me away from my thoughts. She announced dinner with a

nfamiliarity that surrounded me. These people were strangers, yet I wa

the kitchen, exuding an air of authority and intimidation remini

nd, Maurice," she said a

duction, accompanied by a warm smile

rival. He entered the room with an air of irritation, his voice laced with anger as he muttered

s mafia responsibilities. His hands were locked together, his chin resting upon them, revealing the tattoos that adorned his fingers and

conversation or make eye contact with anyone. The tension in the room was palpable, and I prefer

t the far end of the table, raised his voice, and the sudden volume of his speech made me startle sl

ls. Inquisitively, Maurice leaned in and asked with a slight, malevolent smirk, "Who's your friend?" His question was laden

father, his emotions already on edge due to his involvement with the Mafia. "What the hell do you mean, 'who's your friend?'" he bellowed

oading him further. "That's certainly not the way to speak, especially with a gue

ts clenched showing me

cking fiancé" Ghost snarled at

her sighed

up" Susan shook her head di

quickly" Maurice replie

ice chuckled to me as if I was supposed to laugh along

me, not seeming impressed

Maurice blurted out while he scowled at me

e got you to keep your mouth shut" Maurice scolded, with a proud smirk. I didn't

st's deep voice echoed through the walls, instructing someone to go ups

e quipped, accompanied by an eye roll. Susan let out a resigned sigh in response. Maurice's crude remark caused my eyes to w

vident in her tone. "My son and husband have no respect for women," sh

. "Ahhh, leave him alone; it's the only time he's a man," he chuckled,

't expected him to halt his activities for my sake. That

t tone. "I have a question," I mumbled, nervously bouncing my knee beneath the

hool?" I asked. My question was met with an eruption of laughter fr

t him until he tried

He stopped laughing while

id to admit that I liked going to school since it was the only place

s much," Maurice grumbled as he ate his food.

walked upstairs. "You're too kind, dear," Susan r

to school

s, leave while tears were flowing down her cheeks. She threw me a nasty l

d he do

what I had witnessed today had definitely shown me who

I shook my head, tempted to just throw it out of my room, but

y hand; I think this is his room due to it being the only room with lig

door. I slowly pushed open the door to see

y name spilling from

d, I just came to give it back," I informed him, raising th

d as he approached where

uttered quietly, as if h

d confusedly before

ffed with money on their bed and see if they take it, but yo

meant. He was testing my character, how I was raised.

od in front of me. He hadn't ta

taken it if I wanted," I stated calmly, holding the wallet ju

mouth stopping rig

whispered before turning aro

h his pen. He glanced up at me, waiting for a response. Goodnight," I responded quickly

my bedroom door. Everything about him