MAFIA KING

2. R I C K A R D O

Climbing up the familiar stairs of the white mansion, I felt my heart pound as memories flashed in my head. My grip tightened on Lariene’s hand as I gulped. I am really going to do it. I will be the mafia king. Well, not right away because my father thinks that America softened me by making me “...un ragazzo americano figa.” His words not mine. Hence, I will be going under some kind of training but I don’t really know any details yet. [trans: a p***y American guy.]

“Come on, piccolo.” Leonardo’s enthusiastic voice invaded my ears as he passed by me and Lariene with Lily in his arms. “I will show you the room mama prepared for you.” That soon? Well, it’s mama we are talking about here, of course she wouldn’t waste a second to spoil Lily. She officially adopted her as her grandchild. [trans: little one.]

I noticed Roberto trailing behind his hyper twin -who took a strong liking in Lily as well as mama- while rolling his eyes. He was typical Roberto. Since they were kids, Leonardo was the playful nosey twin while Roberto was the quiet mysterious one. “Ciao, Leo--” A very familiar voice welcomed my earbuds followed by my eyes searching for the source as soon as we entered the mansion. “chi è quello?” The person didn’t notice my presence yet and I was thankful for that because to say that I was hella nervous would be an understatement. [trans: who is that?] 

“Lily, Rickardo’s piccolo.” Leo smiled up at shy Lily. “Lily, say hi to Valerio. Rick’s old best friend.” He pointed at me with his head as Lily mumbled a small hi. Just then I felt the intense pair of eyes glaring at me. I knew whose exactly were those eyes that were so full of betrayal and hurt. 

Thankfully, Leonardo was already up with Lily, leaving me to the wrath of Valerio with Lariene by my side. I felt her body tense from the cold glare Valerio set on us. I know she is tired from the journey, not to mention that nightmare -which I assume was something more- that added a toll on her as well. I wanted to talk to her about it but I knew she wasn’t ready. She needed rest anyway.

“oh sarà divertente.” Marissa’s teasing voice emerged from where God only knows as she bit harshly on her apple resulting in Lariene to flinch which amused Marissa. I narrowed my eyes at her. I know my sister and I know what she is up to. She is a heartless b***h the same as the whole family -that’s what the mafia kids were raised on- She enjoyed torturing and intimidating her prey. And right now her eyes were set on Lariene because she disapproved on her being my queen. She didn’t have to say it because I see it all in her eyes. She thinks Lariene won’t be up to the job and maybe she is right but my queen should get her shot. After all she left everything behind her just to join me in a foreign country while accompanying my dark life. If that isn’t bravery, then I don’t know what is. “due amici che si riconnettono dopo anni di tradimento e--” [trans: Oh, that should be fun.][trans: two friends reconnect after years of betrayal an--]

“Marissa,” I growled. Marissa knew what was going to happen in moments like I knew. We both could see the dark look in Valerio’s eyes as he barely refrained himself. “Take Lariene, please up to her room because she needs rest.”

“What? Do you see me this bambola’s personal escort or something?” Marissa’s nasty glare burned my queen’s angelic face who squirmed by my side.

“I-I can wait f-for you.” My queen’s shaking voice drew my attention to her. “I-i am not that tired.” She looked so vulnerable. Under her eyes were black as her soft skin was pale. She was so tired but her fright took over her.

My palm found its way to her hollow cheek and started caressing it. Like a charm she relaxed under my touch. “You need rest, my queen.”

“Oh, che bello!” I heard Marissa’s mocking voice. She was really getting on my nerves. [trans: oh, how lovely!]

“puoi averlo anche tu, bellissimo. devi solo dire la parola.” What the heck? Are my ears deceiving me? Was Valerio flirting with my little sister. [tans: you can have it too, beautiful. you just have to say the word.]

“continua a sognare, Valerio.” Marissa rolled her eyes while taking another bite from her red apple that was the same color as her lipstick. [trans: Keep dreaming.] 

“lo faccio già, bellissimo.” Valerio said with a wicked smile on his face. I didn’t like this. I know my sister could take well care of herself, she was the mafia king’s only daughter after all. And I knew Valerio my entire childhood, he was a loyal good one but everyone changed right? Especially that he seemed to be looking attractive with his bulky form and tattoos that I knew very well would swoon any woman. He seems to be noticing my stare as his eyes left my sister’s moving form then were set again on me with the difference now they were dark as the night and cold that they could freeze the damn house. He was that mad, huh? 

