And I feel nothing but relief.
She's gone...
I turn my back and leave the room, letting the staff know to clean the room.
Death is everywhere. Why should I care about one person more than the other?
We all die eventually.
Mother just precipitated her demise. Like I do to so many others...
Death is everywhere. And I'm finally at peace with that.
Chapter Thirteen
MY PLAN HAD BEEN GOING smoothly. For a few days now, I'd been able to mostly avoid Catalina. And I consider it a feat, seeing that she's been trying to get me alone for another conversation. After the last time, I think I'll pass. Just knowing she's in the house... I'd say that's torture enough.
Luckily, I've also been busy. Since I've gone through all the financial accounts and had compiled a dossier of all the ventures within the Famiglia, I'd gotten a better understanding of how it operates, or rather, how it should operate to maximize profit. I'd made a few notes and have been working to implement them. I'd hired a few accountants and stock market specialists to revise the portfolio and to suggest further investments.
I can't afford to be placid, especially when all eyes are on me. I know Nicolo is just biding his time. Francesco has been monitoring the other branches of the Famiglia and he is updating me daily. We've also paid a few people to keep tabs on the suspicious people, and I can't wait to see what they uncover.
It's a little over five in the afternoon when I reach the house. I'd spent the entire day at the hospital with my friend – former friend that is. Adrian had recovered from his brain injury and I owed it to him to come clean about my reasons for betraying his confidence. I would have never sold him out if the debt I owed hadn't been that big. Ten years ago, Valentino had saved my entire world, and in return I'd agreed to do whatever he asked of me. Who would have thought that my choices would bite me in the ass again? I'd confessed to Adrian my darkest secrets. I didn't want his pity, nor his forgiveness, since I know I don't deserve it. But I wanted him to know that I valued his friendship.
I step inside, about to go to my room. As I'm passing by the living room I see Venezia standing up, hands on her hips, snickering at someone. I move a little to the right, keeping myself out of sight, and I notice Catalina sitting on the couch opposite Venezia.
"I'd appreciate it if you at least respected my daughter. She is innocent in this." Catalina's voice is calm, yet determined. From my hiding place, I notice she is looking at Venezia straight in the eyes, challenging her.
"Why would I do that? She's your responsibility." Venezia counters.
"Yes, she is my responsibility. But it's also your responsibility to behave like a human being. I don't understand why you always have to throw a fit." Catalina continues, narrowing her eyes at Venezia. "But that's what you want, isn't it? You want to throw child-like tantrums to get attention." She point-blank confronts Venezia, and she pales at the accusation.
"Shut up!" Venezia screams at her. "You know nothing!"
"I see..." Catalina says quietly. "You want attention, don't you? From your brother?"
"Shut up!" Venezia replies, lifting her hands and blocking her ears so she can't hear anything.
"But he doesn't give you any attention, no matter what you do." Catalina stands up and takes a step towards Venezia.
"No... I won't hear what you have to say!" Venezia throws her hands in the air and makes to leave the room.
Catalina moves even faster and in less than a second, her arms come around Venezia and she tugs her forward in a hug.
"It's ok, Venezia." She says, her voice lower than before and I strain to hear.
Catalina pats her back, and Venezia stands still for a few moments. Her hands are still frozen in the air, her body stiff. It's as if she doesn't know how to respond. Catalina's hand goes to her head, and she pats her slowly.
"It's ok to feel that way. But I'm not the enemy. My daughter isn't the enemy. We will not take your brother away from you. I'm your sister now too, you know." Catalina's words seem to be a balm for Venezia because I hear a few stifled sobs. Venezia's hands slowly come down, but still, they're not touching Catalina.
Catalina, seeing that this is working, continues with her soothing voice. Even I, from the sidelines, feel more relaxed just listening to her melodious tone.
"I..." Venezia starts, but before she can continue, she lets out a loud wail. She then sobs her heart out, finally returning Catalina's hug. She cries and cries, and Catalina continues to comfort her.
I feel like I've seen enough, and I try to stealthily leave before I'm seen. I head to my room and close the door. If I didn't already know what Catalina was capable of, now I knew... After how Venezia's treated her these days, I'm amazed she had such patience with her. She's been nothing but lovely. A smile plays on my lips. She's something else... Catalina... Lina.
Sometimes, in the hidden depths of my thoughts, I like to call her Lina, the familiarity of the nickname warming me up. And once again, I wish things were different. Oh, Lina... in another life... maybe.
I shake my head, dispelling the hopeless thoughts, and I go back to work.
THE SUDDEN RATTLING of the doorknob makes me frown. I gave Amelia strict instructions that I am not to be disturbed while I am in my study.
Then it stops.
I shake my head and turn my attention back to the documents on the table. Since the entry points of the merchandise had been blocked, we've seen significant losses. I gave my promise that I would fix this issue, and now it seems it's not only a matter of solving the embargo, so to say. I have to figure out how to make up for the losses too. Just thinking about this makes me groan. I'm not used to dealing with these kinds of issues, and this is giving me a headache.
As I zero in on the numbers, the doorknob moves again, but this time it tilts downwards and then the door is pushed open. A small figure peers through the slightly open door.
She seems uncertain as she looks at me, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Come in, Claudia." I say.
"May I?" She asks politely, and I nod.
Holding herself tight, she steps inside. She's trying to look confident, but I can tell she's a little unsure of herself, especially by the way she sits down and folds her hands in her lap.
"What brings you here?" I ask when I see that she's not willing to start the conversation.
I hadn't really interacted with Claudia until now... Mostly because I don't know how to act with children. But I have noticed that she seems more mature than her age, especially when I hear her talk with Catalina. Looking at her now, so slight, and remembering what Guerra had dared to do...
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
"I..." Claudia starts and lifts her green eyes to look at me. She looks exactly like her mother.
"You don't want us here, do you?" She finally asks and I have to frown.
"What do you mean?"
She lowers her eyelashes. "You always avoid us." Her words make me still. I didn't realize she was that observant.
"I'm not." I reply, the lie flying through my teeth. "I've been busy."