Almost Yours

Succession

RAFAEL

“Who the hell does she thinks she is?” I snarl at Tobias as we walk to dinner with the rest of the family in tow.

Just a moment ago, me alongside the whole Silveria clan bid Avyia and Gabriel away for their eight-month-long honeymoon. And the whole experience felt like a farce to me.

“At least she saved you from doing anything stupid,” my lawyer cousin bit back with a tone he used when in fact I was about doing something stupid.

“I don’t care.”

“Maybe you should. You’re the head of the family now, Rafa. You should know better that any little slip up will affect the Silveria name.”

I was about retorting the same words from earlier but I couldn’t. I didn’t have the heart for denial. All my life this is what I’ve been trained for—to see the Silveria name rise and not sullied in the mud or embroiled in scandal.

That’s why Papa made decisions and left before he kicked the bucket. Now the consequences of his decision eat me up after he’s left. And I loathe him for it.

Rigor Silveria hated me more than I did him. There were no two ways about our father-son relationship.

Arriving dinner, every member of the family took their designated seat on the large table, with Tobias by my right hand side as the family’s lawyer and my advisor.

Then by the left is none other than Uncle Luca, father’s backstabbing younger brother who’s an aspiring mini Rigor but much worse.

Other notable members of the family who have left their marks in more ways than one are Uncle Julian who occupies a government office in favor of the family. Aunt Francesca who’s married to a mob boss to secure alliances, Cousin Romeo who handles the illegal part of our business.

Aunt Martha who has a penchant for organizing events and handles the Silveria charity. Tobias’ sisters, Greta and her twin Harriette who spends their days squandering money, shopping and pretending to be influencers.

And Uncle Luca’s son Flavio who’s a top officer in the force, protecting the Silveria name supposedly.

In total, we are twenty-three, because our great-grandparents saw it fit to have nine children, who in turn had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Being the first great-grandson twice over, I’ve always carried a lot of weight on my shoulders. Even though a specific brunette prevented me from succeeding.

I lean in to my right just as the servers roll in with the meal for the night. “I want to know who that girl is.” “I’m on it” Tobias reply in an instant, fishing his phone out and typing.

My eyes wandered and found someone else typing on the table. Greta was no doubt fishing for a caption or commenting on social media. Beside her, Harriet whispered while I read her lips.

“Do you think Rafa is okay?”

“I heard that!” I barked causing Harriet to jump in her seat, the same time every eye turned to me, including Greta who rarely drops her phone.

“Uhhhh!” She drawled contemplating on choosing her words wisely, by my side her brother shook his head. Though knowing Harriet, she’ll speak no matter what, even it cost her allowance.

“Well, you looked distraught during the wedding, I hope you’re fine.”

Suddenly, I got questioning gazes and something of pity. Right from time everyone knew Avyia and I belonged to each other, not until the incident where Papa decided to up my misery.

I didn’t like the look, nor the reason for it.

Through gritted teeth, I spoke up after the servants exited the dining room. “I appreciate your concern Harriet, and I’m fine. Gabriel married Avyia today, a young woman everyone knows to be lovely. My brother is in good hands, there’s no reason for me to be distraught.

“Why does that sound unbelievable,” Flavio muttered, always the one to poke me if his father didn’t get there quick enough.

“How about you tune your hearing, with a gun perhaps,” Tobias shot back, dragging Flavio’s number-one-hater spot with me.

Before things can spiral out of control, aunt Francesca the peacemaker announce “No violence, on the table please.” Being a mob boss wife had impacted on her life and she tries to get away from it all anyway she can.

“There won’t be if people don’t need reminding to learn their place,” I declared, my sight trained on Flavio who has my eyes locked with his.

“Why not marry, Rafael. To silence all the doubts and rumors.”

“It’s not that simple, aunt.”

“It is actually. Some of us here had to be married off against our will, all for the family’s sake.” She uttered, knowingly taking a jab at my late father who married off his youngest sister to a mob boss for some settlement.

“I totally agree with Auntie Fran. I have friends who are obsessed with Rafa,” one of my younger cousin giggled, while I shook my head, telling her it’s not the right time.

Marriage has crossed my mind more than once, when it was with Avyia. Now that she’s out of the picture, I don’t know

“Fran is right. As the head of the family, you ought to be married by now, Rafael.” The least person’s input I could possibly ask for.

“I believe we’re here to eat, not to discuss my future.” I retort, glaring at him having had my family’s nags up to here. That warning ended the conversation for the night, and no word about marriage was spoken again until we all retreated to our rooms for the night.

What was the sudden pressure. Because of Avyia and Gabriel? Maybe I was still bitter about everything that has led us to this moment. But eventually I’d have to marry and move on. If only convincing myself this much would be enough.

I sigh, fumbling with the tie on my neck. At the edge of my memory is her wretched face. Red dress, red lips, deep brown hair with…”

“I’ve found her,” Tobias barge into my suite, the biggest in the mansion.

“I’m sending you the information I have on her right now,” he began typing on his laptop.

“That can wait,” I say out of the blues, not in the least interested in what I might see.

“What country did Avyia and Gabriel choose to honeymoon in?” I demand from Tobias, who only gives me an accusatory look.

“Why? So you’ll follow them there? C’mon man. It’s over.”

“You don‘t understand,” I reply curtly. Tobias set his laptop down, indicating his patience with me wearing thin.

“I don’t care, Rafa. It’s been ages since this arrangement has been put in place. Today it came to a reality, and now she’s your sister-in-law, a member of our family. How about you let what both of you had go, and maybe marry a fine woman from a good family.”

The glare I fixed on my cousin must have been the harshest I’ve ever sent his way, but that didn’t deter him.

“Kill me later if you want. For now, you need to get yourself a bride and who knows? Milena might be just the one.”