Sold to the mafia boss

From the stairs landing above the wide hall stood a man with creamy coffee skin, his chin looking to be freshly shaved, clad in Navy suits. He’s slim but well built in every places around his body. His eyes are small and set back into his face, his hair black as a raven, brushed back stylishly on his head. His face looks cute and average for his broad chest, his slim lips pink and faded.

I didn’t need anyone to tell me that he was Nigel, Logan’s supposed ex best friend. Everyone clapped, their faces turned towards him. He throws his smile across the room like wildfire. I found my steps back to where the women and I had seated earlier before Logan’s interruption.

The sounds of clapping hands soon died down and he put a glass of wine up.

” Thank you all for making it today ” Nigel spoke, his accent resembling that of a German. Logan had said he was half Italian and he had the facial features too.

I noticed how his eyes scanned the room till they settled on me. He stared at me, his eyes lingering like he knew me. Then I felt a strong hand hand snaking around my waist and pulling me into a body behind me. I looked to the side to see Logan, a long smile on his face as he watched Nigel from above. So that was what Nigel was looking at, not actually me.

I looked from him and back to Nigel who continued ” here is to friendship, both old and new. And I want to make a special toast to a dear friend. ” He raised his glass again and the silence fully broke in, thick as a fog. ” To my childhood best friend and still my very good friend, Logan DeAngelo! ”

Clasp rose again. From my peripheral view, I could see the smile tucking at the corner of Logan’s lips. I couldn’t tell if he was genuinely glad that Nigel was making a toast to him or if this was just some game to him again. The applause dies down again before Nigel continued. ” Thank you for being here tonight, Logan, and for caring to catch up on old times. Thank you all for being here too ”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Logan’s hand releases from my waist as he clapped, along with the few others. I watched as Nigel made it down the stairs after finishing his wine and putting it on the nearest cup bearer’s trey. I saw how some few people tried to get him into a conversation but he waves a hand at them, his eyes seemingly plastered on Logan and I. How important was this man? I knew in some people’s eyes, he was Logan’s brother since they lived together at some point in their lives. And I wondered if behind all those sweet smiles and bright eyes, he was just like Logan.

” You’re looking well, man ” Nigel spoke as soon as he stopped right in front of us, his smile now faded.

” I presume you wanted me looking as miserable as yourself, Nigel ” Logan shot back, his energy matching Nigel’s. The disgust in their voices, the hate. I felt my neck heat up as I found myself in the middle of blazing eyes. Just as I was about to take a sharp breath in to relieve the tension in the air, Nigel laughed hard and Logan joined in. I watched the two men who a few seconds ago looked like they were about to devour each other laugh in their faces like nothing happened.

Nigel spread his arms apart and Logan embraced him, leaving me utterly surprised and wondering if they weren’t the enemies Logan painted them out to be.

” Good to see you again Logan ” Nigel spoke, slightly patting Logan’s back.

” Good to see you too, brother ” Logan replied as they unwrapped from each other’s chest.

Nigel’s eyes falls on me.

” Is this the woman you were telling me about the other day?” He asked.

Logan told him about me? He told anyone about me?

” Yes. She’s the one who’s got my heart stolen ” a bigger side of me wanted to blush at his words but the smirk on his face said otherwise about what he was insinuating. With every passing second I wanted to disappear from there.

” I’m Nigel, your boyfriend’s friend and brother-ish” he said as he reached for my hand. I smiled at the way he spoke, how every word that came from his mouth seemed to carry a hint of joke with it.

” I’m Layla. It’s nice to meet you” I replied with a smile of my own. He plants a firm kiss on my hand before letting go.

” I must say Logan does always have the eye of a hawk, always choosing the fine women ” Nigel said. I’m sure he intended that as a compliment of some sort so I took no issues with that.

” Thank you ” I replied regardless.

A man appears from behind me. He looked the father figure, his stomach protruding from the suit he wore, a button threatening to cut from his suit if he even as much as breathed again. His hair is red, so was his fine beards.

” Logan, Nigel ” he acknowledges them as he takes each one’s hand before turning his head to see me. His eyes scans me for a quick second but I knew he got a fill of his eyes in just that short amount of time.

” May I borrow your fine woman for a dance?” He asks politely.

I watched Logan, waited for him to refuse and ask the man to go away like he’s supposed to but instead, he smiles sweetly and replied ” I don’t see why not, Colonel ”

The said colonel bows as he presents his hand to me. Taking his hand and letting him drag me away like I was some property owned and borrowed whenever, I watched Logan’s eyes as they watched me disappear before turning to face Nigel.