We landed in Venezuela and took the car to go directly to the penthouse. It was a little over midnight and my father rushed me to bed, probably to be able to talk about business with my brothers.
I sit on the stairs and listen to the conversations.
"I don't like that,"says Manuel.
"What you like doesn't matter. This is what will benefit the mafia." barks my father while clenching his teeth.
"You should let her decide!" Manuel continues to argue.
"I don't want to hear about that anymore. You will learn your place Manuel!" Father screams.
"Do you see your brother complaining? No, because he knows that this union will be beneficial. I won't hear any more arguments, and no more words in the air!"
After a few seconds of silence, I am surprised by Manuel who turns the corner, looking furious.
"You should be in bed. Go away!" He told me in a cold and distant tone.
I give a nod,opting to dodge any more issues.Besides,fatigue is setting in.
«She». Manuel said: Let her decide.I'm up in my room,gazing at the ceiling,wondering if "she" could be me.Why wouldn't Father tell me what he's hiding?
Maybe it's about my mother?
I'm aroused by my alarm.I must've been so tired that I blacked out.Can't remember drifting off.But my thoughts they linger; «She».I go down the stairs, but I stop upstairs when I see Mario sitting alone eating cereal. Usually, our cook takes care of cooking. As she and our maid are not at the apartment, it is mom who cooks in situations like this. For breakfast, she always prepares pancakes, eggs and bacon.
I turn around and go to my parents' room to see if mom is not sick.Just as I am about to knock at the door,I catch the echo of weeping from inside.
"I don't want her to do it!" My mother crying.
"Get back Francesca ! You know it's his duty!"
"He could say no! There is still a chance!"
"He won't say no to my offer. Not when the Outfit was weakened like that."
"But…"
"Stop crying!" Father screams and Mother screams.
I rush away from the door and I want to cry for having been so cowardly. I should have rushed and prevented my father from hitting my mother. I should have done it so many times.
"Still listening at the doors?"Manuel slaps me on the shoulder from behind.
"You scared me a lot!" I hold my heart beating at full speed.
"It's not our concern."Manuel says,so coldly
"Isn't that at least my business?"
Manuel clenches his fists.
"You should let her decide.I am her."
"I know what you think, that you can save Mother. Father is much stronger, he would also hurt you if you got in the way of his business. Forget it."
"It doesn't hurt you to know that our mother is his personal punching ball!" I scream.
"Veronica. Go take a shower and start getting ready!"Mario told me from the back of the corridor. He looks angry.
"Manuel, a word."
"But…"
"You've said enough, Veronica! You have to stop behaving like a curious kid. Manuel is right, it's not your business. Mario grumble. He gives me a warning, looking as if to challenge me to answer him. I form a fine line on my lips and go over them to go to my room.
I freshen up and pick out my attire for the memorial service The Gracias and I last crossed paths when I was sixteen.Leonardo,as far as I can remember is the dad of Alerandro and Jimmy.. Both were older, Alerandro is about the age of Mario, twenty-five, and Jimmy a few years younger. They never paid attention to me, because at the time I was only a stupid teenager for them and they were adults in their twenties.
The Garcias brothers had just lost their mother three years ago, from what I heard, she was sick with cancer. It must be hard to lose the last of his parents, but if their father was like mine...
I'm hungry when I finish getting ready.
My blond hair is brought back in a ponytail, my makeup is minimal, I only have mascara. My black dress falls on my knees, the sleeves are three-quarters and the neckline goes down to my collarbones. My ballerinas are simple and black, nothing in me is exquisite, I look dull and dreary. Apart from my golden and vibrant hair and my blue eyes so piercing that they could be distinguished from afar.
Down, everyone seems to be waiting for me. All are already dressed in black and display stoic faces.
" Do you mind if I take something to eat?" I'm heading to the pantry.
"Yes, it bothers me. We are leaving now." My father goes to the door and the others follow him.
I moan and my father gives me a black look, challenging me to complain again.
"You could have eaten something if you hadn't spent your morning listening to things that don't concern you."Mario said before lowering his head to get into the car. I wanted to scold him but it's not worth it, I know that Father will take his side in any battle.
I am so hungry and I can't think properly. At this moment I just want to get that cheese and that piece of bread that I saw on the dining table. Right now all I can think of is food; my belly growling louder than the car engine.I'll just bend down my face so that dad won't notice me.But then I remembered there was going to be food, yes in any type of ceremony be it sad there is always food.