Menacingly

Chapter Eight

"You do know you're going to have to let her out soon Adrianno." Franco said between bites of his sandwich. The three men had gone for lunch together in the city. Adrianno didn't reply for a minute, he sipped on his coffee and thought about his cousin had said. He was right, but he didn't know if he could trust her enough to know she wouldn't run away. She was scared easily, he could clearly see that by now. She was afraid of him yes, so she would not tell anyone about what she seen but what if someone else scared her more? She would probably tell them in a heartbeat and that was what he didn't want.

"C'mon, I'll bring her out. You won't even have to be there." Mike tried to sound persuasive but not enough for Adrianno.

"No." he replied quickly with force, he definitely didn't want that. He didn't know why yet but it wasn't happening. Franco gave Mike a knowing look and grinned.

"How about you come over tonight for dinner with her? Maria would like the company, she'd love Angela." Maria was Franco's wife of five years, the two were childhood sweethearts and to this day are madly in love with each other. Maria was a friendly and kind girl. She was a saint really considering she put up with Franco and his flirting for all of these years. The two went together perfectly but what they had was something Adrianno never wanted.

"I'll think about it." He said, he really was considering it but he had to think things through first, just like he always did.

"Can I come?" Mike nudged Franco and grinned at him. Franco looked at Adrianno who seemed annoyed at Mike.

"Sure." He looked at Adrianno who breathed out and held the bridge of his nose. Adrianno and Mike had a brotherly bond that no one could break, but Mike did get on his nerves most of the time, ever since they were younger. Franco and Mike thought it was actually quite funny to piss him off constantly so they never stopped. Adrianno knew he was the most serious out of them all, he got that from his father.

Mike was young, he was stupid and a lot more care-free, a lot more care-free than Adrianno could ever even think about being. Unlike Mike, he was next in line to take his father's place as the boss, so Mike didn't have the kind of pressure on him like Adrianno did. He had to be serious, he had to be ruthless, that was the best way to get through his life. He often thought about what life would be like if he wasn't born into this Mafia life, would he be more like Mike?

"So will you and Angela be ready by then?" Franco cut into Adrianno's thoughts.

"Uh-What?" he must have spaced out, he thought.

"Can you two come over at eight tonight?"

"Okay. I'll have to go home and tell Angela as soon as we are done for today."

"Don't be late." Franco told the two of them, "You know what Maria is like when people turn up late for her dinner parties." Mike laughed and Adrianno smiled.

Adrianno got home just before seven that day. He found Angela standing over the stove in the kitchen, he really should've called her to tell her not to make dinner but he had forgotten. She still hadn't noticed his presence; she was humming away to herself, her hips swaying slightly. She looked so good, he thought but quickly pushed his strange comment out of his mind. He radio was turned on and when he was behind her he finally spoke.

"We're going out." He made her jump and turn around quickly. She looked at him with scared eyes. He had clearly frightened her, sneaking up behind someone could potentially make anyone jump but she looked absolutely terrified. She held her hand over her mouth, her eyes were wide as she looked at Adrianno. She let out a sigh of relief and relaxed a little. This girl was clearly afraid of her own shadow, he thought.

"I'm sorry, you scared me. Where are we going?" She said quietly.

"Were you cooking dinner?" he moved around her to look at what was cooking on the stove. She gulped and nodded, her eyes never leaving him. "We are going to my cousin's house for dinner tonight. I'll get rid of this, you go and get ready." She was trying not to stare at him. Angela wanted to stand there a little longer to take in his features. She wondered why he always had a straight face, he almost never showed emotion.

Adrianno turned off what was cooking and walked out into the living room with her. He took the large box out of the bag from the sofa and handed it to her. She just looked at him, curiosity written all over her face.

"What is it?" she asked, looking the box over when she took it from Adrianno's hands.

"Something to wear." He replied nonchalantly.

"Did you get me this?" She asked gratefully. This was the most she had talked him yet, beside last night when he was drunk but he could barely remember any of that. She sure did ask a lot of questions, he thought. He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"No, Mike did." He didn't look at her when he spoke, just stared at the TV screen. She understood that this was the end of conversation now and made her way to her bedroom to get ready. "We're leaving in half an hour. Be ready!" he called into her just before she closed her door.

