Crazy Mothers

Cara walked into the living room to meet a woman who didn't look as old as she'd expected her to be, raving like a person high on cocaine.

If the stories she'd heard about her were true, it wasn't less of a factor to consider.

Her saggy skin and dry bones looked to have seen better days. Still, she could see the family resemblance.

She didn't need DNA to confirm that the woman was indeed related to Adonis.

But that didn't mean that Cara was going to accept her easily. She stood with a hard look, crossing her arms over her chest, eyeing the woman who was sitting comfortably, loudly exercising her lips in a game of gum wrestle.

"Who let a madwoman into my home?"

One of the men stepped forward.

"Mrs. Bernardi. She claims to know the Capo—

Slap!

Cecelia sucked in the air in shock, reminding everyone of her presence.

"Just because a nobody claims to know your Capo, you let her in?" Cara yelled in anger.

"Excuse me—

"Is that how you were trained?" She continued ignoring the voice that chimed in. "Talk to me!"

"I apologise, ma'am. I made sure to follow her, but it won't happen again." The man apologised.

"It better not be because—

"Excuse me—

She closed her eyes, annoyance written all over her face before turning to address the constant source of interruption.

"Please be quiet. I'll see you when I'm done." Then back at the apologetic guard. "Let this be the last time. Go get someone else. We have trash that I'd like to take out."

"How dare—

"Now back to you. Who did you say you were?"

"I am Mrs. Sarah Bernardi, mother of Adonis Alessandro Bernardi and I'd like to see my son." She started proudly, glancing around the luscious room. "He wouldn't take knowing you were rude to me well, but I'll let it go."

Cara let out a sarcastic laugh.

"You must think I have no idea who you are to be given that silly introduction. I am perplexed that you have the effrontery to come here." She eyed her enlarged pupils and dry lips. "Last I heard, you were still having trouble with controlling getting stoned, Sarah."

Adonis's mother narrowed her eyes on Cara.

"Who are you? I want to see Adonis. You have no right to speak to me that way. I am the mother of the Capo of this family."

—who is my husband, and you'd do well to respect yourself if you don't want to be thrown out immediately. Why are you here?"

She pursed her lips, repeating,

"I told you. I am here to see Adonis."

Cara regarded her coolly.

"Cecelia, do you hear? She's here to see Adonis." 

Cecelia could only stare at the two women in confusion. Being in the dark about most secrets, she couldn't understand what was going on. 

The amusement in the atmosphere suddenly disappeared and all light dimmed from Cara's face. 

"We both know that's not true. You've heard about Adonis's condition; otherwise, you would not be here, knowing all you had done. I know you've been keeping tabs on us. Your true love must've told you about Adonis when he visited—oh wait, Adonis killed him, didn't he?" She mocked.

"You've got some nerve showing up here after all you did to ruin this family."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Sarah insisted.

Cara kissed her teeth, a fixated look on her, trying to convince herself not to take rushed actions.

This was the woman she had been intently searching for; two options came to mind.

She could either make sure she wouldn't be able to reveal the truth to anyone or let her go if she posed no threat to them.

She hoped it would be the second because killing Adonis's mother wasn't her choice to make.

With a deep breath, she announced.

"Adonis is in a comatose state, as you already know. And as the one in charge, based on all he has told me, you're not welcome here. I have no drugs to give to you, nor do I have money." She extended an arm towards the door. "Now leave my home before I get someone to throw you out." 

The woman got more comfortable.

"I won't be going anywhere until I see my son."

"Are you dumb? He doesn't even acknowledge you as his mother!"

"Let him say that to me. I have as much right as you do to this home."

Cara nodded in resignation.

"In that case, be my guest." She headed for the staircase, waving over the men that had returned. "Throw her out and do not let her in again."

"Do not touch me," Sarah screamed, but she didn't look back. "Don't touch me. Let me go or I'll scream." The men ignored her helpless shouts as they dragged her towards the door.

Cara had almost reached the top of the stairs when her next words stopped her.

"Do they know who he is? Whose blood runs through his veins? I will—

"Enough!"

She whipped her head towards the woman, meeting her crazy-looking eyes. "That is enough. You will not say another word."

Taking two at a time, she marched down the stairs, as she stormed up to Sarah. 

Her heart pounded heavily against her chest but she tried her best to remain as expressionless as possible.

Was she going to let out the truth?

"Let her go." 

A maniacal laugh escaped the woman's lips as the men released their tight hold on her. She had gotten the exact reaction she wanted. 

"Adonis is a Bernardi. Whose blood runs through his veins if it isn't that of his father? I'm sure we both know that, right?" Cara countered, daring Sarah to say otherwise.

She scoffed.

"Of course. As a true heir of the Bernardi, he is the rightful one to the throne. So what do you say? Am I allowed to stay?"

Then she leaned forward to whisper into Cara's ear. 

"Or do you want me to run my mouth? I can't leave all the fun and power to you, now can I?"

Clenching and unclenching her fist to prevent herself from strangling the irritating excuse of a mother, Cara pulled on a tight-lipped smile.

"Yes. You can stay. After all, it's not every day a mother like you comes visiting."

"Oh, don't bet on it, dear." She pushed past her towards the stairs. "I might just make it a habit."

If you live long enough to.

Cara wanted to add but decided against it. There was no use threatening a rat that had already been caught in a trap. 

With a subtle nod at the two men, she smiled brightly.

"Why don't we take this discussion to my husband's study, Sarah?"