“Okay, I am out of here.” Marissa muttered ravishing the remains of her apple. “Follow me, bambola.” She Motioned for Lariene who gulped and looked at me as if seeking my permission. I nodded while giving her hand a light squeeze. “Oh, come on. I don’t bite.” Marissa noticed Lariene’s hesitancy. 

“I won’t mind if you did, bellissimo.”  Again with Valerio’s flirting.

I growled at that. “What’s your problem?”

In an instant his eyes were on me. “My problem?”

“If you know what’s best for you, bambola, you better follow me, Now!” Marissa’s authoritative voice almost made Lariene jump in her place as she hurried behind her and up the stairs. 

“What’s your problem, man?” Valerio takes a couple of steps closer to me. His eyes raging as his fists curling. “Scappi e sparisci per anni, poi vieni ora e ti comporti come il fratello maggiore e il re della mafia che non sei?” [trans: You run away and disappear for years, then come now and act like the big brother and the mafia king that you are not?]

“I am the mafia king.” I gritted out taking an intimidating step forward as we were nose to nose now.

“No you are not!” He spat. “You are a f*****g p***y who ran away from his responsibilities a--” He didn’t get to continue with his bullshit as my fist collided with his hard jaw. He stumbled backwards not expecting that at all.

He lifted his eyes to meet mine and just then I knew it. We were going in for a fight.

In no time, he was on me with his fists kissing my face on repeat. He was letting out all the bottled anger and betrayal I left him. I know it was an asshole move from me the way I left things but he would never understand. No one here ever did. I got fed up with his s**t, so I bumped our foreheads together but to no avail he didn’t budge. Mafia men train hard. They are immune to any kind of pain. Yet, I wouldn’t give up. I kicked him and started punching as well. Some grazed his skin and some not but all his damn punches touched me. I couldn’t feel my face anymore. I had no chance against a trained mafia mob.

“è abbastanza!”  An authoritative voice roared throughout the mansion walls almost vibrating them with his deep voice. “Valerio, vattene!” [trans: its enough!] [trans: get off!]

In an instant he was off me per his superior’s demand. “Stronzo!” I spit out blood while pulling myself off the ground. [trans: asshole!]

He growled and was ready to attack again when my father’s voice stopped him. “vai a lavare quel sangue dal voi, Valerio.” [trans: go wash that blood from you.]

“si capo.” Valerio complied then left me and my father alone. [trans: yes boss.]

“Only a couple of minutes here and I got beaten up.” I stood up while wincing and holding up my b****y nose. “Could you see now how bad of an idea was that for me to come back?”

“te lo meritavi ragazzo.” Papa said coldly. Not sparing me an ounce of empathy. “Follow me.” [trans: you deserved it boy.]

“I need to go to the Infirmary first.” I informed him, yet he totally ignored me and started with his path. “It’s still on the floor underneath this, si?” 

“You can go after I finish with you.” 

“sono coperto di sangue, papa.” I sneered “I need to get cleaned from this shit.” [tras: I am covered in blood.]

“e di chi è la colpa? eh? chi ha scaricato tutto per inseguire una vita patetica come la tua in America?” papa’s voice was eerily calm yet you could pick on the storm brewing in his blue eyes. “e cosa ti ha guadagnato esattamente? Niente! ti rendeva solo un ragazzo debole e patetico che non poteva difendersi adeguatamente.” He shook his head disapprovingly at me. His eyes looking me up and down with shame. “che vergogna sei per la mafia!” 

[trans: and whose fault is it? eh? who dumped everything to chase a pathetic life like yours in America?] 

[trans: And what did it gain you? Nothing! It only made you a weak pathetic boy that couldn’t defend himself properly.] 

[trans: what a disgrace you are for the mafia!]

His eyes stared at mine for a while daring me to talk back to him. He knew I couldn’t. I knew I couldn’t. He would bury me alive if I did go against the all might mafia king. When he was satisfied with my locked lips and raging eyes, he started stalking to where he was going after demanding me to follow him. 

It was enough as it is that his eldest heir ditched the designated life for him and hid all these years from their haunting eyes. I knew there was a storm brewing inside of him at my wrongdoings. I know that I am despised and looked down upon between the mafia men and women here. I was a weakling, a f*****g p***y who wasn’t up for our fateful life. Papa knew it all, yet he brought me back. He was punishing me. He wanted to make me suffer until I became numb. Until I became the heartless mafia king he desired me to be. And I hated it! I hated every bit of it. But what do I have to do? Nothing! Nothing at all! I will just have to sit here and suffer like they all want to become the monster they crafted for me.

“entra, ragazzo.” and once my foot touched the black wooden floor of this monstrous room, just then I knew it was the beginning of my destruction.