I must have gone totally insane. There was no other explanation for why Francesco's name had escaped my mouth. Why had I even thought about him? It had felt like my head had gone blank for a split second and those two names were the only things that existed in the world.
I had no idea if Glocciano and Francesco knew each other. But if they had both been invited to Becky's wedding then the chances were. What if he put a call across to Francesco now and tried to confirm the engagement?
This lie might cost me a lot. And now, more than ever, the realization of the possibility of digging my grave hit me again.
I inched back, keeping my eyes on the deadly predator in front of me. I held my breath and braced myself for a response, but both men– my father and Glocciano– fell silent.
Glocciano worked his jaw, his eyes shining with a fiery glint of anger.
"It seems your father forgot to mention this little detail to me," he said through gritted teeth.
He believed me. He bought my lie.
I nearly heaved a sigh of relief, but I suppressed any sign that could betray my bluff.
"I didn't know of any engagement," Father said, frantically dabbing his forehead as beads of perspiration formed despite the air-conditioning. "I swear, Glocciano, I didn't know of it."
"Well, you didn't ask," I hissed coldly and faced Glocciano. "My father was never interested in my life, or in whoever I dated," I said, my face blank. "So I didn't see any need to tell him."
Beside me, my father shook with rage, his fingers rolled into fists on his sides. I ignored him and kept my focus on Glocciano as I stood up, slowly taking my purse from the seat.
Glocciano's cold stare shifted to my father.
"You obviously failed to train your daughter," he hissed and my father flinched.
This was my chance. I couldn't waste more time and let Mr Glocciano ask me any more questions.
I gave him a low bow as I clutched my purse and took steps back. "Once again, Mr Glocciano, I apologize. I believe it's time for me to leave."
I didn't wait for his reply. I didn't wait to see my father's reaction either. I just spun around and started walking, stepping from the screened area and hurriedly maneuvering my way through the tables.
I left the restaurant and quickened my steps moving along the long corridor. I was surprised that no Glocciano's goons were waiting outside the restaurant, Glocks in pocket, to stop me.
I kept walking forward with the quick pace and stopped only when I passed the reception hall, and entered a small alcove.
I was not safe, not yet, but I needed a minute to catch my thoughts and contain the panic rising within me.
I leaned into the wall and placed my palm on my chest, feeling my heart rumble like thunder. My leg shook.
I might have dodged a bullet, but let's face it, I was screwed.
My father's enraged voice rumbled through the hall like thunder. He was talking with someone on the phone, his feet guiding him towards where I stood.
He reached the alcove before I had the time to move. Then, as he saw me, he pocketed the phone and inched towards me, his face a vicious mask. He grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the main corridor.
"Let go of me!" I yelled.
He threw me into a small meeting room. Then he walked inside and closed the door behind us.
"I know you lied," he said. "Now you'll go back in there and tell Glocciano the truth and beg for his forgiveness."
"Are you out of your mind?" I shrieked. "This guy is a fucking monster!"
"Don't believe every damn stupid rumor you hear!" he yelled back.
"Stupid rumor?" I scoffed. "This man is known for abusing women and trafficking them!"
"Then why is he not in police custody?" my father questioned with a smug smile. Like he had made a good point.
"And how about his two wives who went 'missing'?" I questioned back, raising my fingers to make quote marks in the air. "Do you seriously believe I will make myself to be the third wife he kills?"
"Nothing has been proven!" my dad bawled, unable to make any more defense. "And stop being an ungrateful brat. I'm doing this for you."
I stared at him indifferently.
"Think about it," he drawled on. "Fabrizio is rich. He would have paid for your mother's bills."
"And why would I need him doing that?" I demanded, my eyebrows furrowing in a suspicious frown. "What about the money you said you'd pay?"
He sighed. "My company's going through some crisis. I don't have the money to waste on some experimental surgery."
"Experimental?" I echoed, my voice shaking tearfully.
"Well, we're not sure it'll keep her alive," he said nonchalantly.
"This was not what you said when I came to you asking for help," I said, shaking with frustration and sadness. "You used me! I did everything you told me to."
