Secret Mafia Princess

10

They all look at me but seem deep in thought.

"What's your story?" Valente asks.

"I was born in Florida. My mother and I lived in a hotel for the first few months, where my mother worked as a housekeeper in exchange for our free room to save money. Then we moved to New York and she got us an apartment. My mother got a job in a department store, and saved up as much money as she could. She eventually opened up a shelter that she named after Angelina. She wanted to help women and children in need. We were happy and we always remained that way, even in the hard times. There were a lot of times she didn't know what to do with me. When I started asking why I didn't have a father all she would say is that she and my father didn't understand each other, and that he never knew she got pregnant. I asked what my father was like from time to time, and she always said I looked almost exactly like her but with his hair. She said I had her curiosity and kindness for others but everything else was him." I explain and Valente nods for me to continue.

"In middle school I was too good of a mix between the both of you. I had her kindness making me want to help others. So any time I would see kids getting bullied I would want to help them, only I didn't hug them while they were crying or go get a teacher like she probably would have. My mother wasn't a fan of how I handled things, she said I gave her mini heart attacks that entire school year." I tell them.

"How did you handle things?" Luca questions seeming even more

interested all of a sudden.

"I stood up for innocents." I answer vaguely but truthfully.

Luca seemed to get the hint because I promise I saw the side of his lip twitch up in what could've been an award winning smile. I continue with my story leaving the dark parts out.

"After I got caught and got in trouble she began putting me in extra classes to keep me busy being she worked a lot. Such as language classes, dance classes, etc. They were something I didn't know that I needed, but in reality I did. I just didn't know it yet. I'll always be grateful for those classes and to my mother for making sure I would grow up independent and into a woman who didn't break." I tell them.

"Did you have any friends?" Ricardo asks me.

"I've never been the type of person that keeps friends, I would attract them then eventually send them away. It drove my mother nuts. However in high school as I started helping at the shelter I became better at handling people. Although I have to admit my people skills still aren't the best. I did meet my first real friend in my first year of college, and he also happened to be my first boyfriend. Other than that and the people I work with.. I guess you can call me friendless." I am trying to answer the best I can.

"Did you have a job in New York?" Francesco asks me.

"Yes. After I finished college, I got a job working as a fashion designer's assistant. It wasn't my dream job but I'm also not one for the spotlight so it worked out and helped pay bills. I had the best boss I could've asked for so everything was good.." I answer

"You almost say that as if things got bad." Francesco says picking up on my tone at the end.

"They did." I reply with a dark chuckle at the end.

"How so?" Ricardo questions.

I hated to tell them that I wasn't going to share my deepest and darkest secrets on the first day of meeting them.. So I will find a way to answer the question to the best of my ability without lying.

"My mother got cancer. She had two surgeries and a round of chemo and nothing helped. She just got worse. She couldn't do anything for herself because she got so weak, much less enjoyed the life she had left so she stopped it all." I answer

"She gave up." Valente said as if it pained him and disappointed him

"Yes, in a way she gave up, but she lived the rest of her months happily. We spent most of the time she had left together. Thankfully my boss was kind and understood when in the end I would have to take off because mom was too weak to get out of the bed by herself. I did it all without a complaint because she had done so much for me just by bringing me into this world and raising me by herself. She died a little over two weeks ago." I tell him

"I am sorry for your loss but how did you find out about us if your mother died?" Francesco asks

"I guess you could say that even in her death she found a way to guide me down the right path. I was going through her things a few days ago and I found a key to her file cabinet. I had never been in it before so I was curious. I ended up finding her whole life's journal, that explained everything and more to me. I found a file titled Ferrari, that held everything that she knew about the mafia.. and she wrote a letter for me explaining things better. She was going to tell me once I got older, and she was sure I was able to take care of myself.. but then she was diagnosed with cancer. She admitted to being selfish with what time she had left and apologized for not telling me sooner. I think she always knew I would choose to come here, even after knowing everything.. and that's why she waited so long. Now she's in a safe place and isn't suffering anymore or being tortured with the idea of me being in any harm." I say

"Why do you say that your mother always knew you would end up here?" Valente asks.

"I'm apparently a lot like you. I don't personally know you so I wouldn't know, but that's what she thought, and she knew both of us pretty well so I'm assuming she was right.. and despite everything she had good mother instincts."

I answer, then I look at Luca and ask "Anything else you want to know?"

"Yes actually. ti stai nascondendo?"

~what are you hiding?~ Luca asks

I expected that. Although I don't think they realize I speak Italian yet.

"A few things actually." I answer

Everyone looks at me in shock.

"You speak Italian?" Luca questions but comes out more like a statement.

"It was one of the classes my mother got me to take. I can understand it but I'm not very good at actually speaking it." I explain

"What are you hiding?" Ricardo questions

"Something a little too personal to tell a bunch of people who I just met today about. So I won't tell you, if that's what you're looking for. I'd rather just be kicked out now so to speak." I say

"Nova you have.." Valente starts and I expected as much but what shocks me is when Luca holds his hand up to stop him.

"You are entitled to have your own secrets, but if it can ever put this family in danger, you'll have to at least tell me. It's the code." Luca said in a serious and somewhat commanding tone.

"Understood." I reply and I can see his lip twitch then I ask "When do I start and finish this whole omerta thing?"

"You've completed the first step. The interview." Ricardo tells me

"How many steps are there?" I ask

"Three in total." Francesco answers.

"If you want you can start the next step now or tomorrow it's your choice. If you complete it you'll get to choose when you do the third step."

Valente explains.

Although I am pretty sure no one else has gotten to choose when they start the next step.. I'll take it.

"I'll start it now." I tell them

And they all look at me clearly not expecting me to say that...

"It's better to get it all over with." I say shrugging casually.