Chapter Eight: The Painful Confession

Chapter Eight:

"And you're going to force me to marry one of the daughters from the "La Famiglia" to form a strong alliance with the other family? I'm sorry to burst your bubble, my dear father, but it's not going to happen. I told you from will not get involved with any of your business affairs, and I will not let you touch Clarissa!" Michele firmly stood on his ground.

Michael Monserrat's jaw suddenly clinced, and it was clearly obvious that he disagrees with his one and only heir's decision.

"This is all about woman, huh? Well, I have an offer that you can't refuse. I will give you my assurance that Clarissa will be well-protected and secured, if you will cut off your ties with her, and be the future Godfather of the the "La Famiglia."  the old man gave his son an option.

Michele shook his head in frustration. His father can't really understand his point, and he's still being blinded by the materialistic power. His father can't look at him as his son, his own flesh and blood. But unfortunately, he only sees him as a rightful heir that will ascend to power and will continue their bloodline. Nothing more, nothing less...

"You still don't understand everything, father. But the answer is still "no." This is the last time that we're going to talk about this. You can consider me dead from now on." he finally announces, while looking determined.

Afterwards,Michele immediately made his way out from the mini-office, and out from the Montserrat mansion.

Mrs. Montserrat went to her husband, while crying.

"How long are you going to control your son, Michael? He clearly said since from the beginning that he is not interested being the head of a Mafia! Why do you keep on pushing him on doing something that he don't like? Please, just give up and give your son freedom to do whatever he likes!" she pleaded at her husband.

"I am not going to give up on him that easily, Katherine. I still have lots of things up my sleeve." Michael mysteriously stated, as he took a sip from his glass of vodka.

Mrs. Montserrat helplessy walks away from her husband. She knows that he married a stubborn and persistent man, but she just can't believe that her husband will use their son as a tool to get more power in the Mafia world...

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"Do you know that man, Clarissa? He's been lurking around the convenience store eversince you came to start your shift?" Maggie, Clarissa's co-worker suddenly asks.

Clarissa frowned thoughtfully, while looking outside. Sure enough, there was a familiar figure of a man who standing infront of the conveniencs store.

Her eyes widened in surprise when she finally realizes that it was Michele! 

She wasn't able to notice them because there was a rush of customers and she was busy at the cashier counter.

Clarissa forces an airy smile towards her colleague.

"Yeah, I know him. Can I ask you a favor, Maggie?"

"Sure what is it?" Maggie asks back.

"Can you stay at the counter a few minutes? I just need to him." Clarissa apologetically said.

"Of course, go ahead. I'll take care of everything here." Maggie agreed rightaway.

"Thanks, Maggie. I owe you one." Clarissa thanks her, then afterwards she quickly went outside to talk to Michele.

Once outside, she was immediately greeted by Michele.

"What are you doing here, Michele? I thought you're just going to pick me up after my shift..." Clarissa questions Michele.

Michele took a deep breath before he spoke.

"I just want to make sure that you're safe. Did you see any suspicious man lurking around the convenience store? Did you receive any threatening messages?" he bombarded Clarissa with questions.

Clarissa met in a frown after she heard the man.

"Wait a minute, what's with those questions? Does it have something to do with the shooting incident few days ago?" she asked, instead of answering Michele.

"I'm afraid it is, Clarissa. The reason why I'm here is to check up on you and make sure that you're safe and secured." Michele relayed.

"But who would try to hurt me? And why are they doing this to me? Did I do something wrong to those people?" Clarissa was getting scared because she had never been in a dangerous situation just like this.

Michele was about to speak but he wasn't able to do so when Clarissa's co-worker suddenly calls for her.

"I'm sorry Clarissa, but I need your help. There are many customers inside needing assistance." Maggie informs Clarissa.

"Let's talk about this after my shift, okay?" Clarissa stated.

"Alright. I'll just wait for you at the nearby coffee shop until your shift is over."  Michele nodded in agreement.

Michele watches Clarissa go inside the convenience store. Once she is finally inside, he is now making his way towards the nearby coffee shop, which is just across the convenience store where Clarissa is currently working.

After a few minutes, Michele is now sipping coffee, as his eyes are glued at the conveniece store.

He will not be able to forgive himself if something bad happens to Clarissa. And he will never, ever forgive his father if he hurts the woman that he loves.

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Many hours have passed.

It's already 11 pm, and Clarissa's shift is finally over. She immediately changes her uniform into her normal get up which are shirt, faded pants and sneakers.

She met up with Michele at the coffee shop. They both decided to talk at the nearby park, since what they are going to talk about is really sensitive and complicated.

"So... Do you have any idea on who could be behind the shooting that happened few days ago?" Clarisse asked, in a curious manner.

"It really hurts me to say this to you, but all of it was ochestrated by my father." Michele finally confesses.

Clarissa's eyes widened in utter shock when she heard the revelation from Michele.

"W-What? But why did he do it?" she asked, as she recovers from shock.