The Rich Life

44

"What? To discuss the fact that my daughter defended herself from your insane daughter," Dad answered, eyes blazing, "And you're going to start a blood war. She killed 6 people and injured 12,"

There was a shift in the room, my stomach plummeting. Dad always has to take it one step too far, doesn't he? The guy, who I assumed was Nikolai, tightened his jaw. 

"But don't forget. Your daughter also pretended her son belonged to my son-in-law. And she slept with an engaged man KNOWING he had a fiance at home. And she swindled hundreds of thousands of pounds and dollars out of our fortune. We did what we had to,"

Dad continued, laughing. It was a harsh, metallic sound, the sound of a man who was strong and arrogant and knew his values. I was often scared of this version of my Dad because it was an echo of my childhood, "She attacked my sister. Meena Khan. You want to suddenly claim your daughter as your own, now? Now, after you had abandoned her for years?"

"Bhai, this wasn't part of the fucking plan. We were supposed to make peace," Bilal hissed in his ear. Dad ignored him, glaring defiantly into the fierce eyes of Angeloff. 

They all sat silent for a moment, thinking. Valentino's gaze lingered on my arched back as I bent to pick up the miniature world globe which I was fiddling with. 

"Forgive my brother. He is not used to his authority being challenged and knows nothing of how to deal with a mafia," Bilal said respectfully, his head bowed. 

"Was she initiated?" Dad interrupted.

"What do you mean?" Valentino asked, his voice as deadly as a poisoned blade, "Our girls are not initiated into our mafia. They are born only to carry on our legacy. The Seraphim," He gestured to his Father, "Himself has agreed that,"

It was all rather blasphemous if you asked me. Using the hierarchy of pure angels and associating it with the unholiness of a mafia. And I was partially disgusted at the words Valentino said. How often had I heard those exact words when I was younger? That girls were nothing. 

I think he mistook my look of rage for a look of seduction because he smirked at me in such a vulgar way. I know his type. Vile womanizers who will fuck everything with a vagina. Some have hope. Others don't. 

"Girls aren't worthless," I told them quietly. 

"Zahra. Shut up," 

"Speak up girl. I can't hear you," Ivan said, surveying me with narrowed eyes. 

Valentino was staring at me obnoxiously, taking in the smooth curve of my leg. I gave him an unflinching glare, tossing my hair over my shoulders, noticing his stare centering at my breasts. Scowling, I pull my jumper closer round me. 

"I said girls aren't worthless," 

My voice echoed around the empty room. Ivan's eyebrows raised in surprise. 

"I never said they were. I suggested they have other purposes," He sneered. 

"Well that's on you. You know. My Dad used to be just like you. Narcissistic, believing no one can beat him. Proud. Arrogant. Fearsome. He believed the exact same things you did, that girls should only serve their family or husbands. It got him nowhere with his family,"

"What does that have to do with anything," 

"I'm just saying. Girls can do whatever they want. They aren't just a womb. They are more. More than a man," 

Angeloff opened his mouth to respond, but the doorbell rang, puncturing the silence. Bilal breathed a sigh of relief, whispering to me to shut up whilst he answered the door. I ignored him. Obviously.