365 Days With the Mafia

~~Chapter 1~~

Ava’s POV

I continuously stared at my phone, looking at the message my step father had sent to me.

“COME HOME NOW!”

Jordan McDowell wasn't the kind to text or call. But there was something about the message, strict as it was, it spoke of fear.

As I walked steadily towards our large slide doors, I could feel my heart clenching in my mouth. I grabbed the clutch purse tightly, sweat trickling down my forehead.

The maids greeted me, from the corners of my eyes I could see them whispering something to each other as I walked past them. They definitely knew what was going on, the air in the house was charged with intensity.

I was told that father was in his study, so I head towards there, stopping right in front of his door. My sweaty hand was left suspended on the door knobs. I ran the back of my palms over my face, mopping off the sweat that continuously formed.

Bracing up myself for the worst news ever, I turned open the door knobs open.

I was greeted by the sight of father pacing back and forth, one hand on his chin and the other on his waist. The floor was messed up with sheets of papers. Obviously, He had spilled them in anger. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice that I had entered.

“Father?” I managed to say grabbing the clutch purse with both hands, that had already started trembling with fear.

“Ava!” He turned, placing his hands on the chair beside him. His face had turned red with anger, the veins on the sides of his neck could visibly be seen.

I walked towards him, knowing not to give a handshake or a hug. Father and I had always maintained formality.

“What's wrong?” I asked, deepening my gaze on him.

He gestured towards the seat right in front of him, as he grabbed his to sit. Both hands on the table as his brows furrowed, whatever he was about to spill was bomb and I was sure it was bad news, I was absolutely sure!

“Father, what's wrong?” I asked for the second time, dying of curiosity.

My palms were all sweaty, my heart and breathing singing in irregular sync.

“Ava…I em… I don't know how to say this.” He said, as he turned his gaze off me, avoiding the curious stings of my eyes.

“Can you say something? start from somewhere, anywhere!” I said already going nuts, shifting uncomfortably on the chair.

What the f*ck was he about to say? I asked myself, feeling very uneasy.

“He wants you, Ava, Just you!” His voice was barely above a whisper, as he ran both hands into his hair.

Confusion settled in, “Who wants me?”

“Oliver, Oliver Sabastini!” He said standing up, looking into the space in the room, doing the back and forth pacing I had met him doing earlier.

Fear spoke the loudest volume, Oliver who? No!!! The ruthless Mafia Boss who was regarded as a god wanted me? I asked myself feeling flustered.

“What? I mean, why the hell does he want me?” I asked him, with a mix of terror and confusion showing visibly over my face.

“Look Ava, we don't have a choice!” He said turning to look at me, with cold eyes.

It was at that moment I understood that he wasn't asking it of me, it was an order.

“You haven't answered my question, why does he want me?” I asked firmly, moving past his previous replies.

“I do not owe you any explanation but I'll give you the courtesy of explaining. He wants you as repayment for a debt I have been owing him for the past 20 years!” He said, with a voice devoid of emotion.

“What?” I asked, flustered.

What in the world was I hearing? I was to be sold off in repayment for a debt I knew absolutely nothing about?

“Noo! That can't happen, I mean, it can't be me, I'm not going to do it!” I screamed, standing up to meet the cold in his eyes.

Never had I stood up to father, I didn't even have the guts to talk when he wasn't done talking, everything he always said, I had to comply without complaining. But this time it was different.

“You’ll do everything he askses of you and that's it!” He roared, his voice echoing through the room, storming his hands on the desk before us.

“No! I'll not! This time I'll not, I've had enough of you tossing me around father, it's enough!!!” I screamed, feeling angry, tears welled up at the corners of my eyes.

“Ava, I'm sure you didn't hear me before… you do not have a choice!” He said falling back into the chair, turning it theatrically to both sides.

I stood over him, feeling anger like never before. At the age of 24, he still possessed the power to toss me around, doing his biddings without a choice of mine. I hated him totally, I hated how he made me feel like some piece of trash.

“Why don't I have a choice?” I asked, with trembling voice.

“My life is at stake Ava!” He said flatly, still with a tone devoid of any form of emotion.

“Just sign the contract and before you know it will all be over, our debts will be forgiven.” He said, with a grin plastered on his face.

I looked at him, a wave of anger coursed through the moment. I knew I hated him, but the truth was that I didn't want him dead. Losing another parent was something I just couldn't bear, and if it were to be in my power to avoid it by all necessary means, I was going to.

“How long father?” I asked, turning my back against him.

“ 365 days! Just 365days and it will all be over.”

I heard him say, as I went for the door…