Beneath The Mask(sotto la maschera)

CROSSINGBORDERSANDLINES

The dining room was expansively decorated in honor of Oscar’s day. The long table shone under fancy lights, with fancy plates and glasses all set up. The air was filled with the subtle scent of fresh flowers and expensive perfume, creating an atmosphere of opulence and celebration.

Renzo Colombo, Oscar’s father and the head of the La Spada, one of the most brutal mafia syndicates, dropped the newspaper he had been perusing and glared at Oscar as he wheeled towards the dining room, "Where in the devil's name were you? I've been waiting for close to thirty minutes."

Oscar smiled,"I had to doll myself up for the occasion. It's a special day, after all."

Chad Colombo, Renzo's nephew and Oscar's cousin, entered the room shortly after and nodded at both of them. He lived with them and was also a soldier of the Le Spada.

Oscar eyed him,"How early, even the celebrant arrived before you."

Chad smiled,"I had to do all I could to make sure I looked better than you do. You think I succeeded?"

Renzo stared at Chad and Oscar, who were glaring at each other." Drop it. I don't want any fights today."

Oscar pouted,"Why not, it's my birthday. I should be able to do whatever I can."

Chad laughed derisively,"What do you think you are, a baby?"

"I said I don't want any fights; do I need to stitch both your mouths to get my point across?"

They both cleared their throats as the cooks began serving the food.

Renzo turned to Oscar." You said you had a gift you wanted. What is it that you've been keeping a secret?"

Oscar laughed,"Let's eat first, I don't want to kill your appetite."

Chad stared at him and looked towards Renzo, knowing they were thinking the same thing. Neither of them were going to like whatever gift he wanted.

Chad scoffed,"Didn't know you were so considerate."

They ate in silence after that, after Renzo glared at them and threatened to stab one of them if they were not quiet. Chad hated Oscar, and he knew the sentiment was also returned. He was so cocky and was a psychotic bastard, even in his perspective, and he knew he wasn't close to being normal.

Renzo dropped his fork and glared at Oscar,"What is it and stop with the suspense. It has gotten annoying."

Oscar smiled,"Aright Father. Take a chill pill. I saw something I want to get.”

"Then get it yourself, why are you involving me in your matters."

"I mentioned it's a gift, right? If I could, I would have got her myself, but I can't, so you need to help me."

The pronoun used had not passed Renzo and Chad’s head,"Do I have to concern myself with the affairs of common people, even after I fought to reach this stage of luxury?" Chad's eye twitched at that statement, but he kept silent. "Who is she?"

"Now, you're talking. She's a doctor, and I want her, but she’s not part of us."

Renzo narrowed his eyes,"The last time I got involved with someone that wasn't part of us, I nearly ruined everything I've ever worked for. I'm not having that."

Oscar glared at him,"Then who will, if you won't. Do I have to go to the hospital and kill everyone there for you to take me seriously?"

Chad stood up,"Calm down. Renzo, I can join him in this. It shouldn't be too hard. Since she's not among us, there will be no threat."

"I wonder when you got so smart." Oscar said, sarcastically. "All we need to do is offer her something she has not had the privilege of enjoying before, and she's going to fold. You can give her the option of being our live-in doctor, she will not be able to refuse that."

Renzo nodded,"Alright but no stupid games. It's easier to control those in our world."

"Didn't know you were such a chicken, dad."

"Don't push me. I'm still boss here."

Oscar glared,"And you're getting old, aren't you?"

Chad stood up at that disrespect, but Renzo waved him back down." Drop it. I'll send some people to her and offer her a contract to be a live-in doctor for the family. Is that satisfactory to you?"

Oscar smiled,” Of course, Father.”

Chad breathed deeply, then stood up, "Thank you so much for dinner. Happy birthday, Oscar. I'll retire now, I have quite a lot of work to do." Chad pushed his chair back before they could respond, nodded at both of them, and headed upstairs. The sight of both of them always made him furious.

