The key not being locked twice was enough clue that I wasn't home alone, I don't panic though, and continued to sing my way in, as I lock the door behind me turning the key twice, I notice that whoever broke into my apartment has taken off his shoes and helped himself to one of my slippers.

couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me.

Whoever this person is, they seem to be different than all the men my father sent all those years ago, The last one being five years ago.

"I thought he gave up five years ago," I say to the man standing by my window his back towards me, I walk to the kitchen island and put my bag of groceries on top, "what is it this time?" I asked the stranger as I emptied the bag, and laid out the groceries on the kitchen island.

The man turns around his hands in his pockets, unlike the rest of the men sent before who dressed like thieves or murders, this man is dressed in a business suit, with a vest and all, and seems like he's here to talk or to deliver a message.

To be honest, he seems more intimidating than all the thugs my dad sent before. Nonetheless, I turn around to put the groceries in their rightful space.

"Your father is dying." Said the stranger.

What he said makes me pause, did he say what I think he said, he seems too serious to be lying here, is it finally over? "Happy Mourning I guess," I shrug my shoulders, moving on to put the rest of my things away "so what does that have to do with me?" I ask, surely he's not here to tell me this, I could've found out from the news.

"He's leaving the Potenza organization to me," the stranger says.

"Congrats!" it's not like I want anything to do with it, "but why am I sensing there's a but there?" I asked as I finished putting my groceries away.

"There's a condition." The man said.

"Too bad," I fake sadness, "you can figure it out by yourself, I'm gonna head to the shower, I've had a long day at work, you know where the door is, see yourself out," I said as I shooed him away, and walking to my bedroom.

I unbuckle my wristwatch and place it on the dresser, then I walk to the bathroom, and just as I was about to start to undress, "Teegan," I freeze, "Farah," hand gripping the countertop I turn my head to face him, " and Wayne." He says those names with a tone that is not leaving room for discussion.

I sigh and turn away from him, "wait in the living room." I ordered, not waiting for a reply from him.

I showered in silence, hadn't had a shower like that in a few years, I hated showering in silence, but I needed to listen and pay attention to my surroundings in this vulnerable state, can't have anyone attacking me suddenly while I'm unaware, it did remind me of my training, my thoughts would get lost in the past, or the negative future.

I got too comfortable, too confident, too cocky, too lonely.

I don't waste too much time in the shower and get out, I can't enjoy this shower knowing he's still there.

I don't think I can enjoy any future showers for a while.

After getting dressed I leave my room and go to the kitchen, opening my fridge I grab my leftover dinner from the night before and shove it in the microwave, while it's getting reheated I prepare my tableware and a glass of water, once everything was done I bring my food to the coffee table.

The stranger was sitting on one of my chairs, "what's your name so I can stop calling you a stranger in my mind?" I ask him.

"Rosario," Rosario answered.

"So what's your problem, Rosario? Coming here and disturbing my evening" I asked stabbing my knife into the chicken.

"I want us to get married," he says so nonchalantly.

I maintain my calmness at his absurdity, and instead, I asked him "Why?"

"Your father will only pass down the organization to a Potenza" he explains.

"Then let him adopt you" I shrug.

"Unfortunately, that's not on the table, your father has rejected the idea" Rosario knocks down my suggestion.

I scoff and shake my head, I can't help the smile, the chuckles, and the laughter that ensued, "you do realize you're just his pawn here right?" I asked as I took a bite of my dinner.

"Yeah, so?" He doesn't seem to care.

"Why should I agree to this?" I asked taking a sip from my water.

He slips his hand inside his suit jacket and retrieves a phone, he unfolds the phone and taps twice on the screen, then he slides the phone across the coffee table in my direction.

On the screen was a video of my friend Farah and her family, enjoying a meal together and laughing, looking all happy.

"This is such a holy time for them isn't it?" Rosario asks but he already knows the answer, "fortunately for me, Ramadan is about to end and Eid is just around the corner," he clasps his fingers together, "what do you say will happen if she's the sole survivor of her family on that joyful occasion?" That makes my eyes twitch, "surely that would mess her up" he smirks.

This sick bastard, no wonder dad chose him as his successor, I put my fork down, no longer feeling hungry.

I sit back and fold my arms, "Is that it? You just want my last name?" I frown, surely there's more to this.

"For now yes," he says standing up, he buttons his suit jacket then bends to pick up his phone from the coffee table, "I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow," he puts his phone back in his inner pocket, "we'll be in touch."

I stay in my spot and don't follow him, listening as he left my house, I rest my head back and sigh.

How long would this hell last?

🖤

I couldn't fall asleep after Rosario left, flashes of my past playing in my mind every time I closed my eyes, eventually, exhaustion took over, luckily I had the day off, I sleep through the day and woke up by the sound of my doorbell.

I yawn and stretch out of bed, heading to the door I check the beep hole to see who it is. I sigh, another man in a suit.

"Yes?" I question as soon as the door was open.

"Uh, I'm here to pick you up sir," the driver said.

"What for?" I fold my arms, and the man looks unsure of himself.

"To meet Don Rosario, sir"

I rub my forehead, I mean what else does that sick bastard want, can't we just go to the courthouse to get married and get this over with? "Wait in the car," I order the driver as I turn around to go back inside, I need to brush my teeth and change my clothes, it doesn't take long for me to get dressed since I already took a shower the night before, in less than fifteen minutes I was outside and locking the door behind me, I get in the passenger seat, and the driver turns and opens his mouth to probably object my seating choice, but I cut him off, "Drive."

He clicks his mouth shut and obeys my order, driving away from my house to the godawful place I used to call home.