Page 29 of Christmas with the Mafia
“Because they disapprove of my choices.”
“In what way?”
“In the way I live in New York, for one, in a small condo. My mother wants me to live in Los Angeles with the rest of the family, living the Californian dream and marrying for money, not love. “
She sighs, and as she speaks, I am riveted by the soft delivery of her words. There is no emotion but sadness when she speaks of her family, and I make a mental note to ask Trent to run a full background check on them.
However, we don’t have time for this now, so I increase the urgency in my voice. “Sign the contract, Regina, and we will head back to your apartment. Then we grab breakfast.”
“Oh well, here goes nothing but regret.” She winks and with an impish grin, signs her name with a flourish and faces me with a proud gleam in her eyes. “I practiced this signature for a week, you know. I wanted it to look professional and as if I’m a celebrity.”
“Why?”
I’m mildly curious, and she shrugs. “I told you, I’m an entrepreneur, and branding is a huge part of that. I sign a little thank-you card with all my orders, and it wouldn’t look good if my signature was inferior. Attention to detail counts, Nico and I shouldn’t have to remind you of that.”
She stands before I can pick my jaw up from the floor and says with a confidence I admire, “Come, there is no time to waste. I need coffee, and fast, and quite frankly I’m tempted to grab one in the lobby before we leave. I’m not able to function until I’m at least three macchiatos in.”
She strides to the door with all the confidence of an idiot, completely unaware of what she has just signed. If she knew, she wouldn’t be so happy because Regina has just signed her life away, and she doesn’t even realize that. If Ihad to give her one piece of advice, it would be to always study the small print because deep inside this document is the sentence that seals her fate.
Marriage to me will be on my terms only, and if she breaks the contract, she relinquishes all claims to challenge me in any court. She will leave with what she came into the marriage with, which currently stands at one purse and one cell phone. No clothes and an apartment that probably belongs to me, anyway.
Fifteen
REGINA
As we exit the elevator,I’m a little self-conscious as several men in suits crowd around us. The fact I’m still wearing the dress from last night makes this a walk of shame I wasn’t expecting to make. Nico is dressed in his suit from last night, but it doesn’t look as obvious as the silver dress that looks completely out of place now.
As we exit the hotel, I’m glad it’s a different doorman, at least the other one isn’t around to witness my shame. If anything, I’m angry at myself for not filming more content. I was so caught up in the moment I completely forgot about my duties as a content creator.
My phone battery is now dead anyway because I forgot my charger, and as wasted opportunities go, I am mourning this one big time.
I’m not surprised to find a huge black car waiting outside, no yellow cabs required, but I’m surprised to see another two, one in front and one behind.
“Wow, they are busy this morning.”
Nico says nothing as Trent stands by an open door andnods to me respectfully as I slip inside. I flash him a brilliant smile and remark, “Where’s Alyssia? I never got to say goodbye.”
He merely nods as Nico pushes in after me and slams the door behind him.
“He never answered me.”
“He won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s none of your business.”
“Rude.”
“Yes, it is rude to expect an answer from someone who doesn’t owe you any.”
“I was only being polite.”
I shake my head. Jeez, these guys are seriously emotionally depraved.
“Who are they all, anyway? I mean, are you famous or something?”
“I’m careful.”
