On His Knees

Chapter 10

I was about to fall asleep when Caden appeared by the door. He wore a black suit, his hair styled sleekly. He walked back to the car while adjusting the red tie he had on, perfectly contrasting the color of his tuxedo. I was stunned. Caden looked absolutely beautiful. I could feel my jaw dropping as I watched him get inside the vehicle. The cologne he had on was intoxicating and I could just feel myself being drawn to him. His bright, emerald eyes stared at me and he laughed when he saw how I was mesmerized by him.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his grin almost blinding me.

I cleared my throat, finally tearing my gaze away from him. “Y-yeah, I’m fine,” I said, stammering. “You took so long. I was about to fall asleep.”

Caden shrugged his shoulder. “I need to look presentable for this party.”

“What kind of party is it anyway?” I asked. He turned the engine on and began driving out of the Vaccarino mansion. Why did he take so long to get ready? I admit, Caden was already perfect as is. But now that he dressed up for this party, he looked even more dashing, even more attractive, even more sexy—it’s getting unfair already. How could someone like him exist?

“I told you, it’s just a social party.”

“And you need to look good for that kind of party?”

Caden had his hands clasped in the steering wheel as he answered, “yes. I’m representing my family.”

I scowled. Looking outside the window, I realized once again how different Caden and I was. Even if we belonged to the same world, we didn’t share the same views and beliefs. He had responsibilities I didn’t have. I couldn’t help but ask myself why I was doing this. I knew I was desperate for Caden’s attention but going with him to an event that involved the Mafia—it’s too risky.

I glanced back at him and for the nth time, I was enthralled by his appearance. It’s impossible to look away. He had this charm where he could hypnotize people just by looking directly into his eyes. “Is my dad invited to this party?”

“Unfortunately, no,” Caden replied almost immediately. I saw his hands tensed. “Your father doesn’t really want to attend events like this.”

“Oh?” I mumbled, amused. Dad’s always active in gatherings. He often said it’s a way to build communication with the other families.

“It’s just a short event. Don’t be nervous. No one’s going to harm you there,” Caden reassured once more.

I wouldn’t lie, I am dead nervous to attend this party. I hadn’t been in any social gatherings especially if it involved the Mafia. Dad worked hard to keep me away from them and I couldn’t help but wonder if it’s just because he was protective of me or was it because he sees me as someone weak and unable to participate at things like that. Neither one sounded good but I had no complaints. I understood why dad was like that with me. He already trained my two brothers, there’s no need for the youngest son to participate. It would only cause a rift between the siblings and he didn’t want that. Two was enough for the family business.

“I know. I trust you,” I said, smiling at Caden.

Caden stiffened but smiled back. “Thanks, Livi.”

It took us half an hour to arrive at a place hidden away in the woods. I wasn’t surprised to see a manor concealed behind the thick and tall trees. It’s the perfect place to hide away from the public if you’re into dangerous businesses. I could already hear the music getting near as Caden drove us through a manmade path leading to the estate we’re going to visit. The house was something people would only see in televisions and magazines, and I could tell this place was owned by a mob boss. And based on the tight security—with men patrolling the area with high-caliber weapons wrapped around their torso, I didn’t need any more evidence to know that this place indeed belonged to a Mafia leader.

Cade went around the fountain placed in the middle of the courtyard and upon stopping in front of the mansion, he pulled the hand brake and looked at me. “Listen, Livi. If someone asks you who you are, don’t say what family you belong to. Just tell them your first name. Nothing else.”

“What? Why?” I asked. I already knew why. I’m from the Saverio group. My family was influential and powerful. If people knew who I was and what group I belonged to, they might use me as an advantage against my family. The only reason why I came here was because of Caden. I wanted to be with him, nothing else. I didn’t come here to build friendship among these people. Caden was the one that only mattered.

“Just do what I say,” he said, snapping at me. “And don’t ever leave my side. Ever.”

I nodded in understanding. “Okay.”

“Good.” His gaze went down and I was surprised when he reached out to me to fix my tie. “You look absolutely perfect.”

I didn’t expect he’d say something like that hence why I blushed like a lovestruck teenager. “T-that…that’s…shut up!”

Caden giggled. He gently patted my cheeks before turning the engine off and pulling out the keys. We both got out of the car and I saw him tossed the keys to the valet. The man dressed in a red suit took it before politely bowing his head at Caden.

“Let’s go,” he urged, throwing an arm around my shoulders as he guided me to the steps leading to the entrance of the mansion. I didn’t know who owned this place, but he had great taste. There were eccentric paintings hanged on the beige-colored walls, statues placed on the corners that were carved with different methods, golden chandeliers hanged under the ceiling, golden pillars and glistening marble floors. My jaw almost dropped in awe. This place was a museum.

“Wow,” I muttered, my eyes busy admiring the artworks on the wall. I could hear the soft music coming from the speakers hidden in the posts. We were led by a staff standing by the mahogany door where the party was located. I could still see men roaming the area, making sure everything was secure.

“This way, please,” the man said. He was dressed in a suit, his hands covered in white gloves. He opened the door for us, and we were greeted by a spacious hall filled with people wearing their best dresses. They held champagnes in their hands while having quiet conversations. I immediately noticed the waiters wandering around offering finger food for the guests.

