Infatuation Of Darkness

Juliet looked like a deer caught in headlights. She had not expected Alexis to give her the responsibility of decorations and such for the next dinner. And the major disturbing fact was she had done so in public.

And just as she went to defend herself, the chance was taken away.

"Well," Julia clapped her hands, "come on, ladies let's have food!" Juliet knew at that moment, that she was going to pay because otherwise she won't have intervened. 

Everyone looked at the person who had made the announcement. Julia stood tall and proud with a smile on ber face. Murmurs broke out and people started moving.

Julia, without any further ado, took her place by sitting at the head of the family chair. She thought she didn't do it for Isabelle but she knew Alexis couldn't ask her to get up.

And she didn't. Alexis found her action petty, to be honest, she found it simply childish. Every woman had stopped to look over what was going to happen now, Julia was challenging Alexis and to them, it didn't look like she'd win. No one could ask someone to get up when done with a purpose without a catfight.

"Alexis, where would you like to sit?" A lady close to Isabelle's age asked her trying to diffuse some tension. "The head seat is already taken." She muttered lowly, trying to point out the obvious and avoid a fight.

Alexis didn't reply. She simply smiled gratefully and moved to the other corner of the table and sat there, face to face to Julia, yet ten chairs apart. Her eyes never left the one's who had challenged her.

"It happens at this age," Alexis smiled, now looking back at the woman. "Grandmother chose to on what was near to her. I can sit on the other side and we can sit accordingly, in order." She smiled, raising her hands and inviting the ladies to sit next to her by the order of their status. She had to turn the tables in her favour and indicated that she had accepted the role.

Julia felt ugly and murderous. The former Donna and the second in command's wife sat side to side and others sat as in order. Next to Julia, sat the wives of capo's, the lowest of the scum, according to her. Even the old women like her sat nearer to Alexis. They had chosen sides.

Alexis was smiling as the women talked to her. She was the centre of attention and her dazzling smile even attracted the capo's wife's sitting next to her. No one was looking at Julia for attention, they had all turned to Alexis.

Alexis made sure that she talked to everyone at least once. She had never hosted a party herself but she had attended quite a few galas as her boss's secretary. She knew that it was necessary to talk to as many people as she could. She maintained her smile and covered her face while laughing as if she was chewing by chance. Isabelle had a proud look in her eyes. Alexis didn't need any help, she did it all naturally as if she was meant for it.

"I heard that the Maldives is beautiful about this time of the year.." A caps wife spoke who was sitting near Julia. Her voice was low and not enough to reach everyone ears. Of course, she was not confident enough. She was just the wife of a newly appointed capo. She was a nobody and Julia was ready to remind her of that.

"I'm sorry?" Alexis questioned the woman. "Did you say something? The ladies are just too loud!" She accused the woman around her.

"Hey!"

"Ouch Donna!"

Beautiful laughter rang around as no kn took offence to that. They were all happy.

"Oh, nothing.." She denied with a nervous smile. By now they had attracted the attention of everyone.

"It's fine, please. Don't be shy." Alexis encouraged her.

"Oh um, I am Kenna and I was saying just saying that I've heard that the Maldives is beautiful around this time of the year.." She looked out of place.

"Oh you are right about that, " Alexis answered with a high smile on her face. "It was beautiful. I am going to tell you all to go there once and enjoy what the place had to offer!"

"So does that mean you will talk to the Don about vacations?" A lady asked with a cheeky smile on ber face.

Alexis laughed at that. Then she proceeded to lean in her direction and give a look as if telling a secret. "I'll out in a word." She whispered.

"What if the word does not get through?" The lady whispered as she stifled a laugh. She seemed happy to play along.

"Well, then, " Isabelle chimed in. "I think we can steal a plane and book a hotel?" She winked making everyone clap and hoot.

*********

"It was a wonderful dinner, my dear grandmother." Alexis smiled and held Julia's hand, patting it with little force.

"I am glad you did. I wanted to introduce you, after all." Julia smiled.

'of course, you wanted that.' Alexis thought. It was clear that she wanted to show Alexis her place or pick up a fight but Alexis had 'very' gently pushed her to the side.

"Well," Isabelle cut in between, "we should take our leave now. It's getting late and Gabriele would like to eat with his family, even if it's just a light meal." She smiled.

"You've completely changed my son!" Julia accused her. Even though it sounded playful and a few women chuckled, the close family members knew what she meant. "He doesn't have time for me anymore!" She continued.

"That's not true, mama," Isabelle smiled and grabbed her shoulders to show comfort. "Gabriele immediately left everything when you called. He has always been concerned about your health more than anything."

"Isabelle," Nikita came in holding her phone. "Silvano called. It's getting late, he says if we're finished we should hurry back. They are expecting us."

All three of them bid goodbye to the others. The three of them sat in the car and Alexis took a seat in the front letting the ladies take the room in the back.

"Wow! Alexis like, wow!" Nikita said as soon as the car left the premises making Isabelle laugh. "I wish Isobel was here. I am so gonna tease her! You were awesome!"

"You were." Isabelle gently chimed in as well, she patted her shoulder from behind.

"Thank you," she lightly blushed. "She was a little petty though. I mean childish."

"That's what they do," Isabelle agreed. "They act like that to trick you. Some say, you should act mature if not them or that they are your elders so keep shut."

Alexis hummed in return, turning silent one more time. She looked outside the window, realising something. She never had intended to be awesome. She was just being herself and the promise of never letting anyone walk over her. It came to her naturally. So was Angelo right in choosing her?

That was one dilemma she never wanted the answer to. Because if that was justified everything that she had deemed wrong would be right. Because in the end, Angelo would be right in kidnapping her and grooming her to be a Queen.

Yet deep down she knew that she wanted it answered. So, someone she had the clarity of right and wrong. Because she did not anymore. 

Because she was not ready to accept. 

********

"She didn't even smile!" Julia screeched at her younger son. "Your daughter-in-law was standing there like a dumb person! She looked closed off, unapproachable!"

"I apologize, mother." Marcus bowed his head and heard his daughter-in-law cry. She knew what was going to come.

"Matteo," Marcus called his son in a harsh Voice. "Teach her better than being a stone-cold bitch!"

"Yes, father." Matteo felt embarrassed. His wife had insulted Donna and looked unapproachable which the opposite of her future role if she wanted it. He held her hair and dragged her out of the room, making her cry in fear. She was already begging. 

"Marcus," Julia called gently in the voice of a mother. "Alexis is natural when it comes to thinking before doing. Your wife and daughter-in-law, both need to work on it."

"I know mother and I agree with that." He smiled. "But I will make sure that they learn and do better." 

"If not better then make sure that they can copy those two at least," Julia said. "At least that would be worthy of something." 

"I know, " he agreed. "When are you going to call Angelo? He might not stay here for long."

"Tomorrow or the day after." She answered. They both had fallen silent after that. 

Marcus couldn't help but think about what had happened at dinner. "Is that all?" Marcus asked. Surely she had noticed something else as well.

"No," Julia denied. She wasn't going to agree to her defeat. "That's all, son. Good night."