Ego
1632 Words
Clara frowned. “What is wrong with you, Andy?” She asked.
The lady who was reading a novel raised her head sharply and looked at the man for the first time.Santana was amazed. Did Andy consume too much alcohol?
“Andy..” Santana began.
“I am not crazy!” He snarled. “This muderfuc*er here took everything from me!” He pointed a finger at Capo. “He and that bitc*…”
Boop!
Mario did not let him finish the words when he sent a punch into his belly. Santana followed up with a jab that sent Andy down.The gunmen behind Capo had their guns ready.
“Enough!” The Capo, Don Van Marco ordered.
“You are a son-of-a-b***h!” Santana said angrily. “You don’t let your personal issue soil my hustles. That is my boss.”
Andy got up and wiped blood off his mouth, breathing hardly. He knew he could get killed here if he misbehaved but he was not going to take this insult. How could he come to beg Van for help after what he did to him? He would go elsewhere.“Let us go Clara!” Andrea said.
“I don’t understand what is going on!” She asked.
Andrea pointed a finger at Sara who sat on the sofa.“That is Sara and this is Van.”
Mario made a move. “How dare you call The Capo by name?”
“Leave him alone, Mario. He is my old friend.”
“I am not your friend.” Andrea said.
Van smiled.
“Clara…” Andrea called
“I am not leaving here until I am sure the Capo won’t help us. My son is sick and may die if he does not get a treatment within the next five hours and you bring your past life up as a priority over our son’s life? Where do you want us to go? Where and how will you raise the money? We will be thrown out tomorrow.”
“Are you not coming?” Andrea asked.
“I chose the life of my son over you. You can leave and leave forever.”
Reality dawned on Andrea. She was right. Where else would they go? He had no job and no mob was ready to recruit him after what he did to Zedan. He was finished and did not want to go back to Italy now.He had lost Sara and he had to accept that and move on. s**t! He hated himself for showing his anger. He should have acted like he did not care. He just made her realize his jealousy and that was condescending to his ego.Damn her!
“I am sorry.” He said. “I was just pissed off but it is over. I have moved on and I have you. I would choose you over any woman in the world and I am glad it is you
"Awwnn….this is so touching and romantic.” Sara said. “I am glad you acted like a real man now.”
Andrea did not act as if he heard. He was trying to control his anger.
“I am glad you realize that.” Van said. “Do not feel it is condescending to seek help from me. You are one of the most important persons in my life. You brought the love of my life to me. You also gave me a few hundred dollars when I needed it three years ago. I owe you Andrea.” Van inhaled smoke. “I need you to forgive me and Sara. It is our fault. The culprit here is that word called love. Love why? Why did you make us do this? The second culprit is the word called fate. Fate why did you do this? Please forgive Love and Fate.
”“Andrea you have a beautiful wife.” Sara said. “And a lovely kid. What is his name?”
“Nicolas.” Clara said.There was a knock at the door before ot swung open. A chubby woman dressed in Nany’s uniform came in with a two tear old boy.
“Daddy!” The boy said excitedly and ran to Van.
“Angelo my man.” Van said and raised him up. “Mr. Rogers.”
“Shoe man.”Andrea saw the expensive Italian hand-made shoe Van wore. How did he become this rich and powerful?
“Andrea that is Angelo my son.” Sara said with a smile. “You always loved the name Nicolas. I am not astonished you named your son that.”
Andrea felt a pain flow through his mind. He remembered saying to her back in Italy, “we will name our first son Nicolas.
“Whatever you wish, Andrea. Your wish is my command.”Nonsense.Women were a scam! He wished she jumped off that ship but she did not. He wished she left Van for him but she did not.
“He is a handsome boy.” Andrea said. “I am happy for you.”
“Still the same old nice Andrea.” She said and she noticed the sarcasm in her voice.
“We do not have much time now.” Van said. “Nicolas needs urgent treatment. What is wrong with him?”
“High fever and something else. The medical term is hard to pronounce.” Andrea said, trying to act normal. He was not going to give them the luxury of laughing at his jealousy again.
“How much did you say it will cost.”
“Two thousand dollars.” Santana said quickly. He had added one thousand dollars so Andrea could have extra money.
“And how much for the house rent?” Van asked again.
“Five hundred dollars.”
“I am sorry about your travails Andrea.: Van got up and walked to Clara. He collected Nicolas and touched his forehead with his palm.
“His temperature is high.” He said. “Martha, get cold water and a piece of cloth. If the temperature keeps running high, he may start a convulsion. He needs to be rushed to the hospital now but it is imperative his temperature runs down.”
Martha, the nanny said, “Yes sir,’ and left in a hurry.
“Nicolas my boy, you will be fine okay.’
“Let me carry him daddy.” Angelo said.
“No you can’t do that. You are two young to do that.’
“I am powerful.”
“Yes you are.”
“I beat you in wresting.”
“That was just twice. I beat you three times.”
“You cheated.” Martha came back with a bowl of cold water and Van used the soaked cloth to dab his body until the temperature lowered.
“This just temporary.” Van said. “You will need to go to hospital. Santana, you have a car with you, right?”
“Yes, Capo.”
“I need you to assist them and make sure you take them to the hospital.”
“Yes Capo.”
Van turned at Mario.
“Let him have fifteen thousand dollars and give five thousand dollars to his wife and three thousand dollars for Santana. That should get him fuel.”
That was one thing that endeared Van to people. He was giving and he treated his men well. Fifty dollars was enough to fuel the car three days.
Van was a known philanthropist and was the go-to guy in Elwood. He was the godfather in his territory. Even though he was kind and giving, he was equally feared because he was very dangerous and strict. He never hesitated to wipe out any gang that opposed him or try to trespass into his zone.
“Thank you Capo.” Andrea said and it seemed the effect of the money had suppressed most of his anger. He had never owned three thousand dollars in his life.
“Oh my God!” Clara exclaimed. “Thank you sir.”
Van smiled.
“If you need a job, do not hesitate to come to me.” Van said.
That would not be necessary, Andy thought. He had enough to take off. He could not stand working for Sara’s husband.
Sara got on her feet and Andrea saw that she was pregnant. A sudden wave of anger and jealousy filled him up.
He suppressed it. Why was he still feeling this way? He had Clara and he was good with her. No! Not after all of the dreams they had. He had built his life round her, seen a future with her and he did not believe in fate or destiny. There was no such thing that God did not destine that they will be together. Did he even believe in God? He had not really thought about that. He was a practical person and believed in what could be seen so if it was fate that made them part, then Van was the fate.
“I got something small for you Andrea.” Sara said. “This is twenty thousand dollars.’
“You don’t need to do this, Sara.” Andrea said but his hand was already moving to collect the money.
“A sister can do anything for a brother.” Sara said. “You have a god wife and a lovely kid. They need to be taken care of and things.:
He collected the money.
“Thank you Sara.”
“You are welcome.” She said. “Please let us know how the boy fends.”
Andrea nodded.
- Writer
