MY HEART BELONGS TO MY MAFIA KING

Oli

at was a

irst into a creepy white man

ple at the back corner of the room

t I need

l calm my nerves if nothing else.

le I wait in line. Unfortunately, it looks like all the drink options

g I can't afford. When it's my turn to order, I try to

e one Natty

dent I'm starved enough for money as it is. I'm not about to go s

y request. A sly grin appears on

realize I've m

ice booms, startling me so much that I almost

silver-haired, heavyset white man. He looks to be mid

reassuringly before resting a thick hand on my shoulder. His touch is warm

os

r, not wanting

t release me. With no other option, I'm force

s, for me and th

pull out his wallet I realize the drinks

er possible for no reason at all. I shoul

ey've been prepared that the older gentleman releases me. He

e. Sharing a drink with him won't hurt. Besides, he reminds me of my

out of the bartender's earsho

my dear. Hap

ingers brush in the process. Th

ra

t, but goosebumps

you c

it

smile. "

He lifts his glass in a toast and, despite the fact that I

ong, and I easily drink half before realizing I should pace myself

r na

I forgot to in

ile, "I'm one of the

chievous grin now spreading across

to words of praise. He's acting mor

is Mr. Li

I say, "Are you one of

say that,

ny chance of mistaking him for a student. I wonder how much you have to don

l we

off guard, but I do my

, s

oast, and I'm forced to follow his m

as he watches me drink the rest

the glass from me and sta

e of the room dims slightly, and my head feels dizzier than usual. The alcohol must be affecting me quickly

ly a littl

ing me his hand, and

w the waltz

es to my

sor

tation. A banquet like this isn't like high school pro

y the music from

s us away from the center of the room and into the mass of gossiping people lining

as we enter the crowd, and

almost pretend not to notice the way his hand s

an old man looking for company. Don't

s a struggle to avoid stepping on toes, and

wded?" h

thusiast

a nearby door. "Why don't we s

now. The alcohol affectin

't drink that

s as if the room is closing in on me.

e,"

turns the handle quietly, ushering us out into the dark hall. It's illuminated only by the m

head is

feeling?" M

ally in my body. A sudden realization hits me: I've been drunk before, but this i

ing is

hose words come out slurred, as i

time there's a hint of excitement in his tone, an

ted, my anxiety begins t

he didn'

stupid to

k to you unless they w

voice to go away

he says it, his hand begins squeezing me tigh

ng away. I turn before he can recover and try to sprint for th

laughter echoes

ounds far from the gentle grandfather I met

second attempt at escape. "Emily will c

wrist just as I'm regaining my ba

iest thing he's heard all day. "You should be grateful to

I lie. "You'l

ling at the fabric on my back. With disgust,

f the ballroom and no one would report m

s words so

it b

surely has connections eve

ly way out is to escape. As he fumbles with my dress I suddenly sense

sp. With luck he'll think the alcohol is responsible, pl

bend down to lift me once more, s

not out just yet. I have to escap

en send my knee towards his face w

ac

is nose, and he fa

I'm already on my feet. If I

feet

re

n

glance behind me. I don't know what I look like, but a few startled gasps meet me as I stumble through the crowd. My dress is h

before I'm too inc

to find

g the crowd for her, but

my line of sight and I recoil, r

d time if necessary, but nothing happens. I lower my arms

ot Mr.

andsome face, trying to clear my vision, but if anything it just grows worse. The room is spinn

Maybe no one here will he

se, h

from my cheek. A moment later, his strong hands wrap around my waist to my back

. help

but already my eyes are

s chest, my legs no longer obeying my commands. His beard scratches against the sensitive skin on

his voice is low, calm,

dn't thank