Chapter 7

Vincenzo’s POV

The mansion was utterly quiet. From the main gate, I could feel the gloom that stuck in the air, it was a feeling no one could miss and that meant something ‘not good’. The guards had tight jaws and pale faces. Mother had mentioned earlier that he was in a bad place but seeing the guards wearing such looks, I concluded it was way above bad.

“Seems like the old man has taken the long walk.” Pedro after letting out a long sigh said.

I wanted to respond but the words didn’t come, they just couldn’t. My father and I were not the best of friends and we disagreed on so many things but I didn’t want him to take that long walk so soon.

I wanted him to be alive long enough to see that I could build something of my own. Because of Antonio’s regular sabotage, my father never really trusted me. His actions towards me broke my heart every time and no matter how much I tried, he just never saw the good I did. Building the Texan empire for me was a way of proving to my father that I was everything he thought I wasn’t.

Pedro drove up the hill which the main house sat pretty on. My father was the type of person that would never build a house close to the city and the rest of the world so we lived a bit far away from the Beverly Hills of Italy. From afar, anyone could see the stunning luxury villa that sat still on the mountain.

I stepped out of the car and in slow strides, I made my way to the entrance.

The moment I stepped into the room, a heavy silence enveloped me like a thick fog. Antonio sat on the chair he (my father) usually sat in, my mother and some close family friends and relatives were also there. The atmosphere was somber and the only sound present was the murmurs of hushed conversations.

While some of the people there genuinely cared about my father, some were happy he had taken the ‘long walk’.

“I should take my leave now.” My mother walked up to me and said.

“Thank you for being here. I will come and see you tomorrow.” She pulled me in for a hug. My mother gave the warmest hugs. The moment I buried myself into her arms, streams of tears began to roll down my cheeks.

I didn’t think I would shed a tear if he passed. My mother slowly patted my back while mumbling some words into my ears. “Be careful, you know these blood suckers do not care about you or your father.” The words she said were not alien to me, I already knew them and what they had in mind.

“Do not let them see those tears.” She wiped them off immediately and we pulled away from each other.

One by one, everyone left, Camilla, Antonio, the rest of the staff and I were the only ones left. The only person missing was him yet the air still stuck with tranquility. How could the absence of one person cause such? I thought to myself but then he meant different things to everybody and I guess that was their way of paying their respects, being quiet.

“You haven’t said a word.” Pedro said after being with me all evening.

“There are no words.” I replied. “Like you said, he has taken the long walk.”

“What do you think happened?” I was waiting for the question and probably an answer to that question all night. “He didn’t look ill.” Pedro added.

“I know… His son should have the answers.” By his son, I meant Antonio. My father ran a dangerous business, he was the reason why many lives were lost, he had many enemies and there were more than a million ways and reasons for killing him but those ways could only be successfully carried by someone who knew him in toto.

“Do you want me to look this up?” Pedro asked.

“To what end? He is dead.”

“Your father is Santino LaRosa, anybody who could take him down must’ve had the guts and intelligence. I don’t think we should ignore such a person.” I understood what Pedro meant and he was right.

“Let me know your findings by tomorrow.” And with that, Pedro walked out.

I really didn’t understand why suddenly a part of me felt lost and completely broken, the man never loved me and I was positive I felt nothing for him. I was supposed to be happy that he was no more yet I broke down any minute I thought of him.

The morning light crept in hesitantly and the atmosphere was still as heavy with grief as it was yesterday. The birds oblivious to the sorrow that was present in the household sang their morning songs outside. The morning after was a time of quiet reflections, a time to process the loss and come to terms with the new reality.

I freshened up and lazily headed downstairs. Pedro was already at the dining table waiting for me.

“You didn’t wink a bit,” Pedro said when he noticed the large bags under my eyes.

“I tried…this is a new emotion and I am not sure how to deal with it.” I pulled the chair and sat down.

“I totally understand and welcome to the club.” Pedro threw in a joke aiming to erase the gloominess a bit. He had lost both his parents some years ago so he understood what I was going through.

“So… did you find anything?”

“Not quite… I had a few hitches.” I raised an eyebrow at him because he wasn’t one to stammer. He clearly didn't go through it.