Her eyes widened when she opened the box to find an elegant emerald green cocktail dress in front of her. She lifted it up carefully, like a fragile flower, and examined the satin material. It really was beautiful, she thought. She had these silver heels somewhere in the one of boxes that would go nicely with the dress. She smiled to herself and put it on gently.

Angela stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself, she was surprised at how well the dress had fitted her. It was a little snug at the waist, which was covered in rectangular and square green jewels, and a tad bit too big at her hips but it really was perfect. She would have to remember to thank Mike the next time she saw him.

She turned around to look at the back of the dress and noticed the small slit going up the back of the skirt. The bottom of the dress reached her knees and had a boat neck. There were short sleeves on the dress, exposing most of her slim arms. It looked elegant and sleek, she really loved it. Angela never ever would have worn something so glamorous like this before; her wardrobe didn't consist of many dresses simply because she didn't have many places to go.

She styles her hair in a sleek low bun and applied a small amount of makeup. She put on mascara and dark red lipstick to her plump lips. She rooted out her shoes and put them on, finishing off her outfit.

Just as she was about to check the time she heard a knock on her door and Adrianno peek his head in. "Are you ready?" he asked, trying not to choke on his words at the sight of her. She didn't notice how his eyes widened slightly when he looked at her, or how they skimmed very carefully over her body when she wasn't looking. She just nodded at him before leaving her room.

She followed Adrianno to the door when he stopped and gave her a serious look. He warned her about running away without threatening her but she was still scared shitless if she was honest. She kept nodding and gulping anxiously, her palms were starting to get sweaty and she knew if she spoke, she would only croak out words.

After he was done, he held her upper arm tight but not too tight and they both made their way downstairs to collect his car. It was glossy, black with tinted windows and looked very new and very expensive if you asked Angela. She wondered what this guy done for a living; he seemed quite mysterious but completely loaded. She wanted to ask him but she was too afraid to right now so she sat in the car and stared out the window at the world zooming by.

They weren't in the car for long when they pulled up to another high rise building just like Adrianno's. Angela noticed they were still in the city and couldn't help but look over her shoulder when she exited the car. She followed behind Adrianno who made his way into the building after giving his keys to the valet.

Once they got into the elevator and Adrianno pressed the button for the top floor, she looked every way but at him. She tried her best not to wring her hands in nervousness because she honestly didn't know what to expect. He eyed her with interest.

"Don't be nervous." Was all he had said since, it was the first time he had spoken since they entered the car. She gave him a small smile but couldn't help but feel anxious. He noticed how her smile didn't reach her big grey eyes. He frowned and led her to Franco's front door, knocking twice.

Maria answered the door to the pair and her eye's became brighter at the sight of Angela. She was her usual perky self, kissing Adrianno on both cheeks before hugging Angela once she had let them in. She held her at arm's length now.

"Who have we got here Adrianno?" Maria turned her head to him.

"This is Angela. Angela, this is Maria-Franco's wife." He didn't sound very happy, Angela thought, but then again he didn't sound sad either. Maria smiled beamed at Angela.

"I'm glad you could make it Angela. If you'll excuse me for a moment, I better go and check on our dinner!" she chuckled and Angela smiled at her. She could hear voices and when both she and Adrianno got into the living room, they were greeted by Mike and Franco. The group of four split into two pairs as Adrianno and Franco talked quietly in the corner and Mike made his way over to Angela.

"Hey shortcake. You look amazing, give me a twirl." He took her hand and spun her around. She laughed.

"Thank you." She replied shyly and blushed. "You have great taste." He eyed her quizzically now.

"Me?" he asked with surprise.

"Yes, I can't thank you enough."

"For what exactly shortcake?" he chuckled.

"For the dress?" she looked at him now.

"You're very kind, but I can't take credit for something I didn't do." He began and she looked at him now in surprise. "I didn't buy you the dress."