Cecília

Cecília

I was unsure whether I would go to the meeting or not, I knew it could be an ambush since the mafia heir was missing, the other was hospitalized and there was only me to command. However, it was Antônio he was talking about, and my love for him spoke louder.


“Madam… madam…” I heard Lorenzo call me.


“Yes, I'm sorry, what is it?” I replied.


“You're very thoughtful, and from what I know it can't be a good thing,” he said, raising an eyebrow.


In all this time Lorenzo had gone from a security guard to my advisor and friend, he helped me with everything and sometimes we even talked about everything.


“Lorenzo, how many times have I told you to stop calling me ma'am, that's annoying and I'm not old,” I replied.


“It's a matter of hierarchy, ma'am, I can't treat my commander for less than she deserves, besides, you can't change the conversation, what is she thinking?” besides thinking I was old, I was still bold.


“So we do this in public, you keep calling me ma'am, but when we're alone like now you call me by my name, I can't stand being called ma'am,” I said.


“Okay, sir..., Cecília,” he agreed. “Now tell me, if I know that look well, you must be thinking about something very bad.”


I don't know if I should tell him, but I also couldn't go alone, if it was an ambush someone would have to be there to at least try to help me, besides Lorenzo had already shown me that he was on my side.


“I got a call last night who told me they would give me news about the youngest bastard, so I assume it's Antonio. He asked me to meet him at the pier at 7,” I said.


“Cecília, I don’t think…”


“You can't ask me not to go there, I need to know if he's talking about Antônio, I need to know if Antônio is alive or if he's dead, I'm telling you because I trust you and I want you to go with me,” I threw everything the story in his lap.


“This could be an ambush, then the organization would go to the man Dominick can't stand,” he explained.


“Don’t ask me this, I need to know. I just want to know if you’ll come with me?” I summoned him.


“Of course I will, I'm tasked with looking after you, I just hope it's not an ambush because we'll be vulnerable there,” he replied.


“Just one more thing before you fill me in on the organization’s affairs. Were you the one who put me to bed?” I asked.


Lourenço completely changed his features, turning slightly red.


“I'm sorry, ma'am, I didn't mean to take advantage of you, however....”


“I want to thank you, you were fundamental at that moment, if I hadn't had that support, I might not be here right now. You have been a great friend, I never thought I would find any support in an organization like this,” I said.


“Not everyone is bad people, we were born into this here, it is our roots, our life,” he said.


"I understand. Now let’s get to the problems,” I said and smiled.


There were long hours of problems to be solved, orders to be given and decisions to be made. I didn't think it would be as difficult as it was, I thought it would just be decisions about loading drugs, and about killing people, I know that was my prejudgment. However, everything went through the leader, from dating to permission for a marriage. From selling one house to buying another. And even whether or not a woman could go to college, it was surreal how they depended on Dom for everything. I listened to all the advice that Lourenzo gave me on each subject, but of course, I made my own decisions, I would never ban someone from attending college, but as I listened to his advice, I made it very clear that the girl could never comment on our organization. And so it was done.


Even with so many things to do, my head was still lost between Dominick in the hospital and going to see if there was news about Antônio, I still didn't understand how I loved them both, but it was already obvious that it was true, I couldn't deny it anymore, while I was taking care of a, I was desperate to find out information about the other person, a knock on the door took me out of my thoughts, I looked up only to see Camille at the door looking at me, there was more confusion.


“Cecília wants me to get her out of here?” Lorenzo said, jumping in front of me.


“No, it's not necessary, I'll listen to you,” he said.


Lourenço left and Camille entered, closing the door behind her.


“Sit down,” I ordered.


"Madam…"


“For God’s sake, you don’t need to call me that, I know we fought, but I respect you a lot,” I said.


“I'm here to apologize for my outburst earlier, it's not completely your fault what's happening, you're not to blame for them both loving you. I’m so sorry,” she spoke.


“I never wanted to take what was yours, Camille, as I already told you, I met Dominick before I met you and I didn't imagine that the person you would forcefully marry would be him, and Antônio was another story. So I don't have something to apologize for,” he said.


“I know our friendship will never be the same, but I wanted to start over if my Dom allows me,” she said.


“Of course I do, you were my only friend for a long time, you will always have my friendship and gratitude,” she said.


“Could I stay in the house?” -she asked.


“Of course, she is yours before me,” I said.


Camille smiled got up from the chair and went to the door to leave, Lorenzo immediately entered the room after she left.


“You can't believe this, it's obvious she's lying,” he said without even thinking.


“Camille is the person who has helped me the most in life by far, I'm not stupid Lourenzo I know there's something wrong with this story but for the time we were friends I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, and there's a very popular saying in my city that says: keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That’s why she stays, put someone you trust to watch her and communicate with us about every step she takes.”


“For a second I thought you had let yourself be fooled,” she said, breathing more calmly.


“Do you think I’m stupid, Lourenço?” I asked.


“Of course not, sir…”


“Stop, I'm joking, there's no need to mess around. I know that after what happened here, Camille won't forgive me, but I'm going to let her believe that everything is okay. At least until we know what your true intention here is,” I said and I winked at him, who was visibly embarrassed, but nodded.


The hours dragged by, the day had never been so long in my eagerness for it to arrive at night, when it was finally 6 o'clock Lorenzo came to my room to tell us to get ready to leave early because it would be better to see the place more calmly. He handed me Dominick's gun put a bulletproof vest on me, and dressed me in a heavier jacket. He seemed like someone who was very worried about me, so much so that I ended up smiling, which made him stop.


"What's? Why are you smiling like that?” he asked, visibly uncomfortable.


“You take good care of me, I think that’s cute,” I said, still with a smile on my lips.


“You are my Dom, of course, I will take care and give my life if I need it, besides if I don't, Dominick is likely to kill me,” he said.


“And you’re very straight-laced, you should smile from time to time,” I said.


“Smiling doesn’t help me in my work, a bad face does. Now let’s go,” he said and walked away from me.


We left my room and headed to the stairs where we were intercepted with Camille.


“Where are the two going? You’ve been together a lot lately, haven’t you?” Camille quoted.


“What are you insinuating against our Dom?” Lorenzo advanced towards him, but I was the detective.


“Camille, do you have something to tell me?” I took a step forward, getting very close to her.


“Of course not, I'm just pointing out how close you are, and that's very good, I'm sorry if I ended up expressing myself wrong, it wasn't my intention,” he said.


He had never noticed how ironic and clever she was.


“Alright, from now on keep your intentions to yourself, I don’t want to hear those kinds of comments about me and my men, especially Lorenzo, understand?” I was short and thick.


From the corner of my eye, I could see a slight smile and a different glow in Lorenzo.


We walked past her went directly to the garage and got into the car.


“You should smile more, it would help you find someone,” I said.


“I don't need to find anyone, I live to serve my Dom, but I confess that I was very proud to see how he acted in that situation,” she said.


“I had never noticed how unpleasant Camille was before, I guess I was completely blind thinking she was my only friend. And she’s just a big motherfucker,” she said and we both smiled.


“Okay, let's go face the danger,” he said.