The man who was with us stopped in a vacant table, pulled the chair for us and handed us the menu for the night. I took it and read what was written. They were serving foods that one wouldn’t commonly find in an average restaurant. I didn’t know what to get but luckily Caden does. He told the waiter what food we wanted and after he was done, he left us, politely bowing.

“This is…incredible,” I commented, smiling slightly at the sight I was seeing. It’s the first time I see this many people gathered to attend a formal party.

“It is,” Caden said, smiling at me. I caught him staring. “What?” he asked.

I pouted at him, thinking he probably find it funny to see how shocked I was. “You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not,” Caden quickly said. “You’re just really adorable.”

I gulped, my cheeks heating up. “Shut up.”

He was about to say something, but a man approached us, his arms wide open to hug Caden. “Caden,” he excitedly grinned. The guy appeared to be young maybe a little older than us. He wore a black suit, blue tie, his bright blonde hair tied in a bun. His eyes were strikingly blue, his nose pointed and his jaws sharp. There was a light scar on his lip, and it looked like it was just recent. “How are you, man?”

Caden stood to receive the man’s embrace. He patted his back, his grin widening. “Maddox,” he called his name, “it’s been a while.”

“I know,” Maddox said. Pulling away, he stared at Caden. “Where’s your dad?”

“Busy, as always,” he replied, shrugging his shoulders. Looking around, he asked, “who’s your date tonight, huh?”

“Just another b***h I can pay,” Maddox answered, and it earned laughter from Caden. I didn’t like how they were talking but I kept quiet. When the guy’s eyes glanced at me, he blinked as if he recognized me. “Oh, who’s this? Your date?”

“Something like that,” Caden replied, chuckling. “Livi, this is Maddox. A family friend.” I twitched. A family friend, huh? That only meant this man belonged to the Mafia as well. “Maddox, this is Livi. A good friend of mine.”

Caden held my shoulder and squeezed it as if warning me not to say anything unnecessary. Understanding his gesture, I pushed my chair back and offered my hand to Maddox. “Hi,” I said, straining a smile at him. “I’m Livi. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Maddox,” the guy said, taking my hand and shaking it. “What group do you belong to?”

I nervously gulped, my heart skipping a beat. I didn’t know what to say. Caden specifically told me not to mention what family I belonged to. It’s only natural for people attending an event like this to be a member of the Mafia. Being asked what group I was a member of was reasonable. “I—”

Caden quickly intervened, helping me out with Maddox’s question. “He’s from my group,” he answered.

“Oh,” Maddox said, amused. “Is he a friend from your gang?”

“Yeah,” Caden said. I quickly noticed the change in his voice. He wasn’t acting friendly anymore.

Maddox also took note of that. Shrugging his shoulders, he said, “I heard from my dad that your gang is getting big. How many territories have you seized, huh?”

“Not that much. I’m just helping out the family,” Caden said.

“Well, if you need any help, we’re always here for you,” Maddox said, ending the conversation with us after realizing Caden wasn’t in the mood to have chats with him anymore. “Enjoy the night, gentlemen.”

He was about to walk away but Caden stopped him. He turned to me. “Wait here,” he said. “Don’t go anywhere, don’t talk to anyone, don’t move.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

Maddox smiled at me before walking with Caden away from the table we were sitting at. Once they disappeared from the door, I sighed. I wasn’t made for situations like this. Meeting a person took a lot of my energy and right now, I just wanted to eat and leave right away. While waiting for Caden and the food, I used the time to observe the people in the party. All of them looked refined. If I didn’t know this event was for the mob, I wouldn’t have known they were members of the underground society. Everyone acted normal like they hadn’t done anything…wrong. It amazed and sickened me both at the same time.

“You know you belong to a Mafia family?”

I remembered Caden’s words. I’m not different from these people. Sure, I might not be directly involved with anything illegal but I’m still a part of the Saverio group. I shouldn’t think that I’m above them. We’re all the same.

I stared at my hands. We had wronged, abused and killed too many people for our self-interest. My family, Caden and his dad…we’re in the same business. I didn’t want to be, but I had no choice. Even if I try to detach myself from them, I would always carry the Saverio name in my back.

I was too into my thoughts that I was surprised to see a woman pull a chair, sitting across from where I was. I looked at her, stunned. Her brunette hair was long and wavy, and she wore a rather bold, red dress that was barely hanging onto her chest. The woman’s face was strong, and it held an air of elegance—something I expect to see in a place like this. “Hey,” she called, smiling sweetly at me. “Are you new?”

“I-I’m…I’m just,” I was stammering and it’s embarrassing. I didn’t know what to say.

“Me too,” the woman said, smiling.

I blinked, confused. “What?”

“My boyfriend brought me here,” she said, pulling out a cigarette pack from her purse and lighting it. “It’s to make a display of me for his rich friends. So stupid.” So, she’s dating someone in the Mafia. “Is your girlfriend one of them?” When I didn’t answer, her face warped in realization, “oh, is it a man?”

