Hidden.

II.

"Something troubling you, madam?" Fallon's voice cut through my deep thoughts. I looked at him as he was typing something on his phone. Emails, I presume. We were sat across each other at our living room. The white couch was always my favorite place to crash whenever I was depressed. The sunlight would slide across the room in the afternoon, meeting the golden chassis of the table that separated the two couches. "Madam?" Fallon repeated, looking a bit concerned. I sat up straight and sighed. "Fallon, have you ever been threatened?" I asked. Fallon looked up from his phone and laid back. His forehead creased with lines as if deep in thought or just genuine concern. "As in, death threats?" he asked. I nodded meekly and he chuckled. "Madam, I have been a part of the Caville family longer than your father has. I know things that even your parents don't, and not just know..witnessed. I have been threatened the whole time I was here because I am the brain of this place. Hell, you father even comes to ME for advice!" He shook his head and smiled. "Why'd you ask, Madam?" My chest tightened. This all seems so light to him, I almost forgot about Sixto's plans on killing him. But I remembered that all of those threats were OUTSIDE of the family. Has anyone in the family every tried to kill him? "Has anyone in the family ever..you know.." I started. Fallon's head tilted, shocked and curious. He opened his mouth to answer but before that, I heard my Mom's heels clicking on the tiles. "Ceres, can I talk to you for a moment?" she said. "Later." I told Fallon and walked towards Mom. She was wearing this silk robe with a tropical print, the ring on her finger clacked as she raised her wine glass to her mouth. We walked to her office and sat down. "What's up, Mom?" I asked. She settled her glass down on the mahogany table. "Ceres, you have always been the impulsive one between you and Sixto. This whole...contest between you two could easily be avoided." she was treading carefully with her words, her fingers circling the mouth of her wine glass. I narrowed my eyes. "What are you saying?". She sighed and stood up. She walked around her table and leaned back, facing me. "Ceres, do you really want to run this family? This is a lifetime responsibility, and you know that." she said. I felt the anger flowing through my head. "Are you asking me to bow out?" I asked. She bit her lip and shook her head. "That's not what I'm implying, Ceres. I'm just saying as a woman, you might have other...interests. Goals and dreams. This is not all glamour and you know that." I stood up. "I can't believe this. And I expected your support the most. My own mother—" she cut me off. "Ceres, I just want what's best for you." she said firmly. "No, you just want your favorite child to win. You don't think I know you love Sixto more? Yeah. I can feel it, Mom and I've known for so long but you don't have to rub it in my fucking face." I snapped at her and walked out. I felt my tears welling up my eyes. I stopped walking and took a deep breath. I can't be emotional. If I was going to run this family, I can't let anyone stop me, not even my family. And especially not Sixto. I'll prove to them that I can play their sick little game. I deserve this family. At least Sixto was right about one thing, I should be willing to kill for it.

And now, I am.