'Apparently there's no way I can leave Adriano's mafia,' I say to Dominico. 'Without dying that is.'
We're in his office and he's smoking. He told Christianto to leave and give us space.
'There is one way.' He says, letting out a cloud of smoke. 'And that's by another mafia taking you in.'
'How do I do that?' I ask.
'You need to tell them and try to survive by yourself until the other mafia takes you in.' He explains. 'Sometimes it takes months and people end up dying.'
My blood runs cold.
'I'm thinking about it.' I reply.
'That's good, I'll be here whenever your ready,' he says.
'I have another question.' I say.
He makes a movement with his hand as if telling me to go on.
'Who's Fouzia and how come she suddenly showed up?' I ask.
'And why would you think I'd know?' He laughs.
'Like you said, you have eyes everywhere.' I narrow my eyes.
'You're a smart girl.' He puts down his cigarette and leans back on his chair. He wipes his tanned oily forehead.
I smile stiffly.
'That Fouzia girl is from my mafia.' He says carelessly.
My heart drops.
'What?' I ask.
'Vittoria came to me, and asked for a girl and I gave her one.' He smirks. 'It's not my fault if she's taking him away from you.'
Vittoria?
'Vittoria'a been here before?' I ask.
'Yes, she was here with Adriano.' He replies.
'Fouzia's not the reason he's been acting weird.' I say through gritted teeth. 'Like you said Adriano's not to be trusted.'
Adriano definitely knows that Fouzia came from Dominico.
After all he does trust her more than me.
He places the cigarette in his mouth, and Christianto bursts into the room.
'Sir we need you now,' he says.
'Are you sure?' Dominico asks.
'Yeah, it's important.' He replies.
'Stay here, I'll be right back.' He says.
I nod as he walks out of the room with Christianto. As soon as the door closes behind them I jump up and start looking around.
Something's going on here and I need to know what.
I walk around the big desk and there's documents scattered everywhere and cigarette ashes.
I open his drawers and look through them.
All I find are pieces of documents. Nothing important, just deals between associates.
I start searching the bookcase and don't have any luck until I find a box behind a couple books.
I take out the books and open the box.
A silver gun is inside, accompanied with a matching knife.
I take them out and put them on the desk. I sit down on Dominicos chair and look through it.
I find some burnt pictures and ignore them until one catches my eyes.
I've seen that before.
But where?
I take a closer look at the burnt picture and remember.
I take off my pendant and open it up. The exact same picture is inside but in the larger version a hole is burnt in my mother's face.
Wait this means that-
Shit.
'No fucking way,' I mumble.
Dominico De'Bardi is my grandfather.
I'm Dilara De'Bardi.
I look at the other pictures and all of them are burnt around the edges, or there are burn holes where my mother is supposed to be.
Why wouldn't Dominico tell me this informations when I first met him.
'What are you doing?' A voice asks and I look up to see Dominico and Christianto in the doorway.
I take my gun off safety and aim it at them.
'Why didn't you tell me?' I ask.
'Tell you what?' He asks.
'Don't play dumb grandpa.' I snarl.
He smiles at me.
I show the picture and my locket to him and he smiles softly.
'Did you know about this?' I ask.
'Yes, that's the reason I was stalking you.' Christianto explains. 'So I could keep you safe for Dominico.'
'When were you going to tell me?' I snap.
'When we knew you were ok and comfortable,' Dominick explains. 'We couldn't tell you while you were grieving.'
'How long have you known?' I ask.
They both stay silent.
'How long have you fucking known!' I yell, cocking the gun.
'Since we heard that Audrey Caesar's daughter step foot in California.' He replies.
'And you've just decided to reach out for me?' I ask.
'We didn't know you knew mafias existed until someone saw you with Adriano at 'family event.' He says.
'Does this mean you're going to join us?' Christianto asks.
Shit.
'I need to process this.' I sigh, rubbing my forehead.
I put the gun and picture down and put on my locket.
I sit down.
'How?' I ask.
'Your mother was never into violence, she always craved fame.' Dominico explains. 'Until one day she ended up getting pregnant with you and ran away, changing her surname and living in another city.'
'That's why you want to protect me.' I breathe. 'Because I'm family, but that also means-'
'That your the heir of the mafia, if you want to take that role.' Christianto finishes.
'And why did you want to protect me?' I ask.
'Our mothers were best friends when she was living here, before my mum became an addict.' He explains. 'I'm also a very loyal soldier to Dominico and maybe one day, you.'
'Will you join us?' Dominco asks. 'Will you become Dilara De'Bardi?' He sticks out his hand for me to shake.
'I'm sorry,' I say. 'I need time to think about what I'm doing, I can't just rush into things.'
'Of course,' Dominco says. 'My doors are always open for you, remember that.'
'Thank you,' I reply.
I walk out of the office with Christianto and stop in my tracks.
'Does that mean you being my friend and being nice to me was all a facade?' I ask.
'That's all real,' Christianto replies. 'I'll always be here for you and I want you to remember that.'
I stay quiet and keep on walking.
'This is a lot to take in I'm sure, but you're lucky to have someone to take you in and lead you.' He says.
He stops walking and I turn to him.
Christianto hugs me and kisses my forehead.
There's still a heavy weight on my shoulders.
'I have to blindfold you now.' He says.
I nod and he takes it out of his pocket and everything goes black.
*AUTHORS NOTE*
Omg who knew Dominico was Dilara's Grandfather??? ( I did!). I hope you're all enjoying the story.
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Have a nice day!