365 Days With the Mafia

~~Chapter 2~~

Ava's POV

I walked out of father's office and into the walkways that led to my room, my mind swirled around with thoughts. My entire life had been nothing more than a merry-go-round, a spin around the box my friend, Scarlett would say.

I smiled at the thought of that.

Nothing had changed, my room was the exact same way which I had left it. Only that the interiors were being covered with a white linen, to avoid dust settling on them.

The air was different now, as I sat on the bed, looking around the magnificently large room. Childhood was no fun, father made it totally strict and unbearable for me. Most times I wished my mother had married someone else, someone better. I wondered how she ended up with a complete jerk like him.

Yes! I should call Scarlett and Jay, I said to myself, as I lifted the box off the ground and placed it on the bed to pull my clothes out.

Scarlett and Jay had been my best friends for as long as I could remember, in as much as I wasn't living in New Jersey anymore, they kept in touch with video calls and came over to my apartment in New York during the festive periods.

Those cat and dog had my back during difficult times and they kind of made growing up fun. We'd sneak out of the to the club, to take some shots, dress up to take good pictures, steal food from our houses to carry out mini picnic on the fields.

A smile slid by the sides of my lips remembering those memories. We were regarded as the three musketeers.

“Alright! Let me call those pain in the ass.” I said to myself, smiling.

On the third ring Scarlett picked, “ Hi…My love, you with Jay?” I asked, before she could say a thing.

“Hey b***h, you calling me or Jay? Who do you want to speak to?” She said, with a playful voice that suggested that she was a little jealous.

Scarlett has always been like that, the humour queen and I totally loved her for that.

“You know I place no one above you!” I said hysterically, I couldn't help but laugh.

“Uhuhn… I'm blushing.” She said flatly.

“And, you know I love you right?” I asked, trying to kick her mood with roaring laughter.

“Okay! Okay… it's okay, that thing you're about to do ain't gonna work, Jay's here, the kid is gonna slap me if I don't hand over the phone to him.”

“Hey, jay.” I had f*ucking missed the clown's voice.

The truth was that I just couldn't wait to see them.

“Hi, witch!” He said, with masculine intensity in his voice. That was Jay, my friend!

“Tell me you don't miss me?” I asked, laughing uncontrollably.

“Nahhh… I didn't, not even the slightest.”

I could picture his face, he'd probably have been rolling his eyes making that statement.

“Oh! That's good to know, I'd return to New York without seeing any of your ass!” I said firmly.

“Don't tell me… you're in town?” He asked, surprisingly.

“Oh I thought a couple of seconds ago you didn't wanna see me?” I said, covering my mouth with my palms to avoid another outburst of laughter.

“We are running over to Sheddy’s Diner, you remember there right?” I actually felt he rapped those words, the only thing I heard was Sheddy's Diner.

That was the place in 10 Lisbon's street where we loved to eat burgers and lick breathtaking Ice cream.

“In less than 10 mins. I'd meet you guys up there, love ya!”

Really? I just noticed that Jay had cut the call after he made the last statement. I was talking to myself, that silly jerk!

I got into a pair of lavender joggers and matching sneakers. I did look sporty, but the weather was cold so it seemed like a perfect outfit.

The diner was about a 5 minute run and 10 minutes walk from the house. So I decided to run instead. I used to be an excellent athlete during college days, so yeah I was a good sprinter.

Those teddy-tubbies were already at the diner, arguing as usual.

Playfully I hit Jay on the back of his head, they didn't even see me walking in. He sprang up from the chair and carried me off the ground, dropping kisses on my cheeks.

“Hey, drop me down!” I screamed lowly, hitting him on his back.

As Jay dropped me down I ran to meet her, “Scarlett…”

I could have sworn that I almost disappeared into her arms, she hugged me so tightly.

“I have f*uckig missed you.” I heard her say tearfully.

“Nah.. if you cry, I'm gonna cry!” I said mimicking her gestures, which made her withdraw and slap me painfully on my back.

I had missed my friends so much, words couldn't qualify.

Jay brought 3 cups of coffee and burgers to the table. He sat beside me and Scarlett was just opposite us. She was laughing and flinging her hands throughout the conversation. Her chatters were so loud, at every point I remember telling her to tune it down but she refused, I was certain every person seated in here could hear us.

“Hey guys, there's something bothering me, I need to tell you guys.” I said finally as the flash of the main problem brushed past my mind.

By now Scarlett had stopped smiling looking at me intently as my mood changed from being happy to being moody. Jay had stood up from beside me to sit opposite me, where Scarlett sat.

“Hey what's wrong?” Jay asked, grabbing both my hands that were placed on the table.

I heaved heavily as I didn't even know where to start the conversation from. I knew they'd understand and relate.

“Father has been owing a partner for years, in repayment he wants me to live with him for 365 days!” I said, looking at the space in the diner and then returning my gaze to the both of them.

“Em.. Ava, hold on a sec. I'm trying to place the pieces together.” Scarlett said, feeling confused.

“Does the name Oliver Sabastini ring a bell?” I asked.

Jay responded, “yes!”

Scarlett affirmed, “yes it does!”

“Are you saying…”

“Yes! It's him, I have been sold out to him for 365 days!” I said.

“Em… this is some kind of joke right?”

They were both looking at me with piercing gazes, eyebrows raised in sheer surprise. But then it was no joke, I wouldn't play such an expensive one on them.

“No! Honestly I wish it was.” I said with sadness written over my face. I covered my face with both palms, fighting the tears that were threatening to spill out.

“Hey come on, don't cry!” Jay said, as he slid back into my seat, hugging me tightly and mopping the tears off my eyes.

Scarlett did the same, she sat beside me grabbing my trembling hands in hers reassuringly.

“Hey, what do you intend to do?” Scarlett asked, grabbing my hands tightly.

“Nothing! I can't do nothing, Father's life is at stake, so yeah, I have to sign the contract. I know I hate him so much, but no! I don't want a thing to happen to him.” I said looking at Scarlett and then back to Jay.

“Yeah… your old man has been a pain in our ass too!” Scarlett said, sarcastically.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter, I was crying and laughing at the same time.

Jay cupped my face in his large palms and dropped a kiss on my forehead.

“ What could I have done without you guys?” I said, feeling sober.

“We gat you, every single time! We are called the three musketeers for a reason.” Jay said, wiggling me.

“Ouch, you're gonna break my shoulders!”

I said, trying to wriggle free from his grip.

“Who wants some ice cream?” I heard Scarlett's loud voice resounding through the diner. That lousy human!

The evening ended with fun at the amusement park, we said our byes and they promised to always call and stop by Oliver's house if need be.

I was back in my room, somehow my friends had made me feel better. I was so grateful for their presence in my life. They made everything seem pretty easy.

I shoved my clothes back into the box. My flight was by 2pm the next day to New York.

I was ready to sign the goddamn contract!!!