Mafia's Obsession

Chapter 15

Josephine

Avoiding my parents can’t go on forever. I may be upset with them for marrying me off to someone without my consent, but I can’t stay angry with them forever, hence the reason why I’m here to sort out things with them, to have a long chat with them; that way, they will be able to explain to me why they really did it.

Hugo opened the door and I stepped down from the car. “You don’t have to follow me around Hugo, I’m on my father’s house, nothing can possibly go wrong.” I’m not comfortable with him being my shadow all the damn time, reminding me that there will be another possibility of the last event.

“Mr Lopez will not approve of that.” He replied robotically without batting a lash or sparing a glance at me.

Irritated and angry at his constant hovering around, I glared at him. “Dominico isn’t here, is he? What could go wrong if you relaxed and have tea or maybe wine like a normal human being.” He blinked without response. Rolling my eyes, I stomped away like a sulking adult.

This house isn’t unfamiliar to me, and I know exactly where to find my father at this time of the day. I strolled straight to his office, twisted the knob and pushed the door open. I didn’t expect to see my fiancé standing in my father’s office. “What are you doing here Dominico?”

If I wasn’t paying close attention, I wouldn’t have seen the surprised expression flash across his face. “What a pleasant surprise Josephine.” He glared at my father. “I’m guessing it’s a surprise to you too Daniel.”

Daniel rolled his eyes at him. He sat down and loosened his tie. “What are you doing here Josephine?” He filled his glass with water and gulped it down. “First your husband, now you.”

“I’m not married to him yet and this is my father’s house.” I have every right to be here. I shuffled fully into the room and placed my purse on the table before turning to my fiancé. “You didn’t answer my question Dominico, what are you doing here?”

Smiling wolfishly at me. “Why do you think I’m here?” He walked over and kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you at home love.” He stared at my father. “I think you should have bonding time with him. I’ll see at home.”

We both watched him walk out of the room. Exhaling, I rubbed my bump as I occupied the empty seat. “What was he doing here?” I watched him closely for any reaction. I don’t want to suspect Dominico. For the sake of this baby, I’m going to give Dominico a benefit of doubt.

“He came to inform me about the wedding.” He eyed my stomach. “Congratulations by the way, I didn’t see the baby coming.” He picked up his phone and called Magenta our housekeeper to get me a glass of juice. “I know you’re not fond of me right now, so what brought you here?”

“That wasn’t the welcome I was expecting, but I’ll do.” The more I looked at him, the more I saw how tired he looks, like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulder. “Are you okay?” Leaning forward, I placed my hand on his. “I know our relationship hasn’t been that great ever since I left, but you can talk to me.”

Offering me a weak smile, he tapped my hand. “I’m fine, it’s nothing I can’t handle.” Magenta walked in and dropped a carton of fruit juice with a glass on the table before leaving. “I hear the wedding is happening next month.”

“Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?” Why does he look unhappy. “You fixed the marriage remember? I’m only following the future you planned for me.”

Apologetic, he looked down. “I’m sorry for making such decisions for you. If only I could change some situations, I would have changed this and given you a happier life.”

“Honestly, Dominico is not that bad.” His glumly eyes snapped up, surprised at me statement. Chuckling, I filled my glass. “Really. He’s not bad at all. I feel safe around him which is all that matters.” It’s like I’m the only one allowed to see his soft side. “He’s a great guy and I’m happy to be married to him; guess I have you to thank for that.”

Sipping my juice, I admired the little changes he made in his office. “Where is mum?” It’s unlike her not to barge in after knowing I’m here. Surely someone must have told her that I arrived. “Is she home?”

“Do you love him?” He blurted out and I frowned, not expecting the wisdom from him. “With the way you speak about him, it seems you’re in love with him.”

Do I love Dominico? “I don’t think we’ve gotten there yet, but I care about him a lot. Why?” He’s acting strange today. Did Dominico say something to him?

Shaking his head, his shoulders drooped. “In all you do Josephine, guard your heart jealously, do not allow him to break you.” Not understanding his words, my frown deepened. “Do not give him your heart, it’s your most priced possession.”

“Honestly dad, you’re not making sense.” Is he telling me not to love my husband? Someone I’ll be spending the rest of my life with? “If you do not want this wedding to hold, just say it, stop beating around the bush.”

“You want to love someone that you know nothing about?” He questioned with disbelief. “Really Josephine? You’ll just fall for someone you don’t even know?”

“I am getting married to him.” I snapped. “So it’s okay to get married to someone I know nothing about, to bear his children but it’s not okay for me to fall in love with him?” I chortled bitterly. “Wow! Just wow!”

