Mia Lake

I stand in front of my mirror, admiring the light blue dress I've picked for tonight. It's elegant, with a flowing skirt, that flows just the way I like. I've always loved balls, an excuse to dress up, escape reality, and pretend just for one night that life is a fairy tail.

Even if my date tonight is Alex Gonzales. We have a weird relationship. I'm convinced he hates me, but has to put up with me just because his sister forces him to. I mean, she's the reason I can come to this ball in the first place, if she hadn't forced Alex to go with me I wouldn't be allowed in. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't even show up here.

I hear a knock on the door, right on time. I grab my bag and take one last look in the mirror before heading for the door.

As soon as I open it, I'm met with the sight of Alex standing there in a perfectly tailored suit. With that usual intense look in his eyes.

Well, damn. I won't admit it to his face, but the guy knows how to wear a suit.

"You actually clean up nicely, Gonzales." I say with a playful grin, leaning against the doorframe.

He raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "And you're surprisingly on time, Lake." He says, scanning me briefly. I can see the slightest hint of approval in his gaze, but of course, he won't say it.

"I'm always on time." I say grabbing my keys from my bag. "Besides you're probably the type to spend the last hour pretending to be busy, so you could avoid this whole thing." I add laughing at my own joke.

Alex smirks shaking his head as he watches me lock the door. "I could always leave you here."

I give him a playful nudge. "You wouldn't dare. I'm the best company you've had all week." I say knowing I'm probably wrong.
People usually find my talking too much, and annoying. That's what I've been told my whole life. I guess he has to put up with it since his sister is my best friend.

He chuckles softly, and for a moment I think I've caught him off guard. "Bold assumption." He says, his voice low. "But I'll let you believe it."

I roll my eyes as we walk to his car. "Come on, admit it. You've been looking forward to this."

He opens the car door for me not answering my question. Before I get in, I turn to him with a sly smile on my face. "I mean where else are you going to find someone who can make you laugh as much as I do? Certainly not in your mafia boardroom." I say.

He looks down at me. "You're delusional, Lake." He mutters, but there's no bite to his words.

I get in the car, as he gets in the driver seat. I lean back in my seat, feeling the excitement of the night ahead.

***

The ballroom is exactly as I imagined it to be. Elegant, breathtaking and a little overwhelming. The chandeliers above glitter with millions of lights. The floor is polished to a mirror shine.

I take a deep breath as we both enter the room.

"This is ridiculous." He says beside me. I guess he hates this stuff. He looks around probably to find an excuse to bail.

"Just relax. I'll be fun." I say hooking my arm in his. He gives me a sceptical look but doesn't argue.

"Mia!" Finally a familiar voice.

Amelia is running towards us with a bright smile on her face.

"Amelia!" I say a little louder as I hug her. It's been too long since we've had a moment to meet up.

"You look so gorgeous! I'm glad you could make it." She says.

And then another familiar face walks over to us. Stopping behind Amelia. He's the same as ever. Dressed in a black suit. Ezra Perez.

"Mia." He nods greeting me. "It's good to see you."

"Good to see you too, Ezra." I say nodding back as Amelia hugs his brother.

"Come on let's get a drink for you two." Amelia says taking my hand and pulling me towards the bar.

Alex and Ezra keeps talking, while me and Amelia start dancing and drinking. I've missed these moments. Where I don't have to think about anything else. Just having fun.

***

"I need a break." I say laughing, completely out of breath. I move over to Alex that is holding my drink.
I take a sip of it.

Wait.

What the hell is this. "This is..."

"Water? Yes, I'm aware." He says.

"I wanted my drink." I say as he shakes his head.

"I'm the one driving you home, I can't deal with a drunk Mia today." He says as if he has done this a lot of times before.

Alright maybe one...or four.
It doesn't matter, he can't just decide that for me. He's not my boss.

I cross my arms wobbling a little in place. My head spinning. Shit, maybe he's right, I think I'm drunk.

Suddenly two arms slide around my waist and I freeze. Wait who is this?

I look over my shoulder. He pulls me closer to him. A light kiss lands on my cheek.
"Hi baby." Austin says from behind me.

What the hell is he doing here, and why is he pretending to be my boyfriend when we're not around my mother.

"Austin? What are you doing?" I whisper so that only he can hear.

How can he possibly be at a mafia ball? Oh.
He's probably here with a girl connected to these things.

I don't know what's worse, the fact that Austin's hands are on my waist or the fact that he's kissing my cheek like we're in some sort of rom-com.

I look back at Alex that is in front of me. His jaw clenched, shoulders tense. He's watching, observing. I force a smile, though it feels tight on my lips.

"This is Austin." I introduce him and grab his hands to pull them off of me. Austin moves to beside me and pulls out his hand to shake Alex's.

Alex looks at it as if it's dirty then back to me again.
"I just remembered, I need to greet a friend of mine." He says then starts walking away, leaving Austin's hand in the air.

What's up with him anyway?

I turn to Austin, now angry. "This was not what we agreed on." I say trying to stay calm.
He just laughs like it's some kind of joke.

"Don't be like that, Mia. I did what you asked. It's fun." He laughs harder. "Besides I though he was bothering you." He says as I roll my eyes.

"Don't do something like that again." I warn him as I walk away.

Finding my way to Amelia.
"Who was that." She says in shock. She's clearly seen it all. Great now I have to tell her from the start. This is all just a dumb deal for my mother's sake.

I explain everything.

"Wait Austin?" She asks trying to remember him. I've talked about him a few times. She has actually met him once too. "The Austin who wouldn't stop bragging about his cars? That Austin?"

I nod disappointed. Amelia snorts. "Please tell me you're not serious."

"It's just for my mom. I just want to make her happy." I admit as I take a sip of my drink.
If Alex were here he would probably throw it out the window. But he's not so I'm drinking it.

"Pretending or not, Austin is trouble. I got bad vibes from him the moment I met him." She says.

I sigh leaning back in my chair. "Just please don't talk about this with anyone. I'm already embarrassed." I say as she nods.

"I would never." She says taking my hand and giving it a light squeeze.

Someone's jealous...