The Mafia's Maiden

Isolation

Another day passes, another pill gone, another night ends, and still no word from Max. The woman in black who has never spoken more than two words to me drops off my food and then swiftly exits. I have started reading some of the books in the library to occupy my time, I've also tried baking and learning how to play pool while I wait for Max to return. I stopped worrying about him after two days and became angry for the next three, it's now been a week since I have seen him or even spoken to a person, and now I'm getting kind of lonely and sad.

When the clock struck five there was a knock on my door. Right on time like. I opened the door, she handed me my food before hurrying off. I placed the food on the table and uncovered it, tonights meal was a ravioli. I covered the food and pushed it to the side deciding that I'd eat later. I paced around the space and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do to occupy my time, I looked down my hallway and back to the pool table then to the kitchen.

Something in the corner of my eye caught my attention as I searched the room, my eyes stared at the door on the other end, his room. I hadn't thought about going inside his room but it's been days since I'd seen him and I didn't know how much longer it would be until I see him again. I figured I wasn't going to snoop, I would just have a look around, as the thoughts crept into my mind I started moving closer to his door. My hand was on the handle prepared to turn it when there was suddenly a knock on the door.

I ran to the door wondering who it could possibly be. I opened the door and I'm greeted by a woman who had a very large binder that was covered with fabric, she had a tool belt on the held scissors, pencils, tape, and pins. She pushed herself inside and searched my body, she twirled her finger, and without thinking I did as she gestured and turned. She didn't seem satisfied and pulled me away from the door closing it before walking around me.

"Hello?" I said trying to figure out what was going on.

"No speaking, You can get me umm...fired." She sounded frightened about being fired and I didn't want to be the reason she got fired so I stayed quiet. It broke my heart a little that I couldn't speak to someone. After an hour she left and I was alone again. I decided to pick up where I left off however this time I was determined to go inside, so without hesitation I turned the handle to find out that the door was locked.

Defeated, I decided to do something I don't think I have ever done. I walked behind the bar and opened the cabinets and poured myself a full glass of whatever was there. I quickly swallowed the first cup but felt nothing so I poured myself another and drank it just as fast. I pour myself a third when I suddenly felt funny. I played pool but really I was just trying to hit the white ball because there was suddenly more than one.

When I got tired from that I became thirsty and drank the other drink I poured. I felt wobbly and fuzzy that I was okay being alone. There was no music but I was dancing, I started getting hot and thought to go to my room so that I can get undressed but then I decided against it. I figured I was here alone so I took off my clothes and walked around naked, when I was still hot I stood in front of the open freezer.

I swayed back and forth and plopped myself on the couch. I thought I heard the door open but didn't hold my breath. I rolled over and fell onto the floor and under the couch, I see a pair of shiny black shoes.

"Who keeps shoes under the couch?" I said to myself and then hiccups started forming. I blinked a few times and prepared myself to get off the floor. When I stood up I thought I saw Max.

"How can my imagination visualize him so perfectly. I haven't seen you in a while." I could feel my voice becoming hoarse as if I was crying. I didn't want to be sad but I missed him or at least talking to a person.

"Why would I even imagine you? Huh! You don't even like me. What kind of a 'fiance' would leave without telling their partner? Or, or run off because she's a virgin? SO what? Am I not good enough because I am one?!" I started yelling and getting off all the things that were making me mad at this vision.

"I choose you because I thought I could have a life, not whatever the hell this is. Maybe I should just leave, that way I can no longer burden you so that you can come home without having to live with me." The vision started to move to cause me to step back. I hadn't realized how hard I must have been concentrating to make it seem real. He reached out and grabbed me, his touch startled me. What is happening?!

"The problem is I'm scared of losing you" His hand touched my cheek and I became flushed causing everything to turn black.

