Chapter 11 Unexpected Outcome
SANCIA
I didn't get to talk to Papa the next day as I had planned; we had all waited long into the day, and by the time we realized it was night, Papa still wasn't back. He had left the house early this morning, and from all indications, he wouldn't be back until midnight or dawn.
It wouldn't be a new thing for him to come home late; if I'm too honest, we've all gotten used to it. Isabella and I have been nervous wrecks. Me, because Isabella had pinned all her hopes on me. Which I didn't expect to be a burden, but it was, though. For her, I would do anything I could to help.
Isabella, because with every second that passes, her engagement draws near. When Papa wasn't back by 11 pm, Isabella had gone back to sobbing, not that she had stopped in the first place.
But with the hopes that Papa would listen to me(as though I had the powers of God) and stop her marriage with the new Capo, she had subsided with the outright sobbing, only sniffling and wiping the tears that kept sliding from her eyes.
Just like last night, we had stayed with her Mama and me, until my eyes started drooping closed. I had no choice but to finally retire to bed.
The next morning, on the very day of the engagement, I woke early to find Papa hadn't gone out yet. The house was in an uproar as maids meandered around cleaning, dusting, mopping, and whatnot.
Though Papa had said it was going to be a small affair, my mother had taken the mantle of making sure every corner of our mansion was sparkling clean before the arrival of Isabella, soon-to-be fiancée.
We were all at the dining table, this one much smaller than the one we had dined on when Papa had broken the news about Isabella’s engagement: me, Mama, Isabella, Aunt Lorena, and Lenny, her oldest son.
Mama had woken me up a couple of minutes ago because I had gone to sleep late, and I overslept. Fortunately, I didn't have lectures today; otherwise, I would have missed it.
When I came downstairs and saw my poor sister, my heart ached for her. She looked worse for wear; her eyes were bleary, a sign that she hadn't slept a wink, and despite Mama's urging, Isabella couldn't eat a morsel.
Seeing her in this condition hardened my resolve to talk to Papa. But I was so nervous about my meeting with him that I also barely ate anything.
Mama wasn't much better, though she was dressed elegantly as always. Today, she had on a knee-length light blue dress that brightened her overall demeanor.
The more worried or sad my mother is, the more sophisticated she dresses; it's a front, an armor she wears. Something Isabella has taken from her because, despite her current situation, she's still fully dressed in a powdered pink short-sleeved dress with a flowy skirt.
I was the only one in her pj's. The only effort I'd made with my appearance was brushing my hair, and that's because Mama would chew my head off if I came down to the breakfast table with my bed hair. Just then, Aunt Francesca and my four cousins came bustling through the door.
“Ciao Arianna, Lorena,” she greeted, exchanging air kisses with both women before she ushered Sera and Sofia inside and pushed them towards the stairs. Both girls pushed two trolleys, one probably with their dresses for later, and the other with their makeup.
My Aunt Francesca was a professional makeup artist who worked with women and brides in our society.
We all greeted each other, exchanging side hugs and kisses on the cheeks. Adamo and Lenny nodded to each other, making me roll my eyes with their pretentious manliness; they'd literally played together most of their lives. But the sad fact is, it's not pretentious. They were forced to grow up fast.
Christina sat beside me and helped herself to breakfast. At the same time, her mom inquired about the state of things. Chewing on a toast, Tina arched her brow.
“How's Isa?” she whispered.
“I don't know, she hasn't said much since I got down here. I'm going to talk to Papa and see if he would exchange her with someone else,” I whispered back. Tina choked, coughing. I passed her the orange juice, and she quickly took it and gulped it down.
“You're going to talk to your Papa?” Her eyes were wide like saucers.
“Yes.”
“Do you really think you could change his mind?” she asked with bewilderment.
The answer is no. I know, Papa, and I know nothing short of a miracle can change his mind, but for some reason, Isabella believes I can; even Mama hopes I can.
The truth is, I'm going to talk to him because I promised her that I would. Even though I knew it was futile, I had to try for her.
“I have to try, Christina, just look at her,” I said, my eyes on my beautiful sister.
“If Lorenzo is as ruthless and evil as they say. Isa would be miserable married to that kind of person, so I'm going to try for her sake.”
There was no enthusiasm in my voice, only cold dread, but I was never one to back down when I set my mind to do something.
“I wish you good luck, Cuz, but I don't envy you. Your Papa is scary as fuck,” Tina said, as though he wasn't her uncle.
“What are you girls talking about? Sancia, are you done eating?” Mama asked.
“No, Mama. I'll be done soon,” I lied, delaying the inevitable. For the next five minutes, I played with my food while I sadly watched Isabella and listened to my mother and aunties talking about the engagement later.
“Sancia, come take coffee to your father and uncle,” Mama said when she realized I wasn't interested in my breakfast any more than she was in hers. Mari was already holding her tray with two mugs of steaming coffee. That was thrust into my hands by my mother.
“What is going on here?” Aunt Francesca asked with an arched brow; Aunt Lorena paused her lips and glanced at Isabella. Mama did the same, hesitantly telling Francesca that I was going to try to talk to Papa.
“Oh Arianna, what makes you think my brother would listen to Sancia when he didn't listen to you when you're his wife?”
“Because…he always does what she wants and asks for even when I said no to her,” Mama admits.
“That's different Arianna we all know how much he loves Sancia but don't forget this is my brother we're talking about, this isn't just an ordinary thing it's a marriage alliance between two famiglias surely you could see where I'm going with this.
