To Play The Devil’s Game

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The Funeral ceremony was held a week later. It was a solemn affair that mostly saw the Andreas family in attendance. The other guests were close people who had at one time or the other had something to do with the don.

Security around the perimeter was tight and no matter how much some of the guests were trusted, they were still searched. Luciana had given that order as soon as she woke up that morning. She was trying to stay strong for herself and the remaining group members but she was finding it difficult to stay strong because the many memories she had shared with her father would remain evergreen.

‘’Please take heart Diabla.’’ Alessandro said.

He had been by her side for as long as she could remember and she was grateful for that. Even up till now, Luciana couldn’t understand how her father died just like that. One minute, she had been talking with Alessandro and was making plans to go inform her father about how the operation went and the next minute, his cry of pain was heard. Luciana couldn’t quite understand it all and it was very confusing to say the least.

‘’I will when i deal with the Fontana’s.’’ she said.

Alessandro sighed as he made his way towards the liquor cabinet. The funeral was about to begin now and he knew they needed to get going if they were to greet the guests. It was customs and tradition to do that and as the surviving heir, it was Luciana’s place to do that.

‘’Here.’’ Alessandro said, gently.

Luciana accepted the drink from him with a grateful nod. This was what she needed and she was glad that he actually understood her and what she needed.

Luciana took a healthy gulp of her drink, welcoming the bitter taste that hit her tongue. This was exactly what she needed before she went out there to greet the guests who had arrived. According to what her father wanted, he was to be cremated and his ashes spread around the gardens.

For as long as Luciana could remember, her father’s favorite spot in the mansion was the gardens. He took pride in it, especially in all the beautiful flowers, most of which he had cultivated himself.

His ashes were already in the jar which was sitting on a huge table in the big hall where the guests were already seated. Luciana wasn’t sure if she would have the boldness to meet all those people out there. She couldn’t quite stand their stares and she knew that if she searched deep into their eyes, she was sure she would see judgemental looks in their faces.

‘’You have to meet those people Diabla.’’ Alessandro murmured.

Once again, Luciana was quite grateful that he knew what she was thinking about. She knew he was right but still, she didn’t know if she had the boldness to do what was expected of her.

‘’I know. Let me just finish this drink and i’ll be out soon.’’ Luciana said.

Alessandro nodded solemnly, taking a step back towards the window. He looked out of it and he was quite surprised when he saw a lot of people already seated in the great hall. He hadn’t expected them to be this much and so on time but he was quite glad that they were here. They could as well get on with the ceremony and be done with it as fast as possible.

‘’People are here already.’’ Alessandro murmured.

‘’I’ll be out soon.’’ Luciana sighed.

She downed the rest of her drink in one gulp before placing the glass back on the bar’s counter. The earlier she faced the guests, the better for her. There was really no point in delaying the inevitable. Whether she liked it or not, she still had to face them.

‘’I’m ready.’’ Luciana said.

She pulled down her black veil which she had tucked to one side. The veil was to protect her eyes and for people not to see how swollen and puffy they were. Luciana had no doubt that her eyes were already red. That was one of the major reasons she wore the veil, it was to shield her eyes from nosy people.

Alessandro gripped her hands in his, walking with her towards the grand hall. The guards who were strategically placed at major points within the mansion. They stood stiffly as they watched Alessandro and Luciana walk down the hallway and towards the grand hall.

Soon, they got to the main doors and it was opened by the guards who were manning it. They bowed slightly as the duo made their way in. As soon as they got in, the guests all stood up as a sign of respect.

Throughout the aisle, leading towards the altar, Alessandro held her hands. They stood at the altar soon and it was only then he left her side. With her veil still shielding her eyes, Luciana stood with confidence as she faced the many people who were staring back at her.

‘’Please you may sit.’’ she said quietly.

All she needed to do was to give a small speech before the procession moved towards the gardens for the final act. It wasn’t a hard thing to do but Luciana had already developed cold feets. She couldn’t quite believe that she was finally putting her father to rest.

It was all so strange and she had a hard time comprehending any of it. Luciana took a deep breath before facing the people who had gathered within the great hall.

‘’First and foremost, I would like to thank each and everyone of you for coming to pay my father his last respect. This is what he would have wanted and you being here means that you care so much about him and for this i am grateful.’’ Luciana began.

As she spoke, she couldn’t quite believe that it was all so easy. The words came to her easily and freely.

‘’My father, the don as you all know, was a great man and he never left those in need. He ruled this group with utmost care and dedication. In fact, this group was a family to him and he never failed to see that everyone was well cared for.’’ Luciana said.

The crowd was dead silent as they stared at her. They all knew that what she said was the truth. The don even though very ruthless was very caring especially when it came to helping the people in need. Times without numbers, most people had come to him for help and he always helped them if he could.

‘’So once again, i say a very big thank you for being here this morning and it is my utmost prayer that the most high blesses each and everyone of you.’’ Luciana said.

She looked up, staring at each face that stared at her back. At that moment, she couldn’t quite read their minds but all she knew was that she didn’t see any hostility there.

‘’So we shall go to the gardens now for the final act.’’

Luciana turned to face the table where her father’s remains were laid inside the jar. She stared at it for a while as she tried so much to fight back the tears that threatened to fall down her eyes.

‘’Rest well Diablo.’’ Luciana murmured.

She carried the jar, holding it in her hands for long minutes. She was vaguely aware that Alessandro had already walked up towards her. He stood by her, a strong and silent presence beside her.

With her free hand, Luciana clasped it with Alessandro as they made their way towards the exit doors. The guests one by one from their seats followed suit as they made their way out of the hall.

‘’You did great.’’ Alessandro said quietly.

‘’Thank you, though i had cold feets.’’ Luciana murmured.

‘’It's normal. All that matters is that you gave that speech and the people loved you for it. I could actually see it in their eyes.’’ Alessandro smiled.

Luciana sighed, looking down at the jar that contained her father’s remains. She was still finding it hard to believe that this was all that remained from the great don, the best of the best.

‘’Life is fickle my dear and its best if you don’t think about it.’’ Alessandro advised.

‘’I can't help but think about it.’’ Luciana croaked.

They got to the gardens soon and the light breeze that blew at that moment had her smiling in bliss. She didn’t believe in spirits but at that moment, she couldn’t help but think that her father’s spirit was there with her. Luciana felt everything and she smiled.

‘’He’s here.’’ she said.

Alessandro didn’t need to ask her to know that she was talking about her father, the don. He would still be here, there was no doubt about it.

‘’Its time.’’ Alessandro said.

With a heavy sigh, Luciana opened the jar that contained her father’s ashes. Muttering a small prayer, she poured everything on the ground as she watched the breeze pick up the gray dust. Within a few minutes, her father’s remains were scattered all over.

The final act was done and now, Luciana was fully in charge.