Chapter 17

Maya Pov

I could feel them all looking at me, the women. Maybe it was the bruise or maybe i looked ugly. I knew they were wondering who I was and what I was doing there. I haven't said a word since we walked through the door, I just smiled at the people that Lorenzo introduce me to. His hands haven't left my back ones, in fact his grips tightened every time someone called his name.

I think I was doing a good job so far, I looked like an obedient girl. I didn't know if he was pleased with my acting. I sure was. The place was live and packed with people, most I knew were also like him.

"They are all jealous of you" I felt his breath against my neck

"Who?" I asked confused, who would be jealous of me, I was the plainest girl here. They all had on pretty dresses and makeup.

"The women, I can see the jealousy in their eyes. They envy you" his face was still close to mine "It is an honour to be with a capo"

"Really?" I say looking around, he was right they were staring at me. With hatred and jealousy.

"Yes, you're the must beautiful woman in this room" he says moving to stand in front me. I looked up at him surprised something nice came out his mouth. But I can't forget what he was, his isn't nice or caring. He saw the look on my and the smile fell of his face.

"Lorenzo!" a girlish scream behind me "it's been months" before I knew it was been shoved out of the way, I stumble back almost falling a hand caught me in time. I saw the thing that pushed me attached to Lorenzo, squeezing the life out of him. All I could see was long black straight hair and a red dress that was amazing compared to my mine black dress it.

"Are you okay Miss?" I did realise I was still in someone's hands, I looked up at the man that caught me. His was handsome, he had black hair that was gelled back. His suit felt like velvet. He had the most strong green eyes like the forest.

"Miss?" I heard him say once more, shit was I staring for too long?

"I'm sorry" I say moving away from his grip

"It's alright, that was mainly my fault didn't look were I was going" he smiled allowing me to see him perfect teeth

"Yeah" I said looking at the bitch that shoved me, she was still attach to Lorenzo like a leech.

"I see your here with Lorenzo" he nods at him "he is very good friends with my sister. I can see you are well acquaintance" he eyes moves down to my face, I knew he was looking at the bruises .

"Richard" i felt his arm before I heard his voice

"Lorenzo" he nods at him looking down at Lorenzo's arm on my waist

"Who is she" I heard the bitch say, I could see the resemblance with her and the Richard guy. Their jet black her and green eyes gave it way.

"This is Maya" he introduced me to them "Maya this is Rebecca and Richard"

"Nice to meet you" I say must mostly at the man, he still hasn't taken his eyes of me.

"What is she, your cousin?" I could feel her eyes scanning my body head to toe. I knew she was other one of his women. Did this bitch just seriously ask if I was his cousin?

"No, I'm his whore" I gave her a bitter smile. Her face became tighter

"I can see you don't get punished enough for your loose lips"

"I assure you my lips punished enough" I put my hands against his chest still smiling at her. I knew he was probably giving me all kinds of faces right now but I wasn't going to let this straight looking bitch walk all over me.

"That's not something to be proud of"

I stepped forward about to pulled out her extensions, I don't talk. If she wants to talk she's getting punched in her pretty face. But Lorenzo pulls me back making sure his grip was strong enough. I wanted to punch that smile of her face.

"Forgive my sister, she's been in a bad mood all day" Richard says stepping forward "why don't you get yourself a drink before dinner" he nods towards the bar to her. She opens her mouth to protest but his eyes became hard as if telling her not too.

"I have business I would like to talk to Lorenzo about. Nothing a woman should hear" he tells her before she left, she mutter something under her breath that I didn't understand.

"Why don't you go get a drink or freshen up" Lorenzo says to me, but I didn't want to leave. I wanted to know what they were talking about it could be useful intel. He knew I was about to refuse.

"Go wait at the bar, but don't drink any alcohol" he said more firm. If we weren't at this party, I won't be doing what he was telling me but I didn't want to cause a scene. So I made my way to the down the hall where I thought I saw a bathroom. Maybe there a little window where I could climb out of and escape.

