Stella

Working all day has me exhausted, not sure why when it used to never take anything out of me. Maybe a part of pregnancy? Either way, looks like I won't be taking a maternity break since the people I interviewed today weren't good.

Stepping into my apartment I took off my shoes, throwing them into the room then tossed my bag onto the counter. Today sucked and all I want to do is curl up in bed like a burrito.

Today's suckness might have to do with my mind running last night's family dinner in my head all day. How do I process my current life seems to be a constant question I ask. Part of me wants to agree with Lorenzo, stop thinking.

I think I got along with his family, here's hoping I won Lorenzo and Romano over.

Looking at the clock it was past five. Maximus mentioned a date tonight but he has been mysterious about it and I wanna know.

Before I could call and ask, a knock sounded on the door. Groaning I walked over to the door, checking the cameras and found Tate standing there.

"Buongiorno." I greeted opening the door.

Tate bowed his head to me. "Buongiorno Signorina. You learning Italian?"

Shrugging I sheepishly let him in noticing the box he was carrying. "Trying, not very good at it so don't tell Max."

He placed the box down on my counter chuckling. "Won't say a word. This is for you, I shall be here to pick you up at seven."

Raising my brows, I take an envelope he passed me. "He knows I don't like being told what to do." Not waiting to hear Tate's response I open the letter to see an invitation, my eyes shooting up to Tate's. "A gala? He wants me to go to a gala tonight? I don't have anything to wear."

Tate smiled reaching over grabbing the box he had brought in and held it in front of me. "Open it."

Slowly reaching out I open the box. "He didn't." Tate took the cover from me, my hands free to reach in and pull out the light blue gown, the one I told Max months ago was my favourite and would die to get a chance to wear. "The bastard."

"He had me buy it months ago." Tate said smugly.

I whacked his arm not looking away from the gown. "You ruined my week."

"And now I'm making your day." He let me put the gown back in the box and take it from him. "Sebastian and I will pick you up in two hours."

I hummed still looking at the gown, still not believing that I get to wear it to a gala tonight.

Hearing the door close from Tate leaving was a cold bucket of water. Holy shit I have to go to a fancy gala... tonight... how the fuck do I prepare for that?

In a few hours!?

I took out my phone pressing the call button for backup.

"Hey baby momma." Anthony answered into the phone. "You missing me already?"

"I need you, get your ass here now." I rushed into my room, putting the gown on the bed and looked around my room thinking about what I need to do but having no idea where to start.

He laughed on the other side of the call as I opened my closet starting with finding shoes for the evening. "Your man mess up? That didn't last long."

"No." I snapped throwing heels onto my bed. "Remember when I got really mopey about my favourite gown getting bought."

"Yep."

"Well turns out Max had Tate buy it and now that very man dropped it off along with an invitation to a gala ... for tonight." I rushed going to my laptop to Pinterest so I can find something that will tell me what to do with my hair.

Sputtering was heard on the other end. "You? Fancy gala? Getting yourself presentable? Being with high society and dancing? Manors? Okay don't touch anything I will be there as soon as I can."

The line went dead without him saying anything else while I scrolled. Not having time to look, I got up and raced to the bathroom needing to take the fastest shower possible.

Rushing through my shower I jumped out and put my robe on. I had only washed myself, leaving my hair up so I could save time and curl it. Sitting down at my vanity I turned on my curler then took out my make-up.

With a playlist blasting I rushed through my make-up and curling my hair. When done, I picked up Max's ring and clipped it around my neck. Standing up from the Vanity, I walked over to my wardrobe taking out the under garments that will work for the gown.

Walking to my bed, I take the gown out of the box. A bubble of excitement grew in my stomach to be wearing the gown I made for me.

Unzipping the back, I place the gown on the ground and stepped into the fabric. Pulling it up my body I put the straps over my shoulder then reach behind me to zip up the back allowing the gown to hug me.

Doing a look in the mirror my hands went down, smoothing the fabric. Turning to the side, the gown was perfectly fitted and the fabric design covered up the baby bump I was growing. The light blue complemented my eyes, and the deep v cut showed the Sorrentino ring resting right between my breasts.

"Well you look gorgeous for your gala." Anthony said making me jump and find him leaning against my door frame.

"Fuck Anthony, you really need to learn to knock." I said getting my heart beat back to normal. "About time you got here and thank you."

"You should take off that necklace, it doesn't go with the dress." Anthony walked into my room motioning to Max's ring. "Maybe a nice silver pendent will work well, keep the attention on the dress."

My hand went up to fidget with the ring. "No, it will stay on."

