1 chapter one - she's dead to us
"Babbo."
No response.
"Babbo." I tried again.
Again. No response.
"You have to eat something! You can't just sit and stare at nothing all day. Please, eat something."
"Leave me alone my child. I want to be alone." His voice was soft but stubborn with warning.
"I will leave once you eat something. You're pale and thin. You have everyone worried. You must eat something." His eyes narrowed at me. Although he looked sick and tired, he still carried a chilling aura.
He stood up abruptly wiping everything off his desk, including the tray of once warm food that was made for him. "Leave! Get out! I don't want to see you! I don't want to see anyone! Get out! Vaffanculo!" He screamed.
I sighed. "I'll have someone clean it up." I kept my shut, knowing better to not say anything more. Leaving without another word, I closed the heavy wooden mahogany door and leaned against it ignoring the two soldiers positioned on either side of the door next to me.
"Signorina?"
"Have someone clean the floors of his office again and bring another tray up. Leave it at his door, knock once, and tell him it's dinner. Has my sister arrived?"
"No. She called earlier saying her flight was delayed and she would not arrive till tomorrow. Her room is prepared though."
"Alright," I motioned to the door and nodded at her, "I'll leave you to it." I walked away heading down the corridor eyeing my father's office before turning around the corner heading to my room for the night.
-
I woke up the next morning feeling like shit. I got up and took a shower trying to wake myself up from the 3-hour sleep I got. My nights were beginning to get repetitive, tossing and turning in bed until the sun rose where I would finally be able to sleep for only a good few hours.
I heard someone enter and place a tray down as I stepped out of the bathroom. I turned to see it was the head maid and headed to my mirror to see how bad I looked.
"Is it true?"
"What is?" I said as I looked in the mirror at myself. My eye bags were getting worse. The lack of sleep and constant nightmares I had almost every night lately were not helping my ever-growing sunken eye bags and foul mood.
"That you're taking over. Are you taking over your father's position?"
"Just because you're the head maid doesn't mean you have the right to ask things so boldly."
"Please, I've practically raised you! I know you better than you know yourself, I think that gives me every right to speak freely. Now get dressed, you have a busy day ahead." Ms. Dimitriu said smiling smugly.
I laughed at her, she was right. One look at me and she could automatically tell what I was feeling. She was there every step of my life, literally. She watched as I took my first steps as an infant.
She handed me a loose plaid dark blue and red blazer, black fitted tank top, light-washed jeans, and pair of black block heels. As I dressed, she served me a cup of tea and placed it on my vanity while I applied light makeup to cover my dark eyebags. I took out a black box in my drawer and pulled out a gold necklace and a pair of gold earrings my father gifted to me when I turned 18. It was a favorite of mine that I practically wore every day and preferred over the rest of the expensive jewelry I had.
I sighed. I was already dreading today's meeting I had scheduled. I felt tired and drained from the sleepless nights, but there was no way I would be able to cancel last minute and avoid the question on everyone's mind.
Who was taking over my father's position when he was incapable of working with his fragile state of mind?
Two weeks. He's been gone two weeks and his absence proved to be serious when Antonio took over. Everyone in the mansion was beginning to feel cranky and tense while they awaited his return. Yet, it would not be anytime soon. I called my sister to beg her to come home in hopes she might understand and replace him for the time being, but I knew the moment she answered the phone she would say no. So I did not mention anything to her and instead asked for her to come home.
It wasn't that I was not prepared to take over. For fuck's sake, my father trained us for this position in case something happened to him. His underboss, Antonio, was capable of doing this, but when we turned of age we were next in line. Antonio still held his position as underboss, but that was in case anything happened to my father before any of us turned 18. Now my sister and I were above age with no need to turn to him unless we did not want the position or something were to happen to us. My worry was how they would react once they found out I was to take over.
