THE RELUCTANT MAFIA BOSS

CHAPTER 2

Philip Madrigal has always been a formidable character. His presence alone could disturb a man’s peace of mind. I wanted to look away, but I was more scared than he would put a bullet into my precious body the moment I moved.

“Oh, my bad,” he said and returned the pistol into his holster. “Did you call Marcus?”

“Not yet,” I lied. “Should I call him?” Both father and son have pride that could rival the height of Mount Everest.

“Never mind. Will you please stand up?”

Philip’s voice has a hint of sadness, but he managed to smile at me. I couldn’t explain it, but there was a longing in his eyes, and I felt bad for the man who nurtured me! “As you wish, Philip,” I told him and returned to my seat immediately. I took another shot of whiskey because I wanted to sleep drunk.

“You’ve been with me for a long time, but it’s still Philip,” he said.

“You don’t like to be called ‘boss,’” I reminded him.

“Why don’t you call me ‘Papa’? After all, we are family,” he announced.

I tried not to cry in front of him, but his declaration was too much to handle. Philip rescued me and some of the boys from a syndicate that sells organs. I tried to compose myself that befits my position, but I couldn’t seem to control my tears. I couldn’t explain it, but perhaps, they were tears of joy!

I moved closer to the older man and embraced him tightly. I’ve always considered him as my father, but I didn’t want to cross the line. I waited for this moment, and I couldn’t stop being emotional at the revelation. “Papa!” I wailed like a baby while hugging his neck, but he tried to push me away. Philip rolled his eyes at my affection, but I was unstoppable!

“For goodness sake, get away from me! Are you gay?”

My eyes widen at the realization that I made a mistake, a huge one. I touched my head nervously, and I was scared to face him again. Should I deny the truth? “I’m sorry,” I said after deciding to admit the truth.

“I knew it!”

His loud voice terrified me even more, and I closed my eyes while waiting for a punch or a bullet into my head.

“You shouldn’t apologize for who you are. My brother was gay, and he was loved until he died,” Philip said. “Just be yourself, Tyler.”

I was able to hold my tears earlier, but I couldn’t do it anymore. “I will make you proud, Papa,” I promised, then he gave me an envelope which contained the papers of my new name. I cried. I laughed. It was a mess, but I couldn’t control my emotions anymore after reading Madrigal’s name beside Tyler James.

“How can I thank you for being good to me?” I asked, and he stared at me for a long time as if he’s considering his options.

“I want you to take my position and lead our organization into greatness,” Philip announced.

“Pardon?”

“I want you to lead our family,” he repeated, and when he mentioned family, it meant the organization.

I was dumbfounded, speechless, and confused! His announcement scared the s**t out of me, but I didn’t want to disappoint him. “Marcus is still alive, Papa.”

“I know, but I can’t force him to live a life he didn’t want to. But with you, I am confident that you will lead us into greatness.”

For the first time, I didn't particularly appreciate hearing the word ‘greatness.’ “I don’t think I’m qualified for the position,” I told him.

“Because you are different from us?”

“Yes! How can I lead a group of dangerous men when I’m scared of them? You have no idea how much I trembled whenever I’m with those guys!” Philip laughed at my outbursts, and I wondered why.

“They respected you, Tyler.”

“What?”

“Just because you are gay doesn’t mean that you can’t lead them. You were born to be a leader, and you have always been their leader,” he explained, and then Philip narrated my contribution to the group.

“But I don’t want to be a boss,” I insisted.

“How about a ‘Madame’?”

I knew he jested, but it made me smile. “I’m scared, Papa.”

“Don’t be afraid because I am still here. So, will you take the job of a boss?”

The pressure of leading a huge organization scared me. However, I could look at the brighter side and remain positive. Since it was offered to me, maybe I was meant to lead, or I was destined to be a Mafia Boss.

I shivered at the thought of killing a person when the need arises. As Philip’s consigliere, I seldom involved myself in a fight. It wasn’t my job to fight, but there were times when I needed to use my physical strength to camouflage my real identity.

“You told me to be myself, but how can I do that when my job required me to be at the top of my game? No, I don’t think it’s feasible right now.” I shook my head to tell him that there would be several struggles to face along the way. “What about the underboss? He won’t like it, Papa.”

“Then he can quit through dying,” Philip declared, and I became speechless. “Just kidding,” he added. “I’m retired, Tyler. What I have now was not the same as before. We don’t do anything illegal anymore, and it’s just you and the boys,” he explained further.

Finally, I got his point. Although he’s retired, he didn’t want his name to be forgotten, and he would use me as a front. “I’m not sure, Papa. To everyone, I’m your adviser, and for sure, they will laugh if they find out I become the boss.”

“The new boss will be known as TJ Madrigal, and you are known as Tyler. TJ will be a recluse kind of boss, and nobody has to see him in person. Do you get my drift?”

“Wait, so it’s like I’m going to live a double life, right?”

“Not double, but triple.”

“Triple? Why?”

“TJ as the boss, Tyler as the adviser, and your name at night when you’re a girl,” he explained.

“Oh my God! I think I’m going to like it, Papa.” I exclaimed. Then, my hand covered my mouth to control my happiness! “However, I have a condition before accepting the position,” I announced before negotiating with my preferred arrangements.

“Say it,” Philip replied in a menacing tone that made me shiver in horror.

“Hmmm, I’d like to have a handsome driver, or he can be a bodyguard, too.” My heart almost skipped a beat when I informed Philip about my condition, and he just stared! He took his time in deciding whether to agree on my term or kill me instead.

“Consider it done,” he announced, and I leaped from my seat due to excitement.