He chuckled. "Right, forgot it's your man's. Guess if you want it to stay on and based on you two this morning, that things are going well?" Fighting back a smile I nod, my fingers playing with the ring. "By that smile your trying to hide I would say yes. Ha, good, you deserve a good man."

Laughing I nod. "He is a great man, I'm lucky to be falling in love with him." I froze. "I uh, no, I don't love Max not sure why I said that. We are friends, and yes we are getting closer but I am not in love."

Anthony wrapped his arms around my shoulders pulling me into him. "You and Max are so obvious about your feelings to each other. Was wondering when you were going to figure out how you feel about him."

I shrugged. "I'm still figuring it out. It's weird that you're his family lawyer but I'm glad you know his life in the Mafia, lets me talk to you without being worried about slipping his true life."

"Think that was why I was made their lawyer sooner than later, Lorenzo wanted to give you support." Anthony pulled away from me with a small smile. "Maybe you love Maximus, maybe you don't. If that is where your brain is going, don't push the thought down or freeze your emotions. Let yourself explore Maximus, don't be scared but happy that you are trusting him."

I blew out a shaky breath. "I trust him and the more time I spend with him, the more I feel closer to him. With us and our child, I don't want to risk falling quickly." Before Anthony could respond I shook my head. "I know. Stop thinking and live in the moment."

My hand went to the ring on my neck, the touch of it settling my nerves.

"Come on, you need food." Anthony said leaving the room.

Taking a breath, I took one last look in the mirror. I know I look good, hell I designed this gown for me. But the imposter syndrome I will be feeling tonight at the gala, was already starting to settle in.

"Let's go baby momma!" Anthony shouted.

Cody called out for me, my head giving myself a nod that I looked great and ready. Coming into the kitchen Cody gave out a whistle, my two best friends leaning on the kitchen counter eating barbeque chicken wings.

"Well I'll be, if your man doesn't propose to you tonight with your stunning looks, dump him." Cody said giving me a swell of confidence.

Waving him off I blush. "Thanks Cody, I'll keep that in mind. You guys having dinner here?"

Anthony shook his head eating a wing. "Nope these are for us. The food they give is a joke, tiniest appetisers that are laughable. You're going to want to eat now so you're not moody later."

Cody nodded along passing me a wing on a napkin. "He's right, when I catered these things I was given a ruler to ensure each appetiser was no bigger than an inch and a half."

"No food?" I gaped at the thought. It seemed that every second I was eating and if I wasn't then I was thinking about what I wanted to eat. "Give me."

Reaching forward I took the wing, carefully eating it above the napkin to prevent me messing up my gown or makeup.

Cody chuckled pushing the plate closer to me. "He give you the rules for being with his people yet? I wish I got rules before I began catering."

"Rules?" I mumbled around the wing.

Anthony nodded. "No swearing. No political talk. No slapping anyone no matter how much you want to. No crude talk."

Glancing at Cody he rolled his eyes. "It's true, but whenever I felt like doing those things, I stole silverware." Anthony gave him a disapproval looking, Cody's hands up in defence. "I gave them back the next night I worked. Sometimes."

Anthony groaned. "Now it makes much sense why I met you with a spoon in your pocket."

Cody shrugged innocently picking up a wing. "I did what I did."

Tossing a bone down, I pick up another wing. "Jeez you guys aren't giving good pep talks, instead you're making me feel like I'm going to massively embarrass myself. I can be polite."

"We know." Cody said. "Anthony has memories of me in galas stealing shit, he thinks you'll do the same."

Hearing a knock on the door I turn, watching it be opened by Cody, Sebastian walking in. "Ready Signorina Stella?"

Before I could move, Anthony took my shoulders. "Remember, rich people mostly suck even when they are together for charity. Do the smile through anger thing, don't slap anyone and, ugh can't believe I am saying this, don't steal spoons."

Rolling my eyes, I walked away from him, grabbing my heels and slipped them on. "I'm not a toddler."

Anthony snorted. "You haven't met the rich folks yet, they are toddlers. Some are nice and great, but you need to be prepared for the asshole who are there."

Rolling my eyes, I slide my coat on. "When have you known me to be rude, I'll be fine, have some faith and thank you for your weird pep talk."

He shrugged. "Let me know how it goes, you have gotten more spunk in you since being with Maximus so I'm waiting for that to show tonight."

Flipping him off I walk out of my apartment, Sebastian following right behind me. My phone buzzed making me take it out of my purses, a nervous smile on my face when I see it was from Max.

:

Sorry I couldn't pick you up.

Can't wait to see how you will punish me for the gala.