The Beginning (The Life 1)

“Oh, about that. Gia’s very careless with her things, so…”

“No worries, I’ve lent her mine. I’m sure she won’t lose it since it was a gift from my father.” Only an idiot would miss that threat. “So, I guess I’ll see you when I bring her home again tomorrow night.”

“Oh, is she going tomorrow as well? Your dad didn’t say how often she’d be needed.”

“Every evening after school and Saturdays as well. She’ll be well paid, of course.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about that; your dad and I already discussed it. As long as it doesn’t interfere with her schoolwork, then I guess there’s no problem.” So why do you look so worried?

“It won’t. Thank you, sir, for letting her do this. My family is already very pleased with her, so I guess she’ll be spending a lot of time with us from now on unless it would interfere…”

“Oh no, no, it’s fine. It’s our pleasure to be so well thought of by your family.” I’m banking on you thinking so. And you better know how to read between the lines.

“I guess I’ll be going then.” There were ants crawling beneath my skin when I walked away from him. Being rash has never been my forte, but it was close. She was standing there outside the door while Victoria and her mother watched from across the hallway. No doubt they heard every word that was said. I didn’t spare either of them a glance; that should send enough of a message. “Walk me out, Gianna.” I took her hand and pulled her along behind me, ignoring the looks of fury from the two females. “Victoria, remember what I said.” That ought to do it.

VICTORIA

Gianna, why does he keep calling her that? I hate the sound of it; it’s too flowery, too pretty. I thought mom had gotten rid of it a long time ago; even dad had stopped using it after a while. Now hearing Gabriel Russo say it makes me feel like my head will explode. I bit my tongue to keep the scream that I’ve been holding in since he walked through the door with her inside.

I’ve spent the last few hours in torment, wondering what they were doing and trying to make sense of what was going on. Now he’s holding her hand and talking about her like she’s something special. My heart is pounding hard with anger, but all I can do is clench my fists as I watch him saying something quietly to her at the door before leaving.

I didn’t feel butterflies of excitement in my chest this time when he looked at me over her head. There was no mistaking that look this time, no need to second guess his message this time around. If there weren’t a wall behind me, I would’ve fallen to the floor from the heat in that scathing gaze.

It’s all her fault; no doubt she’s lied to him about me. Why else would he look at me with such loathing? No, that’s not exactly right. It wasn’t loathing I saw in that last look before he walked away from the door. It was more like the look you’d give someone you found beneath you, the look I’ve taught others to give Gia over the years.

“What does he mean? What did he say to you?” I’d forgotten mom was there beside me; both of us seem stuck in place. I couldn’t form words, and then I realized what that feeling was that I couldn’t quite explain before; it’s fear. I felt it from the second I overheard his words to Felix. There was something in them, almost like an underlying threat. Was that aimed at me?

“Why does it feel like a whirlwind just came through here?” Mom whispered the words as we watched Gia head up the stairs to her room. I wanted to scream at her to do something, but I was still too shaken. Why is everything happening like this? One minute mom and I were planning on how to deal with this new development. No way was I going to let Gia get close to him or his family. If anyone should be doing that, it should be me.

Mom understood and agreed, of course. Everyone knows that an in with the Russo family is like striking gold. They’re the ones that hold the most respect and prestige in our community. The ones whose party invites dictate who’s who. Not even mom had tried to get in good with Mrs. Russo because she knew and accepted that she wasn’t on the same level.

Had things gone the way they should’ve, mom would’ve held the same position in her circle with the other upper-middle-class women. Isn’t that what Gia’s mom had done? She'd been the queen bee in those circles. But instead, those women seem to shun mom more than anything. If we make it into the Russo family circle, things will change, and I would be even more popular, especially with the Russo twins in my pocket.