My Christmas List: December 7th
Make Armani less rude.
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Three small knocks sounded at my door just as I finished applying my makeup. Internally, I prayed it wasn't Armani—someone who had been giving me mixed signals.
Or maybe I was allowing her to? Playing all these small encounters up in my head when really they were nothing.
"Mira!" Dalia cheered. Her caramel curls were pulled up into a high bun with a few hanging loose. She was wearing a red furry sweater with black leggings and furry black Uggs.
I bent down to her level, "Hi, Dali," I said, smiling as I pulled her into a hug.
The girl pulled away from the brief hug, analyzing my outfit. Her eyes trailed my tan long-sleeve dress down to my matching heels—and back up as she took in my hair that was pulled into a high ponytail.
"You're going to work?" she asked, realizing my attire. "I wanted to do more Christmas stuff," she pouted.
Yesterday, Idalia and I watched three Christmas movies back to back while eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate. While it was a promise I had made to her, it was also something I needed after seeing Armani and Heidi together so intimately.
I laughed. "We can after I finish up some work."
Idalia took a step away from me, crossing her arms over her chest. "No, I want to hang out with you now," she said, her small lip quivering into a frown.
I sighed, not feeling like I could say no to her, but also knowing I had work to get done. "I'll tell you what," I said, rising from my bent down stance. "You can come to work with me—"
"Really?!" Idalia asked, her excited tone breaking through her saddened exterior.
I chuckled at her instant mood switch. "Yes, but only if you behave and allow me to get some work done," I said, and Idalia instantly nodded a few times. "After I could take you to go see Christmas lights maybe?"
"Yes-Yes-Yes! You're the best Mira!" Idalia smiled, running toward me and hugging my legs.
I turned my head, feeling sets of eyes on me. And my intuition was proven correct. Dominico and Emilia were at the end of the hall, smiling slightly as they took in the scene.
I guided Idalia away from my legs and held her small hand, walking down the hall toward the couple.
"You owe me twenty," Emilia said, holding her hand out which made me furrow my brows. Sensing my confusion, she said, "I knew you couldn't say no to Dali. No one can."
I laughed as Dominico reached into his pocket to grab his phone, tapping a few times. "Transferred twenty to your account," he reluctantly sighed, shaking his head as he sipped his coffee.
"Can I have twenty?" Idalia asked, looking up at Dominico.
Dominico stared at the small girl for a moment, and I realized that Emilia was right. No one really can say no to her.
"Please papa? Mira and I are going to see the Christmas lights," Idalia said, poking her bottom lip out.
I laughed, "I can cover the expenses Dal—"
"Christmas lights?" A smooth voice interrupted walking into our line of sight.
I blinked a few times, adjusting to her intimidating presence. "Yeah...?" I said, but it came out as a question rather than a statement.
"Zia!" Idalia ran over to Armani, hugging her legs. "Isn't Mira the best?"
Armani pursed her lips slightly, her dark eyes tracing my face holding an unfamiliar emotion. It seemed like she was reluctant to say whatever she was planning on next. And it seemed her reluctance was valid, given that she next said,"I don't want you or Idalia leaving the premises."
"Ani, it's fine. Idalia can go," Emilia said, nodding her head.
Dominico nodded. "Yeah, it's fine with us. Just have security escort them."
Armani firmly shook her head as Idalia pulled away from her fully, and I knew there was about to be a tantrum happening in the next thirty seconds.
"Neither of you are going. That's final," Armani said.
I furrowed my brows crossing my arms over my chest. "Both of her parents just gave their permission. What's your issue?"
Armani's brows raised along with Emilia's and Dominico's—the gesture noted that I might've said something wrong. When in reality, I didn't think I did.
"Yeah, Zia. Why are you being a meany!" Idalia's small voice yelled as tears gathered in her eyes.
Emilia shook her head firmly. "Dali you know we don't say th—"
But she was cut off by Idalia stomping away and down the hallway toward her room.
After a few moments of silence, Armani finally said, "Miracle, my room. Now."
Both Emilia and Dominico gave me remorseful looks.
Looks that insinuated that I had done something wrong—yet I still was unsure of what.
