Secrets Red Aloud: Mafias Undoing

chp23 The talk

Darya

I had been a part of the wedding planning as the maid of honour. I am reaching my limit of seeing my father. But it's good to see him smile. I think he's been sober for this whole planning phase which is a massive feat for him, it has been two weeks. Through my busy schedule, I was able to investigate more when I had the time, but the clock is ticking.

I want to be able to crack the case before the funeral. I knew I wouldn't be able to do so.. I sit on the benches outside while I wait for Becca to finish her smoke.

She inhales a long breath “you need to come with a date,” she taps the cigarette.

“That's going to be difficult.” I stare at the people who walk past, I wonder what they do, who they are, and what they have been through. I question, it's my job to do that.

“What about that guy ur friends were talking about… erm… Eduardo. No Eddy.” she mutters a few other names beginning with E.

“Tom.” I stopped her from going on. She nods in recognition. ”We broke up.”

I stare at this blond guy, who's been looking at me for so time. He starts to walk up to us, “we can go inside now.” I rubbed my hand together following her lead. They guy walks away. Defeated. Or maybe I'm seeing things. I have been more paranoid than normal since the bus stop incident.

“I like the vanilla one,what do you think, Honey,” my father askes. As they stuff their faces with cake.

I drown out the rest of the voices murmuring and agreeing with whatever they say. As the blond man walks in. I study what he does watching him inspect cake designs with no interest. The lack of interest is my worst fear. They found me.

“Darya, like I was saying make sure, you have a date?” She reminds me, she's practically pestering me at this point.

I stand here, staring at the number that ruined my relationship. But everyone is saying it was doomed from the beginning. Now that I look back I think of all the small things I did that made us come apart at the seams. I stare at the eleven digits that ruined my life.

I stop procrastinating and finally call the number. My eyes still fixed on the blond man that gave a little remembrance to someone.

Don't pick up. Don't pick up. Don't pick up. I plead.

The phone picks up. Silence drones on the line. Like a competition who is going to start talking first. The silence is deafening, my paranoia already on full blast as I speak first.

“Hello? ” I repeat impatiently. “Hello?”

“Oh, hi Rose.” he finally speaks, that's when I clock who it is. I can feel his smile across the phone.

I cringe my face, “My name is not rose.” I whisper into the phone.

“Your rose,'' I can hear people having a discussion in the background of his call.

“Rose, why are you calling me-”

I open my mouth, why am I calling him?’’

“You ruined my relationship.” I state that is why I'm calling him. Right?

“How, I don't even know you?”

“Well who saved themselves as your boyfriend on my phone. Because I sure didn’t.” I place my hand on my hip. Trying to control the conversation.

“What?” he says loudly, his background noise comes to a stop.”what are you talking about?” he demands.

“Ugh! You're unbelievable,"I rub my face with my hand, looking around for a private place to talk, I start to walk to the bathroom. I didn't want my business to be made public, and I became the talk of the wedding. I think I would actually die.

“You're really trying to play innocent right now. Let me cut to the chase.”