Two weeks later
LEONARDO
I'm sitting behind my desk with my chair turned to face the ceiling to the floor window behind me. It has a clear view of the whole city of New York. I established my business five years ago after i decided that we need to become legit. Although I'm now one of the richest men in America I'm still the leader of the Mafia in the whole of New York. It's funny how people call sitting behind a desk a legit business when all of the business men in NewYork need the Mafia every now and then. The Mafia owns everything and anything they want the Mafia gets. people say the Mafia is dangerous and wicked. At least we show our true nature, most of the time. unlike the business men that sit behind their desk and pretend to be innocent. How foolish. what's more foolish is the fact that Lyxaria thinks she can run away from me that easily. how naive of her. I called her company over two weeks ago to send a representative to sign the contract and negotiate the profit. I expected to see her since it was stated that I would be the one representing the meeting but she decided to send her friend Sage, I think.
If she thought that was the end of her seeing me then she was so wrong.
I turned my gaze to my phone that was ringing consistently on my desk.
"Mom?" I answered
"Leo, your dad wants you to be home tonight. there is something very important he needs to discuss with you. "
" Why?"
" I can't say just be home by dinner."
" sure mom" she hangs up.
I wonder what my Father wants this time around.
Demarco mansion.
I arrive at the old mansion of my great grandfather. Although the building did not look old anymore since my father renovated it 5 years ago after my grand father died. This mansion is a place where I do not want to stay for much longer. most of my childhood in this mansion was filled with gruesome trainings and hard punishment. our Mafia blood runs back to more than 100 years ago and the men fo the Mafia are known for one thing blood and danger. I am the leader of the Demarco clan.
I entered into the mansion to see my Father sitting on his favourite chair in the living room. his favourite chair because that was the same chair he was sitting when he killed his first victim. What a weird fetish to have. But I guess we are all crazy in our own way.
"Good evening father"
"Leonardo. take a seat."
I sat down and observed my surroundings. something I have gotten so use to after I was attacked when I was 15.
"what's this meeting about father?"
"I want you to get a wife"
"why?"
"because you need to continue the blood line. rumours are spreading that you are a weak boss"
I tried to study his expression but as usual it was blank.
" I'm not ready to get married"
" you will do as I say Leonardo. you don't need to think too much because of marriage. women are meant for pleasure and child bearing."
That was the mentality of all made men. that's what we call the men that have initiated into the Mafia. I became a made man at 15. I knew my father was ruthless and did not care about women or their feelings. Mother is always scared of him because she is his punching bag.
" you can't boss me around father. I am the leader . people will think I'm weak if I take advice from an old man.
my father chuckled coldly. like I was telling a joke. This gave me a more ominous feeling that I just couldn't comprehend. " I've already selected women from prestigious homes who can be your wife. I would have chosen from the Mafia men but almost all their daughters are whores. That's something you should look into. leader."
I can sense the mockery in his voice. I am a better leader compared to his old sorry ass.
"I'll think about it"
"there is no need for that. You will marry whoever I say you will marry and that's final."
I've always wanted to kill my father but the opportunity has not presented itself. I wish I can put a bullet through his skull and watch him drop dead. Not because he is forcing me into marriage. but because he wants everything to be in his fucking control one way or another. He is ruthless and wicked and he can get whatever he wants through blood. it's not like I'm any different.
LYXARIA
THE BISHOP'S MANSION.
"What do you mean I'm getting married dad?"
" Exactly what I mean by you are getting married. "
I stared at the huge family portrait hanging right on top of where my father was sitting. It was a portrait of me my mom and my little brother. Right beside it is a much bigger portrait of my Father, his new wife and my step sister.Father had wanted to take down the portrait that mom was in but I begged and pleaded. that was the only time that father had listened to my plea. I don't know why my eyes stung so much but I wanted to cry badly. I knew this will happen. that's how it is for all the rich families. but I just did not expect it to be so soon. I'm just 23. And I am very sure my father is going to marry me off to some old man who needs me to warm his bed. that's how father treated mom until she finally ran away with my little brother. leaving me all alone with this ruthless and wicked man.
I was just 12 years old when my mom left me.
she was supposed to pick me from school and take me to the park with my little brother. even though my father hated it when we were happy. my mom made sure we had a nice childhood just like she did before her father married her off to my father because of his gambling addiction. I hate to believe that mom left me alone and took only Lucius my little brother with her. but that's what everyone have told me. especially my mom's best friend who married my father few weeks after my mom left. she had made my dad hate me even more than he already did and even her daughter Lyra who is just two years younger than me. I don't want to believe it but I know Lyra is my father's daughter and that means my Father cheated on my mother long ago.
"I don't want to get married now dad. I want to focus on my company." I pleaded
"Shut up!" he barked. " I knew it was a bad idea allowing you to take over your mother's company after she abandoned you. you should know that no man will want a woman who works. Women are meant for pleasure and satisfaction. nothing more" he stated angrily.
There it was again. the words that was meant to demean a woman and make her feel worthless. I thought I was immune to it but why did it hurt so much.
I stood up and left the house. if I stayed in the house much longer I'll go crazy.