It was always assumed by everyone else that my sister was going to take over. She is the oldest after all, but she left for a reason. Because she didn't want it. My father and sister fought, she pleaded to him to let her leave and live her life. No one knew of this, except for my family and Marcello, if anything they all believed she left and would come back when it was her time to take over. Marcello was a longtime friend of my father's and better yet his consigliere. He felt she was not fit for the position and the only reason my father wanted her to be head of the organization was that she was his first-born. Of course, this angered my father and he refused at first but eventually gave in to Marcello's reasoning and understood what he meant, that I was meant for it. My sister was now free to go and my father would focus his attention on me and train me more than before. I felt like I had no other option. I wanted to refuse the position knowing that Antonio would step up next, but I felt guilty that no one would continue the family legacy.
In the first week of his absence, they waited patiently for my sister to return. By week two, they grew restless and agitated. This could not continue, I was only holding it off for so long because I still did not want to accept it. I also couldn't keep lying to everyone else that she was going to return and fulfill the role. I knew it was time. I wanted to let Antonio take over completely when he came to me, he was already doing so well but I felt a sense of responsibility and urge not to fail my father. Plus, everyone was beginning to believe Antonio was only in his place for so long because my sister was yet to arrive. Instead, I called Marcello and had him organize a meeting for all the other caporegimes to meet along with Antonio.
I stood up from my chair and opened my windows looking down at the driveway. I felt like I was suffocating in this damn house sometimes.
"Whose car is that?" I asked staring down at a brand new red car. I didn't know my brand of cars, but I did know what cars entered and left the house.
"It's mine!" Ms. Dimitriu said jokingly.
I laughed and grabbed a notebook and a few pens I had stored on my bookshelf. "I don't know. I'm sure it is one of the caporegimes who pulled in this morning."
"Alright, I'm on my way then. I'm sure I'll be back by lunch."
"Okay, I'll have lunch prepared for you then." She said as she picked up the teacup I drank from.
I headed for the door and stopped before opening it. "Oh and Dimitriu, I wanted you to be the first one to know... I am taking over."
The clatter of the dropped teacup was the only sound in the room.
"B-b-but your sister. She is returning today is she not?" What the fuck? Did word get around that fast?
"I know you'll do a great job of spreading the word around by the time I return." I returned the smug smile she gave to me earlier. I opened the door and exited hearing her sigh before it closed behind me.
-
I headed down the stairs and was a bit relieved there wasn't anyone in sight. It was usually crowded below with people passing through and greeting each other to catch up or gossip. I still didn't feel awake enough or in a better mood to converse with anyone.
I looked down at my phone to check where we would meet. Everyone who was due to meet had received a text message. It was a strictly only to be seen and not to be responded to. Marcello used this method to message us what meeting room we would be in. The mansion had many rooms, some designed to be a living space for those with high positions and some rooms to be a place for us to meet. If anything, this house had many meeting rooms, some big, some small, that were constantly being used.
From marcello: MR #4 @10, don't be late, or else I'll feed you to my dogs.
It was one of the bigger rooms. Too many people in a room? My anxiety was already flying through the roof. Was it too early to have a glass of whiskey?
I looked down at my phone to check the time. 9:56. Oh, shit, from here to where we would have to meet? I would be late. I walked quickly and kept glancing at the time hoping I wouldn't be late. I should've left earlier. Dumbass.
I arrived outside the door hearing them talking loudly among themselves and looked down at the time. 10:02. Fuck. I internally cursed myself out and hung my head low. I was late already, it didn't matter if I stood outside the door for a few more seconds to compose myself.
"Late too?" I looked up at the sound of Antonio's voice and smiled at him.
"Yeah, my fault though. I should've left my room earlier. What's your excuse?"
He grinned. "I was up all last night banging some new chick at the club."
"Makes sense, I thought I heard someone moaning out of boredom."
"You're just jealous you haven't slept with anyone in a while." He retorted.
"No thank you, my showerhead works just fine," I said. His jaw dropped before he collected himself and beamed at me showing off his pearly white teeth. "Impressive. Shall we enter?"
I took a deep breath and nodded at him. He grabbed the door handle and turned to me once more, "Calm yourself, you know they can tell when you're nervous."
"I know, thank you," I responded.
"Don't expect me to hold your hand though", he teased. He turned the door handle and opened it walking in front of me. Cheers were heard throughout the room from the rest congratulating him for his lay last night. He laughed and sat down towards the right of the head seat chair.
"Hey! Which one you has that new sweet ride?"
