“No, but some of the conversations I’ve been privy to between him and Victor have alluded to it,” he says.
“What am I gonna do, Vince?” Tears fall from my eyes. “I can’t marry him.”
Vince reaches over and brushes a tear from my cheek. “You know what, I’m done cowering to the animal we call ‘Father,’ and Victor is no better.”
“Vince, I’m not sure there is anything you can do, but if you can think of something, you’re my last hope,” I plead.
He sits there in silence, and I can tell he is in deep thought. Then, as if a light bulb shines in his head, he says, “Actually, Zaira, there is.” He pauses and then looks directly into my eyes. “Do you trust me?”
I nod. “Yes, of course I do. I trust you more than anyone.”
“Good,” he says. “I want you to be the perfect daughter. Go through the motions of being the perfect fiancée and leave the rest to me. I promise you, you will not have to marry Victor.” He gets up from his chair and bends to kiss my forehead. “Can you do that?”
Weary at his ambition, I reply, “Yes, I can do that.” Really at this point I don’t have a choice. “You really think you can help me?”
“Personally, no, I can’t. But I know someone who will be more than happy to take care of it for me.” He pauses. “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse,” he says in his best Marlon Brando impersonation from theGodfather.
“Please don’t joke, Vince. This is serious.”
He leans over again and kisses my cheek. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to make fun; I was just trying to lighten the situation. I know it’s serious, and I promise you I’ll fix it. Can you do what I ask?”
It’s not something I am looking forward to, and the thought of being Victor’s fiancée repulses me, but I do trust Vince. If he says he’ll take care of it, then I believe him.
“I have some calls to make,” he says. “Remember what I said. Go through all the motions, Zaira. You have to be convincing.Capisci?”
“I understand,” I reply.
He leaves the patio just as Holly brings our ice teas. She sets them on the table and asks, “Should I take the other one back, Miss Zaira?”
I smile. She’s really sweet, and I hope she sticks around with us a little longer than the last one. With my father at the helm, you never know. “No, Holly, you can leave it. I’ll probably end up drinking it anyway. I’m gonna sit out here for a while. Thank you.”
She smiles and leaves.
