*The scenery passes in a blur as we driver *

*Throughh the city *

(Man... I wish I was anywhere but here right now.)

[jack /(fl)Uncle]: Don't look so glum,crystal.

My uncle lets out a soft laugh from the driver's seat.

[jack /(fl)Uncle]: You're going to enjoy this dinner party.

[jack /(fl)Uncle]: It should be a nice change of pace. You've been working a little too much lately.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: I don't mind it at all. Office life isn't that bad.

[jack /(fl)Uncle]: But wouldn't you want a little excitement in your life?

[crystal Georges (fl)]: Excitement isn't always a good thing.

(My job might be boring, but at least it's secure.)

A sigh leaves his lips.

[jack /(fl)Uncle]: Fine, but try to give tonight a chance. For me.

[jack /(fl)Uncle]: I'll even introduce you go" Vincenzo leone".

[jack /(fl)Uncle]: He's going to announce his fiancee at tonight's dinner, you know.

[jack /(fl)Uncle]: That man is the heir to the Group, which make him one of the most powerful businessmen in the country!

(Ah yes, a 'businessman.') (You mean a mafia boss.)

My shoulders sag as I look out the window again.

My uncle has helped me a lot.

When I needed a place to stay, he opened his home to me without a second thought.

So no matter how I feel about his... shadier connections, including this vincenzo leone , I don't want to cause any trouble for him

(Maybe tonight will go fine after all)

(I'm sure even the mafia has normal dinner parties.)

When we arrive, we go inside and step into a crowded room.

(This is fancier than anywhere I've ever been before, even on special occasions.)

I look around, dazed by the number of well-dressed and obviously wealthy people chatting with one another.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: Hey, um-I turn to my uncle and freeze.

(Where'd he go?!)

I look around, but there's no sign of him in the crowd.

(Great, I got separated from him at a mafia dinner party.)

(Tonight is off to a great start...)

and I make my way through the crowd in the direction I last saw him.

[crystal Georges (FL)] : Excuse me, pardon me-I'm unused to walking around in heels, though. As I hurry, my foot catches on something, and I tumble forward.

[crystal Georges (FL)] : Woah!

I throw out my arms and prace for impact, but it never comes.

Slowly, I realize a pair of warm, strong arms are holding me by the waist.

I turn my head and look up to see one of the most handsome men I've ever laid eyes on.

His grip around me is firm, and the way he tugs me up to steady me makes heat rush to my face.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: Th-Thank you!

He makes a dismissive sound, his golden eyes cold and his lips curled in an expression of distaste.

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[Rude Man]: What a klutz.

[Rude Man]: There's nothing I hate more than women who are all beauty and no brains.

(What the hell?!)

(When he caught me and held m so carefully, I thought he was a gentleman-)

(But this guy's just a huge jerk!)

I pull myself free of his steadying arms and glare at him.

[crystal georges (FL)]: And I hate men who are all looks and no manners. He draws himself up, and the man standing next to him guffaws.

[Cheerful Maan]: She's got you there, vincenzo!

[Rude Man]: You stay out of this.

(Wait... vincenzo?)

I take a better look at the man glaring at me.

Then I draw a sharp breath and step back.

( vincenzo leone!)

(He's... He's the mafia boss hosting this party!)

[Vincenzo leone(ML)]: I suppose I could do worse, at least...

What's that supposed to mean?)

(Is he even talking to me?)

The man standing next to him gives me an apologetic smile.

[Cheerful Man]: Sorry about him, Miss.

Then he elbows vincenzo in the side.

[Cheerful Mean]: Don't talk that way to a lady!

[vincenzo leone (ML)]: I caught her, didn't 1?

[vincenzo leone (ML)]: I could've let her fall.

[Cheerful Man]: Congratulations on crossing the minimum bar to not be a complete jerk!

[Cheerful Man]: Now let's see if we can get you somewhere on the scale of 'decent human being,' eh ?

[vincenzo leone(ML)]: Hmph.

(Who is that guy?)

(He must be someone important If he can treat a mafia boss that casually.)

He looks more laidback than vincenzo , but no less tough. I wouldn't want to see those two get into a fight.

At the moment, however, the jovial man seems intent on giving advice on how vincenzo should correct his bad attitude-

Advice which vincenzo seems highly disinclined to take.

[Cheerful Man]: You don't meet a beautiful girl and immediately start insulting her!

[Cheerful Man]: Come on, get to know her-talk to her a bit!

[Cheerful Man]: At least ask her if she's alright.

Vincenzo clicks his tongue, and his eyes flick toward me.

[vincenzo leone (ML)]: ... Are you alright?

The question is so cold, it's clearly intended more for companion's benefit than for mine.

[crystal georges (FL)]: I'm fine, thank you.

[vincenzo leone (ML)]: You should be more careful.

[crystal georges (FL)]: I just tripped, that's all.

[vincenzo leone (ML)]: A person could get killed that way.

[crystal georges (FL)]: I'm sure a dinner party isn't that dangerous.

[vincenzo leone (ML)]: You'd be surprised.

The deep, firm tone sends a chill down my spine.

[Cheerful Man]: Oh, boy... This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I said you should talk to her.

[vincenzo leone (ML)]: I never asked for

this conversation to begin in the first place.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: Neither did I.

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[Vincenzo leone (ML)]: Then we've finally come to an agreement-I think we can end it there.

He turns away, and I scowl after him despite my best effort to keep my emotions from my face.

(What a jerk.)

[Cheerful Man]: Let me apologize on his behalf.

He holds out his hand.

[Cheerful Man]: Some of us know how to be gentlemen, just so you know.

[Cheerful Man]: I'm Ace, by the way.

The man flashes a confident, crooked smile that's hard to pull my eyes away from.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: O-Oh! Umm... I'm crystal .

I take his hand, but instead of a handshake like I expected, he lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles.

[Ace Lorenz (ml's bff)]: It's a pleasure to meet you, crystal . You're quite a sight to behold.

I can feel my face heating up.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: Th-Thank you... It's not every day I dress this, so I'm glad to hear that. like

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: I bet you're just as beautiful when you're not caked up.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: So what's a lovely lady like you doing wandering around here looking so lost, aside from tripping into the arms of the boss?

He leans closer so that he can whisper in my ear.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: Next time you trip, try to fall into my arms instead.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: I promise it'll be a much better experience.

My heart skips a beat.

(I-Is he being serious? I'm not sure what to say to that...)

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)] : But Vincenzo isn't really so bad once you get to know him.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: Is that so? I actually find that hard to believe, but I probably should keep my mouth shut.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.

(Wait, why would he say that? Why should I be worried about vincenzo ?)

(I don't like where this is going...)

Ace tilts his head, and I realize I must look pretty anxious right about now.

[Ace lorenz(ml's bff)]: Oh, sorry if I'm coming on too strong.

Ace chuckles and nudges me.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: Loosen up. I don't bite, I promise.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: Sorry, I'm just not used to these sorts of events.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: I guess I feel a little out of place.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: And that brings us right back to you wandering around and tripping into the arms of a grump.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: Were you looking for someone?

[crystal Georges (FL)]: My uncle, actually.

[crystal Georges (FL)]: We came here together, but we got separated in the crowd.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: I see... I wouldn't worry too much, he'll turn up.

[Ace Lorenz(ml's bff)]: We haven't had a disappearance at a dinner party in years.

---------------------------------

...thank YOU...

✨❤️

continue in next episode ~