Mena
As I approached the familiar doorstep of my next-door neighbor, Mrs. Rodriquez, I could already hear the faint hum of a television set and Natalie's cheerful giggling.
I knocked on the door, which swung open, revealing the warm, and welcoming expression of Mrs. Rodriquez. "Hi, Jimena," she greeted, her smile crinkling the corners of her eyes. Mrs. Rodriquez was a kind older lady who lived alone in the apartment next to mine. She was a good person and would often offer to pick up and look after Natalie after school.
I trusted her, and it was a kindness I would forever be indebted to.
"I came to pick up Natalie," I spoke, returning her smile.
"Naty!" The woman turned her head. "Your mommy is here!"
As she turned back to face me, I caught her staring at my uniform, silently judging me. Knowing what was about to come, I fidgeted with the ends of my dress.
"Jimena, do you really have to work for that family? Isn't there any other way?" she asked, her tone heavy with concern.
I shrugged, the weight of her words settling heavily on my shoulders. "I have to pay the bills somehow, Mrs. Rodriquez, and the diner just wasn't enough," I explained. "I'd also like to buy something new for Natalie once in a while."
Truthfully, I didn't need much for myself, but I wanted Naty to grow up without a constant cloud of worry hanging over her head.
A sigh left Mrs. Rodriquez lips, followed by a pitiful frown. "I'm not a big fan of that family, Jimena," she didn't mind giving her opinion. "You must be oblivious to the real state of that family since you've only been here for a few months."
Hoping she would drop the conversation, I waved my hand dismissively. "Oh well."
She looked around nervously, so no one could hear us, before leaning in closer. "It's so bad they've even run the authorities out of the city. Everything belongs to the Fanuccis."
A chill ran down my spine but I quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the sound of light footsteps approaching.
"Hi, Mommy!" Naty's voice broke through my thoughts, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Her dark brown hair was not quite as neatly braided as I left it in the morning, but her rosy cheeks dimpling with her wide smile made up for that mess.
Mrs. Rodriquez patted Natalie's head, showing her affection. Natalie was the spitting image of me, from her long brown hair to her warm brown eyes. I was grateful every day that she bore no resemblance to that monster.
"Naty has already had dinner and taken a shower. She's ready for bed."
"Thank you, Mrs. Rodriquez."
"B-Bed?" Naty's face fell, a tiny pout forming on her lips. "Awh, but I didn't even get to spend time with you today, mommy!"
"Tomorrow, Naty," I reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear before offering Mrs. Rodriquez a final smile. Then I took Naty's hand in mine as we made our way to our apartment.
~
As we sat at the table, Naty immediately reached to pull a drawing from her backpack. "Look Mommy, I made this at school today!"
She showcased a beautiful and detailed landscape, perhaps a bit too advanced of a drawing for a six-year-old.
"It's beautiful, princess." I took the paper in my hands, but my voice sounded bittersweet.
I knew she had a gift for drawing and painting. I had high hopes to enroll her in a private elementary academy, with a special art program, in the city. Unfortunately, I almost fainted when I read the fee and accepted that it was just not possible.
Although I enjoyed staring at her art, it also made me feel guilty as it was a harsh reminder of the opportunity I just couldn't afford to give her, despite trying so hard.
"How was school?" I asked, attempting to shift the focus of our conversation.
"Good," she shrugged.
"And what did you do in school today?" I asked further, looking for more than just a one-word answer.
Naty retorted with a playful giggle. "Whatever it is six-year-olds do at school, Mommy,"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, Miss Smarty Pants," I called her out.
With her sassy attitude and snarky remarks, Naty's personality was also identical to mine. The only difference was that she always spoke her mind while I tried to keep it to myself. She was also way better at making friends."Mommy?" Naty blinked. "Do you like your new job? Are the people nice? Is the house very big?" she bombarded me with questions.
I had made it a point not to share too much about my job with Naty. She was too young, and I didn't want her to bear the weight of my decisions, especially one that had the potential of painting us in a questionable light.
I feared once they would find out I was a Fanucci maid, the mothers at school would tell their children to stop talking to her.Mrs. Rodriquez had told me it would be like that, and after hearing stories about the Fanuccis, I believed her. People were too afraid to associate with their kind, in fear of crossing them.
Between that, they made no separation between a family member, associate, or a simple worker at the mansion."My day was great, Naty, and the people are all very nice. And the house? It looks like a palace!" I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.
"Wow!" Natalie's eyes widened in awe.
I couldn't help but think back to my earlier interaction with the Fanucci brothers, and how uncomfortable it had made me. I hated cleaning, the job was terrible, the brothers seemed like spoiled entitled brats. It had only been day one, but I was already hoping I would never have to see the Lady of the house or Domenico Fanucci. Those were my real thoughts.
