Chapter 3 Casino.

Anna Narrating.

After a while watching the sea, the ship finally docked on the island, I took a deep breath and walked slowly beside Tânia.

We entered the great hall and I could feel eyes on me.

I have butterflies in my stomach, I'm about to have a nervous breakdown.

I saw my dad sitting at one of the gaming tables, Tania went to talk to Abuela and I walked slowly over to the table where he was.

As I got closer, I recognized Eduardo Mallardo, I've only seen him once in person and I saw some photos of him in my father's study folder.

With him were three more men, all older, except two, they weren't that old, one of them was actually quite presentable. With the physique of an athlete, clear eyes, very well combed hair, he even looked like a puppet.

I got close to the table and there were some women, I know exactly what they were doing there.

These women are used to distract players and make them lose, this is interesting, one of the ways the mafia makes money is called gambling exploitation.

I approached my father and put my hands on his shoulder, he took one of my hands and kissed it.

"You took your time, Hija!" He spoke while playing.

"I was watching the sea..." I said trying to hide my nervousness.

"What a beautiful girl, Angelo." One of the gentlemen praised me.

"Gracias!" Smile in the corner.

"My future daughter-in-law!" The man I deduced to be Eduardo replied.

"Lucky man!" You replied looking towards the man who caught my attention.

"Hija, go with your Abuela... when this game is over we'll go there." Papa was a little serious.

I could feel the man's eyes on me, he observed every detail of my body, which left me a little embarrassed.

A waiter passed by with glasses of Dom Perignon, I grabbed a glass and drank it down.

Everyone looked at me in astonishment, besides the fact that I was underage, they had no idea that I liked Prosecco.

"Of course, Daddy!" I said turning my back.

"A lady should not drink this way." The man said reproving me by the look.

"Good thing I'm not a lady." I rolled my eyes and left.

I already know that my father is going to talk until my ears can't take it anymore, but who wants to get involved where he wasn't invited?!

Just getting drunk really to put up with all this madness.

"Take it easy, Hija!" Abuela spoke. "No need to take it out on the drink."

"This is karma, Abuela..."

"I already told you that we are on my side, my friend!" Tania said holding my hand.

"Smile Hija, be kind..." Abuela asked even with her eyes. "Your father is coming with you."

I looked back and saw papa coming with that Eduardo, the other man and a lady, little older than my mother would be if she were alive.

"Is there time to run?" I said with my eyes full of tears.

"We're with you." Tania once again spoke.

Papa came close to us with the guests, the man whose name I still don't know handed me a glass of champagne, and smiled.

"For those who like Prosecco, they certainly appreciate champagne." He said handing me the glass.

"Anything that gets me drunk today I'll be turning." I said taking the glass and taking a huge drink.

"Hija, this is Eduardo Mallardo, your future father-in-law, this is Carmen, your future mother-in-law and this Matteo Mallardo, your future husband." Dad said introducing me to each one.

Ah, so his name is Matteo... I wonder how a 29-year-old man gets himself into this situation... getting married by contract...

"How unfortunate of me." I said taking another sip of champagne and I could feel my father's disapproving look. "Just kidding... Delighted..."

I rolled my eyes and the woman, Carmem, looked me up and down.

"You should teach this girl good manners, Contini."

"You should learn to hold your tongue, future mother-in-law." I crossed my arms.

"Enough, Hija!" Dad said nervously. "It's no use trying to be rude, the decision has already been made."

Don't worry, in a year I can teach good manners to a rebellious teenager." Matteo said.

-

"Don't you dare..." my Abuela interrupted me.

"Anna dear, shall we go to the toilette for a minute?" Abuela made a sign and I turned my back.

"Excuse me!" I said and followed Abuela and Tânia to the toilette.

We went in and she closed the door, I leaned against the sink and looked at myself in the mirror for a while.

I wanted to get out of there screaming, break everything or even do something crazy.

"Hija calm down!" Abuela asked.

"I can't, I can't... I'm really bad!" I said wiping away some tears.

"Anna, think about your mother... right now she would be giving you strength." Tania spoke. "Do it for her."

"It's easy for you to talk when you're not in my place." I said crossing my arms. "I won't be able to leave Carlos, Abuela..."

"It will be necessary dear."

"He has to understand, Anna... Everything will be fine!"

"He had taken!" I said turning to the mirror and touching up my makeup.

"Be strong Hija! Abuela hugged me tight."

"What would become of me without you?!" I said smiling.

"Nothing, babe!?" Tania joked.

We returned to the grand main hall, the games were all being closed to begin Papa's address and the long awaited wedding announcement to the other guests.

For me, everything that's going on is crazy, it's stressful and it's draining.

My will is to run away, but I won't be able to, so the way is to face the facts as they really are.

The torture started, my papa called me and the old man in front to consummate our engagement, it seems all the heads of the Spanish clans are present and if I make a scene now I will harm everyone. Not to mention Mafia leader Carroma, he came straight from Italy to honor our union, poor guy, thinking I agree with everything and that it's nothing more than a contract.