Addressing The Elephant

Antonio burst into laughter, cackling like a madman who was high on marijuana. His loud voice echoed through the speakers of the phone, irritating Cara.

Had she cracked a joke?

Ever since she'd put this call through, he'd laughed at almost everything she said. Willing herself to be patient, she waited a while for his laughter to die down.

"Nice one, amore, but I would know if Adonis is getting married. My men would have reported that to me."

She scrunched up her face at the word amore.

"Maybe they aren't as skilled as you thought then."

"If this is a joke, you had better stop now. I do not appreciate being toyed with."

"Why would I want to toy with you? Have you forgotten you killed my father?"

"Ahhh... yes." Antonio sighed as though he'd forgotten. "So you're being serious then?"

"You can tell your men to ask around. I'm sure everyone will get the news by tomorrow."

Antonio hummed, and from the tone behind his voice, Cara knew he was suspicious. This was her chance to convince him. Anything she says at this moment would determine if he'd partner with her or not. As expected, his next words confirmed his suspicions.

"Why do you want to work with me?"

She carefully picked the words in her head before speaking.

"You said it yourself. You thought I was a spy for Adonis. My father would still be alive if it wasn't for him."

"That's all to it, amore, mio?"

"What else do you want me to say? I want him dead. That's all I know for now. An eye for an eye."

She glanced at the door again, hoping they could end the conversation before Adonis or anyone else came looking for her.

"I'd look into it. But you must know, if you are working with Adonis to deceive me, this won't be pretty. Adonis might be able to go scot-free with little scratches, but you, amore mio, would not be able to get away for me. Like you said, an eye for an eye."

Like she didn't just tremble at the threat, Cara retorted.

"You'd be singing a different song tomorrow."

"For your sake, I hope that's true. I'll be in touch amore. Be expecting a reply from me in two days."

Cara let out a relieved sigh; at least she'd convinced him for now.

"As you wish and Antonio?"

"Yes, amore?"

"I may not understand Italian, but I know that word. I am not your amore. Again, the name's Cara."

And with that, she disconnected the call.

Stage one: get a plan-check.

Now it was time for stage two-get married to the chauvinistic mafia heir.

Dusting off her clothes, she walked over to the door. She could hear Adonis's and Luca's voices but could barely make out what they were speaking about. Cara placed her hand on the knob, and just as she was about to pull it open, she heard one of them say

"She can never know."

Pulling the door open with a little too much force than needed, she stumbled, swiftly gaining her footing; Cara crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes narrowed at them both.

"What can I never know?"

"What I do not want you to know." Adonis nonchalantly replied.

She had to hand it to them. They were good. Once again, Cara was reminded that the people she was about to go up against were professionals at this. This was what they did. She had just caught them unaware, and a normal person would be fumbling with their words by now, but they just plainly stared at her like what they had talked about was no secret at all.

She stepped away from the threshold and walked over to them.

"You mean like how you are the heir to one of the strongest and most dangerous mafia families in the world?"

She threw a bait, taking a seat on one of the numerous empty sofas as she curiously glanced around again.

Exactly how many people live here?

"Ah. I see I've been introduced to you. Who did me the honours?"

"Why? Scared that you have an enemy?" Cara retorted.

"That's usual. Only the top people or people that are involved in the mafia know about my family's connection to the mafia, so I'm sure I'd know who."

"The person that killed my father."

"Oh."

"Yes. Why didn't you tell me, Mr. Bernardi? I could've been prepared. They thought I was a spy for you. My father... he... he..." Cara demanded softly, her eyes blood red from trying not to cry.

"What difference would it have made?" Adonis grumbled.

"I would've had a choice! I could've prevented this!"

"I make all the choices just fine."

"But we're both involved in this!"

Adonis closed his eyes. He opened them again, and for the first time since she walked into the room, he looked over to her, his dark, tired and heavy eyes searing into hers.

Cara was taken aback. She hadn't noticed how tired his eyes were. Now that she had realized this, she couldn't help but also notice that his voice was a little deeper and he was speaking more slowly than before. Adonis was one to always speak slowly, slowly but assertively- picking at each word, but this was different.

"Keep your voice down, Bellissima. I'm tired."

She rolled her eyes. There was no need to hash things out with him. He was never going to see reason anyway. She'd stick to her plan for now.

"You still haven't told me who the person was."

"What person?"

"The one that told you about me? Killed your father?"

Cara scanned his attitude. His body language.

He wasn't even apologetic or remorseful. She felt an anger flare within herself once again but forced it down. Looking him dead in the eyes, she responded.

"He didn't introduce himself."

"He? Just one man?"

"No. They were two."

Adonis studied her with his usual blank look, and Cara met his stare head-on. Trying her best not to give anything away.

"Quindi sarà così che andrà?" He finally said, passing a discrete look to Luca.

"English please."

Adonis nodded.

"Okay then. Do you still want to sign the contract?"

"Like I have a choice. I need the money."

"Good. My lawyer will bring in the contract by tomorrow morning. It's late. You should pass the night here."

Cara nodded in agreement

"I don't think I'll be able to sleep at home anyway, but just one question." She looked over to Luca.

"Who is he, and why does he keep staring at me?"

******

Italian Vocabulary

Amore means love.

"Quindi sarà così che andrà?" means "so that's how it's going to be then?"