Reluctantly, I followed Armani toward her room. The familiar room that I once slept in. I hated that my stomach sank at the familiar memory, knowing I'd never experience such a thing with her again. Even if she was being completely rude and bossy, a part of me still wanted her.
Craving the soft side of her that I barely ever witnessed.
When the door finally shut, Armani said, "What's my issue? Really Miracle?"
I pursed my lips. "Yeah? Because what is your issue?"
Armani scoffed slightly, shaking her head. Soon her dark eyes were back on me as she walked closer to me, standing directly in front of me. "You want to know what my issue is hm?" she asked, but I could tell by her tone that the question was only rhetorical. Even so, I decided to push back harder. She can walk over everyone else, but not me.
At least, not anymore.
"Yes actually," I said, taking a step closer to her, establishing my own dominance.
Armani's jaw tightened at my challenging actions, letting out a calm breath as she tore her eyes away from me. My stomach was tied in knots when silence grew around us, Armani's eyes not meeting mine.
"Armani, do you know how mean that was? Idalia really wanted to go—"
"Do you think I don't know how mean it was?" She cut me short, her tone completely cold. "But that's not something I take into account when I'm running a mafia," She said, easily making my face fall.
I stayed silent, realizing she was partially right. However, we still could've found a way around it... Her parents wouldn't have let Idalia go if they knew her safety was at risk.
"And you challenging me..." she trailed off, her dark eyes meeting mine. "You know who I am Miracle. Don't ever try that again."
I couldn't help but scoff. Even if we tried, her ego couldn't fit into this enormous room—let alone estate.
"Or what?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. Oddly enough, the whole situation with her and Heidi helped me stand up to her, rather than playing into a schoolgirl crush and abiding by every word she said. I considered if maybe Armani was using that to her advantage to order me around.
Then again, she orders everyone around, so probably not.
Armani shook her head, reaching for my waist, but I took a quick step back.
"Don't touch me," I said, and I could tell some unfamiliar emotion flashed behind her eyes. "Not after..." I trailed off, looking away from her. Somehow I couldn't finish my sentence, but I knew Armani was aware of what I was referring to by the way her brows furrowed.
"Miracle..." Armani said, but her voice wasn't tense anymore. It was soft—gentle even. The tone of this conversation suddenly changed, and I felt like Armani was pitying me.
I hated it.
I shook my head, pushing the dreadful feelings away. "It's fine. We just won't go," I said, sighing as I walked past her with a generous amount of space between us.
"Miracle," she said, but this time it was firm, and it easily made my walking halt. After a few moments of silence, she said, "You can go... but only if I accompany you. She's my niece and I can't put her safety at risk."
I should've pieced together that Idalia would be targeted due to Armani's mafia—or family mafia since Dominico was involved as well. Who knows how deep their family roots ran, considering it could've been passed down generations. Idalia is also the mayor's daughter—but even Dominico said we'd be escorted by security. Why does Armani have to come?
I shook my head, "Can't security come?"
"It's not enough. I'd prefer to be there so I can assure that both of you are safe," she said.
I nodded respectfully, resting my hand on the cold doorknob. "Fine," I said, disappointed that I'd have to spend the evening with her.
I was even more disappointed that her answer was selfless and sensible. It made the tiniest bit of my heart warm, knowing she wanted to ensure my safety too.
❆
"One more time-one more time—pleeease!" Idalia called from the backseat of the luxurious Cheverlot suburban, which I was ninety percent sure was bulletproof.
Armani sighed flashing Idalia a forced smile through the rearview mirror before replaying the song 'Rudolph the red nose reindeer' for the fifth time during this car ride.
I leaned against the car door, growing tired of the song, but not wanting to crush Idalia's spirit. The action alone diverted Armani's eyes to me as the car briefly paused at the red light located in the city of Chicago.
I missed the city entirely too much.
"You should tell her," Armani said, her voice low, but not low enough for the statement to go unnoticed.
I kept my eyes off of Armani, knowing I wasn't looking at her for a reason, and I would continue not to do so. It's like I can't scrub the image of her and Heidi from my head. It's almost like it's a stain on my brain that's refusing to be washed clean.
"It doesn't bother me," I lied, knowing I didn't want to be the one to turn the song off.
