he's here
1008 Words
Alessia felt like she was being stabbed with a sword. The sight of the Tommasos walking into her birthday party with so much confidence made her feel sick.
"What are they doing here?" Emiliano exclaimed.
Alessia did not bother to give him a reply. She found herself walking towards her uncle. "What are the Tommasos doing here?"
Luciano regarded Alessia with a frown. "Have you lost your manners?"
Alessia did not bother to apologise. She was done with being pushed around. "I asked you a question. What are the Tommasos doing at my birthday party?"
Luciano clenched his jaw then dismissed the guests he had been chatting with. "Stupido! That is what you are!" He snarled at her.
"Answer my question, uncle." Alessia demanded.
"I invited them here. How is that any of your business?"
Alessia took a step back, her legs were suddenly weak. "The Tommasos are our enemies! They are the rival family we have been at war with for decades!" She pointed out.
Luciano waved his hand dismissively. "What do you know to tell me about politics? Be careful."
Alessia was unfazed. Her face was hard and her hands were clenched. "My papa was killed barely twelve hours ago and you and you have started showing your true colours!"
Luciano hissed then grabbed Alessia's elbow in a hard grip. "You will do well to watch what you say to me!"
Alessia matched his glare without a trace of fear. "This is my birthday party. I decide the guests I want here."
Luciano shook his head. "You never wanted this party so you don't get to call the shots."
Alessia clenched her teeth. "Since you decided to have the party anyway, I will not have you ridicule my father!"
Luciano tightened his grip on her elbow. "Your father is no longer here to protect you, Tesoro." He pronounced her nickname mockingly. "Watch your back."
Alessia felt the tears that were threatening to pool out of her eyes but she held them in. No, this was not the place.
"Is there something wrong?" A deep voice asked from behind them.
Luciano released his grip on Alessia's hand immediately then flashed her a smile. "Happy birthday, dear. Hope everything is to your liking." He said to her.
Alessia frowned, Luciano was trying to pretend like all was well. "Nothing is to my liking. Not this party, not you and definitely not your choice of guests!"
She wasted no time in walking away. Alessia was so angry that she did not care to look back and see who managed to scare her uncle.
She spotted Andrea on the dance floor and then walked towards her. "Andrea, need to talk."
Andrea folded her hands nonchalantly. "I would rather not speak to you."
Alessia looked broken. "Do you realize that papa was murdered?" She asked Andrea.
Andrea rolled her eyes. "you need to stop treating me like I do not have a brain."
"I think you do not have a brain. If you did, you would not be on the dance floor few hours after our father's body arrived without his head!" Alessia snapped.
Andrea clenched her teeth. "watch your tongue!"
"Watch your actions! I thought you only had a problem with me, why are you taking it out on papa?" Alessia could not help but ask.
Andrea scoffed disbelievingly. "I am not taking anything out on papa. I simply chose not to dwell in the past and move forward."
Alessia felt the tears finally dropping from her eyes. "Papa is now the past? You had breakfast with him yesterday!"
"Shut up Alessia!" Andrea snapped. Her voice was so loud, some guests had to look their way.
"Do you realize that we are now orphans? We have no blood family alive!" Andrea said to Alessia.
"That is is the specific reason why we should not me moving on..."
"Keep quiet and listen to me!" Andrea said cutting Alessia off. "You were so busy being papa's favorite that you seemed to forget we are part of the Costa Nostra! Papa was an underboss, he was second in command to the capo of Naples. Now that he is gone, his position is up for grabs."
Alessia did not know much about the mafia and it's rules. Her father restricted her knowledge of everything related to it.
Andrea resumed talking. "Anyone who takes father's position would automatically own us! We are just girls! These people would devour us!"
Alessia shook her head. "That means my suspicions were right."
Andrea grunted. "what suspicions?"
"Papa was murdered. Did you not see his body? There was a note. A note that said happy birthday..."
Andrea raised her hand dismissively. "Whatever you think you know, there is nothing you can do."
"What do you even mean by that?" Alessia queried.
Andrea glared at her. "Listen, I do not owe you an explanation. You already have an easy way out by getting married. Atleast you would be under Emiliano's protection. I have none so let me be!"
Alessia was hurt by her sister's words. "We need to fight for papa..."
"What I need to do is secure a match as soon as possible. There is no WE! Stay out of my way and keep me out of your plans!" Andrea warned before storming off.
Alessia was shattered. She never expected her twentieth birthday to bring so much pain.
Just as she was about to call it a night and go to her room, she heard some whispers behind her.
Intrigued, she turned around. Half of the people present were hopelessly staring at someone. Alessia tried to get a better look but it was in vain.
Suddenly, the crowd dispersed and made way for someone.
A tall man wearing a three piece black suit was walking in her direction. He had jet black hair and broad shoulders.
Alessia was left in a state of shock. She recognized those eyes.
The eyes that were described in her bed time stories.
The monster. The capomandamento of the Sicilian outfit.
Giovanni Enzo Tommaso.
- Writer
