Marked by the Mafia Crest

Chapter 2 - Sylvia pov

I shook my head softly, thinking about my past was never good for me. I needed to focus on my future and continue building up Myriam and Stanley Blake's business. They own and operate a wonderful and very popular photography studio. When they took me in, I quickly learned everything I could about photography and running a business the way they do. Much different from my previous experience and knowledge of how to handle business. I fell completely in love with photography and everything involved with their business. Every day there was always a new and exciting task at hand. The business was growing and we were in high demand. We even hire extra photographers often to help out. I try to keep my mind focused and never think about my past, but I always end up looking over my shoulder constantly afraid one day they will find me and take me back. After all these years I still feel the pain from the Mafia Crest permanently burned into my skin. I'll never be able to fully forget.

Today is a new and busy day. I put on a nice light purple shirt and dark blue jeans to start my day. I skipped putting on makeup and just tied my long light brown, blonde, mixed with some red hair up in a ponytail. I looked presentable for the day. My facial features more on the delicate and soft side almost clashed with my sharp piercing green eyes. I stood about five feet three inches tall on a good day, and had fairly large breast and a large butt. Myriam always gushed about how attractive I am and I should be a model, but I never paid it much attention. I had no intention whatsoever on putting myself out there publicly on a large scale. As for dating and caring about attracting a man I always avoided that. Memories of the way my father treated my mother gave me a bad outlook on a relationship. Then again, part of me didn't exactly care about being a twenty-five year old who hasn't even been kissed by a man yet. I always opted to try to think logically about it though and try to be patient.

I grabbed my laptop off my desk and went downstairs. I lived in a very large brick building with Myriam and Stanley still. It doubled as the photography studio downstairs. I am not exactly sure what this place was before they renovated it, but I doubt it was as grand as it is now. A giant open main room for people to walk into and be greeted by someone upfront working at the front desk or taking pictures in the big space with something set up for it. Three large studios, two offices, and a large kitchen used by all of us working and living here. My favorite place in the whole world to be. Myriam has everything decorated so elegant and simple it's comforting. The roof is a large garden area with plants, flowers, and gazebos and screened in the dining area. They definitely put a lot of work into this place.

"Good morning Sylvia, are you ready for today?" Myriam said very happily for being so early in the morning. I swear the woman is always in a good mood.

Stanley handed me a cup of coffee as I sat down at the table we used for a morning meeting area. He was more on the quiet side while Myriam is very outgoing and positive.

"I can't wait to find out if they pick us for the project of photographing the secret celebrities' life today," Tasha almost squealed with excitement.

Tasha is my best friend and almost as bubble and outgoing as Myriam. Tasha is twenty-four years old and a very outgoing photographer. Myriam fell in love with her spirit as soon as she came in asking about part time work. She hired her full time and she has been working here almost everyday for the last 5 years. To me she almost feels more like a sister than a coworker. She's the look and definition of bubbly I think. She's five foot seven with short blonde hair and light blue eyes. Tall and skinny would be the way to describe her. Curving in the right places tho, the girl definitely makes a good model when she's not taking photos.

Theo is the other employee here. He is actually Stanley's nephew and sometimes seems indifferent about working here. His photography skills are absolutely amazing tho. He has a way with working with people that surprises me everyday. His quiet demeanor is a nice change from Tasha's. He's about six feet tall, brown hair and matching brown eyes. Clearly he works out every now and again. He's only a few months older than I am, but he definitely has an older feeling demeanor about him. He's rather handsome, but I only see him as a friend.

This is my group and makeshift family. We really do work well together. Now we must focus and work together on our new and most tasking project. Impressing a big magazine so they will hire one of us to photograph a celebrity for a big article they are doing. We don't know who or what it is really about. They have been very discreet about the whole thing for publicity reasons. Today is the day we will finally meet with them and get the details!