I understand your desperation and desire to protect Isabella, I feel the same because she's my niece and I love her but Carmelo has already made up his mind,” Francesca explained, her expression pained as though she hated being the one to do this.
My mother nodded, but I could see the stubborn tilt of her chin. “I know all this, Francesca. I tried to talk to your brother about it, but he wouldn't listee. We need a miracle, so we need to let Sancia try, who knows…” she said. “We won't know until we try.”
“All right, I'll go with her to the door,” Aunt Francesca said to me. I didn't blame her for not wanting to go in.
By God, Papa was an intimidating man. He wouldn't go out when there's an important event later. While growing up, despite his love for me, Papa never hesitated to punish me when I did something wrong, so that you can understand my hesitation.
Papa was in his office when I knocked on the door; my stomach cramped nervously when he gave his permission for me to enter.
I glanced at Aunt Francesca, who gave me an encouraging nod. I sent up a silent prayer, twisted the knob, and pushed. My sister's life and happiness depend on me. I can do this.
Papa was seated behind his big, dark mahogany table. Reading through several files as though he were the CEO of a big company, not the Capo of a mafia family, Uncle Romero was on the other side in the seating area where the leather couches were.
Just like Papa, he was rifling through some files. Papa had always treated me as a child, and as such, I couldn't show him or anyone that I knew more than I was allowed to.
Instead, I behave just like that, pouting and talking silly, perfectly portraying the image of a spoiled princess everyone expects me to be. Only my mother ever saw through me; she always calls me manipulative.
“Ciao Papà, Ciao Zio Romero,” I said in greeting to both men and, fulling walking into the lion’s den, careful not to walk fast and spill the coffee.
“What is it, Sancia? Do you need anything?” Papa asked without lifting his head from the papers in front of him.
“It's nothing, Papa; I just brought you some coffee and snacks; I thought you might be a little hungry,” I said in a cheerful voice, though my heart was pounding.
“La mia bella figlia(my beautiful daughter). Very thoughtful, isn't she, Romero?” Papa said, smiling fondly as I carefully handed him one of the coffees.
“Of Unclee,” my Uncle agreed, chuckling.
“Antonio is a lucky man; he'll be a fat man after your marriage.” Both of them chuckle as I blush. I took Uncle Romero his coffee and placed it on the center table, within reach, but away from the paperwork he was going through.
“Uncle, don't say such things. I'm still Papa's little girl. Antonio will have to wait a long time, right Papa?” I walked back and rounded the table as I said this and stood behind him, my hands draped over his shoulders.
“Right,” he agreed. It was quiet for a while as they both drank their coffee, and I wondered where even to start; sweat trickled down my spine, and even my palms were sweaty. Just then, Papa's voice startled me.
“Is there something you want, Sancia?”
“No, Papa. It's just I haven't seen you much since you arrived, and yesterday I waited for you, but you didn't come back home until after I went to bed,” I said and started massaging his neck and shoulders.
“I was busy with work,” he said, patting my hand that was over his shoulder.
“You don't want anything? Well, that's a surprise. I wonder why I suddenly feel like I'm being buttered up?” he asked with a chuckle, though there was a hint of warning there.
“That's because you are,” Uncle Romero said with a chuckle.
“Not you too, Papa, Uncle,” I said, pouting. Mama always said that I start massaging her whenever I want something. Which isn't true?
“Thank you for the coffee, but you'll have to excuse Uncle and me. We're busy trying to get some work done before the time for your sister's engagement…”
“Can you please stop this engagement, Papa?” I blurted anxiously. Dead silence greeted me; when neither he nor Uncle Romero said anything, I found my courage and kept going.
“Isa has been crying since you told us she's going to marry the enemy, Papa; she hasn't been sleeping or eating. Can't you please give him one of your underboss's daughters or something, Papa? She just lost Orazio,” I added so fast, afraid I might not be able to say it all.
Though I hated using that excuse of a man's name, I hope it would work. My heart hammered as the silence stretched on forever before Papa called my name.
“Sancia.”
“Yes, Papa,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, my heart pounding.
“Come over here so I can see you.” Papa's voice was as cold as Antarctica when I rounded the table and stood in front of his desk. I saw that his face was as hard as I've never seen it.
For the first time in my life, I felt as my siblings felt; though I'd always feared and loved Papa, he'd never looked at me like this.
“Sancia, I'm starting to regret being too soft on you. I think it's what gave you the impression that my words and decisions could be challenged,” he said in that tone he'd only ever use on his soldiers. A huge lump stuck in my throat.
“No, Papa I…”
“It's my fault, really,” he continued, cutting me off.
“For allowing both you and Isabella to come here to study. It was a foolish mistake that happens when you listen to women. But it can be amended. Orazio has been dead for two years, and I've been generous with Isabella, giving her time to mourn his loss.
So you shouldn't worry about your sister's marriage; she'll be fine. I suggest you start preparing because your wedding to Antonio is three months away. After Isabella’s wedding, of course, you'll be going back home with us.”
“Papa, please…” panicked, I started to say, hoping I could beg him for understanding. Regret was swift inside me. What was I thinking?
“Leave now and tell whoever sent you that this marriage will happen no matter what.” Those were his final words. I walked out with legs as weak as jelly, wishing I could turn back time.
My mother, Isabella, and my Aunties took one glance at me and instantly understood what my mouth couldn't say as tears I'd been fighting slid down my cheeks.