SEVEN

SEVEN

CATHERINA

We all sat down at the table again, me to my mamma’s right and her to my papa’s. My sister sat beside her future husband whose sleeves were still rolled up; tempting me to look. I kept my eyes fastened to my plate, hoping there would be no drawing me into the conversation going on at the table… fat chance.

My papa had extended an invite to Andres Cruz to dine with us after their little meeting that morning and again; just as last night, the presence of his uncle was required. My brother was absent for reasons best known to him and I was forced to sit beside his uncle who was doing all he could to look down the bodice of my gown and at my breasts.

My papa glanced towards me and I could feel the disgust in his cold stare but I did not bother looking up, not because of him but because of the man sitting opposite me who was at that moment burning me with the intensity of his stare.

“Your papa tells me you are a singer.” Franco Cruz and uncle to Andres said to me.

“I am” I muttered.

“Speak up, girl” My papa bellowed.

I raised my head ever so slightly and answered again

“Maybe you could raise a tune for us?” My mamma suggested, poking me in the ribs.

“We are at table; surely, that is inappropriate.” I said frightened.

“You should” My papa said, his voice low and threatening.

“Maybe the lady should indeed finish up her food before singing.” Andres’ voice rang out.

My papa grunted but said nothing.

I sat back down in my chair, still afraid to look up but he was still staring at me. I took a deep breath and braved one look.

He sat like the god Adonis residing over his subjects and his eyes were on me; marking me, staring deep into my soul. I mouthed a thank you and his mouth quirked up in an amused smile, his eyes stating that he considered me a very odd creature.

A clatter distracted my attention from his face and I could see my brother, coming into the room. he held a knife in one hand and eyes bloodied from drinking and fighting.

“Andreess!” he bellowed, brandishing the blade.

Andres sat calmly watching him advance, his eyes cold and calculating.

My papa made no move to get up even as he could see the event unfolding and even my mamma acted like this was something that happened every day.

“Drop the knife, Antonio.” Andres said, his voice hard.

My eyes were huge as I remained sitting, watching my brother’s reckless movements. He might be really strong and a master at fighting but I knew Andres could kill him as fast as anyone had a chance to blink. My sister sat also watching with her eyes wary with concern, not for Andres but for my reckless brother.

“How dare you ask the men to prevent me from entering the club.” My brother accused, still brandishing the blade

“You have been creating ruckus amongst the customers lately, you are no longer welcome in the club and I am sure you were well aware of this.” Andres said, still sitting although his whole body indicated how poised he was to strike.

“Antonio, please put the knife down so we can talk about this.” I spoke up, hoping to reach my brother through his drunkenness.

“You take my girlfriend and my sister and now you are stopping me from the club?”

“It is my club and I have the right to stop whoever is spoiling my business. The only reason, you are still alive is because I am getting married to your sister.” Andres threatened.

“You forget yourself boy, brandishing a knife in my house.” My papa spoke, his eyes hardened to stone.

“No, it is you who have forget yourself, fraternizing with the enemy.” My brother countered.

“Put the knife down or I will put a bullet through her skull.” Franco Cruz said, quietly

The whole table went silent except for a gasp from my sister who was staring at something behind me.

I stayed still with Franco’s palm wrapped around my neck in a deathlike vise, I did not make any move to breath lest he thought that I was running away or fighting.

My brother’s blade clattered to the ground, his eyes holding anger but he made no move. I turned and watched the cold look in my papa’s eyes as he stared not at me but the gun at my temple; I could imagine he would be very glad if the man’s hand slipped and implanted a bullet in my head.

“Put the gun down, uncle.” Andres muttered; his voice low.

I turned scared eyes to where he sat, he was staring not at his uncle or the gun but at me, just as he would if there wasn’t any threat to my life; that overpowering stare that left a girl breathless and her knees weak. The only reaction from him was the grip on the knife in his hand.

“I should kill her and be done with it and teach them a lesson for threatening you. Hell, her family wouldn’t even miss her after the shame she has brought to their house. Her papa himself thinks of her as a whore, a spoiled thing who should never have been born to…”

His next words were cut off by a loud bang as warm liquid wet my face and the man fell  forward, taking me with him.

I gasped and struggled under his weight until he was pulled from atop me by my brother who hugged me to himself while I stared.

“Look at me, you are safe” he said, trying to wipe the blood from face

“Get a chair for yourself NOW!” My father bellowed at my brother who left me and sat ironically at the spot where the now dead Franco sat.

“Sit down Catherina, we shall finish this fucking meal.” He said to me.

I remained standing, staring into space until I heard my name ring out in anger.

I drew my chair out and took a seat; picking up my fork. I began stuffing my mouth in a daze even as the blood dripped from my hair.

I cleared my plate and stood, excusing myself from the table but not before looking in his direction. The gun sat on the table, next to his tattooed arm and when our eyes met; his still held amusement but there was something else… concern?