Warming The Mafia’s Bed

Trust Me

Tessa's POV;

"Leukemia!?

What!? When were you going to tell me, dad! ? "I yell in fright, rage, hurt, pain, and fear as I burst into my father's room, and for the first few seconds, he stares at me in confusion, but soon his confusion vanishes.

"He told you? "He questions in disbelief, but I watch realization dawn in his eyes.

"What did you do to him, Tessa? "He then questions, but I snap.

"Don't try to change the topic, dad! You have leukemia and that too, the worst kind! You have just days left to live, and you told me nothing about it!? When were you planning on telling me? "I scream, and my father falls silent for a few seconds.

"Ven y siéntate conmigo, cisne ... "

*Come and sit with me, swan... *He says sweetly to me, and my heart shatters as I stare at the most important person in my life. He's about to leave me. He has just days left to live, and he told me nothing about it. Was he planning on leaving me just like that?

I sit beside him, and then I can't hold back my tears. I burst into tears, and my fears begin to escape me in form of endless rivers from my eyes.

I have lived my whole life with just one parent. It wasn't easy, but we pulled through. But no matter how tough I seem, I don't think I'm ready or will ever be ready to lose the only parent I have left. My life would have no meaning, and I'd feel so alone and unprotected.

He's all I have. It's been me and him against the world, my entire life. How am I supposed to cope without him? How?? It's impossible!

He taught me all I know and made me who I am. He can't just lead me into the deep sea and abandon me halfway in. I need him...

"How long has it been? "I force myself to question, and he inhales deeply as he adjusts on the edge of the bed he's sitting on, and I realize that he's been looking at a photo album. An album that has pictures of me, my late mother, and him. And on seeing this, my heart only breaks further.

"It's been five months, *Mi cisne. "He says. Calling me his swan like he always does, and my heart breaks again. Doctor Rico explained everything to me.

My father's abnormal cancer is the type that grows very rapidly and dangerously in months and sometimes even weeks.

The excessive white blood cells have grown so much, they would be tough to cure or eradicate. The cells have caused blood to clot in a lot of places and are damaging a lot of things in my father's body.

The best thing to be done for him now is for him to be taken to a hospital where he can be stabilized and kept under supervision.

Doctor Rico said he tried to get my father to the hospital, but he didn't want me to suspect anything so he refused to go with him.

"Why didn't you tell me about it? "I question, and he looks me over.

"I didn't want to hurt you, Mi cisne. I thought I could get cured, but it's too late. I... Was going to look for the right time to tell you. "He says, and my heart shatters. I've never thought about losing my father, the common thought of it claws at my heart. But it's beginning to look like a reality that would soon hit me in the face.

"No quiero perderte, papá. Eres todo lo que tengo. Estaría tan solo sin ti aquí, y esos lobos que llamas hermanos harían todo lo posible para quitarme todo lo que hemos construido."

*I don't want to lose you, dad. You're all I have. I'd be so alone without you here, and those wolves you call brothers would try their very best to take all we've built, away from me. *I cry, as I bury my face in my palms, and my father pulls me to him.

"No digas eso, Tessa! "

*Don't say that, Tessa! *He then scolds me, and I sob harder.

"I didn't birth, raise, or train a weakling, Tessa. I'm counting desperately on you, dear. You have to fight and take up the role of the leader that you've been training for your whole life. If you slack up now, you'd lose and those... Wolves I call my brothers would cheat you out of all we've worked for and built together. "He continues, and I shut my eyes as I lay my head on his chest and listen to his steady heartbeat.

How is it that a man who looks so healthy is actually so sick and close to death?

"I know all that dad, but I'm not ready to lose you. We both know how cruel this world is. When things get tough, after a long day of killing and brutality... We come back to each other and find comfort, peace, and sanity in each other's arms. But if you leave me... I'd be all alone, dad... "I cry and shut my eyes tightly in anguish, but he gently pulls me away, and cups my face in his hands.

"You won't be alone, Tessa. "He says, and my brows crease but I understand what he's saying.

"Dad, I know that you and mom are always going to be with me. Even... After you... Leave me... But it's not the same as you... Actually being here. You know how we struggled without mom... I know she's in my heart, but... She's not actually here. And if you leave me too... You won't be here... "I reply in hurt as I take my face out of his hands and look away, and he turns my face to look at him.

"That's not what I'm talking about, Tessa. I'm saying you won't be alone after my death... Because I want you to get married. "He says, and my face goes numb at the same time my heart stops beating.

"What...? "I question in horror, and he stares at me with expectant eyes.

"Tessa, you know how cold the life we live is. When I lost your mother, I had you. But if you lose me... Who would you have? "He questions, and I fall silent as I don't have an answer for him.

"That's why I can't just leave you like this. Alone... And unprotected... As you said. The wolves I call brothers would come after you. I can't leave you to face them alone. You need someone you can rely on, Tessa... "He continues, and I go pale.

"But dad, I don't... You taught me that I don't need a man to feel complete... "I begin to protest as tears of horror begin to well up in my eyes when I see how serious he is.

"You don't need a man to make you feel complete, Tessa. But you need someone to call your own... "He replies, and I fall silent.

"But dad, where and how do you want me to get a husband? I'm not even seeing anyone... Husbands don't fall from trees. "I point out, and he takes my hands.

"I know just the right man for you, my swan... "He says as he gently kisses them, and I shiver in horror.

"But dad... "I try to protest again, and he cuts me short.

"Please, Tessa. Do this for me... See it as my last wish... I need you to trust me... One last time, my dear "He says, and I choke on a sob.

"Dad... "I simply cry as I crash into him and wrap my arms around him tightly. Letting out my sobs and tears.