Big Novel

 

"I am so relieved everything went well for you...I was so worried about you I was starting to go mad imagining all the horrible things the council would do to you if the investigation didn't go your way. In fact, I probably would have gone mad if it wasn't for Aiden distracting me my telling me tales of his wife and me forcing him to watch chick flick movies with me." Lilly said showing her relief but adding a little humor. 

"Chick flicks mm... and you had the cheek to scold me for hitting him, forcing him to watch chick flicks sounds like a much harsher punishment," Stefan said making Lilly giggle. 

"What can I say maybe being around you is rubbing off on me and I am learning to be ruthless... forcing Aiden to watch chick flicks who knows maybe I will force him to do a facemask with me next and have a manicure," Lilly replied making Stefan laugh. 

"Maybe it is that sounds like torture! " Stefan said as he held Lilly a little closer as her banter slowly faded to be replaced by nervousness. "So what happens now? 

"Well Mr. Gambino will send his report to the council tomorrow and he said he expects them to agree with his findings that Mia's allegations were false and they should wrap up the investigation swiftly, however, Mr. Gambino asked to speak with you...merely as a formality, he will ask you questions so it's important you answer the right way and give the right impression but don't worry I will tutor you on what to say and how to act and everything will be okay," Stefan said confidently making Lilly shudder but after a brief pause reply, "I trust you Stefan tell me what I need to 

do." 

"Okay, I told Mr. Gambino that you were merely my guest during a business transaction to keep you safe and to make our relationship sound professional so Mia's claims looked unmerited. Therefore it's best you call me Sir or Mr. Marconi at all times and I call you Miss Thompson." 

"Okay, I can do that what else? "Lilly asked sitting up and making a mental note of everything Stefan said. 

"I was very vague on the details of our business deal I simply said I was doing business with your family and you were my guest whilst the deal was underway so Mr. Gambino may try and trick you into revealing more details about our 'business', any time Mr. Gambino asks you about our business deal simply reply regrettably you do not know the answer to that question as you are traditional and leave any business dealings to men, you can also say if he asks that my deal is with your brother but other than that pretend to be an obedient and shy woman," Stefan said gulping when Lilly glared at him "I know it's very sexist and I personally am not sexist but the majority of Mafia Boss's are and so are members of the council and Mr. Gambino and we need them to conclude the investigation in our favor and the best way to do that is by tricking them into liking us so we need to pretend to have the same views as them...okay? 

"Fine, appease the sexist pig by playing the brainless bimbo card it's on the list what else?" Lilly said trying to control her temper which made Stefan grin. 

"Next it's important we display the same values as him, he is old fashioned so belives in the class system so it's important that you define yourself as a member of high society, therefore, keep the basic table manners and do not under any circumstance speak to any of the staff the 

only people you should speak to is me, Marcus or Mr. Gambino. "Stefan said 

looking her in the eyes to make sure she understood the importance of 

it. 

"I 

Act snobby check...anything else?" 

Finally we need to go over your side of the story about Mia's attack 

and I will need to coach you on what to say. Try to stick to my script word for 

word so you don't leave yourself open for more questions or say anything 

that could sound incriminating. So let's start by you telling me your version 

and then I will edit it and write you a script based on your version." 

Lilly told Stefan the events of Mia's and Mr. Sinclair's attack and Stefan 

wrote her a script which she eventually had memorized word for word. 

"That's perfect Lilly one more thing though to buy us more time so I 

can update you and then coach you on what to say and how to act during 

Mr. Gambino's interview I told him you were unavailable as I sent you into 

town to buy ingredients for a special dinner tonight you were cooking in his 

honor- are you feeling up to cooking or shall I get the chef to do it and then 

brief you on the dishes he made?" 

"Cooking actually sounds wonderful, it helps me relax how long do I 

have until dinner?" 

