Tango In The Mafia’s Game

(Giulia’s POV) “Giulia! Giulia! Open this f*****g door now.” It was followed by a loud bang repeatedly and a rough jerking sound on the doorknob. An indication that someone is trying to force the door open. I squinted my eyes to adjust to the rays of light filtering through my room window. “I'm coming.” I dragged myself up. Still trying to gather my composure, I pulled back the bolt and dragged the door open to let my uncle in just as he was about to bang on the door again; his hand caught midair. He quickly burst into my room, almost knocking me down. “Where is your sister, and what took you so long to open the door?” He scanned my room before settling his eyes on me, his head tilted in anticipation of my answer. “Mia didn't come home. I called her, but the number was not reachable,” I replied. Still wondering what is going on with him. He gazed at me. Hands akimbo. His eyes were red, and the bags under them were clearly visible. He had definitely been drinking. The moment he walked in, the entire room got polluted with the stench of alcohol. “Can't find my money, that b***h sister of yours stole it. Now you're going to pay me for it.” He stormed towards me and grabbed my arms, dragging me towards my safe box. I tried to drag my arms away from his grip, but it was no match for his strength. “Let go of me!” I yelled, struggling to free my arms. The look on his face was cold, and his grey eyes bulged out as he showed no sign of letting me go until he got the money—all the savings I have ever had just for my upkeep. No way am I going to let him do this to me. “Open it, b***h, or I’ll smash it open,” he barked. “No! It's not yours to take, please.” My instincts quickly set in, and I bit down on his hand. As my teeth sank deep into his flesh, he let out a loud groan. Wrong move—that only earned me a deafening slap on my face. “You want to do this the hard way, huh?” At this moment, I was already on the floor, my face still hurting from the slap. He dragged me towards the safe and set it down in front of me. “Open it!” he ordered. I looked up at him. My heart thumping in my chest, barely catching my breath in fear of what next he might do to me if I don't obey his order. His right fist was clenched as he pointed to the safe with his left index finger. Eyes menacingly cold and face contorted into a dangerous scowl. I have never seen him like this before. Whatever had happened to my sweet uncle Franco? Uncle Franco was the only relative from my mother's kin who accepted to cater for my sister and I after our parents died in a plane crash four years ago. His wife left him just two years after their marriage. No kids, and he never bothered to remarry. He saw marriage as a big trap that set you back from living your best life. “Why get hooked on one woman when there's lot of women?” This is how he replies to whoever cares enough to query why he doesn't want to get married again. The early years of living with Uncle Franco have been fun and memorable. He ensured my sister and I never lacked much. Our welfare was His top priority. He once threw out one of the women who always comes around to warm his bed occasionally. Just because she made some silly comments about him taking care of us. That was the last time we saw her. In less than an hour another lady came in to take her place. Yes, Uncle Franco isn't a saint when it comes to women. He has a handful of them. Seeing this while living under his roof got me wondering if that's the real reason his wife left him. But all the same, I was deeply grateful he took us in when everyone turned their back on my sister and I. Tears pooled in my eyes as I struggled to keep them back from falling. Hands trembling, I dragged the safe box closer to my lap and was about to unlock it with the number combination when he barked out. “Hurry up, I haven't got all day for this.” “Uncle Franco, you don't have to do this. I'm sure Mia will be back soon, then we can ask her about your money.” “Non posso. Don't make me hit you again.” Then the door creaked open. As we both turned our eyes, Mia stood before us. “What the hell?” She squealed. As quickly as her legs could carry her she ran towards me. Sprawling on the ground immediately to shield me away from Uncle Franco. “Guilia, are you alright?” She asked immediately while catching her breath. Still oblivious of what she is witnessing. “Yea, I'm fine. Uncle Franco is just mad his money is missing, he said you stole it. Did you?” “Yes. But I was going to replace it as soon as I return.” She blurted out with a mix of anger and guilt. “I just needed it to get my supplies.” “You should have asked me for it, you little bitch.” Uncle Franco scolded. “Here is your money.” Mia reached into her purse and pulled out some ruffled notes and handed