Mafia Enslaved

18

MAUREEN

Waldrin let go of his phone. Fortunately, it fell onto the couch. He just stared at me, and I was afraid of what he might be thinking right now. My appearance probably didn't meet his standards. As he said, the dress must be the one doing the magic for me.

cleared throat

Waldrin averted his gaze when the tailor suddenly coughed, and I also flinched at her actions. I glared at her, but she just grinned at me.

"Let's go, or we might be late," she said. Another staff member handed me my things, which were already packed in a paper bag. I walked closer to Waldrin, and he was just looking at me. He looked handsome in his suit with a silver necktie.

"Uh, is it okay?" I asked. He cleared his throat and loosened his tie. He took his phone from the couch.

"It's fine," he said coldly. I breathed a sigh of relief. He went ahead to his car outside. Since his sports car only had a single door, I got inside first, placing the paper bag at the back.

I couldn't help but let my hand touch the middle console as I looked at him. My eyes widened when I realized how close we were to each other. I quickly looked away and adjusted my seat. I even cleared my throat because I felt something blocking my throat.

"A-Are you okay without your glasses?" he cleared his throat.

"Mmm, I'm wearing contacts," I said. I don't know why, but I suddenly felt nervous. "It's hot, isn't it?" I said, adjusting the air conditioner. We didn't speak much during the ride to school.

Flashes of cameras greeted us outside. There was a line of cars at the entrance of the main hall. I saw Christian get out of a car and then open the door for Monique. I secretly smiled when Raven followed, seemingly alone. He gave his car keys to a valet.

Several cars stopped before we reached the entrance of the main hall. "I'll open the door." I looked at Waldrin when he opened the door at his side.

He fixed his suit as he stepped out, and the media started approaching him. Thankfully, there was a barricade on the side. He gave his keys to a valet before walking towards my side. I took a deep breath before he opened the door.

He offered his hand to me, and my hands were shaking when he held it. I almost tripped as I got out of the car, but he supported me. I held onto his arm. The camera flashes were almost blinding, and I could hardly breathe.

This is why I hate gatherings; it feels suffocating. I dislike the attention people give me. I clung tightly to the table when we arrived.

"M-Maureen! W-wow!" Monique called me. I looked at her, then at Christian and Raven, who seemed surprised to see me.

"This is suffocating," I hissed. I took the water in the wine glass on our table and drank it all in one go.

"Your makeup might get ruined," Monique said as she dabbed a tissue on my lips.

"Why do you look shorter?" I asked her. She pouted at me. She's always in heels, which makes me appear taller.

"Let's go get some food. Waldrin, I'll take Maureen first, okay?" Monique grinned and pulled me away.

"W-Wait... I thought we're getting food?" I asked her, but she took me to the back of the stage and giggled.

"You look stunning! You're the one! You should wear the crown!" She giggled, while I smiled and brushed my hands on my dress.

My palms were sweating with nervousness.

Soon, we emerged from backstage, and everyone we passed was looking at us.

"Look, they're all amazed by your beauty," she grinned. I just rolled my eyes. I know I'm beautiful, and she's just overreacting.

"Excuse me." We were stopped by three guys. Monique and I exchanged glances.

"May I know your name, my lady?" the guy in the middle asked, extending his hand.

I shook his hand, "Maureen--" I quickly withdrew my hand when he brought it to his lips. I thought he wanted to shake hands.

He grinned at me. "Maureen, what a lovely name." I furrowed my eyebrows. If it weren't for my current attire, I might have slapped him already.

"Would you like to give us some company?" he grinned. The other guy held Monique, and I was about to push him away when I felt a warm hand wrap around my waist.

"Let her go, Yrew." I looked at Waldrin, whose face was just inches away from mine. It made it hard for me to breathe again.

"You have the nerve to interfere; you know they are our dates," Christian hissed as he took Monique away from them.

Yrew chuckled and looked at me. He shook his head and turned away. I looked at Monique.

"Are you hurt? /Are you hurt?" we both asked at the same time. We glanced at each other but quickly looked away.

"I'm fine," she said.

"We have to go back to our seats; the party is starting," Raven said. The party began as we reached our table. It started with the introduction of Madam SC, who then went up on stage, followed by a birthday message from Waldrin's dad. He looks so much like him.

Madam SC stood on the podium and delivered her speech.

"And since it's my 67th birthday today, I want to invite my grandson's date on stage." She said, and the spotlight immediately focused on me. I quickly shielded my eyes from the light as it was blinding.

I felt Waldrin hold my hand, and I looked at him. He was glaring, but he didn't look at me.

"Don't go," he said.

I was puzzled. I looked at Raven and Christian, who shook their heads. I glanced at Monique, who seemed worried.

"Maureen..." Madam SC called my name. I stood up from my seat.

"What are you doing?! Sit down!" Waldrin hissed, pulling me back to sit beside him.

"It's fine," I said, removing his hand from mine and standing up again. I walked towards the stage, and the spotlight still followed me, making my dress shimmer. I feel like I'm glowing, and I'm sure all eyes are on me now. If I weren't used to wearing heels, I might have tripped already. The emcee assisted me as I climbed the stage and stood beside Madam SC. I looked at her coldly. The entire hall was silent.

The emcee handed me a microphone.

"Look at you. You're like an ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan," she smirked.

"And you look like the witch who gave Snow White a poisoned apple," I said into the microphone, grinning at her.

The people around gasped at what they heard. But we're used to this banter. I think we've grown closer; I can even see my grandfather in her.

She laughed and suddenly swatted my behind, causing me to gasp.

"You're so horny..." I gritted my teeth. I didn't use the microphone, but I knew everyone heard it because Madam SC's mic was close enough. She held my arm.

"Come on, you're going to play the piano," she said, leading me to a grand piano set up on the stage.

"What makes you think I'll play for you?" I asked her.

"Because it's my 67th birthday!"

"But you look like you're already 77," I sarcastically replied.

"You never run out of complaints." She hissed and pinched my cheeks. "Play the piano, or I'll demolish Monique's coffee shop! Your choice!" She threatened.

I glared at her, and she glared back. I clenched my fists. I stopped playing the piano when my ex left me. Yes, I had a boyfriend when I was 14, but he disappeared like smoke when I turned 15.

I only played the piano for him, and now, it seems like the pain he caused is returning to me.