4. Gianna
Chapter four
Gianna
Luca has been busy ever since his sister arrived. We haven’t been able to meet up in days. I almost hate that his sister is around. She has all his attention. All we do now is text while keeping our meetings on hold.
We are also trying to be careful so she doesn’t find out about us. I wanted to run to him the night he helped me get my first job but, because of his sister, I couldn’t.
Being the son of a very powerful mafia family leaves room for strong connections. Luca had helped me pull a few strings to land this job. I didn’t even have to submit an application there to get it. He is the only person who understands me and what I truly want.
A life of my own. With him in it.
That’s quite difficult now with Bianca around. Since she doesn't stay in New York for a long time before traveling again, I never really got the chance to be close to her. I’ve always known her to be nosy. No one knows why she left so quickly the last time she was in town.
She is Luca’s younger sister, with an insanely striking resemblance. When it comes to personality, though, Luca is quite reserved compared to his sister. Everything about her is bold and loud. Things could get pretty bad quickly if she suspects Luca and me.
I overheard my mother and father gossip about their family one time. They made a remark about Bianca being the bad egg and that’s why her father is embarrassed of her. My parents talk about them more often now. Ill words Luca wouldn’t want to hear about.
Our families haven’t been the same recently, both wanting to be the capo of the city. Luca’s confrontation the other night proved my worries. Something is wrong and I’m being kept in the dark about it. I make a mental note to ask Giovanni when I return home.
My first day at my new job means the world to me and I don’t want to ruin it with thoughts of my family. I let out a sigh as I adjust my skirt, walking into the reception hall.
Father and Mother have no idea I am here. Not even Giovanni. My brother didn’t return home last night. He called earlier to inform me that our parents are away on a business trip.
It gave me the chance to get out of the house without their knowledge. The guards Giovanni placed to watch over me weren’t a problem either.
I have no idea how long this will last, as I can imagine how pissed Giovanni and my parents will be when they find out. It could be worse if they found out Luca helped me.
The company’s name, Silvercrest Industries, and logo are boldly inscribed on the mahogany front desk. It is one of the most reputable business organizations in New York. Luca, aware of my college degree in marketing, had referred me for the vacant marketing coordinator position.
The receptionist welcomes me with a warm smile as I walk closer to her. Her lips are a bright red. She has a mole on her nose and pretty gray eyes. The collar of her white shirt is crinkled. “Welcome to Silvercrest Industries! How may I help you, ma’am?”
“I’m Gianna... Mancini.” I hesitate for a second before I say my last name.
The receptionist has a slight change of expression, just like I expected. It is almost unnoticeable, but I don’t miss the glimpse of shock in her eyes. She clears her throat as she tries to keep on smiling.
“I am here to meet with Mr. Blackwell. I have an appointment with him,” I add.
“He had informed me earlier of your coming. Please hold on a minute while I call his office.” She reaches for the landline and dials a number.
My eyes flicker to her name tag. ‘Victoria S.’ is engraved on it.
I take in the view of the reception hall as she makes the call. It is spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that allow natural light to fill the room. The walls are decorated with pictures of people I don’t recognize and modern art pieces with the company’s logo at the center.
“He is ready to see you, Miss Gianna. His office is on the top floor, the first office on the left side."
I notice how she stops herself from saying my last name. My father has marked his place in the city, inciting the fear he so much craves at the mention of his name.
“Thank you.” I grip the strap of my bag tighter as I walk to the elevator, slightly nervous.
Two ladies and a man join me inside the elevator. They also have name tags on them. The red-haired lady turns to me first, uttering a greeting and the rest do the same. I reply with a smile on my face, my mind drifting off to the possibility of actually working here.
“Which floor are you headed to?” the red-haired lady asks.
“The top floor.”
They all exchange a look before she turns her gaze back to me. “Great. We are all heading to the same place.” She presses the button to the top floor and the elevator begins to move.
My phone’s ringtone goes off almost immediately. I take it out to see my brother’s call.
Oh dammit.
He must know I’m not in the house.
The two ladies are engaged in a conversation while the guy has his attention fixed on his phone.
I decline the call and switch my phone off. Giovanni is very predictable, and I know he won’t stop calling until I answer and tell him where I’m at. I’m not about to do that now.
The elevator dings as we reach the top floor, the doors opening wide for us to make an exit. I step out of the elevator last, slowly making my way to Blackwell’s office. He is the managing director of the company.
The doors of the offices are labeled with the names of the people and their positions. It makes it easier for me to identify his office quickly. I let out a breath as I knock on Mr. Blackwell’s door.
“Come in,” a deep voice responds from inside. My hands tremble for a moment as I grab the doorknob. A white-haired man is seated in the office, his eyes on his computer, as I walk in. He raises his head to stare at me and I swallow a gulp.
“You must be Gianna; nice to finally meet you.” He is dressed in a tailored black suit with a white shirt.
I stretch my hand to meet his for a handshake with a smile.
“It’s my pleasure.”
He smells like chocolate and vanilla. “Please have a seat.” He lets go of my hand and points to the empty seat facing him.
I settle in it carefully, being overly cautious to make no mistake.