it to him. “That's all of it, you can leave us now.” She screamed with her finger pointing towards the door. He grabbed the stash of cash from Mia like a hungry predator. He quickly confirmed it with a smirk on and tucked it into his pocket. Then he took a deep sigh and looked at us, shook his head and moved towards the door. Then he stopped on his tracks and turned. “I'm sorry for hurting you Giulia. Since I lost my job, It's been tough taking care of both of you.” He swallowed a lump on his throat. “I hope you forgive me.” He then turned and left. I heaved a sigh of relief. Mia pulled me up to my feet and hugged me closely. “I'm sorry I got you in trouble, Giulia.” “Where were you all night? You got me worried.” I pulled her away from me and eyed her coldly. “I went to a movie date with Mario. He couldn't take me back home because of the rainstorm last night, so I followed him to his place.” I could see her blushing. But I wasn't pleased. “Mia. You could have called to inform me, but you kept me in the unknown. You are not even eighteen, and you can't be sleeping over in a boy's house yet.” “You should know better.” I cautioned. “Mario is not just a boy. He is my boyfriend. And I'll be eighteen just in a few days– In eleven days, actually.” She giggled. Her smile was contagious and we both found ourselves beaming with smiles. She is the only blood family I have and we try our best to be there for each other. “Just call me next time. Always let me know what you are up to, especially when you can't come home. That way I'll be less worried.” She nodded in affirmation while taking off her clothes. Something else struck my mind. “Hey Mia, promise me you will never steal from Uncle Franco again. Come to me if you need anything, deal?” There was a stern look on my face. But that's only to make her understand how serious I am about it. “I'm not sure, but I'll try.” She smiled at me and quickly ran into the bathroom to shower. Not the kind of response I expected. But I let it slide. Mia would always do things her own way. I looked out the window and saw uncle Franco escorting two men out of the house. They were not looking too friendly. The two men got into a dark tinted SUV with no registration number and drove off. Uncle Franco walked back into the house, looking dejected and worried. He was muttering some inaudible words. He was a sorry sight. I felt pity for him. Maybe I should actually give him my savings to support him. I thought to myself. The buzzing sound from my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. A message. CONGRATULATIONS, GUILIA SANDRO. YOUR APPLICATION TO MODEL FOR OUR AGENCY HAS BEEN APPROVED. Kindly check your email for further details. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” I screamed and flung myself in the bed. Best news ever. I couldn't contain my excitement. My lifelong dream is finally coming true. Mia came out from the bathroom and I quickly broke the news to her. She couldn't contain her excitement either. Sharing this moment with her was pure bliss. I quickly pulled out my yellow top with a pair of leather pants–Already feeling like a super model. The choice of outfit was intentional. It is time to show off my curves. I'm the next hot supermodel. I headed straight to my boyfriend's apartment. Though he is not in support of my chosen career to be a model, I was hoping with my acceptance into the top model agency in the city, he will change his mind. I got to his apartment and knocked several times but there wasn't any response. I quickly grabbed my phone, dialed his number but all I got was a voice call back prompt to leave a message at the dial tone. After several attempts I decided to go round back the apartment to see if he is in the garden. How lucky I was. There he is. I smiled and walked towards him. But something was not quite right as I approached him. Still not aware of my entrance or presence. I heard him moaning subtly as I approached. I slowed down with my pace, head moving slowly from left to right, it seemed like he was holding on to something. Like a man in a trance. His moans grew louder. Kneeling between his legs, his gardener moved with a rhythm that made my skin crawl. Cold shivers ran down my spine. This can't be my Enzo. I bathed my eyelids to ensure I wasn't dreaming. All of a sudden he let out a loud groan and offloaded his seeds into His mouth. I stood there, transfixed and unable to move. While I was still processing what I just witnessed, Enzo’s gardener noticed me and tapped him while he was still feeling the moment. “Oh s**t!” Giulia, when did you get here and for how long?” He asked frantically while trying to pull up his pants. Obviously embarrassed. While both men tried to cover up, I asked the only question that came to my mind. “How long, Enzo?”