The bathroom was massive with dark lights and black tiles, There was a lounge area before you walk in. The stalls were all opened, empty good. If there was a window I don't need anyone seeing me climb out of it. I pushed the stalls wider but, no window. It wasn't the ones with the halfway walls. The walls were connected to the ceiling so I couldn't see into the other one.

Moving to the next one, I heard voices and heels coming in. I quickly locked myself in, it would be better if there isn't any witnesses. I could hear their voices clearer now, they were all speaking in Italian about something actually someone. Tuning them out I sat on the toilet, I miss my bed. My apartment in New York. Even though I didn't have a lot it was still my home. A place I didn't have when I was younger.

I got moved houses to houses, different foster parents even few years. And it was always a coin flip to whether or not they will be nice. I had a few nice ones and someone that only cared about the money they got for taking care of me, which they never actually did. There wasn't one I would say took care of me right, but nothing compares to my last one. He was a true monster, he showed me how the world truly is, how horrible humans could be. It wasn't all flowers and sunshine.

I was brought back to the bathroom when I heard Lorenzo's name. Of course they were talking about him; eye roll.

"Did you see who he came with"

"Yeah, she looked like he picked her from the trash and gave her a dress and heels"

"Did you see her hair" they laughed "who has that hair colour. She needs an appointment with my hair stylist but I doubt she could afford it. She is so ugly, I mean if I was her parents I would sell her to the work house instead of taking care of her. No man would want that"

"Ahhh, her parents probably did sell her off" one giggled

"And god has she ever heard of something called a salad. You can fit two of me in her dress. Her arms were like two of mine"

"Why would she wear a dress that showed all her hideous scars on her back? Does she think that people wanna look at that? I almost threw up looking at me. Disgusting."

"She looks like a bloated cow"

"Why would he come with her, compare to his other date she's like a zero. She can't even afford makeup"

"Guys maybe he needed a date last minute and picked the first one he saw"

"Noooo, I bet she seduce him and him being a man he couldn't resist" there voice trailed off as they left the bathroom

I sat there, emotion less until I felt something wet drop on my arm. Was I leaking water?. I touched my face, I was crying? I don't remember the last time I cried. What they said hurt me more then a gun shot gun. Was that how people saw me? Was I that ugly? I was thought I was average looking and I know I am bigger than most girls but i didn't think I was as big as a cow. What they said about my parents hurt the most, they didn't sell me off. They wanted me. Well my mother did. Looking down at the scars I had in my wrist; they were a reminder that I survived a monster. I knew they were ugly but they were a part of me.

I couldn't stop the tears, they came down like a waterfall. I sounded like a dying whale. I was an ugly cryer. I used my hands to cover my mouth to stop the noise. This was all his fault, he shouldn't have brought me here. I don't cry, I don't usually care what people thought of me, but for some reason I cared how he saw me, I wanted him to think I was beautiful. I need to leave. I'm going to walk out that front door.

Exiting the bathroom after I cleaned my tears but my eyes and nose were red, I looked drunk or like I just cried. The hallway was empty, this was my chance. I made my way to the door we came through, I don't belong here. I saw the double doors with men in suit standing beside it, It wasn't as packed as it was when we came in. I hope they won't ask any questions and just let me out. 

"Where are you going in such a rush Mrs" I almost jumped when I heard Alessio beside me. I forgot he was here as well.

"Leaving" I say looking at him, "I don't belong here" suddenly feeling self conscious I put my arms around myself.

"Why do you say that" he questioned walking closer

I laughed shaking my head.

"Look at me" I say looking down at myself

"I am" he say when he was a few inches away from me. Breaking eye contact after a few second. I looked down at my feet, why did I feel so insecure all of a sudden.

"Do you wanna go get ice cream?" I looked up at him confused

"There is a great ice cream shop in the city" he smiles "I will even add a cookie"

"Am I allowed to leave?" I ask thinking how mad Lorenzo would be.

"You didn't care a second ago"

"Fine, your paying cause I have no money" I tell him agreeing. I couldn't say no to ice cream and cookies.

"I always pay when I take a girl out" he winks at me.