My father offered food in Italian, French and Chinese cuisine.The table was beautiful decorated with Lasagna,ossobuco, Florentine steak, cassoulate, flamiche, salade Niçoise, tofu, spring rolls,dumplings and many more dishes. Deserted also had a large variety including tiramisu, panna Coti, apple pie, cassata and a variety of ice creams. The cooks have worked really hard today,still my mother will be the one to earn all the praise.
"You are beautiful! Exactly as I've heard about you."
Dela Costello spoke to me, I was a bit shocked.From where has she heard about me? Franco,grinned and his dad paid no attention, just glanced me for a second and continued having sip of his wine.
"Thanks."
I replied simply. Dela was sweet, I was feeling comfortable of her existence better than the rest of the people around table, excluding Cindy, obviously! She was beautiful and charismatic.She was just like any other trophy wife but she knew how to talk politely without bragging of her husband's sinful money. Cindy was sitting right next to me. Franco was exactly sitting opposite of me, my dad usually sits at the end of the table but today he offered his seat to Robecco Costello.His wife sat to his right,and father to left my mother sat beside him.Neel was not present in the lunch as he had his soccer practice. Franco was occasionally giving me glances which were neither serious nor flirtatious.I could not understand his intentions and that is just killing me from inside.
"You prepared good food. we are delighted."
Franco's mother said to my mom.
"pleasure, you like it."
My mother knows,how to talk politely.
Rest of the lunch went quietly and occasional bussiness talks between father, Robecco Costello and Franco. Me and Cindy sat quietly,observing Franco time to time. He caught me glancing him twice but didn't said anything rather gave his dangerous one sided grin, which took my nervousness to another level. The lunch was over and Mr and Mrs Costello went to their room in our apartment.My dad left for a meeting and my mother was commanding servants to function accordingly,which left only I,Cindy and Franco in the hall.
"I assume that Neel must have delivered my message."
Said franco,increasing my nervousness all the more.
"Huh... yes, he said,you wanted to meet."
I said, not bothering to hide my nervousness anymore .
Franco glanced at Cindy and she stood up,saying,
"I'll take my leave now."
I too stood and hugged her to whisper in elder ears to stay nearby.
There was few moments of silence in the hall when Franco spoke.
"You know the purpose,why we are here?"
"Your father is getting death threats and it was not possible for your family to stay at a hotel as it would be dangerous."
I told as much as I knew.
"Yes, that's the reason but not the only reason.If it was only related to safety purpose then we wouldn't have been in Paris in the very first place."
He stated as a matter of fact and I realised how silly of me not to consider the fact before.
"Is there any other reason to visit here?"
I asked,when I knew what the answer could be. He answered,
"Yes, it's related to our marriage and I wanted to talk to you about that."
What... it's too early for a conversation like this to take place,I wasn't ready for this now.
"I was informed about it yesterday itself."
I said.
"So, what's your thought about marriage?"
He asked a question,which wasn't asked to any female in our world. Is he really good or just wearing a mask to fulfill his intentions. I did not respond for moments,then he asked again,
"You can share your thoughts with me."
"If it's concerned with my family and their pride,then I'll marry to anyone they choose for me."
I stated.
"Well, that's courageous of you,but I actually want to know your opinion."
There was genuineness in his eyes, urging me to open my heart before him,to share each and every aspect of my life with him.But there was a line stopping me to reach him that was the line of trust,which I could not cross, not at least now when I don't know enough of him.
"This world is where I've been born and I'll die in this world only. So whatever the fate brings me is acceptable to me."
I said,trying to sound authentic. I could not tell him the truth that I am not good marrying to any man of my world. I could not muster the fact to tell him things like that, how I feel about the men in mafia world.
"OK, then we can go on an actual date as you don't have any objections regarding marrying me."
Franco said, he is future mafia of Italy,but he is different.Different from many people I know, different from those other mafia men, different from my father. Something in his eyes asks me to trust him and let him take care of me. But this could all be deceptive,not everything that seems to real is actually real.
"Yes... sure."
I said,replying to his proposal for a date.
Not actually a proposal,he suggested to go on a date.
"Then we can decide a date after tomorrow's party."
He said.
"Wait, are you gonna stay here after that."
I asked quickly then realised how impolite of me to say that.
Franco laughed,I saw him laugh for the first time and that gorgeous laugh that lit his face up and his eyes shone with that wide smile.He is handsome.
"We will see that."
He left leaving me meddled in thoughts in the thoughts of date.