“Stop being dramatic Josephine, you can achieve all of that without actually falling in love.” He uttered bitterly. “Look at your mother and I.” The moment those words left his lips, he winced. “I didn’t mean it like that…”

Dumbfounded, I just stared at him. They weren’t the perfect couple, but insinuating that he never loved her is just cruel and mean. “No,” I stood to my feet, “I think you meant every word you said.” My lips trembled, but I held unto my tears. “I’m not like you father, my heart beats like every other human, and when it wants to fall for Dominico, I won’t be stopping it.”

Honestly, I do not blame mum for being the way she is. Being trapped in loveless marriage must have drained her emotionally, no wonder she kept herself busy with the lavish lifestyle and alcohol. “Coming here was a mistake. Tell mother to come over to the house so we’ll plan the wedding together. I’ll let you know when we pick a date.” I snatched my purse off the table and stomped out of his office, regretting my decision to pay them a visit.

**********

No matter how hard I tried to keep the tears in, they eventually rolled down. I cried ugly tears that Hugo kept looking at me through the rear-view mirror. Wiping my face with handkerchief, I tried my best to look presentable. The last thing I want is for Dominico to see me like this; he’ll march down to my house and demand answers from my father.

“You can’t hide it.” Hugo informed me. “Boss man will definitely notice that you’ve been crying. The only way to prevent him from knowing is to avoid him.”

Surprised that he’s trying to help me cover, I smiled warmly at him. “Thank you Hugo, I appreciate your concern.”

He led me through the back door to avoid Dominico. Unfortunately, we ran into him in the kitchen. Of all days, he chose to prepare his own coffee. He paused with the mug close to his lips, eyeing Hugo and I with confusion. “Why are you both using the back door?”

“I had to pee and the back door was the closet door to the guest bathroom.” I blurted out the first lie that came to mind.

Dominico gradually dropped his mug on the counter. “That question was for you Hugo, answer it.” His gaze lazily flickered to me. “Or she now your spokesperson?”

“Sorry boss. She said it will be easier to get the bathroom using the back door.”

Chuckling, he held my gaze. “You should know better than to lie to me Hugo.” I tried to plead his case but he stopped me. “If she was really pressed, she wouldn’t be standing here, entertaining this discussion or trying to defend you.”

“I’m sorry boss…I didn’t want _”

“Leave us.” Dominico growled, interrupting him. Hugo gave him a curt nod before scurrying out of the kitchen. “What happened at your father’s place?” He picked up his coffee again and eyed me through the rim as he took a sip. “What did he say to you?”

“Nothing.” I avoided his eagle eyes. Looking him straight in the eyes is only going to give away that I’ve been crying. “We just talked about the wedding, nothing else.”

“Mhmm.” He nodded. “At what point in this discussion did you start crying?” I feigned ignorance. “Don’t make me a fool Josephine, your face is puffy and your is unusually red.” He approached me slowly. “I ask you again, what really happened at your father’s place?”

“Nothing.” I circled my hands round his waist and placed my head on his chest, listening to his heart beat. “We talked about the wedding and things got over emotional hence the tears. The old man is sad about letting his only child go.”

His hands homed on my waist, squeezing it slightly. “Why then were you avoiding me?”

I chuckled. Of course he figured I was trying to avoid him. I hope this doesn’t cause any problem for Hugo. “I wasn’t avoiding you Dominico, I was avoiding the questions.” I let go of him and followed the aroma of the coffee. Peering into his mug, my mouth watered. “I’m allowed to have little coffee right?”

He shrugged with uncertainty. “I guess you can have a little.” Smiling like a little girl offered chocolate, I grabbed Uber mug, inhaled before sipping. Chuckling, Dominico pried the mug away from my fingers. “With that level of excitement, you’ll end up finishing the coffee.”

I wish I can. He lifted me up and placed me on the counter. Splaying my fingers on his chest, I traced his muscles. “What were you doing at my place today?”

“I came to inform your father about the wedding and the pregnancy.” He replied with a stoic face, his emotion well hidden. “What about you? You didn’t tell me you were going to visit them today.”

“They are my family, I don’t need your permission to visit them.”

“Touché.”

“I wanted to be the one to share the news about the baby and the wedding with them.” He kept mute. “Dominico?”

“I had to discuss few business issues with him, so I decided to drop the news.” He kissed my lips. “I’m sorry if I ruined your plans.”

Shrugging, I licked my lips. “It’s okay.” Barring my lashes at him, I smiled widely at him. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

Grinning, he placed his forehead on mine. “Of course you do. Let’s hear it.”

“I want us to move the wedding closer.” His brows jumped to his hairline. “A month is too far for me.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Why?”

“I can’t wait to get married to you.” I need to prove my father wrong. I can make this marriage work; it doesn’t have to be disastrous like his own.

“How soon do you want it?”

“I want us to get married next week.”