"Well, you weren't trying hard enough to help my business," he said with a cold smirk. "But I realised your value lies elsewhere. If you marry Fabrizio, it will be beneficial for both of us."
A layer of hot tears glazed my eyes.
The last glimmer of hope I had that this dog would treat me like a daughter for once had just been extinguished.
I hadn't thought that I could hate him so much...he proved me wrong.
"You disgust me," I muttered, pushing past him and stormed out of the room.
"Come back here!" I heard his roar but it didn't stop me.
I kept walking, my hands fisted, my breath rapid. His voice still boomed as I passed the revolving door, but I kept walking till I reached the curb and raised my hand, hailing a taxi.
"Taxi," I croaked, hoping that the driver would stop. He did and I leaped in.
"Where to?" the driver inquired, glancing at the rearview mirror.
"Away from here," was the reply I could manage before I dissolved into tears.
.....
"I came as fast as I could."
Jade threw her arms around me, pulling me into a comforting embrace. "Are you okay?"
I forced a wry smile and nodded. "Yes. No. I don't know."
I sighed as I gestured for her to enter and she entered, patting my shoulder tenderly. Then as I made to close the door, a leg stepped in, stopping it.
I looked inquisitively and saw Jace, Jade's younger brother, his lips wide in his usual gummy smile which I had missed.
"Jace!" I squealed in delight, despite myself.
"How are you, lollipop?" he asked with a playful smile.
"Bad," I replied flatly and ushered him in excitedly.
Jace was Jade's younger brother. We had met, when my mom was still in a happy marriage with my dad and I still had life going on smooth for me, in art school. We had had to share a room together due to a fault in the administration office. We became friends after a few days of living together and became friends ever since. It was later I got to know he was my best friend's brother.
"I can't believe that dog kicked you out like that," Jace said and his gaze went to my unpacked suitcase. "I hope you at least packed a few valuable things from the place as compensation."
I slapped his arm and gave him a look. "You're aware that is called stealing."
"So?" he scoffed. "They wouldn't even notice."
"I would never steal," I said strongly and he shrugged. "Whatever," he muttered, opening my cabinet and taking out three wine glasses and a bottle of wine. "I'm just saying that this guy should pay for what he did to you."
"Well, technically, he didn't throw me out. I just went back and packed my things before he did it himself."
"Oh," he said and slumped into the sofa with me in between him and Jade.
I suddenly felt like I might cry. They were so sweet.
They were my emotional support team!
"I bet he stayed back to beg for Glocciano's forgiveness to make sure my actions didn't ruin his so-called friendship," I said as Jace popped the bottle and filled the glasses.
"So, what now?" he asked, handing me and Jade out glasses. "How do you plan to handle your mom's treatment?"
Jade grabbed my arm. "I can give you the money. I told you I can–"
I shook my head. "Jade, I love you for trying, but you know how complicated this is. You won't be the CEO till next year and even then, you can't just take the money without the necessary paperwork."
Jade exhaled.
"As much as I would love you to help Steph, it's too risky," Jace interrupted. "If Morgan finds out about it she might get dad to fire you and you can lose the office of CEO before you even get the chance to assume the position."
Like my family, Jace and Jade's family was also fucked up, with their dad having a lot of baby mamas one of which he took as his wife after their mom's unfortunate death.
Jace had defied his dad and become an artist while Jade had gone on to business school. That way, she was sure to take over the company. But a news of her laundering company money and shelling it out to a friend could get her fired and even charged.
"I hate this," Jade groaned.
I smiled weakly. "Tell me about it. Not only do I have to worry about my mom's surgery. I also have to worry about Glocciano coming after me."
"And why would he do that?" Jace demanded. "You told him you're not interested. End of story."
"I also offended him," I confessed. "I lied to his face. I told him I was engaged to Francesco Giacomo. And as soon as he finds out–"
"Then fix it," Jace said with a clever smirk and gulped down the rest of the liquor in his glass. "Turn the lie into a truth."
"What do you mean?" I asked with a nervous chuckle.
"Francesco Giacomo is looking for a wife. Meet him and tell him that you'd like to be his wife."