The Badass Mafia Boss Queen

Buying lingerie as a bride-to-be turned out to be more fascinating than I had thought it would be. I found myself in that kind of mood where you suddenly feel happy even when you know you should not.

As I stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room, looking at myself, I thought about what Maxine said at the Dojo. ‘Enjoy yourself, this is only temporary.’

Thinking about it now, it made absolute sense. Why get upset, why bother. Why not just enjoy all of this and have fun. Since they are temporary. A plan built-up in my head. Going to this club that belonged to Hollis, wherever it is and finding out who this lady that takes care of his needs is.

If we’re getting a real wedding, then he won’t keep disrespecting me by sleeping with some cheap woman. I’ll let him know. And If he insists, then two can definitely play the game. As I stared at my curves and my toned belly, I fell in love with the way I look in the red lingerie.

“When I met my husband, I didn’t want to marry him. In fact I detested the very sight of him.” Nana plunged into an old tale of her love life when I rejoined them at the pay point. “I wanted a Knight in shiny armor, a real love story like Cinderella and co.”

My eyes sparked with interest. “He was hot headed and love wasn’t one of his fine strengths. But me on the other hand, I was a hopeless romantic. We were two opposites. Guess what I did?”

“What?” I asked

“I humbled him. When it dawned on me that we were stuck with each other for the rest of our lives, I had to take matters into my own hands.” She shifted closer to me and whispered. “I seduced him and brought him to his knees. In just a few days, he was a finished-man.” Nana giggled like a child and I couldn’t help but marvel at how a woman like her could have a man like Don Genovese wrapped around her finger.

Once we were done at the Mall, we headed to a custom bridal ballroom owned by a top designer who was so pleased to have us as she personally assisted us with the wedding gown selection. We ended up not settling for any.

I wanted a simple gown with less drama. But I found none of their available stock to my liking. So, Nana had them take my measurements in order to give me exactly what I wanted. By the time we were done, I was totally exhausted and happy.

Nero, one of Hollis’s right hand men who seemed not to like me so much, served as our driver for the day and he drove myself and Alessia back to Willowbrook while Nana’s driver took Nana and Cordelia home.

The journey back to Willowbrook was a reflective for me. My mind kept wandering to my parents and how in god’s name Hollis would be able to convince them that getting married to me was part of things we had to do to keep me safe.

I created an image of my father’s response in my head and it was not a beautiful one.

******

HOLLIS

“This is ridiculous, you can’t punish her for something she did not do. This has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with her.” Ada Chike thundered.

“You’re missing the point Mrs. Chike. I’m not punishing her, I’m only trying to keep her safe and this is the only way.” I responded as the mother to my soon-to-be wife fumed.

I had brought her to my home to see her daughter. Hoping that the sight of Ugo would calm her agitation. And even though her husband refused to tag along, I knew she would definitely spread the news that her daughter was neither a prisoner nor was she mistreated.

However what I didn’t think through was Ugo’s reaction to seeing her mother. I heard the sound of the door from where I stood, opposite Ada Chike and the sharp, fast approaching footsteps. Ugo came on sight immediately with Alessia struggling with shopping bags behind her.

“Mum…” Ugo’s voice broke as she ran down to her mother.

I watched both of them hug each other passionately. The mother kept touching Ugo’s body, checking for God knows what. And then I heard her next question.

“Did he touch you? Did he hurt you? How are you?”

“No, I’m fine. He didn’t hurt me.” Ugo replied and I felt a swell in my heart.

The right thing to do at that point would have been to give the women some space but I didn’t want to. I wanted to hear everything they were saying. Call me petty, but I don’t care.

I was about moving to the dining area when my mother-in-law-to-be called my attention. “You were saying?” She turned to me.

I paused as Alessia dragged the endless shopping bags into the room. “Just keep them over there Ale, kindly give us a moment. I’ll send for you later.” Ugo said and I almost groaned with jealousy.

Alessia has a cute name already, but I was yet to get any. “It was either this or we would risk losing her.” I explained once Alessia left the room.

I watched her turn to her daughter, and to my delight, Ugo nodded. ‘Oh sweet Christ!’

“It’s a way to ensure she’s safe,” I said, shrugging, keeping my gaze on Ugo as a little tremble moved from her lips to her whole body.

“Are you hurting my daughter?” She asked me.

I shook my head, “I would never hurt Ugo. I told you we know each other way before now. She’s… special… to me.” I explained.

“Mum, it’s fine, I’m fine. He’s been nothing but kind to me. And this whole arrangement is for my own good. It’ll be over soon and I’ll be home, I promise.”

Ada Chike’s voice broke. “Why didn’t you tell me, Ugo? Why did you lie about how you got the money for my surgery? You told me it was work, that you made partner in your firm.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Ugo became fidgety as she held her mother’s shoulder. “It was work mum, I swear.”

“So, if it was work, how come they’re after your life.”