Chapter 5 Fifth

MARIA.

I woke up and realized that I was incredibly excited for my day, which was something rare. After returning from my vacation with Aunt Sara, the loneliness and silence of my house in Sicily left me depressed again, until good news arrived. Dad got me to work as an assistant in one of the restaurants downtown. It was something simple, however, I would occupy myself most of the day and I would do something other than sitting and perfect at home all day.

I ran to get ready. I chose high-waisted jeans, a white dress shirt that was not transparent and square heel shoes from medium to bottom, in order not to get so tired. I organized my bag and left for a simple makeup, suitable for the occasion. I went down to have coffee a little late and got scared when I met my mother still at the table, without eating or drinking anything.

- Good morning, mom! I thought I had already left for your morning walk. - I pulled up a chair and sat down. - Is everything okay?

She gave me a loving smile.

- It's been a long time since we've been alone and... we talked.

- We talk all the time. - I served myself with coffee.

- You know what I'm talking about. - She looked me straight in the eye.

- I don't know why you insist on talking about the end of the engagement, I just want to forget, move on and apologize if this is a shame for you. - I hit back, angry.

Mom held my hand, squeezed and kissed.

- You and your sister will never be a shame for me, Maria. I'm your mother, I've known you since you were born, I know like the lines of the palm of my hand. I see in your eyes the absence of the happy glow that I loved so much.

I pulled my hand slowly.

- I'm fine, mom.

I felt that she was disappointed with my refusal to talk and it was not her fault. I didn't want to talk about it, I didn't want her to know what happened, let alone tell my father. In time, I would go back to being myself and I hoped that she would forgive me for closing this part of my life. I just wanted to protect her from feeling the same pain that

I. It was enough for my sister with a small baby, worried about me day and night.

Without appetite and somewhat discouraged, I asked permission and found my guard waiting for me in the car, ready to take me. Anastasia managed, with a lot of cost, to get her license. My father didn't allow him to drive at all. I wanted a little freedom to go out alone, but it was impossible. If I got into a taxi, my mother would have a complete collapse. She wasn't brave to run away like Ana. She challenged and I was the one who always obeyed.

In silence, DiNozzo took me to the restaurant, which was from the family, or I wouldn't be there. The daughter of the person in charge of the place was a teenager and gave me a smile when I arrived, excited, introduced me to people I had never seen. In the family hierarchy, they were well below my father and as my mother didn't allow me to get involved with other people, I didn't know them.

I was well received and they explained to me what I should do in the office. Orders, check the cashier, catalog the wines and the deposit. I started excited, following the guidelines and felt happy at the end of the day. Even though I was tired, I did everything right and no one had to correct my work.

I took off my shoes in the car, with a sore back and I thought I didn't care at all about being the spoiled girl that Dad got a job. I needed to occupy my mind and I was on the right track.

When I got home, the smell of the food didn't attract me at all. I spent the day with basil, oregano and tomato sauce. Below the window, where my table was located, there was a saffron foot that every time the wind beat, invaded the whole room. Mom had my favorite dish prepared to celebrate my first day of work: lasagna of four cheeses with veal as a side dish.

Dad got a special wine and I felt loved. Even without hunger and with zero desire to try a new wine as I loved it, I put a smile on my face and appreciated the beautiful effort of my parents to make me happy. After dessert, the tiredness hit me and I asked for permission. I got kisses and hugs, went up the stairs and before going to sleep, I sent a message to my sister telling everything that drowsiness allowed.

A week after my first day, a different man entered the restaurant. I was helping to organize the glasses when the bell rang and he passed through the door with a presence so powerful that it made me turn my face. His body covered all the light that passed through the cresses of the curtain where the "closed" plate was.

His eyes were as dark blue as the ocean in winter, with a coldness that made me shiver. The drawn mouth had a scar in the lower corner and the prominent cheekbones gave it a very rough masculine appearance. Viril.

Nena, the daughter of the owner of the place, swallowed dry and signaled that we should leave the main hall. She had to drag me because I couldn't move due to a little fear and admiration for his size, in a dark leather jacket, black shirt, jeans and her shoes... with splashes of blood.

My stomach shook. Nena pushed me forward hard and closed the office door without saying anything. We heard male voices and I could recognize her father's, I stuck my ear close to the handle to understand what they were saying.

- It's done.

- I thank you and the bosses for your help.

- It's my job. - The man grumbled coldly. - Would you like to take a hot meal for your departure?

Just a grumbling and nothing else. Giuseppe ran into the kitchen, coming back with a packaged lasagna. It was from a very annoying customer who asked for delivery every day, but maybe, for him, it was worth the complaint. O

Man left without saying anything and as soon as the front door was slammed abruptly, Nena went back to the main hall running.

- He cleaned the plague, my man. We'll be fine. - Giuseppe assured his daughter.

- That's good, Dad! We'll be at peace now. - Nena sighed relieved.

That man clearly belonged to the family. A shiver went down my spine when I realized it was an executor.

A beautiful and dangerous executor.

It wasn't up to me to ask what they were talking about. I went back to the bowls, pretending that nothing had happened, trying to fulfill my business normally. The only thing I knew was that Nena lost her mother in a war between Italians and Russians, an invasion that took place in the south of the island, leaving the territory very devastated. They decided to move and built the restaurant.

Although my father chose not to involve me in business, Giuseppe didn't seem to care that Nena knew everything.

I said goodbye to them when the restaurant opened. DiNozzo was waiting for me outside, with the back seat door open, even if I insisted on sitting in front. I felt like I was being watched and I looked at the

Around, looking for who could be looking at me and I couldn't find anyone. The feeling chased me until I got home.

- Hi, bambina! - Dad was at the entrance. - How was work?

- Well, as always. - I smiled and hugged him. - Are you going out?

- I have a business meeting now. Your mother went to the book club and will be back in a little while. - She squeezed my nose gently. - Don't make a mess without me.

- I'll try. - I played even though we both knew I didn't make a mess. - Take care, Dad. I love you.

- I love you too, my sweet. - He smiled and gave a nod.

I watched him get into his car and wondered if he knew what that man was doing in our territory and what was ordered. Was the meeting with him? I shook my head, wondering why I was so obsessed with thinking about him. Maybe she was scared or impressed by the appearance.

I entered the house, went to my room and took a shower, wearing comfortable pajamas. I had dinner, watching an action movie that seemed like a liar.

I could no longer read my favorite books or pay attention to the dreamy novels full of sugar water that filled my head with a reality I would never live. I was a mafia princess, daughter of a subboss, related to another who was extremely powerful.

My first fiancé (and I hoped he was the only one) made a point of pulling out all the perfection and dreams that existed inside me.