Stefan stared at his watch, it's 1 pm now, I will get my men to bring him back about 6 pm and no doubt he will want to freshen up first so let's say dinner at 7 pm?" 

"Okay six hours, that should be enough time to cook a meal fit for a king or a high ranking representative of a secretive council that controls the Mafia..." Lilly grinned "I love you but I really need to go to the kitchen and see what ingredients we have and then get inspiration for a fine dinner, plan the courses and sent people for the ingredients and then, of course, cook the food itself so if you'll excuse me I will see you later. " Lilly said as she jumped off the bed and kissed Stefan before she hurried along to the kitchen leaving Stefan speechless over the fact that she just dismissed him and honestly he didn't mind in fact he found her taking charge rather sexy. 

Stefan, Lilly and Mr. Gambino were sat at the dinner table that the staff had dressed lavishly enjoying the second course of the five-course meal Lilly had cooked. 

"I must say the first course of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella bruschetta was delicious your homemade bread was wonderfully crispy and tomatoes sweet but I am enjoying this soup even more if that's even possible. " Mr Gambino announced as he lifted his soup spoon and slurped loudly. 

"Thank you, Mr. Gambino, that is most kind of you to say so," Lilly replied sweetly as she lowered her gaze demurely. 

"Where did you learn to cook so well Miss Thompson?" 

"I worked in the restaurant trade Mr. Gambino and I was lucky enough to have excellent mentors who passed their skills and knowledge onto me. 

My Mother was also a wonderfully skilled baker and I was privileged to learn a few skills from her also. 

"Well you are a wonderful cook dear and I look forward to dessert to find out if you are equally skilled at baking as you are cooking but I am curious as to why you worked in the restaurant trade and your mother was a baker if your family is in business with Mr. Marconi's?" Mr. Gambino 

asked. 

"Thank you, Mr. Gambino, I do hope you enjoy the dessert I made something wonderful in your honor. As for your question Sir, it is my brother who is in business with Mr. Marconi my mother did as do I believe in leaving the business to men so I can not discuss any of our family business as I am afraid I know nothing about it but I worked in a restaurant because I am passionate about cooking and my mother was passionate about baking also." Lilly replied hoping to sound as meak and empty-headed Mr. Gambino believed all women were. 

"I see, it's good to meet a woman like yourself who is traditional Miss Thompson and believes in keeping the natural order of things- far too many women now have unnatural interests in business and try to take on a role of a man. It is a little unseemly however to know a woman who clearly is high class as you worked once but I suppose the cooking skills you learned will please your husband when you marry one day. " Mr. Gambino said as he practically licked his spoon and bowl. 

Lilly felt every fiber of her body become enraged by his sexist views and she fought the urge to reach over and smack his head off the table," yes I suppose my husband will...if I marry." Lilly said not being able to hold her tongue completely at her annoyance that Mr. Gambino assumed she was keen to do her 'womanly duty' and marry and didn't even bother to ask her 

if she wished to marry. 

"Of course you'll marry dear don't put yourself down, you may not have a large dowry to offer or lineage but you are a beautiful woman, obedient and a good cook you will be able to keep a man's bed warm, his house well cared for and provide him with beautiful children- you have many appealing qualities," Mr. Gambino said mistaking Lilly's remark made out of anger for a lack of confidence and genuinely thought he was complimenting her with his sexists and old fashioned views. 

Mr. Gambino had his head down slurping loudly on his wine as Lilly couldn't help but clench her fists and silently glare at him in response forcing herself not to retort. 

"Are you ready for your next course Mr. Gambino?" Stefan asked noticing Lilly's unveiled anger and moving the conversation swiftly on. 

The three of them continued with their meal and Stefan intervened whenever needed to prevent Lilly from having an outburst after one of Mr. Gambino's sexist remarks- which were often. 

As the meal was drawing to a close Stefan sighed in relive that they had managed to survive the evening, his relief was short-lived however as a figure lurked outside the dining room window watching them.

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