Delayed but his

15

Arman’s pov

Papa had agreed to meet up with us in a local bar at the outskirts of Long Island.

The Warehouse had been set up at Albany and the new routes had been productive but you don’t meddle with a family like mine and go scot free.

“Genovese .That sounds familiar “papa said with recognition.

“So you know anyone that works there?”Simon asked

“Actually I worked with the present Boss few years ago but we parted way in an amicable way.The operating ran for just three months”

“They attacked us papa.I don’t think they see us in an amicable way”I countered

I felt he wasn’t telling us all of it.

He puffed at his pipe and exhaled .

“Well that’s why I have you both to get to the end of this.I could send his contact so you reach out to him because the cam video showed some random mobsters and the Genovese has a long line of notorious heads.How’s your mother and Alda?”

“Good although she’s been worried because you wouldn’t take her calls.Alda has an ongoing exam so she’s not been home for a week”

“Did you check up on her because we all know why she needs to be a part time student”

“I did and she’s okay .You know Alda can be so distant at times “Simon said

Father sighed deeply”I think it’s all my fault that she’s that way.I never gave her the sort of attention that she needed and now it’s only made her worse .“

We said nothing to his realization because we sensed the truth in it.

Papa had an estranged relationship with Alda and we all knew why.She had made it clear that she wasn’t interested in the family’s business and it had only gotten worse when papa found out she’d helped me elope.

“I know I haven’t been a good father figure and I want to use this medium to apologize for everything .I just have to be tough at times”

Hearing my father say those words sounded strange but I could see that he meant them.

I understood his plight.

He wasn’t getting any younger also and saw the need to do so.Blood was really thicker than water

“It’s okay papa.We’re here for you always and forever.”I assured

He nodded and gave us a hard smile.

“Send my regards to your mum and tell her I’d be home soon”he said and picked up his phone.

“I’d send his contact right now to you both.His name is .. I think..Barney Bellomo he typed away on his phone”Done.Use a burner phone also “he said in a warning tone

“Sure papa”I said and checked my phone along with Simon.I forwarded the message to Miranda and sent a text.

Arman:(Give me the present location of this number.)

She took some minutes to send a thumbs up and a smiley emoji.

Aside being a reporter,Miranda had her way with fiddling through the files of the CIA.She had called them connections.

A year ago,when I had decided to move away.Miranda was the last friend I had kept in contact with.She promised to be there for me and she’d done nothing but that.She knew my location and never told anyone,even my family of the new life I had created.

“Papa I just thought about the high chances of the boss being the culprit.We could be walking into a trap”

“Yes you’re right but I also know he wouldn’t do such a thing without being triggered.I recall him being a man of his words but you never can tell”

I looked at Simon and I knew what he was thinking.We had to go the party armed and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d carried a gun around with me,the perks of going ghost until now.

Back at Albany,I had gotten a penthouse to have a private and solicited life .My mobsters played safe also due to the strict rules of Albany’s government.

💥Estella’s pov

“Estella can we take a walk down the garden “I followed Heather’s gaze to where Ma Esmeralda stood.

She wore a Libra dress ,her hair tussled up to a loose know and the tired look were gone from her eyes.

She obliged the greetings from the other workers around,studied their activities and gestured for me to follow her.

“How are you doing Estella?”she said as we left the kitchen

“I’m good..I mean you’ve been nothing but good to me so I’ve had nothing but a perfect time here”

She chuckled and Made a turn to the garden.I hurried in my steps a bit .

“I need you to be open with me.Do you have anything you’ve be willing to say to me?”

“Not that I’m aware of ma”

She searched my face and sighed deeply

“Alright I know you went out with Simon the other night.I stayed back and watched you guys meet up at the garage”

I almost choked on my spit as I tried to say something in quick defense.

“It was just a friendly date ma.He’s been noticing my efforts trying to make you get better”

“But it isn’t Simon that’s the bigger picture here”

My heart sank at her words.

This was it.I was going to lose my job

So much for mixing business with pleasure.

I had just proved to Portia,my foster sis ,that I was easy to use.

She plastered a smile on her face and stopped walking.

“Arman is my favorite child.I don’t want you thinking I’m a bad parent though,no,I love my children .But Arman,I almost died giving birth to him.”

“I’m so sorry about that.Now I have a new fear.. child labor pain”

She laughed at my joke and took my hands.

“I shouldn’t be telling you this .We haven’t been a perfect family either.A lot of things happened and I lost my son but I’m willing to do everything to avoid that from happening again.So I need your help Estella “

“How do you mean ma?”I said in utmost surprise

“I need you to make my son,Arman to fall in love with you.I know you’re in his books already but you need to put more energy “

I shone my eyes in full surprise.

“I don’t understand ma.You want me to make Arman fall for me?But I work for you?”

“You didn’t think about that before sneaking around with him”

The smirk was back on her face.

Right.My instincts hadn’t lied to me.They never did.

“It was a mistake Ma..”

“Sshhh..that’s okay.It’ll be our secret but then you know it won’t be that way forever because I’m relieving you from your previous work.If you’re in on this,I’d make arrangements for you to move to the guest wing but you still get to be my private chef.You just don’t have to stress on making sure the meals are ready for the whole family.”

“What if he doesn’t fall for me?”

She chuckled and waved her hands in denial.

“He would.I know my son ,he has a good heart but can be nonchalant at times.When I thought I was going to die,my dying wish was for him to come back home.He did so,met you and saw a reason to stay.”

“I have one more problem ma”

“Simon?”

Damn she knew too much.

“I love him but as a friend.I can’t say no to his requests because I enjoy his company.But Arman might be thinking that we’re dating”

“Then prove to him that it’s otherwise.I’d be here to support you because after a while,everything gets public.You should also work on your confidence,let Simon know about how you feel and don’t fester false feeling towards him.”

I nodded and she left my hands .resuming her walk and I joined her.

“So when do we start?”

Her eyes lit up at my statement.

“So that’s a yes?”

“I mean it doesn’t hurt to try “

“I knew you would agree.The speech was a means for me to see how much you love Arman because I know you do”

“Love?No I’m not sure about that.I mean I’m not meant to be saying all this to you ma.I should’ve been professional “I said,fear enveloping me

“Estella relax and see the picture in front of you.I’m not angry at you ,in fact you seemed to have brought a bright energy with you .Even your meals are succulent and I love the way you make my tea.Estella,of course I’m getting better.You take care also”she said and held my shoulder before walking away.

I stood rooted to the spot ,awed by our conversation.

That was too much to take in .

I didn’t want to disappoint ma Esmeralda also so it only came down to one fact.

I was going to make Arman Fall in love with me.

He felt he owned me,so I was on track.