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Chapter 26

The Mafia Ball is in 2 days. I spent the entire week doing three things on repeat. School, training, then shopping. It's been the same thing over and over again, I'm honestly exhausted from all the shopping I've done.

Nothing can ever be good enough for nonna or any of the girls. They want everything to be perfect for my first ball, especially since I will be properly introduced to every other mafia family. As if I'm not nervous enough.

All these plans have been exhausting so for the next two days my "job" is to relax and mentally prepare myself for Saturday. They even called off my training for the next two days. So that's what I'm doing right now. I'm taking a bath and trying to relax but that's hard when you have a Mafia ball to worry about.

That reminds me I've been running into André more often these days. I would always ignore him and swerve around him whenever he tries to talk to me. Don't get me wrong, the guy looks amazing but I don't know shit about him, and our first altercation in front of the bathroom was weird and awkward.

When I'm done with my bath I unplug the drain and dry myself to get dressed. Once I get dressed I look at my phone and realize that it's almost midnight so I get ready to go to bed.

I spent all night tossing and turning, getting more and more nervous for the ball. I got maybe three hours of sleep before having to get up and get ready to go to school. When I got downstairs I told dad good morning and had my breakfast which included a freshly baked croissant with some cream cheese and strawberries.

Snatching a water bottle from the fridge I told Julia thank you for the breakfast and went out and saw both Luciano and Vince waiting for me by the car. I told them good morning then hopped into the back of the SUV so they could take me to school.

When we got to school I had 15 mins to get to class. I told them both goodbye and made my way to class. On the way I ran into André again, and once again I went around him and continued walking without acknowledging him. It's almost like he's waiting for me everyday, which is both awkward and creepy.

When I got into the classroom I saw all the girls were already here. That's a first they usually come to class at the very last minute.

"Hey you guys are here earlier than normal. Should I be worried?" I ask in a carefree and sarcastic voice.

"Ha ha very funny.We just decided to join you a little earlier." Mia replied.

For the next 10 minutes before class started we sat and talked about anything and everything. I told them that I was going to a family event/party on Saturday hence the reason for dress shopping and that whole fiasco.

I got their opinions on everything I was wearing that day because it felt nice having friends that would give me their honest opinion. That was something I didn't have in Arizona, friends.

The rest of the day went smoothly other than running into André what felt like the thousandth time. He doesn't even do anything; he just stands there and seems to be wherever I am.

Vince picked me up and dropped me off at home where I got dressed into a matching sweatpants and sweatshirt. After that I finished my homework and took out my sketchbook and started sketching a new drawing.

I lost track of time and only realized it was past 9 when I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in" I called out while I was still focused on my drawing. Whoever it was came right beside me and leaned against the desk looking down at me. I finally lift my head and come face to face with Luciano.

"Hey principessa, I just wanted to check up on you? I know all of this can be overwhelming." I set my drawing pencil down and turn to face him while leaning back in my chair.

"I'm doing fine, Luciano, better than I expected. The girls helped me with everything. Without them I probably would've been a mess."

"That's good. On Saturday if you ever feel overwhelmed and tired of everything you let one of the boys know and they will come tell one of us to take you home okay?"

"Alright, it can't be that bad, I'll just stick with the girls and I should be fine."

"You know what you're right, I'm just overreacting, you'll be fine. Now enough of that let's go down and eat. Dad tells me you haven't eaten anything since you got back from school and that you have been holed up in here."

"I was drawing and I lost track of time." I say getting up and making my way to the door. When I got to the door I realized he still hadn't moved. I turn around and find him looking down on the drawings.

"You're really good, have you ever thought of doing this in the future."

"Yeah, I even took a couple classes but once it became homework I had no interest in it. I draw to pass time, as a hobby. I don't want it to become a job because then I'll lose interest."

"I get that. You do know that you don't even have to go to college if you don't want to. We have enough money to live like 10 lifetimes." He says getting up off the edge of the desk and walking towards me.

"I know but I want to go to college. You think if I majored in business I could help out with the legal businesses we own?" We start making our way to the dining room.

"If that's what you want then I don't see how it would be a problem."

"Really?"

"Yeah, that way you're near us and I don't have to worry about you needing much bodyguards. You'd also be working with me like the rest of your brothers."

"How would I be working 'with' you? Wouldn't it be 'for' you?"

"I don't like it, you guys aren't regular employees for me you're my sibling first. When I say with me you guys are equal to me everybody else works for me because they are dispensable unlike you guys."

I enjoy the rest of the night with my brothers. I even played a couple video-games with Enzo and Gio to help forget the upcoming social party/gathering.