Velvet Lullabies

“Adelina!” Anette cooed, embracing Adelina into a big hug. “I’m so happy you’re here!”

“Of course.”

“Come, come. Let me introduce you the ladies.”

Anette pulled her away from Lucian’s side to a group of women who had taken over a corner of the living room.

“Here’s the bride!” Anette shouting as they approached. “Adelina, this is Carlotta, Lucian’s Aunt, and her daughter Daniella.” Carlotta smiled brightly wrapping her arms around Adelina.

“Over here this is my friend, Ciri, she has two girls around here somewhere-” Anette looked around before spotting them. “There, Lila!”

“Lila,” Ciri called. “Come meet Adelina.”

A tall bottle blonde stepped up to her. “Lila,” she smiled, extending her hand.

“Addy,” Adelina shook it.

“My other daughter is around her somewhere,” Ciri said scanning the room. “Ely, I’ll find her for you.”

“Nice to meet you.” Adelina said putting on her best smile.

“Intimidating, huh?” Lila asked. “Meeting like fifty people at once.”

Adelina smiled, “Yeah, it’s a lot.”

“Just pinch me if you can’t remember a name or something. I’ll slip it to you.” Lila winked. “Us girls gotta stick together, right?”

“Right.” Adelina smiled, a little more genuine this time.

She was paraded around the room, introduced to people that she already could not remember. All of the five New York families were present, but she had yet to meet any of the men. Apparently, they were all holed up in Carlo’s office.

“Ma, can I steal my girl back now?” Lucian voice was a reprieve. Annette was great, sweet, kind, and nicer to Adelina than most people in Providence, but she was exhausting.

“Fine.” She pouted. “Just for a bit! I hardly get to see her.”

“You’ll get to see her all the time once she lives here. I promise you two will be sick of each other in no time.” He pecked her on the cheek.

Live here.

The words reverberated in Adelina’s head. It was October now, and by May she would no longer be in Providence, but instead in New York City. A place that she visited for the first time today.

Hours from her mom, from Gemma. She felt a little sick at the thought.

# # #

Adelina had been paraded around every corner of the Luchese estate. She had met every long-lost cousin and acquaintance there was. He feet ached in her Prada heels.

“One minute.” She mouthed to Annette as she slipped away. The outside was quiet. Adelina inhaled the cool October air. Everyone was being extremely nice to her, but the introvert in her just needed a break.

“It’s hard being paraded around like a princess huh?”

Her head whipped to the auburn haired, hassled eyed girl leaning against the side of the house. Clearly, she had forgot to check for anyone else before she walked outside.

“Yeah,” she said. “Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

The girl took a long inhale from what looked to be a cigarette. Adelina sniffed the hair. Weed.

“It’s cool. Want some?” she offered the joint to Adelina.