Your Favourite Crime

36

Ethan

"Hey."

I look up at my birth-father, before looking back down.

"Have you ever had Arabic coffee?" he asks, moving around the kitchen. "It's called Qahwah arabiyya. It's really bitter, but that's because I add no sugar, but that's on preference. This cup... is called a-"

"finjān" I mumble

"Yeah. Yeah, finjān," He nods. "You remember Arabic?"

"No. I just remember that," I lie. I'm really good at remembering languages for some reason. Speaking isn't my strong suit, unless it's french or english.

"Here. Have some," he slides the cup over the island and it stops in front of me.

I've had it a couple of time when I was younger. I like it.

"I'm good," I whisper

The kitchen goes quiet and when I look up, he's staring at me.

"I was like you when I was your age. Quiet. Never talked to anyone. Protected my sister. I was a good kid," he chuckles

"And then my parents moved us from Lebanon to Canada and I became one with the Western culture. Fell into the wrong crowd and ended up in the wrong career," he goes on

"When you were younger I was always away. I was hustling trying to make money... Trying to get here. I was trying to make a better life for you and your sister. And I didn't realize how badly Lisa was treating you two until it was too late."

"For years I've been trying to get you two back. Because I actually want you, Lisa doesn't. She just... She doesn't like the fact you're being raised by someone else, that other people know about her issues," he explains

He's lying. He just needs a heir. But why now?

"I was thinking that you and Flavia could come to work with me. I have to go in for a few hours," he suggests

"Flavia stays. With Flora," I demand quietly

"Whatever you want, boss."

____________

"Do you know what this is?"

I nod my head as I look at the white contents.

It's cocaine. I recognize it from when I was younger. Lisa had packs and residue everywhere.

We walk through the warehouse and he looks at all the products.

"These guys handle all the weighing and packing. Once they're done that, they bring it over here. To these people. They're the distributors. They have different areas they have people to distribute my products. They count it and get it ready to go to their distribution spots. After that, they meet with their team and they sell the product. By the end of the week, they bring me the money and whatever they did distribute," he explains while we walk

There are at least 20 men counting different packages.

"These guys... take it internationally. To the states, to Mexico, back to Lebanon. That brings in the big money," he smirks

We keep walking until we get to a office. When we enter, he rounds the desk and sits.

"Sit. I have to make some phone calls," he says and I sit on the chair, uncomfortably, across from him.

He starts talking on the phone, in Arabic. As he talks I realize that he's talking about me.

"He's home... Give me a few days, let me ease him into it," He says

I was right, he just needs me. He doesn't want me.

For a drug dealer he's horrible at sensing when someone is lying.

He talks complete nonsense after and I sit bored in the blank and empty office.

When he's done, he goes to checking his computer.

"Do you love Lisa?" I ask quietly

The room is quiet before he says, "To a certain extent."

I furrow my eyebrows and he keeps going.

"You always love someone to a certain extent. Doesn't matter who. You could love someone but there's always a part of you that will hate them."

This guy's delusional, but I nod my head as if I understand and relate.

The rest of the time we sit in the office until it's time for his people to leave distribute.

"That one... I have a feeling he's taking my money. He always comes up short... So what do I do? My people are at his house, they're going to threaten his families life," He whispers as we watch them pack up their vans

Soft.

My cousins would have killed his whole blood line in front of him. And then him. Even if he didn't take the money.

"Let's go. I think you've seen enough for today," he grips my shoulder and starts walking towards the exit and I follow, ready to get out of this place.

_____________

"Come on, Princess Flavia."

"Prince Ethan!" Flavia beams when she sees me

"Hi, Princess," I pick up my little sister and hold her against me. "Did you have fun with Flora?"

"So much fun!" she smiles widely

I put her down and tell her to go brush her teeth. Once she's in the washroom I tell Flora everything that's happened today.

"He has Lung cancer. Two years left before he's six feet under. So he probably wants to keep a 'Family business' type thing. Which is why they suddenly wanted you two back," Flora tells

"That's so fucked," I shake my head

"Did you get the address? Once I tell Frankie this, you guys should be able to go home," Flora asks

I tell her the location and she writes it down on her little notepad.

"Listen... My job was just to get you two back to your parents. I wasn't promised to go back alive. So if you don't see me, that means that everything went right. I wish you and you sister nothing but the best, Ethan," she tells

"Thank you, Flora," I hug her quickly

"You're welcome... Have a good night," she says before leaving the room.

I sit on the bed with a deep frown at the fact Flora might not get to go home. Back to her family.

"All done!" Flavia beams, coming out of the bathroom.

"Let's go to sleep. It's late."

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