CHAPTER TEN

MARCELLA’S POV

I heard a rattling sound at the front of my door, I didn’t bother to check it out as I knew the door was locked. Before long, Uncle Tee Stepped into my room holding a ball gown and some accessories.

“You father demands your presence at the diner party.” He said to me

“What party, I don’t know about any party” I informed him.

“Well, what I can tell you is, you father just struck a huge business deal with Zak and the party is to celebrate the win, anything beyond that I am not in the position to say”

“I am not interested in anything relating to dad’s business, I am not coming” I said simply.

“Like you have a choice. You know El Russo does not make suggestions, this is an order.”

I shrugged, I understood the consequences of declining my father’s invitation, but I felt unbothered anyways.

“Wear this, and look your best” My uncle said laying the gown on the bed beside me and walking away. I ignored the piece of material, but the silver necklace accompanying it caught my attention.

Theres no way my father sent my mothers engagement necklace over for me to wear.

It didn’t feel right, something felt wrong. Did mother know her engagement necklace was here? I wondered as I examined the jewelry carefully, each piece of diamond carefully placed side by side, the beauty was a sight to behold.

I picked up the fluffy pink dress and buried my face in its coziness, there was a gentle tap on the door, mom poked her head through the door.

“May I come in?” She asked.

“Do what you want” I replied without looking at her. I tried to maintain composure and not to give off any hints that I had heard her conversation with Alejandro earlier, especially when I couldn’t hear the entire story. I do not want to believe my own family called a hit on me,I only need to be careful.

She chose to come in and settled comfortably on the bed.

“You know…” she said lifting the necklace from its case. “I was the happiest woman on earth when your father gave me this necklace” she added with a smile.

“ He was a sweet man, and even though my marriage to him was arranged by his own father, we figured a way to make it work. “ I turned to her looking interested, in my twenty six years on earth this was my first time learning my parents marriage was an arranged one.

“Yes, I married your father in an arranged marriage and I didn’t know I would learn to love him. Thirty two years down the line, you and your brother are the best gifts this marriage has given me, and there’s no way I will deliberately put you in harms way.”she said placing a hand on my knee.

“ I still cant Understand how Uncle Tee and Alejandro knew my exact location the moment I called you. More-so, a hit man waiting in the dark to kill me at the least opportunity? This cant be a coincidence.”

“I understand how it may seem to you, but believe me when I say I have no idea how you father was able to trace the call”

I nodded simply “its okay mom, I believe you” I said to her ‘No I don’t’ I thought to myself

“ let me dress up and join y’all downstairs “ I informed her

“Sure” she said lifting up the necklace indicating for me to turn around. She hooks the necklace to my neck and I played briefly with it in an attempt to hide my anxiety.

“It suits you well” she smiled

“Its lovely “ I agreed. Mother walks out leaving me staring at my reflection in the mirror. I contemplated briefly if it was a good idea for me to attend this so called dinner. Even though my heart decided against going, my mind could not stop wondering exactly who Zak was and what kind of deal was worth celebrating that would make my father choose a dress for me himself.

I was even more intrigued by the fact that he and my Uncle knew each other, probably virtually and had only met for the first time today. I could read the surprise on Alejandros face and could not decide if he felt sidelined or simply did not trust the man Zak.

There were so many unanswered questions running through my mind and my curiosity can only be satisfied at this diner.

So I dressed up. The pink dress my father chose hugged my body perfectly and I must confess, I was impressed by his fashion taste. The dress fit perfectly from breast to knee before flowing endlessly to the ground. It had no arms and the necklace covered that fact by complimenting the dress beautifully.

I searched through my closet and grabbed a pair of silver shoes to match, then applied a light make up on my face before laying down my hair ,its curls falling directly on my face. I smiled at the image the mirror presented to me, my one-sided dimple sinking slowly into my cheeks .

“Damn! You are beautiful Marcel’ I thought to my self ‘…and you are strong, this is the time to take charge of your life’

I took a final look at my self in the mirror before stepping out of the room. The crowd downstairs was a small one, a few familiar faces looked up at me reminding me of the day I married Salvador. Being satisfied I had enough confidence to walk, I came down the stairs with ease using the rails to support my balance.

Zak was waiting at the end of the stairs where he offered a hand. My initial instincts was to ignore him, but since all eyes were on us, I smiled weakly and took his hand. He guided me to a seat at large dinning table where Alejandro sat at my right and he Zak at my left . Directly opposite me was uncle Tee and next to him was mother . My father took his usual spot at the head of the table still in his wheelchair. The remaining people at the table were the leaders of dad’s business zones. I recognized them because they came by the manor once every week to render account to dad.

“Looks like everyone needed is present” Dad said clearing his throat, a few of the men nodded in agreement. “Lets eat now, for tonight marks the beginning another great investment” father said grinning from ear to ear. The smile looked genuine for some reason and I had not seen a genuine smile on his face in a long time.

My heart sinked as I begun to realize what this joyous moment may be about. And I did not want to be part of it.