a sweet reminder

“Miss Lastra.” My bodyguard raps on my door.

I’m puzzled. They never bother me at this hour. I rise from my bed, pulling my robe tighter around me.

“Yes?” I ask, opening the door just a crack. I don’t dare to open it any wider.

Silvio, my bodyguard, keeps his gaze firmly on my face, not daring to let it wander. He’s the Don’s man, and for a mafioso, he’s pretty decent. It’s no surprise he’s been chosen to protect me.

“Your father wants to see you,” he says.

No, he never wants to see me. He wanted a son, not two daughters. So no, I’m not his wish and I’ll never be his wish.

But I don’t dare to voice that. I nod and close the door. I quickly pull on the first pair of jeans I find and a long-sleeved T-shirt.

I don’t need to get hit for showing too much skin. My father is unpredictable.

“Yes, Father?” I ask, keeping my gaze lowered as I stand before him.

He’s sitting in his leather chair, a haunting figure. The room smells of cigars and sex. I think of my mother, but then I remember she’s still in the hospital after last week.

Someone else must have been called in by my father. It’s not surprising. These men are never satisfied. They can’t stick to one woman.

He motions for me to come closer. A beautifully wrapped box sits on his large oak desk. I glance up at him, careful not to meet his eyes. He nods, signaling for me to open it.

And so, I do.

I can’t tear my eyes away from the diamond necklace. It’s beautiful, elegant, and expensive with a large black crystal in the center. A smile instantly lights up my face.

“It’s beautiful, Father. Thank you.”

He doesn’t look up from his work, but my smile doesn’t fade.

“It’s from the Don,” he says.

A shiver runs through me, even though the room isn’t cold. My smile disappears for a moment before I force it back onto my face. “Oh,” is all I manage to say.

His silence seems like a dismissal.

“Francesca.” I stop in my tracks and turn around. His glare makes me lower my head, even though I’ve done nothing wrong.

“You are my daughter. Don’t disappoint me by disappointing him.”

“Yes, Father.” I hate that my voice shakes. It’s a sign of weakness.

“Leave now.” His tone is harsh, but I’m grateful that I’m luckier than my mother and younger sister. He’s much harder on them.

I’m the exception because I’ve been chosen for the Don. I make him stronger, and that’s why he favors me. I’m not blind to that fact.

As I leave, I bump into Arianna. Her eyes fall on the box in my hands. She smiles, but I can see through it. It’s a smile full of pity.

“It’s from the Don…not Father.” I feel the need to explain. I know how she feels. Before I was betrothed to the Don, I was nothing special. Father treated us both the same. Now, not so much.

“Oh. Good, I guess,” she mumbles. “Father called. Do you know why?”

I shake my head. “You should hurry. Father will be upset otherwise.”

She nods and walks past me. My bodyguard is nowhere to be seen, but I know he’s aware of my whereabouts. They always are.

The mansion is as quiet as usual, but I feel the absence of my mother. It’s not the first time she’s been sent to the hospital because of my father, and I know it won’t be the last.

There’s nothing I can do to stop it.

***

“Franci!” Someone shakes me awake. “Franci, wake up!” my sister cries.

“Arianna?” I rub my eyes, surprised that my sister is waking me up this late.

I’m wide awake the moment I hear her sob. “What’s wrong?” I sit up in bed and pull her into a hug.

“Father is getting me married.” Tears stream down her face as she pulls back. “I don’t want to get married. I’m only eighteen and I’ve heard that he’s a beast. Franci, please help me.”

“What? Arianna, I’m getting married myself. I’ll be out of here in a few days. I don’t think I can do anything.” Tears start to well up in my own eyes.

She grips my hands tightly. “Please! Father loves you more. Tell him to let me finish my education first. I want to go to university! I’ve studied for this all my life! I’ll do anything for it.”

I can’t bear to see her beg. “Arianna, you don’t understand. Father doesn’t love me. He’s just using me like he’s using you.”

Arianna covers her mouth to muffle her sobs. If Father found out, he’d torment her until she was begging for mercy. I don’t want that for her.

“I know. I’m sorry. The Don might be known for tormenting his victims but it’s him who actually does the dirty work. I don’t want to marry him. Haven’t you heard the rumors?” She sobs.

Just as I’m about to reply, the door slams open, making Arianna jump. Father stands there, tall and furious. I can see Arianna shaking.

“F-Father,” she stammers.

“You bitch! How dare you try to brainwash your sister?” he snarls. I can smell the strong stench of alcohol from where I sit.

It's not unusual for him to want to vent his anger on either Mom or Arianna. More often than not, it's Mom who bears the brunt of it, but today, it's different. I can feel my stomach twisting in knots.

He won't hit me where it'll show because my wedding is just around the corner. But Arianna doesn't have that protection. She's vulnerable.

“She wasn’t.” The sting of the slap comes after the sound. I know it's going to leave a mark that I'll have to hide with makeup.

“See!” He yanks Arianna by her hair, pulling her out of the room. “Look what you’ve done! You’ve turned my own daughter against me, you bitch!

“You’re as worthless as your mother! I should’ve ended you the moment you were born!”

Her screams echo down the hallway as my door slams shut, leaving me with a choice: to go or to stay.

And I choose to go, even though every fiber of my being is screaming that it's the wrong decision.