Her Mafia Husband's Mistress

Chapter Eight

I stood in from of the floor to the ceiling mirror in my closet watching my reflection, indeed, the makeover team had outdone themselves. The black off-the-shoulder growth fit my body like a second skin; my curves out in the right places. I was never the kind for skintight clothes, but the situation.

The slit ran from mid-thigh and the gown pooled at the heels of the stiletto that made me five inches taller. The makeup was made to accentuate my features and my cat eyes looked so cold and unnatural. I had never been the type who is obsessed with her look, but tonight my eyes looked extraordinarily cold. I could not bring myself to put up a smile.

I knew it was going to be a long night.

My straight hair was further straightened and it fell on my back, emphasizing the coldness in my eyes; I looked unnatural, like a doll on display. But, that was what they always wanted, a beautiful face they could pose around and a wife that could stand her husband's infidelity.

My neck currently housed a diamond necklace that could do the whole world good by ending the world's poverty. The ones on my ears and wrist completed the set. Indeed, I looked expensive.

I moved the slit to the side to strap in my pistol on one thigh and the other is a switchblade.

Taking another look in the mirror, I walked out of the suite.

The moment I began descending the stairs, I saw Marcello standing with his back to me putting on his watch. At the muffled noise of my heels colliding against the rugged stairs, he turned around.

His black hair was gelled back, his chiseled jaw shaved cleaned and his blue eyes came alive in admiration at the sight of my physique. He looked sharp in his customized suit. In short, he looked too good. He looked like the same man I met three years ago, but he was not that Marcello.

My heart tugged at the sight of him; both in admiration and longing. The last time I saw him was when we had that unpleasant conversation. He was always busy; neither here nor there. It's been a long 24 days and I could fool myself into believing I didn't miss him.

I walked down the stairs as he approached me, his eyes like an enchantment pulling me in.

He stretched his hand to me as I stepped on the foot of the stairs.

Like I was in a trance, I placed my hand into his. Tonight, just tonight I would not think of his infidelity, his mistress, his bastard child nor do I want to think of my losses.

His hand tightened on mine and his soft pink lips pressed onto the back of my hand first then the inside of my palm "My love", he whispered.

At that moment I deluded myself into thinking I was his true love; that he truly meant that statement.

His blue eyes held expectations as they stared into my grey ones " Beautiful", he whispered as his eyes trailed down my body in appreciation. I didn't quite understand what he was hoping for; was it reconciliation of forgiveness and I didn't want to.

He stepped closer and his firm body almost pressed against mine "Alina", he called out. It was as if his soul was calling out to me, beseeching me to answer him, to meet him halfway; to sort our differences and forget the bad things did not happen.

Yet we could never when it was constantly hovering over us in the form that was Caralina and her huge belly.

His eyes flickered to my lips, and his jaw clenched before he placed my hand in the crook of his elbow.

At that moment I was tempted into telling him to take what he wanted, that I was a willing participant.

" Adalina", He called for my attention.

"Tonight, let's forget. It's just you and I",

I looked into his expectant eyes and hummed in reply. His hand squeezed my hand in his elbow sending shivers through my body before leading me towards the door to the ballroom.

The moment the butler called our names, the door pushed open and I heaved a deep breath.

The ballroom was beautiful; classy and expensive. The guest stood in respect and raised their glasses in courtesy of our presence.

Unfortunately for me, the first person my eyes came in contact with was a very pregnant and gorgeous Caralina in her expensive glittering gown laughing at what Lovetta was saying.

Her head was thrown back in laughter and her tearful eyes glistened in joy. It was a sharp contrast to the boiling emotion rumbling in me.

My eyes narrowed dangerously in her direction and my hand on Marcello's elbow became as heavy as a lead.

" What is it", He moved closer and his breath tickled my ear as his mouth hovered it.

My eyes fixated in Caralina's way and he looked in the same direction.

"Damn it", he muttered and I felt his breath tremble.

" I took action to make sure she would not be here", his hand moved toward his tie before he dropped it.

