose, Miss Daisy?" Maya asked me, more excited than I was.

I felt pressured and completely overwhelmed. Yesterday, I meant nothing to my family, to father. But today, I was being polished and dressed for an engagement ceremony.

My engagement ceremony to the Mafia boss.

A ceremony the whole Mafia was going to celebrate—the engagement of the Mafia boss. I could not help but be amused at my bad luck.

It was bad enough that I was basically sold to the Mafia, who would most likely be like my father, but now I had to listen to his every word and obey.

I could not imagine how much worse it was going to be now, learning new rules all over again. And to think he caught me crying, and I told him to leave. I was sure he had already planned my punishment.

I looked back at Maya, then at the dress she had displayed for me—they came from my soon-to-be in-laws, and I was to pick one to wear to tonight's ceremony.

"They are all beautiful, but so revealing." I frowned at the necklines of the dresses and the slits that went up too high.

The thought of hundreds of people looking at me in one of these dresses made me nervous.

"Well, you have to pick one, Miss Daisy. The Mafia boss’s mother personally sent them over." she said, looking at them as if seeing the truth in my statement.

The least revealing one was a dark blue corset dress, with spaghetti straps. The slit wasn't too high, and it looked like the most modest option.

Not modest by my standards, but perhaps this was what was appropriate to wear to one’s own engagement ceremony.

"Is this one alright?" I asked her, and she smiled.

"Yes, this looks beautiful. Your body will fill it up nicely." she said casually, making me flush red.

I had a big bust, slim waist, and wide hips, often hidden under the knee-length ball like dresses I always wore.

The day went by with me being pulled and prodded by stylists and makeup artists as they styled me to be the perfect bride for the Mafia boss.

Except none of this was perfect—this wasn’t what a marriage was supposed to be. I do not even know my husband’s name.

Sighing, I looked at myself in the mirror, trying to find any trace of happiness in my eyes, but all I could find was pain—the pain that had been there for as long as I could remember.

"You look so beautiful, Miss." My stylist gushed, looking at me with admiration. I gave her a smile of appreciation and looked back at the mirror.

My hair was straightened, all my natural curls smoothed to fall at the sides of my face. My makeup looked gorgeous—not too much, but not simple either.

I could see that the concealing powder covered the freckles above my nose, fading out under my eyes. 

I almost cleaned the makeup powder, not wanting them covered. Father said I was the spitting image of my mother—she also had the same freckles where I had them.

I loved to look at them—they were brown with a few blacks spread across unevenly.

The stylist gave me these tall black heels that I was afraid to walk in, scared I would fall and embarrass myself, but this was a risk I would have to take.

Maya knocked and entered the room, then gasped. "Oh, you look lovely, Miss!" She squealed, pinching my cheek.

"Your father told me to tell you that your mother-in-law has sent for you. A car is waiting outside. The rest of your family will come soon after you." she informed me.

I felt my stomach turn, and panic began to rise in me. "That means I have to go alone. I couldn't possibly… I don't even know anyone." I exhaled shakily, but she just patted me on my back.

"You'll be fine, Miss, I promise. Now hurry up—your mother-in-law awaits you." She rushed me, and soon I was sitting in a big black car with identical ones in front and back.

I nervously played with my hands as I looked at the outside world through the car window. I had never left the house. I was not allowed to step foot outside. Selena went to places and even for shopping, but I was not allowed.

Ever since I was little, I wore clothes that didn’t fit Selena anymore. Father said it was a waste of money as we were two girls and could share clothes, but I only wore the ones she grew past or the ones she didn’t like.

I once said how I did not like a gown she gave me and demanded a new one like hers, but it resulted in me being locked away in the basement with no clothing but underwear.

Father said I should learn to appreciate what was given to me.

I was broken out of my thoughts when the car in front stopped at a check post in front of two huge tall black gates.

I remembered reading about this type of iron gate in a book, and it was more beautiful than I had imagined.

The gates soon opened to reveal a huge, beautiful building—the designs, paint, and glass making it look like it came out of a storybook.

I had heard tales of the DeLuca mansion from Maya, the house where the past Mafia boss and the present Mafia boss resided. No one ever tried to cross the gates of DeLuca mansion if not invited.

The car stopped after we rounded a fountain, and the men climbed out. One of them opened my door just as a woman came forward to help me out of the car.

"Welcome to DeLuca mansion, Mrs. DeLuca." she said, making me stare at her with my mouth open.

She gave me an incredulous look, making me quickly regain my composure and nod, fixing my dress to brush off my embarrassment.

Mrs. DeLuca.

Oh my God, that's me.

The woman led me inside and through beautiful hallways before stopping in front of a big mahogany door.

It was only a wonder what awaited me on the other side of the door.