***********************

Camila was studying her recent patient's file when she heard a knock on her door. She cleared her table and called out.

"Come in."

Isabella, a nurse, came in." Doctor, there are some people that want to see you. Should I send them in?"

"Of course. Do they want a consultation?"

"They didn't reply to that question, only that it's very urgent, and they needed to see you."

"Alright. Send them in and excuse us. It's most likely a private meeting."

Camila stood up in shock as five men entered her office. Isabella waved to her and closed the door. Camila looked at the men and flushed, they looked like they slit people's throats for a living.

She cleared her throat and sat down, cursing the fact that she took walk-ins as opposed to her other colleagues who worked solely on consultations. Thankfully, she had a couch that could seat them all, even though it looked like they were struggling, with their size and all.

"How may I help you? Are you here for a consultation?"

The only one that looked a little less intimidating sat forward." We have an offer for you, Dr. Camila."

Camila shuddered, they knew her name. How much more about her did they know?

"I see. I'm listening."

"One of my very good friends is looking for a doctor exclusively for his family. He has been deceived by so many doctors, and your reputation has preceded you, so he needs your service."

"Thank you so much, but I love my job here at the hospital. There are other doctors that are even more skilled than I am and would love to work exclusively."

He smiled at her,"You should learn to listen to the end before you interrupt, Doctor. Some people may not like that."

Camila smiled, trying to hide her fear. He was obviously trying to intimidate her, and unfortunately, it was working." I'm sorry about that. You can continue."

"My good friend is willing to pay you five hundred thousand dollars per month if you work exclusively for him and his family."

Camila paled, that was more than she had ever made, and if she was being honest with herself, her mom would do better if she had the funds to provide her with all the drugs she needed. For now, she was managing her at home because she had exhausted all the family savings on her health. All in all, it was a beautiful and tempting offer, but she still had her doubts.

"And why would he pay me that much?"

"Simple. Because with a doctor as skilled as you are, you need someone to acknowledge your skills and treat you accordingly, and my friend is willing to do that." He pulled out a contract and slid it to Camila. "You can read this, it was written by a lawyer."

Camila picked up the paper with shaking hands and surveyed it. She stopped as she noticed something strange." What do you mean, I have to cut all contact with my family?"

The man smiled, "That's his only wish if you take a look at the rest of the contract. All he wants is for you to focus exclusively on him and his family, and family distractions can cause distractions, don't you think?"

Her mother and grandmother needed her, No could do. She slid the paper back,"I'm sorry I can't. My family needs me, and I can't stop working at the hospital."

He grabbed her hands tightly,"What if we offer to increase the salary. You get all you can, and your family will also be well provided for. All you need to do is cut contact until they don't need you anymore."

That sounded ridiculous in her opinion.

Camila grabbed her hands back and winced at the bruises already forming,"I'm so sorry for wasting your time. I can recommend other doctors who will be interested. I can't leave my family, regardless of how much you offer."

"How about you think about it properly, you will see the advantage after sleeping on it. We'll come back for your response."

Camila shook her head,"Even if I sleep on it, my answer will not change. Thank you so much for the offer. I'm so honored, but I can't take the offer. Please also give my appreciation to your friend."

"Are you sure you will not regret it? This is a once-in a lifetime offer, it will be a shame if you throw it away." Camila c****d her head, noting how desperate he sounded now.

She stood up and opened her door,"Thank you so much once again. Unfortunately, I have other patients that are waiting for me, and I can't linger." With that, she escaped, feeling the glares from them.

She went to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. For some reason, that encounter left her more terrified than it should have. Was it their physique? Or the fact that all the remaining men did was glare at her. their glares increasing in intensity the more she refused the offer? She didn't know what it was, but it felt like there was a change that was going to happen in her life, and that terrified her. Had she made the right decision by refusing? She could have used that opportunity to give her mother a better life.