Iris
Tonight was the night I would make my first impression on Victor. Everything had to be perfect. I wore a black, fitting dress with thin spaghetti straps and black high heels. My long, curly black hair had been flatened to give myself a more serious look. For my eyes, I went for a fierce but elegant smokey eye with hints of dark silver shimmers to bring out my eyes. My lips had a sheer, rosey tint that made them pop out against my skin. As I walked downstairs, I was met by my mother and father.
"Oh, darling. You look beautiful." My mother said as she pulled me into a hug.
"Jesus, mom. You act like I'm going to prom." I said, remaining stiff in her embrace. She didn't take it to heart. She knew the awkwardness of hugging came from my father. For him, she was the only exception he had.
"I'm sorry. It's just", she paused to regain her composure. "You're all grown up now and if he chooses you, you'll move out." She gave me a sorrowful smile as she held on to my father. As I looked at him, it was clear that he felt the same but wouldn't permit himself to show it.
"Don't worry. Everything is going to be O.K. I'll still call every chance I get. Plus, we need to remember the goal. I have to do this. For us." I reassured my mother but the moment was short lived due to the sound of the doorbell.
"I'll get it. You two just have a seat." I gestured towards the table before heading towards the front door.
Upon opening the door, I was met with the most beautiful set of eyes I've ever seen. They stared back into mines like they belonged there, steel grey to cold blue. His tan skin made his eyes more noticeable, almost like they glowed. The dark stubble on his face matched the smooth hair on top of his head, not a hair out of place. He wore a silk linen shirt covered by a business suit and shoes, all black.
By the time my eyes had made it's way back up to his, his eyes lingered somewhere lower on me. I was starting to have mixed feelings about the short dress I had decided to wear. It wasn't until someone behind him cleared their throat that his eyes snapped up to mines and I realized that we weren't alone.
"Um… Mr. Valentino. Please come in." I stepped to the side allowing both men to enter my house, closing the door behind them. "If you would please follow me to the dining hall."
I turn on my heels and start walking, growing more nervous as their heavy footsteps echoed behind me.
So much for first impressions.
I guided us through the house to the dining hall, hearing them whisper among themselves. Something about "Enzo" and "wasting time" though it was mostly unintelligible. As I opened the door to the dining hall, my father stood from his chair to greet them.
"Victor. Stephano. Thank you so much for accepting my invitation. Please have a seat." As he gestured to the seat at the opposite head of the table, I walked over to pull out the chair for him, once again putting his attention on me. After he took his seat, I pulled out the seat next to him for the other man. Stephano, I believe my father said. When they were both settled, I turned to join my father on the other end of the table when something stopped me in my tracks.
"Look, Enzo. I didn't come here for fucking dinner with you and your wife. Show me this pathetic 'recruit' so I can deny him and go on about my goddamn day." His voice was rough and dominating. I was sure the room had shook, but it wasn't enough to scare me.
"I beg your pardon. I personally trained-" my father's argument was cut short by Victor.
"We all know that anyone trained by Enzo Marino could be nothing but a failure." He spat out the words like venom. What had happened in the past to cause such a reaction?
I had heard enough. Per his earlier demand, I took a throwing knife out of it's holder around my thigh and threw it in between the eyes of the deer head that hung above the fireplace without looking. This shifted everyone's attention to the deer head, earning a smile from my father.
"I apologize for the confusion. Please allow me to introduce my daughter, Iris Martino. She is the new recruit." My father spoke as he gestured to me in a presenting manner. I turned to face Victor and our eyes met once again, but this time, it was different. Steel grey to fiery blue.
So much for a first fucking impression.