“So this is going to be real quick because I have a meeting in about…” he looks at his vintage wristwatch, “...five minutes.”
He switches his gaze to me. “Luca put in a good word for you and I’m trusting him. You can start tomorrow in the marketing department as a junior marketing coordinator. Your productivity will determine what happens next.”
“I understand, sir.”
He looks at his watch again, this time adjusting in his seat. “I’m running late already. I apologize for cutting this short but I believe we will get better acquainted tomorrow morning when you start working with us. Come back here at 8 a.m. and I'll get you settled in. It was lovely meeting you, Miss Gianna.”
We shake again briefly.
“Thank you so much, sir. I won’t disappoint you.”
I leave his office feeling happier than ever. Luca has no idea how much I’m indebted to him. My parents can no longer control me as much as they do when I start to have a life of my own, working.
My heart skips a beat when I walk into the reception hall to see Bianca, seated. The corners of her lips curve into a smirk as our eyes meet.
“Gianna,” she says in a high-pitched tone. She’s wearing a bright pink designer outfit with a black purse.
Why is she here?
I force a smile back at her as I walk to meet her. She stands up and pulls me into a hug.
“Welcome home, Bianca.”
She has a fruity smell to her. She has blue eyes and her brown hair falls down her shoulders.
“Oh my gosh, it’s been fucking ages.” She smacks her mouth. “Pardon my words.” She laughs a little too loudly in my ears. “Do you have a ride home?”
I shake my head in response as we walk out of the building. The morning air feels perfect against my skin.
“Thank heavens, I came around then. I’ll drive you home.”
We continue walking toward her car. “Come on; we have a lot of catching up to do,” she adds.
I immediately don’t feel good about this.
She enters her blue Maybach Exelero first and I slip into the other seat, completely puzzled.
How did she know I was here?
Why does she want to see me all of a sudden when we have never been close friends?
What else does she know?
My breath hitches as I think of the possibility of her knowing about her brother and me.
She turns to me with a smile as she starts the car.
I break the gaze as I stare out the window instead.
“So tell me, Gianna, what’s with you and my brother?” Bianca begins to drive down the street to the main road.
My fears cause my heart to stop for a moment when I hear her. “Wh-what are you talking about?”
“I had his phone when you texted last night. Don’t play dumb with me.”
Shit.
“He was only helping me get a job. There’s nothing going on.”
She looks at me suspiciously but keeps mute as she returns her gaze back to the road. She makes a turn onto the road leading to my house on Third Avenue.
“If you fucking lie to me, just know I’ll find out one way or the other.”
“I swear, there’s nothing between us.”
The rest of the drive is awkwardly silent as she makes a stop in front of my parents’ house a few minutes later.
“Good. Stay away from him.”
She stares at me with a stern look on her face. “I’ll be watching you, Gianna.”
I grab the handle of the door and get out of the car as quickly as I can. She zooms off and I hurriedly walk into the house. She has no idea about us yet.
Thank heavens.
“Who was that and where have you been?” Giovanni startles me as I walk into the house. He is standing by the window, furious.
Could this day get any worse?
I try to ignore him and go to my room.
“Fucking answer me, Anna!” He raises his voice, shooting daggers with his eyes at me.
Fuck.
“That was Bianca, Luca’s sister. She offered me a ride.”
“Oh, Gianna, have you lost your mind?” he snaps.
I see my mother walking out of the hallway. She has a lengthy, flowery dress on that hugs her curves. I had no idea she would be back so soon.
“Stay away from that family! Do you hear me?” Giovanni continues.
I’m not ready for any of this. My throat hurts as I swallow back my screams.
“You hate us that much, Gianna?” My mother starts.
“Don’t start this, Mama.”
I try to walk out on both of them but Mother stops me again. “And why are you dressed up like this?”
Giovanni stares at me angrily as he sips his cup of coffee.
“I have a job now, Mother.”
They both stare at me in disbelief.
“No, you don’t,” Mother interjects.
“You can’t stop me.”
She walks closer to me, her eyes bulging out in rage. A part of me is happy I pissed her off this badly. “Oh, I can and I will. You’ll go nowhere or work for no one under my roof and that’s final.”
My eyes hurt from holding back tears.
“I also don’t want to see you anymore with the De Santis.” She turns to Giovanni. “Cut every relationship. They are our enemies now.”
“I hate you,” I blurt out angrily. I have no idea when those words fall out of my mouth. I’ve been holding them back for too long.
“ Stupido bambino (Stupid child)!” Mother slaps me hard in the face.
“Mother!” Giovanni yells.
I let a teardrop fall freely down my cheek. My face and head hurt.
“I wish you weren’t my mother.” I turn to the door to leave.
I slam the door as I leave the house. I’m completely clueless on where to go. No guards are brave enough to stop me.
What was I thinking?
That I could really convince them to let me keep the job? I’m so fucking stupid. I want to yell at myself so bad as I slip into my car and drive off.
Luca couldn't be here to comfort me this time, I think as I drive to the bar.
I’m in desperate need of a drink or two to numb the pain right now. I’ll take anything to make it all go away.