Chapter 276
His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies
Elena âGuys, group meeting!â
All our heads turned to Rona, who had an impressed look on her face. The ceremony hall would be open in one hour, which meant we still had some time left before it was time for us to switch rooms and take our seats. âWait, first of all.â Rona looked at us. âThe bar looks really pretty, doesnât it?â
It was not something odd for Rona to jump from one subject to the other. It was something she often did, and we were all used to it. âIt does!â One of the girls agreed. Even though Stacey and I started working at the bar around the same time, she was a bit less motivated than I was-but now that there was money involved, everything was different.
âYou wanted to tell us something?â I pushed Rona. âOh, yes!â She spoke. âIââ
âWait!â Stacey interrupted her. Annoyed, I rolled my eyes and waited for her to speak. She noticed the irritation m my eyes and looked away. âBefore you startâI have a question to ask all of you.â
Rona nodded. âYes, sure-what is it?â
Stacey hummed and tapped her finger on her chin as she looked at all of us. âWhat should I do with my paycheck? Go on vacation or invest in a new car?â
Everyone laughed, while Rona and I couldnât even release a chuckle. The joke about the paycheck started as a fun, but it was slowly becoming too much. We were technically working, and we couldnât screw this up. I usually didnât care about othersâ opinions, but what would the guests think of us?
âPlease donât say stuff like that anymore,â Rona told Stacey, who seemed confused by her cold tone.
âIt was just a joke.â
âI know, and I like jokes, but thatâs the thing.â Rona said. I stuck out my arm to push Rona to the back so that I could take the lead and glared at the group. They were still college students, but I was ready to dedicate my life to the cocktail bar, and despite my interesting personality. I knew when it was time to get serious.
âToday is a serious day, and I know Tiago and Anya have been so good to us-but letâs not push it,â I warned them. The amount of freedom we had was already too much to ask for, and they most likely did it because they trusted us.
âLetâs just do our best and do our work.â
Everyone stared at me with big eyes as if they were trying to find the reason behind my words.
âWow, Elena-you sound so mature!â Rona joked. âGive her some money, and all sudden, she knows how to act!â
It only took a split second before the group laughed at Ronaâs joke while I folded my arms. âI was on your side, but whatever, I mumbled as Rona threw her arm around my shoulder. âYouâre right. Iâm sorry!â
âBut I like it, and thatâs what I was going to say.â She patted my shoulder. âJust do your job, and please. donât cause any trouble.â
Rona could barely finish her speech before we were met with two loud footsteps which came rushing through the door. âShe looks like sheâs in a hurry,â Rona whispered as we all stared at the woman wh seemed to be heading in our direction.
She held the ends of her golden chiffon dress and ran to us with a terrified look on her face. âMy guess is that she is the maid of honor and that sweet little Anya has transformed into a bridezilla,â
Rona concluded.
âHow can you tell?â
âI can tell because her dress seems a bit over the top to be a guest, and the bride is probably throwing a tantrum, so she thinks she can calm her down with a drink.â Rona made up on the spot.
It was pretty fascinating to me how she came up with the craziest theories.
âI think you watch way too much moviââ
âYou!â The woman called out. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and held onto the bar. All the others stepped back while Rona and I looked at the woman, who was trying to catch her breath.
âMe?â We spoke at the same time. The woman held up her hand, ordering us to shut up. âIt doesnât matter. Either one of you will do. I need something for the bride. Give me something strong.â
It appeared Rona wasnât that crazy after all because there was no other reason why the bride would need a strong drink right before the ceremony. âI told you so. Rona mumbled under her breath as she away to prepare the drink.
stepped âAre you okay?â I laughed at the girl. My name wouldnât be Elena if I wouldnât be in someone elseâs business, and I was curious to find out about whatever had happened. âIâm Elena, by the way.â
Tiffany, the brideâs maid of honor and dead meat if I donât find a solution to her problem.â The woman sighed. âWhy, what happened?â I cut right to the chase.
guests, Tiffany looked up as if she had been waiting to share her worries. âOne of the bridesmaids suddenly bailed on Anya, and now the pairs are all messed up, and Anya doesnât want this news to reach the her sister-in-law is a drunk who wonât even be able to walk down the aisle-so thatâs not an option, and I had to rush over here because she so desperately needed a drink from here and-â
âHere you go!â
Rona slammed the glass on the bar and saved me from Tiffanyâs rant. âOne disaster.