“I ran into Camilla, she was crying a lot and no one was with her.” He said while looking down. I knew he was lying anyway but I understood him. Camilla was our father’s little girl, they were so close and Camilla loved the man too much. His death ushered a deep pain to her and Pedro was the right shoulder she could cry on.

“How is she?”

“Not good… her eyes are puffed, she’s been crying a lot and I fear she might get sick.” His tone screamed worry.

“I should go see her.”

“Yeah, you should… meanwhile, Antonio has informed the press and they are already building tents outside. What do we do?”

“Nothing, I saw that coming anyway. We are not going to get involved in this entire process. The shipment from Russia arrives today so we need to be there to make sure everything goes well. We’ll leave when I return from Camilla’s.” I got up and headed out.

The mansion had three wings, mine, Antonio’s and Camilla’s. He didn’t want us staying far from him as long as he lived. The distance between mine and Camilla’s was about a kilometer so I had to drive there. My father had acquired a vast land and built it from the ground to suit us all.

The pressmen flashed their cameras in the near distance and tried to call my attention with their high pitched voices but I ignored them. The only thing they cared about was the next gossip to add to their tabloids.

The guards at Camilla’s bowed and moved away as I approached the door. Her all pink apartment looked the same as it did the last time I visited. Her butler, Rancho walked in with a piece of clothing in his hand, he looked like he was doing some work.

“Good morning Son.” Rancho had worked with us for over twenty five years. He began as a gardener before my father promoted him to Camilla’s butler. We also had a pretty good relationship and he often referred to me as ‘Son’

“Morning Rancho. How are those old bones?” I took his hand in a firm and hearty handshake. His sad eyes sparkled with amusement for a moment.

“Getting weaker by the day.” He replied. “Even weaker now that the old man has taken the leap.” He was referring to my father. Rancho and my father were in the same age grade but he always referred to him as the old man.

I had no words whenever someone talked about my father so as usual, I was going to avoid talking about him.

“How is Camilla?” I asked. Rancho sighed and looked at me, he knew I never talked about the man.

“It’s still fresh, she’ll get over it with time.” He answered. “I have to be at the main house, the funeral directors will be there soon and Antonio wants all of us there.” From Rancho’s voice, I could deduce what he meant, he wanted me to be there as well.

“I will go in and see my sister now.” I walked away before Rancho could say another word.

Camilla was curled up in her bed like a little girl. Her figure became small overnight. She looked over at me with her tear-swollen eyes. I sat on the bed and pulled her closer to me. She looked miserable.

“How are you?” I asked knowing fully well she wasn’t fine.

“I am never going to see him again.” She broke out in cries again. I drew closer and held her gently. She placed her cheek over my shoulder as she cried. Her tears soaked into my shoulder and I could feel her pain. I stroked her hair slowly and consoled her.

In that moment, I could feel my own grief slowly seeping away. No matter how much I tried to fight the way I felt towards his demise, I couldn’t help it. I loved him.

After some minutes, Camilla quieted down, I could only hear small sobs. I continued stroking her hair to make sure she was calm now. She pulled away and looked at me.

“How’re you?” She asked in her breaking voice.

“I will be fine. We will all be.” I held her hands and assured her.

“I hope so.” She said with a smile. That was reassuring, I knew she would be alright soon. Camilla was a baby but she had our father’s personality.

“You should freshen up. Antonio has invited the Funeral Directors, you should be there to make sure they give him a befitting final moment. You knew him better.” I knew him better, Yes! But Antonio became his favorite.

“Rancho informed me but what about you?” Camilla always tried to mediate between him and me so it wasn’t surprising she anticipated me to be there.

“I have shipment coming in today, moreover, Alejandra will be there.” She simply rolled her eyes at my statement of defense. She never got along with Alejandra.

“You should be there Vin, he is your father, our father. The shipment can wait or better still Pedro and your men can handle it. I want you there.” Camilla was trying to convince me but I had already made up my mind not to get involved in the whole process, I was going to show up at the burial ground anyway.

“I’m sorry.” I said and got up while her eyes followed me screaming ‘please’. “Let me know if you need anything. Also, let Pedro know you are okay. He is worried.” She sighed and nodded. Convinced that she could pull through the day by herself, I gave her an assuring nod and headed out.