A man with blonde shaggy hair, tan skin, green eyes, and buff biceps decorated with shaded in tattoos rose his hand and grinned. His name was Nate, known for being loud and outgoing with everyone around him, but too outspoken. He was a fairly new caporegime, only recently promoted when the previous one in our closer coastal territories retired.
"Do you like her? I've had her stored in my garage for a few months, but don't get enough time to take her out." So basically he's a show-off? Got it. He was like the rest of the men.
Antonio whistled. "Hell yeah, I've been wanting that same car myself. Just in a different color, red is too flashy for me." They continued their conversation about cars and women.
I stood at the door like an idiot, they still hadn't seen me. Good. I walked in slowly closing the door behind me, hearing their conversation dying down and watched as they all slowly turned to me. Moments like these I wished I wasn't insecure. I had to walk confidently, these damn heels were making it hard though. They were too tall and made too much noise with each step I took. I walked towards the head chair not arriving halfway before hearing someone yelp. I stopped and turned towards the sound seeing one of the caporegimes rubbing his foot.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"You stepped on my foot," he said looking elsewhere but at me. I heard a few chuckles around me and felt embarrassed.
I muttered out a sorry and continued walking trying to calm down my reddening cheeks hoping no one would see.
I arrived at the head seat and grabbed the seat arm. I looked at everyone and counted 20 sitting except for Marcello. The seat next to me on my left was empty.
"Where is Marcello?" I asked confused.
"He stepped out to take a call," someone responded.
I nodded and sat down hearing a few puzzled whispers around the table why I was sitting in the head chair. It wasn't my first time sitting in on a meeting, but I would never sit in the head chair. I would usually sit beside my father on his right with Antonio next to me and Marcello across from me.
We all faced the door at the sound of Marcello entering and locking the door behind him. He had a poker face on walking silently to his seat, sitting down, and nodding at everyone.
No one spoke for a few seconds, the sound of the clock ticking only filling up the silence.
"So who am I feeding to my dogs?" Marcello asked.
"Vivia!" Antonio practically yelled.
"It's true. I was late." No point in lying.
Antonio snickered and stuck his tongue out at me.
I rolled my eyes. "Anything you want to say, Cheshire?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Antonio said giving me a playful dirty look.
"I know you were late," Marcello responded.
Antonio looked at Marcello and actually gave him a dirty look. "Not true! Not true! I don't want to be fed to the dogs! They already drool all over me." He practically whined.
"That's because his dogs are the only chicks that drool over you," I said laughing.
"Why you little-"
"Enough. Your unbuttoned shirt and disheveled hair make it obvious you were late. Now... onto more important matters." Marcelo gave me a knowing look.
I felt the anxiety creeping back up. I had to suck it up right now, or else I'd make a fool of myself. Marcello gave me a comforting look and spoke softly, "Your sister called. She wished she could make it, but she won't arrive till the afternoon. She sends her best." I smiled at him and hoped the look in my eyes was a good enough thank you to him.
I stood up and met 21 pairs of eyes looking at me. I hadn't practiced enough in my room for this. Should I just stand here or walk around? I'll most likely step on someone's foot again though, I'll just stand here then.
"Good morning everyone. I had Marcello ask all of you to come in today so we could discuss some pending matters that could not move further without your acknowledgment. Before I begin, I want to apologize."
Suprised looks went around the table. It wasn't common for someone to apologize in our work. They all had some sort of pride and arrogance which made it difficult for any of them to ask for forgiveness. Marcello studied a few documents in front of him, purposely avoiding the eyes of the others. Antonio held an unreadable expression but continued to gaze at me.
I continued, "I am here to apologize to every single one of you, for leaving you in the dark and not letting you know sooner what will be the next steps taken in my father's organization. As you all know, my father has not recovered from... the...unexpected... situation that occurred over two weeks ago. How long he will continue to avoid the work that is demanded from him, I do not know. Yet, we will continue to move forward... without him."
I can't do this. I can't do this. I feel like I'm about to pass out. Maybe Antonio should've held my hand.
"Until he is deemed fit enough and stable again to work, I will take over."
