“Yeah, like, I know I’m going to be married off to be a trophy wife. I’m not going to get to follow any real dream, but what do you have planned? What do you want to be?”
I take a moment to think her question over. I haven’t thought much about what I want for the future. I’ve been living day by day.
Talking to my mom in the last few days, I get that this is something she would like me to focus on. To make her happy, I am going to figure my shit out. This would be a good place to start.
“I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it.”
“You’re smart and beautiful. The sky is the limit. I think whatever you decide, you’re going to be great.”
I hug her around the waist and lean my head against her. “Aw, thank you.”
“I mean it. The more I get to know you, the more I know you’re a lot more than everyone thinks. You’re going to shock the world, Oni Raven. You’re going to be a force in a world that doesn’t see you coming.”
We stop outside Mr. Gallo’s study and Emilia pulls me into a hug. I give her a squeeze. She’s become such a good friend over the last week and a half.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you at the party. He’s waiting inside for you.”
“Thanks,” I say.
I move to knock on the study door before walking in. Mr. Gallo has been true to his word. When I’m not training for these jobs we’re going to pull, he has taken me under his wing.
I know more about the Gallo business than I ever thought I would. Fredrico is a calculating man. I can see why Rico is the way he is.
They see things in a way others don’t. I find myself feeling more like an apprentice than an assistant. Emilia is right, because I’m a girl, Fredrico’s business connections speak freely in front of me like I’m not even there.
After meetings, Fredrico always asks what I have learned. It always reminds me of my dad and how he taught me to be observant. When I’m with Fredrico, I often think of my dad and miss him.
“Come in,” Mr. Gallo calls from the other side of the door.
I open the door and poke my head inside. He’s standing facing the window, looking out into the backyard. I move inside and close the door behind me.
He turns to face me, and his mouth falls open. I reach to touch my hair and then smooth my hands down the front of mydress. A little frown comes to my lips as I wonder if I look bad. Maybe I picked the wrong dress for the night.
He clears his throat. “How you doing, Oni?”
“I’m fine, just a little nervous.”
“You look gorgeous, sweetheart. I wanted to talk to you before we head out.”
“Thank you. What can I do for you?”
“It’s what I can do for you. You don’t have to do this tonight. We can go with our planB.”
“No, I want to do this.”
“Why?”
I sigh and think of my talk with Emilia just moments ago. It all revolves around the same thing. My mom.
“If I only did one job, that would be enough to pay my own way to boarding school. My mom doesn’t want me to come back to New York. Not to stay.
“But the schools she wants me to go to are so expensive. I don’t want her to have that burden. I know she’s going to do everything she can for me to have better, but that’s not right. She shouldn’t work herself like that.
“If I can do this, if I can earn the money, I can go to one of those schools and put distance between me and all the things that haven’t been steering me in the right direction,” I reply.
Fredrico stares at me for a moment. I stand trying not to fidget under his gaze. I appreciate him wanting to give me an out. However, I’m going to follow through for my future.
He opens his mouth to speak, but a knock comes at the door. I turn as the door opens. Rico steps into the room and we both freeze as we look at each other.
