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“Good, because this is most unconventional of me.”
“I know.” I’ve known him long enough to have picked that part up.
“Finally, I own you. I mean it. I own every single part of you, heart, body, mind and soul, for as long as I want. You will do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want. This is your last chance to cry red. Do you hear me Serenity?”
I take in a quick breath. “Yes.”
“Those are my terms. Do you accept?”
“I accept.” I don’t even think. What is there to think about? It’s either this or nothing. I can’t even believe we got this far. I’m assuming this idea of mine must have been beneficial in other ways because I’m agreeing to keep quiet. I also think that for him to agree to this maybe his other plans fell through.
“Then we have a deal.” He gives me a look so scandalous, I think he's going to make good on those terms to own me, but to my surprise he looks away, then turns and goes back the way he came. Leaving.
He accepted my offer. He owns me now.
I just sacrificed myself to save my father.
I’m free.
But not really.
* * *
The maitre d ushers me through the restaurant, guiding me to where my father is sitting.
The moment I see him my nerves scatter and I try to remind myself to calm down. Dad is sitting in the furthest booth reading the menu. I don’t know why he bothers with one when he always orders the same thing when we come here— Malaysian curry with boiled rice and a dry Martini.
We’re at the Mandolim, an oriental restaurant he used to take Mom and me to. We come here sometimes. Just the two of us. It’s not fancy enough for Melissa and Natalie. This restaurant is one of the few places that doesn’t stir the grief from losing Mom. We had a lot of happy memories here.
As I walk toward Dad, I can almost see Mom sitting next to him in one of her Boho chic dresses and her long curls bouncing as she talks in some animated way about her day at work with her students. Dad would be laughing his heart out. My mother was the only person who could get him to laugh like that. Then I’d laugh too because the two of them together were hilarious. Even if you missed the joke, their happiness would rub off on you.
The memory fades when Dad looks up from the menu and smiles.
When I reach him he stands to give me a hug. As I can never tell what mood I’m going to catch my father is I don’t know if he’s trying to butter me up or if he’s genuinely happy to see me.
This is it. My first task as the…
What am I?
A double agent?
A hypocrite?
I don’t know and I guess it doesn’t matter. I did what I had to do to keep my father alive. So depending on which way you look at it, some might even call me the hero.
This morning I had to sign a contract that was issued to me by Borya. The terms and conditions Dante and I discussed were all laid out for me to sign my name to. Along with what would happen if I break the said terms and conditions. I didn’t read that part. I didn’t need to. I know the drill.
Now I have to sit here in front of him and eat, all the while pretending I don’t know what’s going to happen to him, or that I didn’t just give myself away to one of the most dangerous men in the city to protect him.
“Serenity.” Dad keeps his grasp on me and looks me over, as if inspecting me to make sure I’m not hurt.
“Hi Dad.” I’m staring at him and I can’t believe we’re here. ThatI’mhere.
“I’m glad you could make it.”
“Of course.”
The maître d pulls out my chair for me and I sit.