Tick, tick, tick. The same clock ticking from earlier filled the silence. Marcello had his usual poker face on, Antonio stared at his hands, and everyone else looked everywhere but at me. The first day on the job and it felt like they feared me more than before. If I was the leader's daughter before, now I was in charge? Yeah, they definitely were tenser now than prior to my announcement.
Someone laughed. At the sound of it, I could feel my skin crawling. My eyes searched for the person responsible for laughing. They laughed again. My eyes narrowed at the sight of Nate clutching his stomach from laughing. "Situation? You're really calling it a 'situation'? Why even bother calling it that when everyone knows that-"
Antonio stood up abruptly and slammed his hands on the table. "Watch yourself, caporegime. Know your place." He hissed.
Marcello fixed his gaze on Nate and pursued his lips. Great, the old man wasn't going to say anything.
"Nate, is it? My personal family matters do not apply to you. Why are you making a scene? If everyone knows what happened then why do I have to mention it? It's not the reason why I called you all here today, is it? You're all here to be notified that I am taking over! Learn to hold your tongue, Nate. This isn't the first time you have spoken rudely in front of the rest, I know you're new and still have to adjust to your new position. Your previous boss may have kept you in control, but if you can't do that now, you might as well say goodbye to your promotion." My anger kept me from vomiting on the floor, I felt sick to my stomach having to threaten him that low.
"Whatever Vivia says, but I think what she's also implying is that next time I'll cut your tongue out," Antonio said with a yawn.
Nate huffed and leaned back in his chair. To the left of him, Mr. Albano rose his hand and cleared his throat. "If I may?" I nodded and pinched my nose bridge. "I hope I don't come off rude Ms. Leto, but last any of us knew, this position was not promised to you. Your sister is coming back, isn't she? We all heard the news she was to arrive today, we were expecting her in here today."
He meant well. I couldn't detect any unsincere or impolite tone off of him. He was past the age of 60 and past the age many in his position would retire at. I knew he wanted to pass it down to someone soon, but was yet to find someone appropriate for it. He was respectful and one of the first members I met when I was little. He always carried candy with him and smelled of hickory smoke. I always admired him and felt his pain when he lost his wife to cancer a few years back.
"She will not be accepting it. She refused to take on the duty that was handed to her by my father. I have stepped up and decided to take it."
"You're lying! You probably left her out of this meeting purposely before she arrived so you could falsely claim you're taking over!" Nate seriously did not know when to hold his fucking tongue.
"She's not here because her flight was delayed. And either way, why do you think she left? Do you honestly think she left with the pure intention to come back when it was time? Who has ever left this mansion and came back? She left because she had no intention to ever take over. Vivia was the only Leto left standing. She's in charge now because she's next in line!" Antonio yelled. His face was tinted a light shade of red and a vein was popping out his forehead. I stood in shock, how long did Antonio know that? It was only safe to assume that half of the people in this room had a suspicion my sister was never gonna take over, but the other half who were naive and illogical like Nate, and hadn't caught on as quickly as they did.
The caporegimes around the table stared between him and Nate. I could feel my cheeks burning in embarrassment that Antonio beat me in responding to Nate, I looked weak and incapable of fighting my own fights. I would never hear the end of this from Marcello.
Marcello stood up from his seat and gave an annoyed sigh. "Look, Vivia is in charge now. The other Ms. Leto was not suitable to fill the position, not only this, but she also refused to hold this burden. It was passed down to Vivia, Mr. Leto gave his blessing long ago. It was better for none of you to know until the time was right. Mr. Leto's absence has proved to be difficult for all of us, but meanwhile, Vivia will be in charge. When he comes back and later retires, Vivia will step up once again if she desires. Think of her being in charge, as a test run. Her short-lived experience will prove to be beneficial in the future when it is her time to fully take over. Capisce?"
No one answered, they all instead nodded. Marcello sat back down and went back to studying his documents.
"Thank you, Marcello. With that being said, we'll continue."
Antonio shot up from his seat and gave me a crazy look. "Vivia? It's almost lunchtime, could we leave this till tomorrow? I'm starving!"
The caporegimes around the table laughed and started arguing among themselves if we should continue. Antonio opened his briefcase and took something out. He gave me a grin and banged a squeaky mallet on the table. "Order! Order! Order in the court!"
