It was raining and dark early in the morning, and you could see sad expressions on everyone’s faces, especially the two siblings. Today is their mother’s funeral; she died of a brain tumor.

Richard approached Linnea and placed his hand on her shoulder, assuring her that everything will be fine.

Later, someone pats her on the back; she looks up to see who it was; it was Cindy, her best friend. Cindy hugged her tightly, and Linnea sobbed more at Cindy’s shoulder. She consoled her friend, saying, “Your mother is in a better place now; she doesn’t need to suffer any longer.”

After the blessing and burying their mother, most people say goodbye and left the three of them, Linnea, Richard, and Cindy, alone.

“Come on, you two,” Richard said to them.

Their mother left them many things, including the house she worked on for years and the money she earned for them to use. Their mother was a well-known designer who was adept at creating new styles of suites for men and gowns for women. Some of her designs have been worn by celebrities such as actresses and actors.

They drop Cindy off at her house first, but before she leaves, she says, “Always stay strong Linnea, you still have your brother, stay strong, both of you.” She stated.

Linnea felt empty when they arrived home, and she began to cry again. Richard embraced her and comforted her. “Come on, I’ll give you something your mother would like to give you.” He spoke to her. He leads her to the living room, where she takes a seat, while Richard goes to his office to retrieve the item that their mother wishes to give to Linnea.

Richard was a car designer who was well-known for his work. Some of his designs were picked up by well-known luxury car manufacturers such as Pagani, Bugatti, and Lamborghini, among others. Of course, before he became famous, he went through a lot of hardship; when Rachel, their mother, saw him at the dump, he had just been released from prison that day.

He returns to the living room and notices her staring at one of the three picture frames they have from a previous trip to an amusement park. “Hey!” he exclaimed, and she turned to face him.

“I’m going to miss you, Mother, a lot.” She said.

“Me, too...” He gave her a long look while tapping the paper in his other hand.

“Is that the one my mother wants to give me?” He looks at the envelope he was holding when she asks him.

He raises the envelope and nods at her before walking towards her and handing it to her. “It’s a letter from our mother. She stated that your father is the main subject of this letter. You and your mother have gotten into arguments over it since she doesn’t want you to know who he is and you keep questioning her about him.”

Linnea just smiled at him. “Yes!” she simply replied.

Richard places his hands in his pockets and nods, “Well, I’ll leave you here for a while. I hope you uncover some explanations for our mother’s refusal to reveal your father to you. I’ll cook something for us for dinner, okay?” She simply nodded at him. Linnea sighs heavily as he exits the living room and opens the envelope.

____________________

Dear Linnea,

I’m sorry if I always shut you down when it comes to your father. I am just protecting you from him. I am afraid that when you are old enough he will teach you things like what he teaches your half-brothers.

Your father was one of the highly respected Mafia Boss in Sicily, Italy. I ran from him because I was scared. He killed someone that harassed me at that time and I was pregnant with you at that time. I got traumatic because of that event. I can’t stand it. So I asked your father’s sister, Layla, she helped us to get out of your father’s manor and gave us a passbook to use for our daily living.

About your stepbrothers. There are three of them. His first son, Leo, was the sweetest and kindest. He also liked cooking liked, maybe you and him will be good to each other. Second is Francisco. He was a bit distant from me in the past, but he opened up a month later that your father bring always at his house, he likes taking care of his mother’s garden, so he likes gardening. And lastly Erick. Well, he was always in the room, but when snack time came, you would see him faster than the two. He likes video games, that’s why he is always in the room. I think you will love them when you get to know them more.

If you really want to see him, go to Sicily, and find him. I don’t know if they are still at the same house, but if you are going there, take your brother with you. And your father’s name is Antonio De Luca. Be careful, I love you always, my little sunshine.

___________________

Linnea cried after reading the letter because she now understands why her mother won’t let her know who her father is. Now that she knows, she believes it is unnecessary for her to see her father right away; it can wait. Right now, she was content to be with her brother. She gets up and walks into the kitchen, where she sees her brother preparing their dinner at the dining table. Richard took notice of her and smiled.

“So? How’s the letter?” he asked.

“I don’t think I need to see my father right now...” She stated, “I am happy to have you, and Mom stated in the letter that he was a dangerous man. So I don’t think I want to see him right now; when I have the courage to see him, that’s when I’ll meet him.”

“Hmmm, okay! But just how dangerous is he? Why is he a serial killer?” he wonders as he pushes himself into a dining chair and takes a seat.

She seated first before she answered his questions, “Mom said, he was one of the highly respected Mafia Boss in Sicily, Italy,” she sat first before answering his questions. “So he’s dangerous, and he’s also killed someone right in front of mom before, which is why she left him.”

“Hmm, that’s a good choice, I’m proud of you, but now go on and eat,” Richard says as he serves his sister. “You cried a lot, and you’ll need a lot of energy tomorrow.” He stated.

She raised her brow in perplexity, “We’ll go shopping to cheer you up a little. Mom will be angry with me if you’re still sad like this. I don’t want her to come to me and tell me I’m not taking care of you,” he explained. Linnea bursts out laughing at her brother’s joke. Richard made her laugh and told her to eat because they had a long day ahead of them tomorrow.