Chapter 21 - Twenty-One

Shiny black hair was scattered all around the pillow and her face, was the shine natural? He wondered, she was such a beauty and she belonged to him. She was sleeping and he was watching her as if obsessed. He was happy that she was of age when he found her.

"Master," a voice came and a hand that held his whiskey. He took the glass and took a sip out of it.

"Agatha," he acknowledged, "how is she doing?"

"Fine, sir. Mistress takes all of her medicines on time."

The word did not sig well with him. "Do not call her mistress, she is anything but that." He corrected her words immediately, eyeing her with seriousness.

"Would Madam do, master?" She hid her smile.

"Yes. It would." He sighed, still staring at her. 

***

Waking up with no alarm clock was another drawback in her routine. She washed up and walked into the wardrobe and selected a dress for today.

"Good morning, madam." Alexis jumped when she heard Agatha's voice. How could someone move so swiftly?

"Oh I'm so very sorry to startle you, Madam, I didn't mean to." Agatha bowed her head down, she wasn't meant to scare her. She was supposed to make her life easier.

"Don't worry. It's alright." Alexis felt a little awkward the way Agatha behaved. It was almost as if they lived in the ages of queens and kings. 

"Thank you, Madam," she whispered, gaining her strength back. "You need to be scrubbed clean, today. You will be meeting your mother-in-law. You need to look the part." She hurriedly grabbed her shoulders and took her to the bathroom. Agatha took off her robe, she stopped when Alexis slapped her hands away.

"Stop taking them off!" Alexis moved away from her. "I already took one!" 

"That does not count!" She moved again towards Alexis. "Madam I need to! It's necessary!"

"Necessary to see me naked?" She exclaimed her eyes wide.

"No, but I need to clean you and prepare you and make sure you know all the things." She explained as softly as she could.

Alexis breathed out, no one was seeing anybody naked, period. "Listen to me Agatha, that can be done without seeing me naked."

"Madam please," pulling the cry baby look," my life is online. The senior madam will kill me. Madam please, please.." 

"Fine fine," she sighed, she didn't want her to cry. Thus was the only source of sanity she had."Turn around." Agatha did as told.

Alexis got into the tub and hissed when the water touched her wounds. Hands gently showered her with water and she knew that it was Agatha.

"Alright Madam, ready?" She asked for permission. 

"Yes," She drawled out. 

"Alright. Mafia wives want power, they love it in fact, but mostly the power isn't for their shelves. It's for survival. They want it to be shown this way, that they will put their foot down when necessary, no one will bow down to anyone but Donna, Don's wife. She is respected the most, if any woman is having any problems with her household, she takes it up with her. The Don is the father of the family and the Donna is the mother." Trying her best, Agatha explained what she knew. 

"So that's her job?" She asked the obvious, half-heartedly listening to Agatha. 

"I was going to tell you about that,"

"Oh, do continue then."

"The Donna also takes Don's place when he isn't available. She is more protected than the Don and also, she takes care of most of the legal businesses for the Don to relieve him of some of the stress. It's the highest title a woman can receive and many responsibilities come with it. Also, you will have to set examples, advise the woman and also punish them when needed and remember when a wife is taken down, she is shot down in front of all by the Don, himself."

By now, Alexis was wearing a light creamy pink colour dress with pearl earrings, her hair was slightly curled and was held up in a low bun. She looked regal. The heels were of the same colour. The dress was sheath in form and reached her knees.

"Remember," Agatha turned to her for the last time. "Respect her, no matter what. She is an elder if not the former Donna."

She followed Agatha into the room on the first floor, it looked more like a balcony. The sunlight didn't reach enough to make it hot. A woman sat there looking all regal and poise, her back straight, chin up, she looked like a queen.

"Good morning." Alexis wished her in a soft voice. Politeness never hurt anybody. 

"Good morning, child, have a seat." She smiled slightly.

Alexis lightly nodded and took a seat in front of her. Angelos' mother leaned in a little and served her tea. Alexis, grateful for the beverage, took a sip. It was perfect in taste.

"How did he meet you?" She asked. 

"Oh um—"

"A Donna never says 'um' or any other words that make her seem unsure. She should think before she speaks." She lightly chided her.

Stunned, she looked at her. "Are you accepting me as his wife?" Didn't she know that I was kidnapped? The whole family seemed crazy to her. 

She smiled, amused at her. "When a man decides, there is nothing anyone can do. Especially if it's the Don, sweetheart. I'll help you, so you do not make any more mistakes like you did the night you tried to escape. Also, a Donna should have her allies as well."

"Oh," Alexis blinked, never excepting that much information. She heard what she wanted to and didn't regard any other nonsense the woman spoke. 

"So I cannot leave, like ever?" She whispered, afraid she already knew the answer to her question.

"No, my sweet child. You can make it easier by accepting it but you can't leave, ever." She smiled down with slight sympathy in her eyes.

"Oh and my name is Isabella," She smiled.. "Welcome to Donna 101."