"How long have you had that in there?"
He shrugged. "Awhile. I've been saving this baby for the right moment. You're more fun than your father. He would've shot me on the spot."
I tried hard not to laugh. I was trying to hold a professional composure in front of everyone in the room. The rest, not so much. The only one not laughing was Marcello.
"Okay fine. Marcello organize another meeting, something preferably in the afternoon. I'll see you all tomorrow," I gave them a smirk, "court adjourned."
-
I walked quickly trying to lose Marcello and Antonio, but my short strides were no match for their long strides. Curse my short legs.
"Vivia!"
"Marcello, I'm telling you. Antonio beat me to it. What was I suppose to say afterward?"
"Antonio, how many times have I told you not to fight her own fights?" Marcello scolded trying to swat at Antonio with a stack of rolled-up papers.
Antonio ducked the first time. But he wasn't so lucky the second time. "Ow! I said I was sorry! It was like an instinct, you know? Like dogs when they pee on trees or fire hydrants!"
"That's to mark their territory and assert dominance you dumbass!"
I wasn't too hungry. My mind was focused on other matters and I paid little attention to Marcello and Antonio trailing behind me. I heard soft footsteps trying to keep up. I stopped and turned around, only to have Antonio crash into me making us both fall to the ground.
"Ms. Vivia!" Ms. Dimitrui ran to my side and helped me stand up.
"I'm so sorry Vivia!"
"You better be. I can't feel my legs, you basically crushed them."
Antonio rolled his eyes. "Okay, I'm not that heavy."
"Yes, you are. You make my life hell when I have to carry you drunk back home from the nightclubs." Marcello said.
"Dimitrui, hand me a golfclub."
"Ma'am?"
Antonio stiffened. "I said I was sorry! Are you gonna swing at my legs?"
"It's not for you. Now Dimitrui, meet me outside, and bring my sunglasses." She ran back to where she came from pushing anyone out of her way.
I continued walking and stopped at the guarded entrance. A soldier left his place and headed to the door. The entrance was double doors made of bullet-proof glass and hardwood. It was heavy and too difficult to open for any one of the average size which is why we had big soldiers stationed here. I stepped outside and headed towards my window where I saw the red car earlier. I had tuned out Antonio and Marcello who were talking about an incoming shipment today.
"I'm telling you there's something fishy. It's a gut feeling Antonio. Don't go."
"Maybe. But I can't send my men and have them die. Even if I did send the best, I would go. I go to every incoming shipment site. I'm not-"
"Ms. Vivia! Ms. Vivia!" Dimitrui ran to us, struggling to keep up with us. She was heavily breathing by the time she reached us and looked like she was about to pass out.
"Damn, I thought she was gonna be a while. That lady takes her job way too seriously." Antonio said with a laugh.
Dimitrui handed me the golf club and put on my sunglasses for me. She looked at the red car I was standing beside and shook her head softly. "I'll make sure to distract the caporegimes." She walked off and turned around to give me a secret smile. "Vivia, I believe you'll need these." She threw me a set of keys and walked off.
"I love you Dimitrui!" I called out to her disappearing figure.
Marcello and Antonio stopped their conversation and looked at the golf club in my hand and then at Nate's car. "She only brought one?" Marcello smacked Antonio.
"Vivia, think this through. You'll gain an enemy. He's in the coastal territory, the most important lands we need!" Marcello tried to reason.
"I heard what you said, Marcello. I've decided to ignore you."
"Antonio, be a dear and turn off the car alarm once it goes off." I handed him the keys and gave him a wink.
Antonio gave me a longing look. "Dear God, I wish I was your age again." Marcello gave him another loud smack.
With that, I lifted up the golf club and smashed Nate's windshield. The car alarm went off for a split three seconds before being turned off by Antonio. I aimed at Nate's car rearview mirrors and then the headlights. Marcello and Antonio continued their conversation as if nothing was going on, calling out once in a while where I should hit next.
"My car!" All three of us whirled around at the sound of Nate's voice. His expression was horrified and he stood from afar in shock. Behind him stood other caporegimes laughing at him and taking pictures. I really hope this angle doesn't make me look fat. Nate broke into a sprint and stood in front of his car mourning how good she looked ten minutes ago.