I couldn’t speak properly. “No, it’s…it’s just my f-friend. He brought me here.”

The woman giggled. “No need to lie,” she said, blowing the smoke out of her nostrils. “It’s not uncommon for these people to turn out gay. There’s no need to be ashamed.” I wanted to ask her who she was, but I didn’t want to. Caden told me not to talk to anyone. “But at least the food is great. It’s something to look forward to, huh?”

I stared at her. Finally, I opened my mouth to engage in a conversation with her. “Do you know what kind of event this is?” I asked.

She rolled her eyes at me. “It’s to boost these people’s egos,” she said sarcastically. “Have you seen how they parade their expensive jewelry? Their dresses? The women they’re with?” I only smiled. She was right about that. “But based on what my boyfriend told me some important figures will have a meeting after this.”

I raised a brow, interested. “A meeting?”

“Yeah, they said it’s to take someone do—”

We stopped when Caden appeared behind her, his hands holding onto her bare shoulders. “Hey, Clarisse,” Caden said. “I didn’t expect you’d come here.”

The woman whose name was Clarisse lifted her head to look at Caden. “Likewise, Caden.” I stared at the two of them. Did they know each other? But how? “I didn’t know you’ll bring your date to a place like this.”

Caden smirked. “Why not? This is an event to flaunt your possessions, right?”

I glared at him. Did he just call me his possession? “True,” Clarisse said, agreeing with Caden. Standing up, she gave me one last smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Livio. Have fun at the party.”

I gaped at her in disbelief. How did she know my name? I don’t remember telling it to her. Caden sat on the seat Clarisse was. “Didn’t I tell you not to talk to anyone?”

“She just came up to me,” I defended, worried that Caden would get angry with me. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. It’s good it was Clarisse and not someone else.”

He was unbuttoning his coat when I asked, “who is she?”

“A family friend,” he answered, yet again.

“How many family friends do you have?” I asked, intending for the question to be a joke.

But Caden eyed me seriously, his gaze penetrating me. “Friends are important in this kind of world, Livi.”

“Oh, okay,” I muttered. I watched Clarisse blend into the crowd talking in the middle of the hall and soon, she was gone. “She’s interesting.”

Caden scoffed. “She is. A certified gold-digger.”

“How’d you know?” I asked.

“It’s a long story,” he said.

Finally, after a long wait, the same waiter arrived. He served the food on the table and when he was done, we began to eat. “Clarisse said there’s a meeting after the party.”

“She did?”

I nodded. “Yes. She also said it’s only for important people. Are you…one of them?”

Caden continued eating. “No,” he said. “I’m not.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “I see. So, we’re going to leave after this.”

He smiled but didn’t answer.

Once we were done eating, Caden left me the second time to mingle with men from the other table. I watched him interact with them and I was shocked at how easy it was for him to immediately join their conversation. The group of men appeared to be decades older than him, but he had no difficulty talking to them as if they were the same age. I envied how Caden could talk to people, interacting with them with such interest. I could never do that. Just talking to Maddox and Clarisse brought me anxiety. But not Caden. He could talk to anyone and befriend them in just a minute. He knew how to hold a conversation, when to agree and disagree on a topic, sharing the same interests with the people he’s talking to. It’s fascinating.

I took out my phone and started reading a digital book while waiting for him to finish his business. The party had been ongoing for hours and nothing interesting had happened. It was nothing but a formal dinner with some bigshots in the Mafia that I didn’t know.

I stopped and stood up, walking to where Caden was. The people at the table all looked at me and I suddenly felt nauseous. “Hey,” I called, patting Caden’s shoulder. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

Caden smiled at me. Before leaving the table, he grinned at the other guests. “Please excuse me.”

They let him go and as we were going to the bathroom, Caden held my hand. “You’re already bored, aren’t you?”

I frantically took my hand off him, afraid that other people might see us. “I-I’m not,” I said, shaking my head. Caden was disappointed with what I did, and I was as well but I’d rather not hold him especially if there were people around. “I don’t go to places like this but it’s a new experience.” I smiled a little. “I need that, right?”

Caden’s scowl turned upside down. “You really are adorable,” he commented again to which I playfully glared at him.

“Stop saying I’m adorable. It’s irritating.” Oh, if only he knew how much I’m lying when I said that.

“I’m liking you even more.”

I fastened my pace, afraid that Caden would see how red my face was. He’s always been so amazing—with how frank he was with his words and how he could easily convey his thoughts. I couldn’t do any of that. If only I could tell Caden that I loved him ever since we were kids, I would have. But my fear of being rejected and ruining our friendship conquered over me and I didn’t want that to happen.

I wanted to treasure Caden for as long as I’m alive.

To make things not awkward, I asked, “you like me as a friend, right?”

Caden stopped. “I wouldn’t bring you here if I only liked you as a friend.” I froze, my eyes widening in surprise. “I wouldn’t kiss someone who’s just a friend to me. I wouldn’t treat someone like this who’s just a friend to me.”

“Caden, I—”

“How naïve can you be, Livi?”

My heart was beating out my chest and my stomach began to churn. “I don’t understand.”

“I like you, Livi. Let’s date for real.”