"Then, why is she here", At this point the last iota of euphoria clouding my senses had faded off.

" I'll have them remove her_" he promised

"_bear with me for a moment", he added.

" I already am", He and I both know that his mother and Caralina were testing my patient; I've accorded his mother more respect than she deserved.

This was her protesting about my lineage and her paying me back for the corpse of her cousin.

As we continued in the direction of Lucio who was talking to my parents, I noticed the looks in the eyes of the women guests. They mocked me with their eyes and hid their smirks behind the glasses. I knew there was nothing to worry about women whose husbands sleep with anything with

holes, but I was not different if I was I would not be the subject of their mockery. But, I had something they could never achieve for themselves; the reputation I built through blood and sweat. I was something even their husbands could never match up to. If their mockery could bring me down, then I was not Godfather's daughter.

Plus, they could never outrightly mock me, they love their miserable lives too well.

They paused their conversation to acknowledge our presence.

"Darling", Godfather muttered before dropping a kiss on my cheek.

" Godfather", I nodded in reply before pecking my beautiful mother who looked even younger in her knee-length formal dress. I hadn't seen her in months so I missed her

And as for the goddamned Lucio; the cowardly bastard who ran away only to return a month after. "Lucio, you are still alive", I turned in his direction, my brow raised and he shook his head before smirking in reply.

Knowing that I barely had patience for his antics, he picked my hand and dropped a kiss on its back. I almost swatted his mouth away.

His eyes hardened when he glanced at his son. Marcello's back straightened and he called out between gritted teeth " Father",

Lucio gruffly hummed in reply. Someone approached us to whisper to Lucio and he excused himself.

"Why is she still alive, Cara? I thought she would be dead as of now", Even though Godfather was asking me, he looked in Marcello's direction.

" Why is she still alive, Marcel", I redirected the question to him.

"I'll see to the other guests", Marcello muttered before excusing himself and a taunting 'ah' left my lips before I could stop it, I didn't want to.

" Coward", Godfather muttered under his breath dealing a punch to his overgrown ego. Marcello's back stiffened, he straightened his suit and his face set in a hardened expression. He resumed walking as if he did not hear a thing.

"I thought I saw Irina", I turned to my mother after grabbing a drink from the tray of a server.

" Yes, she's around somewhere",

" You would not be seeing to your guests? Mother's lips paused in disapproval.

I twirled my glass before taking a sip "He'll see to his own guests",

Mother sighed before dismissing the topic.

" I haven't seen Pedrov since I arrived", Mother glanced around the room.

It just dawned on me that I had not seen him since I stepped into the ballroom "Neither have I"

"I'm having him run an errand", Godfather gruffly replied, his accent so thick you would barely understand what he says in English.

We knew not to ask about the errand.

Mother shoveled around on her six-inch heels. I looked down at her six-inch heels and walked her towards a seat while her father was approached by one of his associates.

I didn't want to be alone with him I dreaded our conversation.

" Cara, are you okay", Mother placed her hand over mine.

"I will", she squeezed my hand softly before letting go.

" I need to use the restroom", I watched Mother's back as her bodyguard followed her.

"Let's dance", Godfather extended his arm to me. I was hoping whoever it was that was occupying his time took his time.

I put down my glass and mechanically put my hand on his elbow knowing I could not escape it.

The muscles under his blazer flexed as he straightened his clothes. I was supposed to have my first dance with my husband but Godfather had never been one to follow rules especially not in this situation where he isn't very satisfied with Marcello.

He led me to the dancefloor then placed one of my hands around his neck, held the other hand on his broad muscular chest while his other hand stayed on my waist.

The silence stretched for a while and when I was starting to relax in his arms he spoke up " You have grown soft", My muscles grew taunt as I looked into his gray eyes a reflection of mine, and convinced myself that I had nothing to fear, but I knew I was just lying to myself. I didn't want to look into his gray orbs that could easily read my mind through my eyes.

I didn't want him to look into my eyes and find vulnerability; my failure.

Somewhere deep in me, I craved his approval.