A knock on the door jolted me awake. I sat up quickly, removing the hair that was clinging to my face. I had no idea how long I had slept and when I woke up the room still felt strange to me. But the bed was comfy.
And maybe I dreamt it but I felt someone touch my face while I was asleep. But looking around, there was no one else in the room.
I ran my palm over the side of the bed. It was slightly ruffled. It looked like Jace had slept here.
The knock came again and I flinched. It was more rapid this time.
I hurriedly ran to the door.
"Good morning,"
It was one of the helps.
I nodded, unable to form words in response to her greeting.
"Donna Carmela is asking for you."
That was Jace's mother.
"Oh. I'll be down soon." I said.
I wondered if she was calling me down for breakfast. I had been eating in my room since I was brought here but now that I had become a wife, maybe I was allowed to dine with her and Jace in the dining room.
I quickly showered and picked up a sun dress to wear downstairs. I had no make up on and I simply brushed my hair out as I applied a little gloss on my chapped lips.
I hurried downstairs and surprisingly found her waiting for me at the foot of the stairs. I paused my hurried steps as my eyes met her cat like ones. I swallowed.
"Good morning Donna."
"Mira," she said with a nod of acknowledgement. "You overslept."
"I was so tired from yesterday."
"Hmm," she hummed. "My son is keeping you busy already I see."
I almost choked on my saliva as soon as she said that.
"Uh no-"
"Spare me the details. We'd probably see the results in a few months anyways."
My hands instinctively went to my stomach. Was I required to have a child so soon? With Jace Romano???
The thought made me so dizzy, I held on to the banister on the stairs.
"We have a lot to do today. Get something to eat and meet me in te east wing."
"Yes donna," I nodded.
She walked off majestically like she typically did while the help that came to call me led me to the dining room where my breakfast had been served.
I ate the toast and eggs absentmindedly as I wondered what activities my mother in law had lined up for me. Was she going to teach me how to make meals for her son? Or how to attend to visitors? What did a mafia don's wife do?
~~~
I went to East Wing of the large mansion, led by one of the guards that was on standby for me.
I followed, letting my eyes roam the place. Somehow it felt like there were lots of secrets behind these walls.
I reached Donna's side of the house and I was led into her tastefully furnished space. She seemed to be simpler than her lavish son.
I sat down in the living room and waited for her to come down.
Once again, she walked down the stairs majestically and I reflexively got on my feet, watching her come down slowly.
"Sit," she said as she gestured for the guard that came with me to leave us.
I sat down, suddenly feeling nervous.
"Mirabel, that's your name isn't it?"
"Yes ma'am."
"I don't understand why my son chose to marry you."
Wow. She just went straight to the point. What she didn't know was that I did not understand why her son chose to marry me too. I had never met him. We were strangers. Yet he decided I was going to be his wife and did not give me a choice.
I did not know anything about him other than the fact that he was the feared Italian Mafia don. And we probably never would have crossed paths if not for the fact that my brother had dipped his hands in what he was not supposed to.
"You do not belong to our world." She stated the obvious.
I did not even understand how the mafia worked. I was similar to a dumb blonde in this situation.
"And if you're not careful," Donna Carmela continued, "You get killed."
I felt my heart stop beating for a second. "I don't want to die." I whispered.
She chuckled. "Of course you don't. This is why we have to make sure that you're trained and ready for anything."
"Trained?"
"Yes. You're Don Romano's wife. You're an easy target and you cannot be weak."
She said it so intensely, I could feel myself sweat in the air conditioned room.
"Alana!" She called out.
I looked around the space, wondering who it was that she was calling on.
A lady that looked like she was around my age came in looking kitted up in what looked like military regalia to me.
"She's going to be your trainer. Jace wouldn't want another man to breathe near you so I had to hire a female. She's good."
I awkwardly waved at Alana who simply gave me a nod in acknowledgement.
"You need to go and change to something more appropriate. The helps have placed your gear in your bedroom."
Once again, I was led out and soon found myself back in my room.
I put on the black long sleeved shirt, combat pants, trainers and sighed as I packed my hair up in a ponytail.
I was shocked to see Alana waiting outside my door.
"Ready?" she asked.
I nodded and followed as she led the way to the training room.
"Oh help me lord." I muttered under my breath.