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