âD-Disaster?â Tiffany frowned nervously. I shook my head and held her hand. âThatâs the name of the cocktail, donât worry-it tastes great.â
Tiffany released a relieved sigh. âIt looks great, and I should have one of those, but Iâm afraid not even a cocktail can help me out for what Iâm about to face.â
If I couldâve helped the poor woman in front of me, I wouldâve done it. She seemed so stressed, and having the job as maid of honor was clearly not as pretty as people made it seem.
âI have weed?â I blurted. Rona giggled while Tiffany scrunched her nose. âI donât smoke weed.â She sneered. It maybe wasnât the best suggestion, but it was enough to make her smile.
âOh, okay.â I shrugged. âMy bad.â
Rona reached for the purse around her neck. âI have coke?â
Ronaâs concerning joke was enough for me to hide my face in embarrassment. âWhat?â Tiffany asked. Going above and beyond with jokes was another thing only Rona could do. I couldnât even keep count of how many times I reminded her not to joke around my dad or my brother.
âSheâs just kidding. Sheâs not serious.â I told Tiffany, who cracked a smile after hearing my words.
She threw back her head as she went into fits of laughter and seemed like a completely different person.
âThe two of you are funny!â She stated. âIâm sure the two of you must have a good joke to tell Anya.
Letâs go!â
Tiffany balanced the drink in one hand and pulled my arm while I pulled Ronaâs hand so I didnât have to part of whatever she was planning on my own. âUh, where are you taking us?â Rona questioned.
be âTo the bride, I need you guys to cheer her up.â
After a while of Tiffany dragging us through the venue, we had reached a hall. Rona and I flinched at the demon-like voice which we could hear on the other side. Was that really sweet, little Anya?
âSo what movie are they playing in there?â Rona gulped. âItâs not a movie,â Tiffany answered. âItâs Anya, and sheâsâ¦not in a good mood.â
Tiffany and Rona froze in their spots while I snatched the glass from Tiffanyâs hand and opened the door. Dealing with women like Anya was nothing new to me as I was friends with Victoria-who was the queen of overreacting.
All of the bridesmaids lowered their heads, and Anya stopped yelling. Her cheeks turned red as she realized that she had probably embarrassed herself, and she stuck out her hand. âT-the glass, please?â Anya whispered.
Even though it seemed as if a demon had possessed her body, she still looked gorgeous. Her white ball gown, covered in diamonds, made her look like a real-life princess. Her hair was curled to perfection, and the tiara on her head finished off her look.
I handed her the glass and watched as she emptied it in one go while Rona made her way beside me. âMaybe you should offer her some of that weed instead.â Rona laughed into my car.
Anya looked at us. âWhat are the two of you doing here? Tiffany, what are they doing here?â
Tiffany seemed close to having a breakdown. âW-well, that isâ¦you see-â
The sides of Anyaâs lips trembled before she broke down in tears and covered her face with her hands. All of the bridesmaids rushed over to comfort her, but she turned away. âI want my mom.
Where is my mom?â Anya sobbed.
KO and get her!â One of the girls called out, but Anya had a change of mind and blocked the door so no one could get out. âNo!â
âBut you saidââ
âNo, forget what I said.â Anya cried. âYou donât know how much I suffered to get approval from Santiagoâs family, and I donât want this to get to any of them-because it will only show his dad that heâs been right about me this entire time.â Anya ranted.
Hearing her fear came from Tiagoâs family not accepting her made me feel bad. Although it was not that surprising, considering those rich people had probably funded the entire wedding.
Tiffany rested her head on Anyaâs shoulder. âEverything will be okay.â
âNo, it wonât.â Anya shook her head. Unless you find me someone who can fit in this dress has de hair and dark eyes to replace that bitch who ruined my life.
I laughed at her outburst. The person who didnât show up must probably pack their bags and leave as soon as possible-because I could tell that Anya was far from finished. Why wasnât anyone laughing along?
The room went silent until I noticed they were all staring at me. Anya looked at me with puppy eyes, and that was enough for me to understand her indirect question. I stared in the mirror behind her and came face to face with my dark hair and dark eyes.