8

Vincenzo

The proceedings of his funeral went as planned and soon enough, we all went back to living our normal lives, as some of the people said. Deep down, I knew that things wouldn’t be as they were before, something was missing whether we accepted it or not and no matter how we tried to hide that fact, it had a way of always showing itself.

The other pending activity that everyone seemed anxious about was the Will. Even though all of us assumed to an extent the content of it, courtesy still demanded we listen to it.

The family and the concerned board members were all gathered at the board room waiting for my father’s lawyer. There was a massive tension that filled the air. I was anxious as well but I had to keep it in. Antonio sat across the table from me with a wild smile on his face, he was finally going to get what he had always wanted and that would leave me with nothing.

The door opened and the lawyer strode in hastily, he had an apologetic face, he knew he had kept everybody waiting.

“I apologize for keeping you all waiting gentlemen and…” He paused and looked at the ladies, my mother, Camilla and Alejandra.

They ladies were not supposed to attend such a crucial meeting but they were family and he (my father) would’ve wanted them here. “And ladies.” He cleared his throat and continued.

“Can we get this over and done with?” Antonio growled at the man and he shot him back a glare.

“This is the final will and testament of Santino LaRosa.” Everybody’s attention rested on the lawyer as though he was the only thing that mattered, well, at that point, he was, he and the will was. “I, Santino LaRosa, being of sound mind, do hereby make…” Just as the man was about to go ahead with the introduction, impatient Antonio jumped in.

“Can you get to fucking point, we do not have all day here.”

“These are the man’s words, you have to listen.” The lawyer said. The other men were on Antonio’s side, too impatient. The lawyer took his time and began again from the beginning after the interruption from Antonio, this time, he didn’t cut in, he remained silent and listened.

“Antonio, my first son shall run the affairs of my conglomerate while Vincenzo will monitor from the ends. The decision of who takes over finally is to be made by my partners whom I believe are present in this meeting.

The estate and businesses in America are now my daughter’s Camilla whom I expect to marry a reputable man that she knows I will approve of. To my dearest wife, I have left a package for you with the lawyer, he will give it to you whenever you are ready.” And with that, the lawyer closed the file and dropped it on the table before him.

The room remained dead silent as though he had finished reading the will. The men looked at each other and waited for the most senior person to speak.

“Thank You Eric. You can leave.” Diego, my father’s closest friend and partner said. The lawyer got up immediately and headed out. I stood up to follow after him when a familiar voice spoke out to me.

“Sit!” Diego commanded. I looked at him in confusion but sat back in respect to him.

“You all have heard the content of the dead man’s will and I am sure you do not have any objections or do you?” He asked while looking at Antonio and I. While I remained quiet, Antonio had something to say.

“You all answer to me now.” He looked into the faces of the men and said.

“Antonio, you do not bite the finger that feeds you.” Diego growled back at him for making that statement in his face and the others.

“This conglomerate is bigger than your small mind and you need each and everyone in this room to make it work, gentlemen.” Diego turned around and walked away with the men following after him.

The elders never interfered with our cartel’s business, they only monitored the business the public believed we ran, even so, he (my father) held them in high regard and insisted they’d be informed of the cartel’s dealings.

Camilla walked up to me and placed a gentle peck on cheek as our mother’s eyes followed her.

“We’ll see at home, take it easy.” Her peck followed with the words. Without looking at the rest of the people in the room, she walked away. I grabbed mum’s hand and rubbed it gently. Camilla’s actions always left her wounded.

“Please take care of yourselves, Boys.” She said,

“Like you care.” Antonio pushed the chair beside him and he got up and left too. My siblings’ relationship with our mother had remained sour over the years but regardless, she was the most important person in my life.

Antonio took over the business temporarily, he was to manage it until the late man’s will was read. He had also used that opportunity to buy everyone to his side. It wasn’t hard for them to follow him because it was glaring that he was HIS favorite, even in death.

Even with the lot that was ongoing, my mind always shifted back to her. I left in a rather funny manner. Whenever I felt like there was too much going on, I would take some time to myself and think about how soothing her body was under mine.

“You shouldn’t have that look on your face all the time, Alejandra is already worried.” Pedro said.

“I want her, Pedro and it’s... it’s a hard feeling to ignore. Thinking about her is the only thing that keeps me sane.” I tried to be as honest as possible to Pedro because he knew more than anyone else what that stripper meant to me and my mental health.

“Do I bring her to you?” He asked the question that had lingered on me for some time.

“That would’ve been a good decision but I do not want these hungry vultures seeing I have developed a soft spot for a fragile girl and you know the contract with Alejandra states that I cannot be with another woman.” My marriage with Alejandra happened because we needed to maintain the relationship with the Mexican mafia. She is the first daughter of Don Ceballos and the heir to her father’s empire.

“No one has to know.”

“It is still risky. I will go back to see her when all this is over. In the meantime, let me know everything she is up to, where she goes, who she goes with, what she eats, when she eats…everything, Pedro, everything.” She wasn’t aware I had marked her but I couldn’t help the obsession that clutched my chest for her.

“Very well then…I umm…would want to head out now. I have some personal businesses to take care of.” His countenance changed immediately to a softer one and I knew he was going to see Camilla.

“Pedro…” I wanted to let him know I knew and I gave him all my blessings.

“No…I don’t want you to say it.” He dismissed my attempt before I could speak. His reasons were unknown to me but he figured out I knew and I wanted us to get comfortable with each other regarding the topic.

“I respect that.” And with that, he bowed and walked away.