"It's not that simple," Leo smirked, flashing a grin that resembled the sly smile of a villain in a movie. "This isn't a drama. This is... life."
Mina let out a long sigh and nodded again, trying to calm herself. "Okay, I'll do my best."
She was dressed in an elegant evening gown, a soft blue adorned with sparkling sequins that twinkled like stars in the night sky. The dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves and making her look graceful, though inside, she felt like a lost child at a grown-up party.
Her hair was styled in an intricate updo, decorated with jeweled pins that reflected the light, adding to her glamorous appearance. Her face was flawlessly made up, making Mina barely recognize herself in the mirror.
With every step she took, Mina felt as if she were walking on an extravagant theater stage. Every movement felt like it was being watched by a thousand eyes, and despite her efforts to appear calm, she could only laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
Leo, dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo with a bow tie, walked beside her with confident strides, as if they were a celebrity couple attending a prestigious awards ceremony. His smile was wide and exuded confidence, but to Mina, it resembled the cunning grin of a high-class criminal in a parody film.
She had to stifle a laugh as she watched Leo, serious yet amusing in her eyes. For him, this might be a daily routine, but for Mina, it was an experience far removed from her normal life.
Every time Leo smiled and waved to those who greeted them along the corridor, Mina felt like she was acting in a scenario she had never agreed to.
As they stepped into the dining room, which resembled a town hall with its high ceilings and large crystal chandeliers swaying gently, Mina held her breath.
The room was adorned with exotic flowers neatly arranged in expensive vases, and classical music softly played from a corner, enhancing the luxurious yet slightly tense atmosphere.
"Alright," Leo whispered, leaning closer to Mina's ear, "Remember, smile and don't speak unless you're spoken to."
Mina nodded, trying to force her best smile. "Okay, smile and stay silent. I can do that."
A long dining table covered with a pristine white tablecloth was filled with guests neatly seated in their chairs.
Among them were mafia members who looked more like magazine models than gangsters. Their suits were sharply tailored, made from luxurious fabrics that shimmered under the light, while their ties matched the color of their partners' gowns.
Mina slid into her seat beside Leo, attempting to mimic their elegant movements, even though she felt incredibly awkward.
She noticed that the faces around her looked impeccably groomed, with flawless skin that seemed to have been treated at the best salons daily. Their hair was perfectly styled, not a strand out of place, and a faint scent of expensive perfume lingered in the air, creating a blend of aromas that made Mina slightly dizzy.
They looked more like VIP guests at a high-fashion party than dangerous criminals who were supposed to lurk in the shadows.
A man in a gray pinstripe suit, with a burgundy tie and neatly groomed mustache, caught Mina's attention as he began speaking in a loud yet smooth voice. "I've always believed that a three-piece suit is more than just clothing; it's a statement of class and influence. Don't you agree?" he said, glancing at Leo, who nodded as if they were discussing the most important topic in life.
Mina looked at Leo, hoping he would help her understand the topic of conversation. But Leo simply smiled thinly and raised his wine glass, as if this was a perfectly normal discussion.
Mina could only offer a stiff smile, feeling increasingly lost amidst discussions about fashion, the latest trends, and high-end tastes. Occasionally, guests mentioned the names of renowned designers as if they were talking about old friends, leaving Mina more confused about the world she had just entered.
She felt like she was playing in a theater filled with jokes, but everyone around her was playing it straight. She glanced around, trying to blend in while continuing to smile as Leo had taught her.
She noticed a woman across the table in a dazzling gold gown that was almost blinding. The woman sat gracefully, crossing her legs and smiling widely as she discussed her latest jewelry collection, which, in her opinion, was far too "mainstream" for high-class tastes.
Leo glanced at Mina from time to time, watching how she was trying to adapt to this strange situation. He looked satisfied as he saw Mina managing to get by with nothing but a fake smile and polite nods. However, Mina felt as if she were in the wrong movie.
She wanted to scream, "Where's the crime drama? Where's the tension?" But she held back, doing her best to appear elegant and not draw too much attention to herself.
When the main course was served, Mina realized the dishes looked more like works of art than something edible. Small cuts of meat arranged with colorful sauces and unusual flower garnishes made her hesitate to touch her fork.
Meanwhile, the guests around her continued their conversations, jumping from one designer to another as if this were an exclusive meeting of fashion critics. A well-groomed man dressed like a runway model opened a conversation that made Mina choke on her drink.
"Did you see the latest collection from that famous designer? It's so avant-garde!"
Mina glanced at Leo with wide eyes, seeking guidance. Leo just nodded gravely, as if this topic was of utmost importance.
"Yes, very chic," Leo agreed seriously, leaving Mina even more confused.
Mina mumbled quietly enough for Leo to hear, "I thought they'd be talking about… mafia business, not fashion shows."
A woman across the table, dressed in a gown that sparkled brighter than the crystal chandeliers above them, overheard Mina's murmur and stared at her with an odd smile.
"Oh, dear, the mafia world is vast. Fashion is big business too, you know."
Mina could only return a stiff smile and nod.
She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This night was so far from what she had imagined when Leo invited her to his home.
In her mind, the mafia world had always been filled with action, tension, and discussions about grand plans to conquer rivals or smuggle goods—not light chatter about fashion trends and jewelry.