"I know you have to work a lot to pay for big people things, Mommy. But once Daddy is here, you won't have to feel tired anymore," Naty placed her small hand on top of mine.
I nodded, forcing a smile on my face. I felt like a fraud for lying to Naty. She believed that her father would soon join us. In reality, we hadn't just moved from our previous city, we'd fled.
Becoming a young mother with no further goal for the future, I decided to move in with Anson so we could raise our daughter.
But he had changed a lot after high school, and was not who I thought he would be. Anson was not a man anyone should ever be around.
After giving up on his NFL dreams, and his scholarship, to work in construction, and take care of me and Natalie—he had changed into a possessive, aggressive and cruel individual.His verbal abuse had soon escalated to physical abuse over the years, and I had lost count of how many black eyes I'd had to conceal.
The day he threatened to hurt Natalie for my apparent misbehavior, was the day I decided to leave him forever.
She didn't know.
How could I ever tell Naty that her beloved daddy was a monster?"Look at the time, Naty. You better get to bed," I said, standing up.
"No," Naty sulked in a small voice, pouting her lips.
Ignoring her protest, I scooped her into my arms and carried her to her room. Not long after, I tucked her under a warm, fluffy blanket and watched as she fell asleep in a span of minutes.
Afterwards, I had retired to the couch and switched on the TV. Although my body cried out for sleep, I refused to let it win. I wouldn't let my life become a never-ending loop of work and sleep more than it already was.
As I flipped through channels, a sudden ring of the phone jolted me. Puzzled, I looked at the screen, and the unknown number which had appeared.
I was hesitant, but I picked it up either way.
"Hello?" I greeted.
All I heard was heavy breathing.
"Hello?" I tried again, my heart beating out my chest. Once again, there was the same breathing sound.
I wanted to believe it was a prank call, but I couldn't. I felt sick to my stomach and the anxiety took over as I went through all possible scenarios.
What if it was him?
Anson.What if he'd found my new number?I hung up abruptly. In a swift motion, I rushed to close all the curtains and ran to the door to make use of the extra locks I had installed for security.
My breath came in quick gasps, each exhale worse than before as I trembled with panic.
"This isn't real... this isn't real."
It was so bad, I sank to the floor, with my back against the cold, hard door.
"Calm down, Mena," I muttered to myself, struggling to catch my breath. "It's nothing, and you're probably just overthinking it."
That must've been it.
Alessio "I would like to make a toast and an announcement!" Domenico Fanucci got up from his chair, and for some reason I had hoped he wouldn't have. We were at the monthly Fanucci lunch with the family, and after a few drinks too many, in combination with cigars, dad could barely stand up straight. "Maybe you should sit down, Dom." Grandma tried saving him from embarrassment, but he wouldn't budge. Instead, he held on to his chair and raised his glass. "This old man," My younger brother Dante shook his head, disapprovingly. "He's so far gone, the only thing left for him to say are his final wishes for his funeral," My other brother, Gian spoke. "Ain't that right, Ales? I mean—look at him!" I responded with a low hum, staring at my extended family who all anticipated his words. Unfortunately this was nothing new in a family that worshipped him as if he was the lord himself, and rightfully so. Grandpa Fanucci had come to the country without a single penny, and grandma had follo
Mena Ever since that strange phone-call, nothing had been the same. How could I feel at ease without knowing whether my crazy ex had finally found me? Strangely enough, cleaning at the Fanucci mansion actually put my mind at ease. It was the one place I knew where he couldn't get to me. True, the Fanuccis were hardly saints themselves, but within these grand walls, I felt safer than in that tiny apartment. Natalie was my main concern, but it offered me some relief knowing she was either safely at school or with Mrs. Rodriquez. "Hey, you!" A rude voice snapped me from my thoughts. Quickly, I turned around and found myself locking eyes with Alessio Fanucci. Shocked, I drifted my eyes to the floor. I hadn't forgotten his intense gaze from the day before, when he himself had managed to spill his champagne on the table, and I had to apologize for it. "You," he continued, "They didn't clean my room. I need you to do it." Me? "Yes, Sir," I murmured, keeping my volume at a low. I wa
Alessio"Ales, what are you smiling about?" Mom questioned, referring to the small but evident smirk on my lips.I was in the backyard, trying to enjoy the little spare time I had, but as always, it didn't last long.Giulia Fanucci was a curious woman, always up to date with everything going on around 'her mansion' as she liked calling it.Unlike Maxine, Mom actually did hit the jackpot when she met Dad—and she was well aware.Not a day gone by she wouldn't tell at least one person the story about how she met him. Back then, her credit card declined, and Dad was there to save the day—but don't get it twisted. It was not her fault but the shops. According to Mom, the last part was a very crucial detail."It's nothing, Ma," I replied, trying to hide the clear satisfaction on my face. A smiling Alessio wasn't something that happened often, but I had my reasons.My plan was falling into place perfectly, and if everything kept moving this way, I wouldn't have to marry Maxine. That alone wa
