A MERRY MAFIA CHRISTMAS (GxG)

XXIII

My Christmas List: December 10th
Let this event that I'm planning end up being absolutely perfect.

❆❆❆❆❆❆

I peered down at the flame lit by the BIC lighter that I managed to get from CeCe.

Why can't I stop? Why is this officially a habit again?

Everything faded—time, work, Armani—all my worries disappeared as I stared down at the lighter, deciding if it was worth it.

I can break the habit right now. I can stop today and never do it again.

I sighed, leaning the lighter down with guilt flowing through me. My brain screamed Don't do it! while my body ached for the familiar release.

In the end, neither side won. Not when a knock sounded at my door.

I froze for a few seconds before inevitably rising to my feet and sliding the lighter under my thick covers.

I know that if it's Armani at the door then I can't risk her seeing it.

I walked over to the door, my bare feet pattering against the cold floors as I adjusted my work dress.

Immediately upon opening my door, I felt grateful.

Grateful that I had hid my lighter.

"Armani..." I trailed off, waiting for her to explain her presence at my door.

I had just seen her this morning—where she declared that she would prove it to me. Prove that I wasn't a game to her.

"Are you busy right now?" she said, standing tall in her usual black pantsuit.

I couldn't help but furrow my brows, saying, "No?"

Armani nodded, "Good, I'll be back in twenty—you should probably change."

My brows furrowed deeper as Armani took a step away from my open door. "Into what?"

"Something casual."

With that she turned and walked down the hall, her heels clicking against the floors toward her own room.

I continued to stay stuck where I was at, looking blankly in front of me as I processed what just happened.

As soon as I did, I couldn't help but think, Where are we going?

I hesitantly closed my bedroom door shut, peering over to my bed where the lighter was hidden before looking toward my closet.

With a sigh, I made my way toward the walk-in closet, deciding to forget the lighter and get dressed.

Twenty minutes didn't feel like any time at all considering I had to pick out an outfit that was casual as Armani had mentioned.

In the end, I decided on a blush pink sweater, black leggings, and black and white Nike dunks. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail and reapplied chapstick to my lips.

By the time I had finished, Armani was knocking at my door.

With hesitation and butterflies nestled deep in my stomach, I opened the door.

There stood Armani in black loose jeans rolled at her ankles with a tight long sleeve black shirt that buttoned up at her chest and illuminated her lean arms. She had on shiny black Alexander Mcqueen sneakers and her short hair was gelled down precisely.

She looked so incredibly attractive—and naturally at that. I couldn't tell if I preferred her dressed up or down.

"Ready?" Armani said, snapping me from the trance she unknowingly put me in.