Sold To The Mafia Don

Thankfully, two of the guards stayed outside while only one of them followed me in, giving me a safe distance so I did not feel suffocated.

Immediately I walked in, I felt watched. Maybe it was because I was underdressed compared to the other customers. But with a guard obviously behind me, they did not have to judge me so much. 

I picked up a trolley and pushed as I looked around all the expensive stuff in the large store. Some of the perfumes here had my full yearly income on the price tag for one bottle. People were actually that rich but all I had ever known was poverty. 

I was worried about spending too much money here and upsetting Don Romano. But on the other hand, I wanted to take his mother's advice to spend his money. I just hoped it was not a test of some sort or even a set up.

I saw dresses from different designer brands, Dolce and Gabbana, Alexander McQueen. There was one that caught my eye from Alexander McQueen. It was a silky black midi dress that was sleeveless. I saw that it was about seven hundred dollars and had to hold in a gasp so the other customers wouldn't look at me like a pauper.

I went to the dressing room and tried it on. It fit like a glove. I was definitely taking it.

I moved to the jewelry section and picked up some Pandora necklaces and earrings that would match with the dress.

I was busy trying to pick up some Louboutin heels when I heard my name.

"Mira?"

I turned around and met a familiar face. 

"Charlotte, hi!" I said with a smile.

It felt good to see someone familiar for the first time in quite a long time. She was one of my wealthy customers who patronized my business whenever she came to New York. Her orders used to make my day and sometimes I wished for the luxuries she could afford. Crazy how I was shopping in the same place as her now. If only the circumstances were different.

"Oh my goodness I've been trying to reach you!" She tried to hug me but my guard stopped her.

"It's fine. I know her." I told him.

He hesitated for a bit before stepping aside.

Charlotte's eyes went wide in surprise. I saw the questions in them.

She hugged me and I hugged her back.

"It's so good to see you. Where have you been?"

"It's a long story." I said with a stiff smile.

"Well, I have time. Do you?"

"Um, I'm not done shopping yet."

"We can talk while we shop."

"Okay."

She went on about how she came by my shop once in the past week and it was practically empty. She saw my brother and when she asked him of me, he said I wasn't there. That was all he could give.

"I was so scared something had happened to you. I'm so glad you're okay." She said laughing in relief.

I wish I was okay. I was being held hostage.

"So how come you're here? And why do you have a body guard?"

"This is my husband's guard. There are two others waiting for me out there."

It felt weird to say that aloud. 

"What? You got married?!" She shrieked and immediately covered her mouth due to the awkward stares we got.

"Sorry. Sorry. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It was so sudden." I said with an awkward chuckle.

She laughed. I wish she knew how serious I was being.

"Oh well. I totally get it. Your brother definitely misses you."

I swallowed. I missed him too.

"He sure does." I said with a forced smile.

I picked up a few more things and headed to the counter so I could pay.

She paid for her stuff first and left quickly as she had to pick up something in another store. She made me promise to wait for her. The cashier was all smiles with her, probably because she was a regular customer. But when it got to my turn, she was frowning at me.

"I hope you have enough credit to cover for all this." She muttered as she computed my stuff.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." She said, giving me a once over.

I could see she was judging me based on how I was dressed. I was wearing a simple top and jeans and all because it was not a designer outfit, these people assumed I was not fit to get into their shop.

"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?' My guard was furious and seemed ready to pull out his pistol to threaten her. I stopped him with a wave of my hand.

I did not want to cause a scene or bring more attention to us.

A part of me wanted to walk away but I had taken my time to pick up all this stuff. I could not just abandon them because of a classist cashier. 

I brought out the black card from my purse.

"Here you go."

I watched her attitude change slightly. 

"We have to be sure this card isn't stolen." She had the audacity to say that.

My guard was about to flare up again.

"The name there is Jace Romano. I'm his wife." I introduced myself, flashing the diamond ring and wedding band in her face.

"The Jace Romano?" Her mouth dropped. 

"The one and only." I grinned. 

"I'm so sorry ma'am." 

I raise my hand, cutting her off.

"I'd like to speak to your manager." I said.

Funny how the same person who was so condescending to me was now pleading with me because she needed the job. I shook my head.

I hated how people treated others based on how they looked and who they are, not because they are human beings. It was disgusting to see.

In the end I decided to let it go as I did not want to attract any attention to myself in the first place and I still needed to catch up with Charlotte anyways. 

I had them pack my stuff. The guards picked up the bags and that was how I left the store.