Chapter 379
Sofia’s pov
‘What could they want?’ I quietly asked myself as I drew a weing smile on my face, hoping that it
appeared real and genuine, and not tired and exhausted like I actually feel right now.
I’ve never talked to so much people one on one in the span of a few hours in my entire life. It was really
overwhelming then I had anticipated.
I don’t regret doing this exhibition. It left so much joy and satisfaction in my heart, but perhaps next time
I’d be hosting this– which wouldn’t be anytime soon, I’d put a limit to people who’d be able toe in,
that way, it wouldn’t get this crowded, and wouldn’t overwhelm me this way.
? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
“Hello there, I’m Sofia Ri, the artist whom you’vee to see today. I assume you’ve taken a look
around, are there any paintings in particr which stood out to you?” I said in a single breath and I
watched as the three women all exchanged looks amongst themselves.
One of them, the one standing in the middle, whose hair was styled in a really high bun, began to
speak.
“Oh, we know who you are just fine.”
“That’s great then. Would you like to introduce yourselves as well?” I tried encouraging just as one of
the women scoffed.
“Actually, we mind.” The one who had scoffed spoke up and I blinked,pletely taken aback.
“Pardon?” I asked while blinking once again.
“How do you not recognize us?” The one who had been quiet the entire time demanded and I felt more
taken aback.
Are these women being serious right now? I quietly asked myself as I regarded them without saying a
thing.
“We’re some of the members of the women’s association, whom you’ve met once.” The first one spoke
once again and I blinked as a few vague images rushed into my head.
Images of the time I had visited the women’s union to address them, wives of all the underbosses of
the mafia. Whereby I had been extremely nervous, but Luca had encouraged me to do that, and I had
aced it.
But, I could remember telling Luca that I wasn’t going to mingle or assioate myself with the rest of the
women because I was way younger than the rest of them, and Luca had easily understood.
“Oh, my bad. It’s been a long time so I couldn’t remember any of your faces. It’s nice to have you here.”
I finally responded, but one of them scoffed once again, making me feel at loss.
“You didn’t invite us to your art exhibition, why should we feel weed?” The one who had scoffed
demanded and i exhaled slowly.
“You’re here right now, are you not? Then you’re weed here, and that’s all that should matter now.”
I paused and regarded them slowly once again.
“I didn’t invite anyone personally, everyone came of their own ord. And for the record, even if I was
inviting anyone, I don’t necessarily have to invite y’all. I’m not inclined to do that, I’d have y’all know
that.”
The gasps that left the three women’s mouth sounded almostical, If it wasn’t for the absolute
horrified looks on their faces.
“Why are you suddenly being rude? I thought you just said we were weed.” The first one sneered,
it was obvious that they all only came here to pick a ridiculous bone with me, and probably out of sheer
curiosity.
“I wasn’t being rude, mind you. I was just telling it how it is, I hope you didn’t take it the wrong way.” I
responded almost immediately. My manager suddenly appeared by my side to inform me that I’d be
giving my word of acknowledgment soon before vanishing into the crowd.
“I wonder if this is the right way to treat your subjects. Just because you’re ranks above us shouldn’t
give you the right to disrespect us so outrightly.” The second one spoke this time.
“Especially since you’re literally just a child ying around with what? Colors and drawing boards?
Heavens help us, because if you’re a little bit more grown up, you’d know that this isn’t the usual way of
we women who are married to men in the mafia.”
I pressed my fingers to my forehead while listening to all that was being said by these foolish women.
They were indeed proof that age is nothing but a number, and not a proof of how smart you actually
are.
I took a few steps closer to them before speaking. “Not only did youe in here with bad intentions,
you also had the guts to talk trash to my face… who the hell are you guys?”
I took another step closer to them, the fury in my eyes was definitely getting to them because they all
exchanged wary looks.
“You have no right to talk to me rudely, and without respect. Like you pointed out, I’m indeed ranks
above you guys, and I know I should actually be orded the required respect. Since you all feel like
I’m too young and dumb, I’ll see what Luca has to say once I go tell him what you lots have just done to
me right now.” I continued, and at the mention of Luca, they all got extremely frightened and began to
apologize profusely.
When Ryan came to inform me that my brother was here, I ignored their pleas and left their presence,
knowing that they were definitely still going toe apologize to me again, to avoid me acting on my
words.
Sometimes I almost forget how much people are terrified of Luca’s name alone.
I hugged Angelo tight on spotting him, and then I tugged him off to my office to present his painting to
him.
He attempted to pay for it after fighting through the clog of emotions In his throat, but I vehemently
refused.
Angelo and I talked a little after that, he talked about how their mother asked about her from him this
morning.
I wasn’t sure of what to make of that piece of information, and so I shoved it into the back of my mind
as Angelo and I made our way back into the buzzing hall.
As expected, those arrogant women were nowhere to be found.
About half an hourter, after I had introduced Angelo to Ka , I was called up to deliver my note of
thanks, because the exhibition has finallye to an end.
I looked around for Luca as I held the mic, but he was nowhere to be found. I tried not to dwell on that
as I began to speak into the microphone.
I did notice someone at the far end of the crowd through.
It was Ryan, and he had a small, encouraging smile on his face.