Who is the Mafia

THIRD TIE

I was sitting comfortably at one of wooden benches outside, by the old ficus tree in front yard. Cool air blows my hair and the leaves from the tree leaving a fancy shade for meditating.

I’m thinking about this preparation for choosing the successor. It’s like a ticking bomb that’ll explode.

Salvador family isn’t great at any angle anyone make me see. It has flaws, imperfections, unspoken stuffs, dirt along the tails and competition of blood related. We’re pretty crappy if I may say. Like really, have to deal with people who shoves not just food until you’re choking, even lowkey diss and hate.

I’m a good one so I let them be, specially my cousins. Since, as they say “follow us because we’re older, we know what’s good and not.” I just want to roll my eyes and slap the back of their heads until their eyeballs drop. Although I wouldn’t do anything about them, they just make things difficult for their own.

“Don’t think about them that much, you know yourself they aren’t healthy.”

I snapped out from my thoughts and looked at the direction where the voice came from. She nodded at me and sat beside me, to my left.

“I can’t help it, especially at this point.” I said, looking away from her and to the fountain.

“Philomena Svea Costas, I think you're thinking way far ahead.” She plainly drops.

My eyes big from what she said, I turned my direction back to her.

“Adira Mionne Baylen! What are you even— “

“I agree to what she said.” Came a voice, interrupting mine.

Turned to my right and saw Rupert, “you two should stop pestering me, really.” I snickered at them. Seriously this two, Rupert and Adira. My nieces, first and second of the fourth line of the family.

Rupert is the son of Valentina, my cousin, first of the succession line. She got pregnant out of marriage, because the man got married a year just before Rupert happen. He is quite a delinquent but still follows the eldest, Adira, me and some older than him. He is the other half of middle universe with Adira, they share a lot of things, secrets and stuffs.

If I’m other people and does not know that they are second cousins, I’ll mistake them for lovers or siblings. They act like lovers at times, for example right now. Adira is sitting on my left and Rupert sat by her left and rest his head by Adira’s shoulder. But it looks like what siblings do too, damn this two.

“Stop thinking things about us, we can hear your thoughts by your facial expression.” Adira said completely without even looking at me. Rupert chuckled knowing what’s happening.

“Stop reading me then! Ugh,” I retorted in annoyance.

Adira is the only daughter of Maoz Vare Baylen, their case is same with Valentina although her mom died not married to another. Her mom died giving birth to her, even before Maoz and her mom got married.

And the fact that these two grew up together, their bond is something I can’t put a line on.

“You two, ever plan on leaving this family?” I asked out of the blue, whilst looking at the orange trees.

I felt their eyes lingered on me before answering.

“I can, but I won’t.” Adira answered first, “there are things you would rather not do for the sake of something or someone.”

She has a point, there’s no point if there are a lot more at stake. If I leave the family for my own satisfaction, mom and dad will be lonely since I’m their only child.

“You can, you shoudn’t. Simple.” Rupert second, “our family can’t be left at this moment.”

I immediately bend over to look at Rupert’s direction, “what do you mean?”

He shot me a glance and closed his eyes after.

“It is what it is.”

Their words ring in my head, we have the ability and resources to leave but the things and people we are leaving behind is mix of oil, water and mud. Once abuelo and abuela pass the successorship, the family is at the hand of the new and who knows? He or she might throw all other relatives besides their own family, enjoying the greatness they didn’t work for.

A servidora came to our direction and she bowed once she’s a foot away.

“Dinner is being served, the eldest is calling for all.” She bent down once again and motion for us to go.

“Thank you, we’ll go there by ourselves.” I motioned for the two to come and accompany me through, which they agreed lazily.

By means, besides mom and dad, these two are one of the closest to me. Even though I am one level ahead of them by the family position. I think Adira’s IQ is high enough that she acts and think like a fifty-year-old, even if she’s just ten. Same goes for Rupert, in his case though, EQ is a bit lacking. Really lacking always but shows whenever needed.

“Mena.” I heard Rupert call.

I just noticed we are already at the doors in the dining.

“Get ready, we’re entering the room to be filled of snakes.”

I smirked at Adira’s expression, “yeah well, shall we?” I moved and opened the door.

The dining hall is almost full when we three got there. Three big chandeliers light up the long dining table while the other two end chandeliers are a bit smaller because of lanterns sprawled nearby.

The room is glowing more because of those candle lit chandeliers and lanterns, even because the hall is filled with festive decorations. From elegant yet colorful cloth that hangs by the window, the cushion seat, the flowers adorning the vases, classic white ceramic plates, silver utensils and food feast that is being served one by one.

We are the first one to be inside besides Maya and Edward.

The table consists of forty seats, two seats by the end for abuelo and abuela, nineteen seats by sides.

I sat by the left of abuela’s side, fourth seat.

Waiting, stand by.