Mena"We have to hurry Nat, or you'll be late for school!" I panted, encouraging her as we ran. We were on a tight schedule and had to sprint straight off the bus.A joyful giggle escaped Naty. We had overslept, and I was all but certain I'd be late for work too. Today was the day of the engagement party, and we had received strict instructions to show up early."Come on, Nat—this isn't going to cut it." I picked her up like a baby, walking towards the school gates. Naty who was still having fits of laughter, gripped her fingers into the denim jacket which perfectly hid my uniform."Mena, good morning!" A familiar mother from Naty's class spotted us. "I can take her inside. You look like you're in a hurry—go!" Her eyes were kind, but deep down I knew she pitied me, same as everyone else.These women saw me as a confused young girl who didn't know how to raise her fatherless daughter. That's the picture they had already painted before even trying to get to know me.At times I wondered
MenaAs the day turned into evening, the party was in full swing. The ballroom of the Fanucci mansion was filled with people of high status. Politicians, entrepreneurs, and I had overheard even the mayor was present.All these 'important' people couldn't fool me though, because just like everyone else, I knew what this family stood for.Among the attendees were also families from the underworld, who would just like the Fanuccis—hide behind their businesses, which were merely a shield to hide their criminal roots. A prime example was the Baldinis, the family of the future bride.Despite the glamorous outfits, the true nature of these mafia families was clear to those who could see beyond the surface.I knew all too well that men like Domenico Fanucci, who greeted the guests with a big smile, lacked the decency and empathy that made us human.I was exhausted from serving the guests their drinks and snacks. There was no time to rest as everything was performed under the watchful eyes of
MenaNo, this couldn't be true.Alessio Fanucci didn't just use me as a scapegoat.My eyes were wide open as everyone's attention turned towards me. I was never a big fan of the spotlight, and somehow I got involved in this mess.The whispers, the gasps, the murmurs—the attention was suffocating, and so was Alessio's grip around my waist, pulling me closer.I was lost, caught up in Alessio's twisted game that I didn't understand, let alone wished to play. All I could do was stand there, glued to my spot as fear crashed over me.My plan for the night was to avoid the Fanuccis and the Baldinis.Obviously that didn't work out."Jimena," Alessio locked his eyes onto mine, giving me a look that was enough of a warning that I couldn't fuck this up.I gulped, wondering what kind of nonsense would be leaving his mouth next."The words you said to me last night, you were right," he continued, his eyes never leaving mine. As far as I was concerned, I hadn't said a word to him.This was a nightm
MenaThe night had passed and it was morning already. Only, I hadn't closed a single eye. The events from yesterday were still running through my head. The way Alessio played me, fooled me, threatened me.All night, I had been stuffing clothes and all necessary belongings into suitcases. One thing was certain. I wouldn't be staying here in this apartment, risking mine or my daughter's life any longer.By the time I was almost finished, too much time had already past. So much time I didn't even realize it was already 8:30. Alessio's driver would arrive soon, and I was determined to get Natalie and myself out before then.In a hurry, I picked up the last of Naty's toys while she watched with a confused frown on her face. She had been staring at me wide-eyed since she had caught me packing like a possessed woman. Yes, I would love to explain the reasoning—but how could one even try and explain to a child that the monster from her bedtime stories was real?Naty's voice broke through the s
AlessioI tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for dad to finish his phone call. In the early hours he had already called me to his office, and at the moment he sat in his big chair, fully ignoring me as he discussed some sort of business.Behind him stood my uncle, Stefano, who also happened to be his advisor. Despite him being an almost 6'5 muscly beast, I had never feared him, liked him, nor admired him—but if looks could kill at the moment, I would've been dead by now.It was probably deserved after the scene I had thrown last night, when I had cut of my engagement with Maxine Baldini in front of everyone. To add fuel to fire, I had also announced my plans to marry the maid. Jimena.It was all an act, but the aftermath was very real.Ever since, the tension was thick. Dad hadn't looked at me since last night, and Dante who had sworn he wasn't into the maid, treated me like a ghost.Dad ended his call, meaning I could finally escape Stefano's dagger eyes. Not that it meant much beca