Orders in Blinks
Orders in Blinks
IZZY'S POV
Later that day, I decided to see my father. I pushed open the heavy door to my father’s room, the room was quiet. He was sitting propped up against pillows, eyes alert but hands still. Just seeing him like that made my chest tighten.
“Hey,” I said softly, stepping closer. “It’s me.”
His eyes followed me, slow but focused. I leaned down and put a hand on the railing of the bed. He didn’t say anything, didn’t move, but then, just slightly, he blinked once. A signal, I swallowed.
“You want to talk?” I asked, crouching a bit so I was closer to his line of sight. He blinked twice.
I nodded. “Okay. Two blinks mean yes, one means no. Got it.”
He blinked once. I frowned. “No? Or just confused?”
Two blinks. I let out a quiet laugh. “Okay, we’re on the same page. That’s something.”
I pulled the chair closer and sat down, keeping my eyes on him. “I came by because… well, we need to talk. I need to understand what you’re thinking. What you’re planning.”
He slowly reached for the notepad that sat on the bedside table. His hand shook, but he gripped the pen and scribbled something.
“Orders.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Orders? From you? Dad, I’m running things now. I need guidance, not a command center.”
He blinked once.
“Fine, fine,” I said, holding up my hands. “I’ll play along, what orders?”
He scribbled again, more forceful this time:
“Check Vance. Loyalty.”
I let the notepad rest on my lap and thought for a second. Councilman Vance of course. He had always been… slippery. “You think he’s a problem?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
He blinked twice.
“Okay, double blink. Got it. I’ll watch him, don’t worry, Dad, I know how to handle this. I’ve been testing everyone anyway.”
He nodded slightly. Then he blinked once, pointedly, and wrote,
“Exile Marco. Now.”
I stared at the paper. My stomach did a little flip. “Now? Seriously? You want me to move against him today?”
He blinked twice, slow and deliberate.
I leaned back in the chair, trying to steady my thoughts. “Alright. I can do it but I need to make sure the rest of the crew stays loyal. Marco going out means they’ll test me even harder.”
He blinked once, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips or maybe I imagined it.
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll handle it. But you owe me, Dad. I need you to trust that I can run this without stepping on my own neck.”
Two blinks.
“Okay, I hear you,” I said, tapping the notepad. “But while we’re at it, I need more than just orders. I need your perspective, you’ve been running this family for decades. I need to know what you think.”
He scribbled again,
“Make decisions, hard and quick. Do not hesitate.”
I nodded slowly. “I know. You’ve drilled that into me since I could walk these halls but now… now it’s different. The weight feels heavier, people aren’t just testing me, they’re watching. Everyone.”
He blinked once.
“Yeah, I get it,” I said softly. “Every choice I make, someone’s judging it. But I need to do it my way, that’s the only way it’ll stick. That’s how people will follow me.”
He reached for the pen again, writing carefully.
“Respect earned, not given. Watch faces.”
I smirked a little. “You’re teaching the old tricks even now. Fine, I’ll watch. Believe me, I’ve been learning.”
He blinked twice.
I took a deep breath and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Dad… I know you don’t trust easily. You’ve always been like that but trust me on this, I can handle Marco. I can handle anyone trying to test me.”
He blinked once, a bit impatiently.
“Okay, okay,” I said, raising my hands. “I know, I’ll move fast but don’t make it sound like I’m asking permission. I’m telling you, I’m doing it.”
He scribbled, sharp this time.
“Then act, show control and show strength.”
I felt a small shiver of satisfaction. “You always say that, huh? Strength matters more than words, I get it. Believe me, I’ve been proving it every day.”
He blinked twice. Then, almost quietly, he wrote.
“Do not fail. Family watches.”
I clenched my jaw. “I won’t, I can't. I don’t plan to but you make it sound like it’s easy.”
He gave a slow nod, blinking once.
I leaned back and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Alright. I would do as you say.”
He blinked twice, approvingly.
“Good,” I said, feeling the weight in my chest lighten just a fraction. “I just… I needed to hear it. Your words of advice, in a way. Even if it’s just blinking and scribbling.”
He blinked once. Then he scribbled.
“Never forget. Power isn’t kindness, It’s action.”
I nodded slowly. “I hear you. Every word, every blink. I’m not here to play nice, Dad. I’m here to keep this family together and if someone steps out of line, they’ll learn the hard way.”
He looked at me, eyes steady. No words, just presence and somehow, that was enough.
I stood, smoothing my skirt and taking one last look at him. “I’ll check in later. I’ll bring updates.”
Two blinks.
“Alright,” I said, smiling faintly. “Talk soon, Dad.”
I walked toward the door, my mind already racing through the plans. Everyone had a role to play, and I needed to make sure no one got ahead of me but the look in my father’s eyes looked sharp even through weakness, reminding me why I did this. Why I couldn’t fail.
The door clicked softly behind me. Matteo waited outside, leaning against the wall.
“You okay?” he asked, nodding toward the wing.
“I will be,” I said, adjusting my posture. “But we’ve got work to do, it's an order from the boss,” I added with a half-smile.
He gave a small chuckle. “Even if he only blinks and scribbles?”
I shrugged. “Even then. He
’s testing me, he always has and I’m ready.”
Matteo stepped aside. “Then let’s make sure everyone else knows it too.”