SHE IS THE MAFIA (BOOK#2)

Chapter 28

**Elias Pov (Finally)***

I pace the room. Back and forth.
Fourteen steps from the door to the edge of the bed, over and over again. 
The other end of the phone rings, and rings, and rings. Just as I am about to hang up, she answers.

"Elias?" my mother says, "Are you okay, my dear? You're calling so late,"

"Umm," I completely forgot why I called her. I guess I wanted someone to tell me that I wasn't the reason Carlos's life is such a mess. I know my mother would do anything to protect me from myself. Maybe I just want to be the little boy who needs his mother for a second.  "Nothing. I am fine," I lie, "I just haven't heard from you, that's all,"

She laughs, "That's because you told me to stop calling you after the last time. I didn't want to interrupt your time with Tempest,"

I rub the back of my neck, trying to rid the stressful knots, "Yeah, I am sorry. How is everyone?"

"Fine, fine. Your father's health has gotten significantly better since the last time you saw him. Your sister has been visiting him every day, making sure his medications are taken and all," she sighs, and I can tell the significant recovery isn't enough to allow dad to live a longer life. "You should be here... who knows how long your father can live on, Elias? Why are you still chasing her after all these years?"

"Mamma... we are not arguing about this again. I told you. I told you countless times... I have to try. I have to at least try or else I am going to live the rest of my life regretting,"

"But there is such a lovely lady waiting for you here. One who is fit for a wife and you choose to go through so much trouble to have a worthless outcome,"

"What do you have against Tempest so much?!" I cannot control the anger I feel when my mother talks down on Tempest. I completely forget what I was worried about earlier because now another argument about who I love is about to begin.

"Don't raise your voice at me. Even from another country, I am still your mother. I have nothing against Tempest and you know that. I can't stand how much control she has over you. I am afraid you are going to lose your sanity over her, and Lord knows that is the last thing anyone in this family wants to see,"

There is a knock on the door. 
I hear Tempest's voice softly calling my name.

"I gotta go," I hang up and place my phone on the dresses, "Come in love,"

I see her dark curls before her face appears, and she looks around the dim room. Her hand reaches for the lights, and it takes a second for me to adjust to the brightness. On the other hand, she is balancing a plate of food, which I am guessing is dinner.

"Sorry to interrupt your phone call," she says, nodding to my phone, "I just thought it was getting a little too late for you to eat," 

"No, it's alright," 

She keeps a great distance from me. 
Something feels different.
I can sense some nerves as she rocks back and forth on her feet. Her eyes scan the room as if she has never seen it before, and her hands are clasped behind her back. Tempest must be on edge because of my breakdown earlier. 

"I'm fine," I break the silence, "I was just surprised earlier. Carlos never really talked to me much after a while, and hearing how he trusts you with such a hard topic made me feel... I don't know...  guilty and jealous. But this whole thing was hard for all of- wait..." 

I just hit me.
How does she know what he means by "that night"?
I glance at her. Her doe dark brown eyes stare back at me, patiently waiting.