Armani hummed as the light turned green. "Then it doesn't bother me either," she said, maneuvering the car through the thick Chicago traffic.
The song played on a loop two more times before we finally—and I mean finally, made it to the city center, where there was a Christmas tree as tall as the buildings surrounding it. There was also an intense walk-through illuminated by Christmas lights lit up into different displays, which I knew Idalia would enjoy.
"Wow! Look at that!" Idalia pointed to the tall snowman lighting up with an array of multicolored Christmas lights. Suddenly, Idalia turned to me and asked, "Can you take a picture with me in front of it?"
My mouth flopped open in hesitation, looking at Armani for the first time this evening for an answer that stated whether or not she was comfortable with that. Even laying eyes on her for a brief moment, I couldn't help but gawk at her casual outfit. It was only a black turtle neck and matching black leather pants, but she somehow made any outfit look good.
Armani tilted her head at me, nodding slowly with hesitation. "Yeah, okay. Go stand over there and I'll take it."
Idalia squealed, running over to the snowman with me following quickly behind her. She reached her arms out to me, wanting me to pick her up.
I hesitantly obliged, picking her up and resting her on the side of my hip as we looked toward Armani who was holding her phone up.
The moment felt intimate for some reason. Like this was completely out of Armani's nature, and I'm almost positive that was the case. I doubt she's allowed someone else to do this with her and Idalia before, but even if so, I'm sure it was with family.
Unless Heidi came along.
I shook the thought from my head, putting Idalia down as we walked over to Armani, who knelt down to her niece's height. Idalia looked at Armani's bright phone screen analyzing the photo that we just took.
"I love it so much. Thank you Zia," Idalia said, her tiny voice sounding nothing but genuinely happy.
Armani nodded, a faint smile coating her lips as she rose up to her normal height.
We continued to walk through the beautiful displays, admiring the lights fully before Idalia declared she was hungry. The declaration quickly led us to the local Chicago pizza place nearby, getting seated in the busy restaurant.
Idalia and I sat across from Armani, peering down at our menus—except I was doing anything but paying attention to the items written on the glossy book.
I was lost in my head, trying to bask in this moment, hoping it never ended. It was weird for me, given that I never really had family time.
Not since I was a child at least. My sister became passive towards me and my parents went along with it, whether that was purposeful or not. Either way, I didn't get to experience wholesome moments like this.
"What a beautiful family," the waiter said holding his notepad up with a small smile as he looked between us.
Armani awkwardly cleared her throat, closing her menu. "We'll have your medium deep-dish pizza," she said. "Water for me and apple juice for her," she gestured toward Idalia.
"And water for me too," I said, knowing Armani didn't exactly know what I wanted.
The man nodded firmly, "I'll have that right out for you guys," he said, gathering the menus. "Seriously, you guys are one of the most beautiful couples I've ever laid eyes on," he said, walking away without allowing us a response.
I pursed my lips awkwardly, avoiding Armani's dark eyes.
Not that it wasn't a compliment, just that his assumptions were incorrect, and now this entire dinner will be awkward.
"You guys are like mamma and papa?" Idalia asked, scribbling on her kid's menu.
"Mamma and papa?" Armani questioned, her Italian accent coming through strong.
Idalia nodded. "They kiss and hug."
My brows shot up at the idea that Idalia had. "No, your Zia and I don't do that." I said, causing Idalia's scribbling to halt as her brows furrowed. Noticing her confusion, I said, "We're just friends... you know what that means right?"
Idalia giggled. "Mhm, like me and my friend Trey? Everyone in class thinks we hug, but we don't," she said and looked between Armani and me. "We're just friends," she pointed the red crayon at us.
"You guys better be just friends," Armani said, raising a brow. "You're too young for any boys."
I laughed to myself taking in Armani's wholesome aunt role. It was cute seeing her be so nurturing and protective over Idalia.
"How old do I have to be Zia?" Idalia asked.
Armani tapped her pointer finger on her plump lips instantly drawing my eyes to them. After a few seconds of pretending like she was genuinely picking her brain for an answer, she said, "Around thirty."
I laughed, noticing Idalia's face fall slightly.
Before anyone could say anything else, a familiar voice called out, "Miracle?"