In the midst of the guests' conversation, a man in a gray pinstripe suit, with a burgundy tie and a neatly trimmed mustache, opened the discussion. "So, Leo, I hear your fiancée is a fashionista too? Is that right?" He glanced at Mina with eager anticipation.
Mina nervously looked at Leo, but he simply offered a small smile. "Oh, absolutely. She has exquisite taste in everything. Don't you agree, darling?"
Mina swallowed hard, trying to act confident. "Ah, yes! Fashion is, um… very important. Especially dresses that… are comfortable to wear?" She smiled awkwardly, hoping her answer would suffice to avoid embarrassing Leo.
The man nodded, satisfied. "Oh, of course, comfort is everything. I always choose the best fabrics for my suits, don't I?" He straightened his jacket as if showcasing a piece from a renowned designer.
As she averted her gaze from the man, Mina whispered to Leo, "This is really strange. I thought they would talk about business… you know, the more dangerous stuff."
Leo suppressed a small laugh and replied softly, "Welcome to the real world, Mina. Even the mafia needs time to unwind. Focus on your role."
Moments later, a woman across the table, dressed in a sparkling gown that seemed to compete with the crystal chandelier above them, addressed Mina. "Darling, your dress is absolutely stunning! Which collection is it from? I've seen many blue dresses this season, but the one you're wearing is truly different."
Mina was momentarily stunned, searching for an answer that wouldn't make her look foolish. "Uh, thank you. This, um… the designer might not be famous, but I like designs that are… unique and not too mainstream."
The woman beamed, clearly impressed. "Oh, absolutely! I also adore exclusive styles, nothing like the boring mass trends."
Leo patted Mina's back proudly. "See? You're adapting well. Keep it up."
Mina smiled, even though she was still confused by everything happening around her. The conversation continued to flow from fashion to art, from art to wine, as if they were at a high-society event, not a mafia meeting.
As dinner began, Mina tasted the food that looked more like art than a dish. "This… is really small," she whispered to Leo. "Is this an appetizer or the main course?"
Leo chuckled softly. "That is indeed the meal. Remember, eat slowly and savor every bite. This isn't a place for filling up but for style."
When the main course was served, Mina struggled to follow the conversation, feeling as though she were listening to a foreign language. Leo seemed to be enjoying the situation, observing Mina trapped in the absurdity of the night with a small smile on his face.
"What are we doing here?" Mina asked, whispering to Leo while pinching a small roll from her plate.
"Surviving," Leo replied flatly, taking a small piece of meat into his mouth. "Here, life and death can depend on how well you adapt."
"I didn't know surviving in the mafia meant knowing the latest Gucci collection," Mina replied cynically.
Leo chuckled and shook his head.
Mina felt like Alice lost in Wonderland. Every corner of Leo's mansion was a new world she had never imagined, and everyone in it seemed like characters from a bizarre story she had never read.
She tried to follow the conversation but felt lost among discussions of the latest trends and expensive jewelry. Next to her, a woman in a sparkling gown regaled the table with tales of her latest diamond collection, while a man in an elegant suit talked about private jets and villas on the Riviera.
Mina could only nod and smile widely whenever someone glanced her way, hoping no one noticed that she understood less than half of the ongoing conversations.
Leo watched her with a thin smile, appreciating her silly yet endearing efforts. He was impressed by Mina's attempts to fit in, even though it was clear that this was not her world.
Mina glanced around the room, observing the mafia members engrossed in discussions about fabric materials, seasonal colors, and rare jewelry. She felt as if she were in a luxury reality show on TV, but without any cameras recording her every move.
"This is insane," she murmured.
After dinner, Leo pulled Mina aside. "You did quite well, better than I expected."
Mina rolled her eyes, exhaling in relief. "Oh, thanks. But you didn't tell me I had to know about the latest designer collections to survive in the mafia."
Leo let out a low chuckle, his voice barely above a whisper. "You'll get used to it. This is just the beginning."
Mina raised an eyebrow, feeling skeptical. "Beginning of what? A daily fashion parade?"
But before Leo could respond, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. In the distance, the sound of shattering glass pierced the air, followed by a hysterical scream that shattered the silence. Leo immediately stood up, his expression turning serious as he scanned the room with a wary gaze.
"Stay here," he ordered tersely, his eyes sharp like an eagle hunting its prey.
Panic surged within Mina as she grabbed his arm. "What's happening? Are we in danger?"
Leo looked at her firmly. "Stay here," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for protest, then he sprinted toward the source of the chaos, leaving Mina alone with her racing heart.
Mina stood frozen in the middle of the room, confused and terrified.
Suddenly, the sound of gunfire erupted from outside, causing Mina to flinch in fear. She quickly crouched down and sought refuge behind a large sofa nearby.
The commotion grew louder; the sounds of overturned furniture and hurried footsteps filled the space. Mina peered out from behind the sofa, her heart pounding, trying to make sense of what was happening.
Several armed men burst in, their faces concealed by black ski masks, and they began shooting at anyone in sight. Leo and his men immediately responded, returning fire.
Mina felt like she was in an action movie—except this was real, and she had no script to tell her what to do. Bullets whizzed by, shattering expensive vases and breaking the large windows that overlooked the garden.
She spotted Leo, who appeared heroic amidst the gunfire. He moved swiftly from one cover to another, occasionally returning fire with impressive accuracy.
On the other side of the room, some of Leo's family members were busy protecting themselves behind the now-chaotic dining tables. A few of them looked injured, bloodstains beginning to tarnish the once pristine marble floor.
Mina swallowed hard, feeling her entire body tremble. She tried to lower herself further, hoping not to be seen by the attackers. "Oh God, I didn't sign up for this!" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else around her.