The Four Mafia Men and Their Prize

8- Lucky Chance Aurora POV

Charlie continues to lead me down the long hallway, gripping my hand tightly in his and keeps glancing at me every few seconds like I was going to make my escape any moment.

The hall was very long. Many wooden doors were embedded in the white walls with golden accents. The black and white tiles glistening against the soft glow of amber lights lining the halls. Beautiful mosaic artwork adorned the walls, making me awestruck and occupied my mind so I couldn’t concentrate on where I was going.

We went down several corridors before reaching a grand staircase which splits on both sides of a massive entry foyer highlighted by the most grandiose crystal chandelier. It was easily the size of my apartment living room. Three tiers of crystal strings like a cascading waterfall sparkled and shimmered against the glow of the room.

This place isn’t a home. It was more of a castle. I wonder if it was larger than Buckingham Palace, not that I have ever been. How exactly rich are these asshats?

We descend the white marbled staircase which is lined by an intricate patterned railing and matching banister, shimmering in gold. These guys really like the color gold. A red carpet lines the center of the staircase which brings a luxury look while contrasting against the harshness of the stark white marble.

I turn briefly to look behind me. The two guards were still two paces behind us. Their eyes ahead, not looking directly at me but their posture and movements are so rigid, their fists tight against their legs like they are itching for me to do something. Any stiffer and I would think they were made of cardboard.

I quickly looked ahead of me as we reached the last few steps and see a huge white wooden door. The front door!

A small yank from Charlie brings me back to looking at him. He is looking at me with an eyebrow raised, a silent statement as if he was saying “don’t even think about it.” I swallow some built up bile in my throat.

We quickly turn to the left and go underneath the staircase and then through another long corridor before we get to a set of large double mahogany doors. Charlie stops and allows the guards to pass us, and they open the doors. He tugs my hand and brings me inside.

My first reaction is to let out a small gasp. The large dining room is more than eccentric. The room could easily fit an entire football field. A deep red carpet, eggshell colored walls with gold fixtures, golden crown molding, and several golden and crystal chandeliers line the ceiling. A lavish and heavily carved rectangular table is set in the middle of the room. The golden chairs are large and plush with a gold and red mosaic pattern. Upon the table there is the most gorgeous golden and white porcelain china set with Waterford Crystal glasses filled with various liquids and gold silverware are neatly placed in front of every chair. Three vases full of fully bloomed white roses accent the center of the table. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

There are 8 men sitting around the table, some talking softly with each other. Sitting at one head of the table in a throne line chair, larger and certainly more lavish than the rest, sat Jason, sitting like a royal King. His head was down focusing on reading some papers in front of him. Kai was busy looking at his phone and taking a sip out of his coffee cup and Ben was talking to a man next to him. All the men were dressed in fancy suits. There were two empty chairs, one between Kai and Ben who sat next to Jason and the other at the other head of the table.

As we fully step in the room, the chatter instantly dies as the men slowly notice our presence. Jason looks up and instantly puts his papers down, smirks, stands up, and walks towards us. We stop halfway to the table. Jason opens his arms and without further warning engulfs me in a hug, wrapping his strong long arms around my shoulders. I do not return the embrace. This is very awkward. He inhales my scent and k*sses my head. He literally sniffed me like a dog.

“Good morning little one! I trust you slept well,” He whispers in my ear, then he says louder “Come darling. You must be starving!” He then grabs my hand and ushers me over to the dining table and escorts me to the empty seat between Ben and Kai. Shocker!

Ben and Kai stand as do the rest of the men. Jason pulls out my chair slightly like a gentleman and helps adjust my chair. I sit down and the rest of the men follow. I notice Charlie takes the other empty seat and finally Jason retakes his position.

“You look beautiful sweet cheeks!” Ben whispers to me sweetly. I know I am starting to blush as I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks. I give him a shy thank you and smile.

Moments later Jason snaps his fingers twice and a door to the side opens. Several men dressed in black tuxedos and three ladies in black and white maid uniforms you see in the telenovelas enter the room pushing gold embroidered trolleys that had a variety of food and beverages. The servants quickly made their way around the table with the trays in their hands offering a variety of fruits, yogurt, eggs, meats, rolls and pastries. Coffee was repoured for all the men and apple juice was filled in my glass. I am not a big coffee person, but they didn’t even ask what I wanted.

I decided to keep my head down and concentrated on the full plate of fruit and bacon I had on my plate. Small conversations are held; some are definitely business related but I tuned them out, not really caring to be in the present company. Luckily no one is engaging with me anyway which is just fine.

Towards the end of the meal, a phone goes off. A notification ping from one of the men, who I learned earlier was named Draco. The room goes silent and all eyes look to him with bated breath.

His facial expression certainly looked confused. He holds his phone and types a few strokes on the screen then begins to read. His face begins to contort in obvious frustration than to pure anger. He looks up to Jason and as if there was a silent telepathic conversation going on, all the men instantly

and quickly hasten out of their seats and scurry out the dining room door, their heads locked in deep conversation, anger on their faces like they are ready to go to war.

Here I am, sitting all alone in this large room. The dining room door opened wide, not even the guards standing by. What the hell just happened?

Then it hits me like a freight train in summer: this is it. My lucky chance! I can escape. They completely forgot I was there. I quietly stand up and creep to the double doors. I peeked out and double checked to see if anyone was there. No one. Not even a single person in the dining room. Even the servants were not there.

I start to quickly walk down the hall, looking in every direction I can, thankful that I am not wearing heels. I finally came to the main hallway with the giant chandelier. I wait another moment and look around for anyone. Still nothing.

Across the vast room I see that beautiful giant white door! On either side are floor to ceiling windows that show the glowing warm sun and an outside garden. I can even make out part of car. Freedom is so close.

I walk to the door. I quietly turn the locks on the door. *Click. Click. Click. *

I take a breath and quietly turn the knob and begin to pull the handle towards me. No alarm thankfully. The sun begins to seep through the crack of the doorframe. Fresh air rushes to my senses as I open the door a little wider. My heart begins to race as excitement builds and adrenaline begins to pump in my veins.

“What do you think you are doing little dove?” a voice booms.

I still my movements, my heart racing even faster. I slowly turn and look behind me and see him standing in the middle of the room, a devilish smile on his face.

Kai.

Before I can think twice, I throw the door open and sprint outside into the sun covered lawn.