Chapter 7

Ricardo went on explaining how he organized his money by creating the company with him as CEO, justifying all that money that investors would suspect came from. More job opportunities for everyone, children who would go to school for a better education. There would be no need for specialists from abroad, but instead, people would be given the opportunity to study and make their contribution to their country. Later he left the place without eating and headed to the east side mansions to see his mom and sister.

As he left, Hamiz said in a serious tone:

-”Now that everyone knows my decision, I will see your attitude in the following days. Ricardo wants no killing or threatening around our country, including the southern tribes. And Omer, your right place is being the right hand of your cousin, not coming around threatening people.”

Everyone was shocked by the modern ideas of Hamiz and his supporters went on with some comments which did not affect his humor.

Mehmet did not want to accept, but he felt a bit betrayed by his father. First he gave the position to his brother, Ricardos' father, and now he does not want to give the position to his eldest son, but what else can he do?

The next day, Mehmet and his sons gathered in his father's office to discuss a plan to get rid of Ricardo and take him out of sight with not much noise. Omer had his idea to embarrass Ricardo in front of the investors when they arrive. They would tell one of the people that was against the new idea of respecting women as equal to judge any woman in the family in the square plaza in the center of the city at the time when his cousin would pass there to show them the downtown. In their tradition, one that would disturb someone from judging a woman in front of all would have to take care of the woman to even marry her, otherwise it would offend the males of the family.

Either Ricardo had to run to save the girl or let the investigators enjoy the violent scene. So he would marry her and Omer would oblige the girl to kill Ricardo by making it her fault, so no one would suspect that Omer had something to do with it.

-”Nice thought, brother. I have just the right men in my head for this job. Jusuf is having a hard time disciplining his sister since she started studying. Certainly he would do the job. After all, everyone would like to marry their sister in our clan and would be lucky for them.” - said Kane.

……..

It had been two weeks already and Catalina got the answer when she applied for her job abroad. In the envelope was her confirmation of her plane ticket and some papers with information about the country of Almor, but as always Catalina never gave too much attention to extra information. It was in the countryside of Almor, the origins of her grandmother, but she never went to visit there. She was more than happy, so she started to pack her clothes, make-ups, also her screwdriver that she took with her when she used to go out at night partying in case anyone would molest her, some candies, a lot of alcohol bottles, a lot of shampoo, cheap jewelry and decoration, her performance clothes and shoes. There was a total of 5 kinds of luggage, so she wanted to have everything done by the end of the week as her plane would depart early in the morning. By Wednesday, she met all her friends, colleagues and neighbors and was done with all the necessary shopping.

On Thursday she also went to bid farewell to some friends of hers that were gypsies and one of them even suggested she take something from them for good luck. She met her friend's aunt, and she gave her a lucky pendant and also sang some kind of matra. She told Catalina that her journey would be difficult and would be life-changing for her and the pendant would protect her from evil deeds and eyes. She took it and celebrated with them for some hours before heading home.

Her grandmother was shocked when she saw all the luggage Catalina left at the front door to prepare for the next day's flight. After that, she was ready. She took her niece to her room and talked to her before telling each other goodnight.

-”My dear Catalina, you know you are a strong woman, ready to open your wings in this world and, me, just an old woman who feels proud of you, my dear. Before you leave I wanted to give something to you.. ” - said her grandmother, and gave her a wrapped cloth. “I am more than proud to say that you became a choreographer and followed the dance school and chose your own passion, something that I had to cut at some point of my life.”

-”Oh, nana… don’t say that. You know that I love you. Don’t forget that you taught me the first steps and had so much fun together. Like dahhhh…. Who has a sexy and fine grandmother like mine? You are a charmer, nana.” - Catalina said, while winking an eye.

-”Oh stop it you child! Don’t make fun of an old woman.”- Nana said. “Here you have a fine bellydance costume of mine that I never used after coming to Spain but kept it as a souvenir to remember for all my life, and now it is pointless to keep it more in my closet. It’s a bit of an old model, but I fixed it and saw all the holes and decorations that needed repair. Just in case you want to use it, you will always have a piece of me with you.”- and hugged Catalina tight.

-”I will hold it dear, nana. Thank you! I will certainly use it on any special occasion.” - replied Catalina. Together they hugged and kissed more, but then her grandmother told her to go and rest because she should be fresh for her flight.

Salute my homeland child. May God be with you. Nana thought to herself.