***

I woke up in my bed unsure of how I got here. I uncovered the blankets and was surprised to see my nakedness. I got dressed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. I got out of the shower and pulled my hair back so that I am prepared to cook a meal. I had a bit of a headache and my stomach was hurting so I figured some fried eggs would help. I walked into the kitchen and gathered my materials, it wasn't until I pulled the pan out of one of the lower cabinets that I noticed Max sitting at the table.

"What are you doing here?" I asked startled.

"I came to give you a heads up. There is an event you are needed at as my fiance. This will be the last event you will be addressed that way, the next time you go out will be our wedding, after that you can move around freely." He continued looking through the newspaper while he sipped some coffee. I had a million things I wanted to say but couldn't figure out how to piece words together.

"When we're out you will be on your best behavior. Don't speak to anyone and stay where I can see you at all times. It won't be like this for long." He drank the rest of his coffee before standing and leaving.

"I really hate when they do that," I say aloud to myself. All I want is to have a conversation with another person or at least a dog. He hadn't come back nor did I expect him to. He left me no details about this event I did however see the women with fabric once again for another fitting. Another couple of days passed and still no news, I watched the sun start to set when I hear the door open. I turn to see Max dressed in a tux and I can't help but hope my mouth is closed and not on the floor.

He oozed sexiness and embodied a god as he strutted toward me with a bag in his hand. He placed the bag on the couch next to me and walked over to the other side so that he was standing in front of me.

"Get dressed we leave in an hour and remember-"

"Be on my best behavior, I know I'm not a child." I rose to get ready when he reached out and grabbed my hand forcing me to stop.

"It won't be for much longer." He said as if he was trying to convince me but I was honestly becoming tired of having questions with no answers and his elusiveness. I wanted out of this hell. I broke my hand free and walked off into my bathroom so that I could get dressed.

The seamstress had come three times but I never saw a finished product so I was curious to see what this dress looks like. I unzipped the bag all the way down and a pair of heels slipped out of the bag as well as the train from the dress. The heels were golden strappy stilettos and the dress was a dark navy blue that shimmered gold, the fabric was so soft I'd think it was silk. I put my hair in an updo wanting to show off the strapless neckline, there was jewelry in the bag for me to put on so I did, I put on the heels and attempted walking. I was wobbly at first but quickly got the hang of it, I stepped outside after I mentally prepared myself for whatever the evening might entail.

He set his drink down when he saw me, his eyes were glued to me, and I could feel butterflies in my stomach. I forgot what his look could do to me, trying to stop myself from blushing I try and remember the isolation he's caused me. I wanted nothing more to be embraced and loved by this man but I don't think he's capable of doing that and I don't want to get attached if I'm going to leave.

"You look beautiful Amore" I titled my head as a thanks and stood quietly waiting for his directions. "You can speak to me" I wanted to but I knew if I opened my mouth anything I wouldn't say anything nice. "Do you not want to speak anymore?" I cleared my throat.

"Sorry, I'm out of practice talking with another person." I bit my lips shut as I noticed that I sounded harsher than I was wanting to.

"Get the fight out of you now. It's better here than out there."

"Why?"

"In time." I rolled my eyes at his answer. "That will be the last time you do that towards me."

"Or what? Are you going to confine me in my room.? Or how about disappearing for days at a time? Or are you going to hit me? Huh? Maybe you should, then at least I have a good reason for leaving." He stormed next to me and wrapped one of his hands around my throat pushing me against the wall. His hand was rough and for once I was truly scared although it was strange because even though he had wrath in his eyes that I had never seen and his whole body seemed rigid and tense, his hand wasn't tight. it was almost gentle. It was like his whole body was stopping him from squeezing the last breath out of me.

"You are never allowed to leave now. I never want to hear those words out of your mouth again or I will make you regret it." He let go and fixed himself before turning around with a box in his hand.

He handed it to me and I grabbed it from him. I opened the box to see the ring that was on my finger while I was in a coma, he had to get it resized once I started building back muscle. I had completely forgotten about it, I stared at the ring causing Max to take it out of my hand. He took the ring out of the box and tossed the box aside before slipping the ring on my finger.

"Now we can leave."