Presentation Night
1008 Words
GABRIELLE POV
PERFORMANCE NIGHT
Gabrielle glanced at the clock and realized it was already nine in the evening. Standing in front of the mirror in her closet, she admired her reflection. Her hair was styled with bangs pinned up, straight with curls at the ends. The long red dress she wore had a low-cut front and a slit in the leg, perfectly matching her black sandals. Her makeup was bold and striking.
A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. She opened it to find Carlos standing there.
"It's time to go downstairs, Gabrielle," Carlos informed her.
"I'm just going to freshen up my lipstick," she said, walking back into the room to do so.
"If I may, ma'am? There are plenty of women down there today who would do anything to be in your shoes, so watch out," Carlos warned her.
"Thank you, but forget about it," Gabrielle responded, while Carlos chuckled.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, a hush fell over the room as all eyes turned to her.
"You can go downstairs now," Carlos softly whispered.
As she descended the stairs, a smile spread across her face.
Leo appeared at the end of the stairs with a frown. She could tell why. Everyone was gossiping, glancing at her as if she were a diamond.
"Where’s the damn blue dress I asked you to wear?" Leo murmured quietly as he approached her, the tension evident in his voice.
“You don't boss me around, Leo,” Gabrielle replied, flashing a smile while concealing her irritation.
“You better not mess with me, Gabrielle. You have no idea what I can do,” Leo warned.
Despite his threat, she continued to beam with confidence. She caught the attention of a few individuals, admiring her stunning looks. She still hadn’t met the toxic Letezia, but she would introduce herself to the crowd, who all seemed captivated by her presence.
Leo carried on with a frown, sharing a few words with the guests.
“Leo, son, look who's here,” Letizia exclaimed with a big smile, gesturing towards a stunning blonde woman.
“How’s it going, Jianna?” Leo greeted them, and they exchanged a strange glance.
“Everything’s good, Leo. So, is this your fiancée?” Jianna asked, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Gabrielle, Leo's fiancée,” Gabrielle quickly added before Leo could respond.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, dear,” Jianna replied.
“Come on, my dear, let's go for a walk,” Letizia interrupted.
Leo gently placed his hand on Gabrielle's waist and led her to a table.
“Leo, is there something I should be aware of regarding the blonde that your toxic mom just introduced?” Gabrielle asked.
“Make sure you talk respectfully to my mom, Gabrielle.”
“I’m asking you a question, Leo.”
“Gabrielle, you don’t need to worry about anything. She's just a family friend.”
“I get it,” Gabrielle said, though she didn’t believe him.
She was well aware that the exchange of glances between Leo and Jianna was suspicious.
"Leo, my friend, your wife is truly stunning," a lord approached them and said.
“Thank you so much,” Leo replied.
“What did he say, Leo?”
"That you're beautiful,” Leo said in a dry tone before walking ahead.
Maurizio stood out in the crowd, capturing the gaze of everyone around him.
“Good news to everyone, tonight is a very special night for our family… It’s my son’s night,” Maurizio announced.
Leo, my son, made sure to introduce Gabrielle to everyone. It’s no secret that after the wedding, he will take my place at Diavolo.
“What is Diavolo?” Gabrielle whispered in Leo’s ear.
“The mafia,” Leo responded, catching her off guard.
Gabrielle never imagined that all this extravagance was connected to that. But also, what did you think a man who just bought you at an auction would do, Gabrielle?
She maintained her composure and continued to smile at everyone.
“Congratulations to the couple,” Maurizio said, raising his champagne glass.
“Thank you, Dad,” Leo said.
Gabrielle quickly grabbed a glass of champagne and drank it out in one swift motion.
“Control yourself,” Leo murmured softly in her ear.
A few people stopped by to congratulate them. When everyone was heading out, she quietly sneaked away and made her way upstairs to her room.
Gabrielle walked into the room, kicked off her high heels, and released her bangs from their tight hold. Suddenly, she caught some voices in the hallway, so she hurried to the door to eavesdrop on the conversation.
“I already said no, people can see us,” Leo said rudely, and she could hear the sound of footsteps quickly moving away.
As she began to take off her dress, the door swung open.
"Why did you go upstairs without my permission, Gabrielle?"
“I’ve already told you that you won't boss me around, Leo. Next time, knock on the door before coming in,” Gabrielle said while taking off her clothes.
“This house is mine. Don't disobey me again,” Leo yelled at her.
"I'll do as I please. Why are you going to tell me that you’re a Mafia?” Gabrielle questioned, now naked.
“Men's business is separate from his wife, so get dressed immediately,” Leo ordered.
“You're my fiancé now. Soon, you’ll be my husband, and there's nothing here that you won't see later,” Gabrielle taunted him.
"You're really hard to deal with, Gabrielle.”
“Swallow or vomit... Who were you chatting with in the hallway, Leo?”
"It's none of your business, Gabrielle," Leo said, slamming the door.
She grabbed a nightgown from the wardrobe, slipped it on, and laid down on the bed. Marrying a man involved with the Mafia felt like signing her own death warrant, a thought that kept running through her mind...
- Writer