I jumped off the hood from where I was standing. "Pretty car Nate, such a shame though."
He looked up at me and the rage on his face was enough to murder a man. He didn't say anything and instead gave me a death glare. I think if he said anything he would've jumped me on the spot. I tossed the golf club at him and gave him a thumbs up. I turned to Marcello and Antonio who were still talking and acting as nothing happened but watching Nate from the corner of their eyes.
Damn, I was hungry now. "Well guys, I'm pretty hungry. I'll see you around." I walked past Marcello, turning around and giving him a smug smile.
"Marcello, what was that about fighting my own fights?"
-
I headed back to my room and had Dimitrui send one of the maids to bring me lunch to my room. Tomato mozzarella panini with homemade potato chips. That lady sure went all out when it came to making food. I sipped on my lemonade and sat comfortably in my lounge chair. I hid in my room most of the time only coming out when I needed to and avoided social contact with anyone. I did feel lonely sometimes, but it wasn't a new feeling when my father restricted most of my relationships with anyone. It limited me from making friends and getting along with anyone. I felt uncomfortable when it got really loud in a room, had anxiety when it was my turn to speak up, and hated socializing sometimes. I had my father to thank for that; if I were raised in the right environment, then I wouldn't have feared any of this.
I stood up and decided to leave my room. I needed to distract my mind, it was too quiet in my room and I didn't like it when I was left alone to think. I headed down the stairs and took a left into another hallway that held countless picture frames. I had taken off my heels and settled for some lazy black slippers. In front of me were two maids who were dusting and talking to each other. They hadn't noticed me behind them walking towards their way.
"What do you mean you don't know? Haven't you heard what's been going on? Leto's youngest daughter is taking over for now till he gets better."
"What? But why? What's wrong with him?"
"You seriously don't know anything. Leto's wife cheated on him. She's been seeing some other man this entire time! She's always been too much, and she pulls this stunt? Marcello supposedly discovered her because she was acting strangely. He had her followed and delivered the proof himself to Leto!"
"This is why no one has seen her for two weeks? And Mr. Leto?"
"Yes! I thought everyone knew! It's been the only good gossip we've gotten this entire year!"
"Okay, so what now with Mrs. Leto?"
"Apparently she was kicked out and told never to show her face here again. But Mr. Leto can't let her go! Marcello did all of that for him because he couldn't even look at her! Word though is that she cheated on him with a member of another rival mafia. I'm not too sure-"
"That's enough." They both stiffened and looked at me with wide eyes.
"Signorina Leto! I am so sorry! I-"
"Why don't you head back with Dimitrui and tell her that I'm personally asking her to train you again?" Her face paled. She nodded and bowed, leaving in a hurry. The other maid stood still and held her head down. Her stance was weird. No maid had a hostile stance, they were all submissive. I frowned at her.
"You're new. I haven't seen you around."
"I arrived last week. I'm-"
"What's your name?"
"Khai. I'm sorry ma'am!" She dropped to the floor and looked up. "I didn't know! I'm sorry I asked and pressed her for more!"
"You were gonna hear it from someone eventually. Get out, I'll let you off this once." She stood up and picked up her cleaning utensils and slowly walked away.
She didn't make it far when I threw the same picture they were dusting to the floor. The sound of glass breaking echoed throughout the hallway. I stared down at it in distaste. It was taken a few months after I was born. My mother hugged my father and my sister held me in her arms. "Ma'am?"
"Get out. Get out. Get out!" I spat out angrily.
"Get out!" I wiped the table clean of the other pictures hearing them crash to the floor. "Get out!" She said nothing and left without another word.
"She's dead! You hear me! She's dead to me! She's dead! I hate her!" I stomped and kicked at the pictures. I fell to the floor and held myself trying not to shake. I felt arms wrap around me and hold me close. I took in the familiar scent and smelled my sister's soft perfume radiating off of her. Her eyes were teary and she had tears running down her face. I let out a sob and cried what I hadn't two weeks ago when I found out.
"She's dead to me!" I shouted.
Alana gave me a sad smile. "She's dead to us."
