Two days later, Erika is informed about her new school in the evening.
After that eventful lunch on the first day, she has adopted a robotic appearance in front of her father and brothers. She has been given a MacBook and an iPhone, with the precise indication not to flirt with boys or to talk meaninglessly with her friends, but she rarely uses those in that way. She has no friends and whoever she had before, she has said her goodbyes to them. She definitely has no interest in boys.
She rather browses for the best colleges in America and which institute gives the best medical training. She has studied endlessly about colleges and med schools these two days and has decided on her future course of action. She is going to be a pulmonary (lungs) specialist and the best one, no less.
Then she will return to Japan and will open a private hospital there.
She has not talked a single word with her father or brothers except to exchange greetings or answer their questions monosyllabically. Her manners have been spotless these days and very European.
Except for taking her daily meals, she spends the entire time cooped up in her bedroom, studying. It is a great opportunity to learn English after all. She is even thinking about studying Italian. She is a 'haafu' (half-Italian, a hybrid) already, so it will be a good reason to learn a foreign language.
And she vomits these two days, endlessly. She just cannot tolerate wheat products, period. She has been very thin before, now she really looks like a ghost. Thank God for other edible items, else she would have died.
For Barzini men, it has been a different story these two days.
They thought that like other annoying teenagers, Erika would act rebelliously as well. She has been given a MacBook and an iPhone, so obviously she is going to spend her living hours talking to her friends back in Japan or her boyfriend. Alessio has set GPS trackers in her gadgets and has synced her iOS account with that of his so that he can keep tabs on her all the time.
She keeps searching for the best colleges in America and the best med schools. Her browsing history is filled with details of Ivy colleges, med schools, what extra-curricular training is needed, what subject assortment is required for applying for pre-med and such. She keeps searching about required ranks and percentages.
So, she is planning for pre-med, huh? Alessio feels proud that his sister is not distracted like other youths these days with partying or gossiping or sleeping around. He has completely forgotten that at her age, he has his share of partying or playing around or smoking joints and such.
He is an Ivy League senior as well, having studied business and economics, but he could go through college due to his outstanding performance in sports. Costa on the other hand went to the community college while doing drugs and fighting underground illegal fights. And of course, sleeping around with teenage boys.
But Erika does not have to know about that. If she wants to be a doctor, then Alessio will give her all the opportunities she needs. She is a good kid actually, having immaculate manners and good behavior. That initial skirmish with Costa was probably a slight adjustment problem. Who does not have that? Even their Italian relatives have a cultural shock when they visit their family in America.
Alessio can completely understand that. She only needs time. She is studying English already, no? So, that is an improvement. She must learn Italian as well, after all, Mother Italy is their homeland and Alessio always keeps their Italian culture at the utmost height.
But she needs to eat more food. She is getting thinner and borderline underweight. That is the only thing Alessio is worried about. Erika was skinny and pale when she first arrived. Now she looks like a ghost with a gaunt figure. He hopes she is not anorexic or bulimic. He wants to address this topic and soon. Even their father becomes worried about her declining health.
He just does not know how to approach her without triggering her.
They are currently watching her taking small pieces of food with trepidation. Maybe, she does not want to eat it but forcing herself to do it in front of them. What happens after she returns to her bedroom? Alessio is scared to think about that.
Who would have thought that a ruthless businessman like Alessio would be scared for his sister's health? Time sure changes many things!
"How is food today, principessa?" Dominico asks his daughter with caution. He can see how poorly she is doing. She is not even taking solid food today, just vegetable soup.
Erika puts her spoon down and with a weak smile, she said, "The food is very delicious, Father. Thank you."
"Maybe, you should have bread or something?" Dominico tenderly asks her wondering how she will react to the suggestion of more food.
Erika blanches at the mere mention of bread, "No, father, I am quite full. Thank you for asking though." She is tired and cannot afford another sleepless night of vomiting.
Here, her father and brothers think she must be anorexic. It cannot be anything other than that. Alessio mentally plans to make an appointment with a therapist. Should they send her to school in this condition? Is it a good idea?
But they have to act normal around her, haven't they? And maybe, going out of that room can make her feel good. Maybe, she misses hanging out with people of her age.
"I have admitted you to a private school, Erika," Alessio announces. Finishing her food, Erika looks up at him. "Is that so?"
"Yes. St. Helena's Institution for Women. It is within our neighbourhood as well and for girls. I have heard that they take great care of the students. Many of them have been invited to prestigious colleges." Alessio purposely mentions the last part, so that Erika can be interested in going to a girls' school.
But he is not lying about the 'prestigious' part. St. Helena is really a top-tier school, he has done his searching as well. And many of his business associates have also praised this school. That is why, after having a brief talk with their father, he has decided to admit his sister to this school. He has talked with the school administration as well. They are happy to invite the Barzini daughter to their school.
Now he is only praying that Erika does not throw any tantrum about being admitted to a girls' school and such. Little does he know that she is welcoming this opportunity with widely open arms as well. Because she does not want any drama during these last two years of her school life. And boys are huge red flags for her, even back in Japan.
She controls her expression of utter relief and replies monotonously, "That is so good, Brother. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
The three Barzini men, even Constantine, who has been scowling at her the entire time and has been thinking about whether or not to address her lack of interest in food, think after hearing her reply that she is being too polite to her own family.
It is like she stays far away from them.
~
(To be continued)
© Felicia Lockhart