A MAFIA STORY: MY FATHER'S DEBT

Beach house

I woke up to the sound of beeping and I slowly began to open my eyes. 

“ Alfred,”  I groaned trying to sit up.

“I don't think you should do that,” he said, holding my hand.

“ Why do you sound so different,” I asked, my vision was still blurry so I couldn't really see.

“ Ahem,” he cleared his throat.

“Joseph, I got food for everyone,” someone walked into the ward. Now that's Alfred.

I snatched my hand from Joseph's and I turned to the other side.

“ Hey,” Alfred whispered.

“ What happened to me? I have never been in the hospital my whole life” I whispered back Jokingly.

“ The doctor said you have been under a lot of stress which is believable, but you'd be fine,”

“ Asshh… my whole body hurts,” I whined. “ Also, why can't I see properly?”

“ It's probably a side effect to the liquid that is going inside your body,” he said, touching my nose.

“ I'm starving,”

“ Yeah you should eat,” he said, bringing a pack of food close to me.

He helped me sit up and then began feeding me small spoons little by little. As soon as I was done eating, my vision started getting clearer little by little.

I dozed off for a moment before Alfred came back to say that I have been discharged. The drive home was fun and I kept laughing, Alfred is a funny person and he is fun to be with.

“ Hey,” Alfred knocked on the door to my room and walked in.

“ Hey,” I replied.

“ Get dressed, we are going to Joseph’s family house in Florida,” he winked and then disappeared.

Family house? Did Joseph finally agree to talk to his family?

I took a quick shower and got dressed. I packed a few things into my duffel bag then I remembered that I have a phone and Lara’s number.

Me: Hey Lara, this is Zola.

I sent a text and kept my phone in my back pocket, grabbing my duffel bag and swinging out of the house.

“ Hey,” I said, settling into the driver's seat next to Alfred.

“Hey,” he replied, stretching a protein bar towards me.

“ Thank you,”

We drove to the airport, boarded the plane and in three hours, we arrived in Florida around 5pm. I turned on my phone as we drove to Joseph's family house.

Lara: You remembered to text me which means you are coming to the family house right? Can't wait to see you.

I kept reading the message until we arrived at a beach house, it was getting quite late already. Why is she so nice to me? Do I have a chance of getting a real friend after all these years? I shouldn't trust anyone after what Abena did to me.

I got out of the car and was met with the wind at the beach, throwing my hair in different directions.

“ Thank you,” I said to Alfred who had carried my bag.

“ It's okay, I'd take it to your room” he smiled and we began walking into the house.

We walked up a few steps that revealed a large pool surrounded by morden blue huts, decorated with light. At the extreme end was an open hut that had a large wooden dining table and chairs surrounding it.

“ One of the hut is yours, I'd drop your bag” Alfred whispered into my ears.

I turned to see Joseph, hands locked with Ama Walking towards the open hut. I grabbed my phone and read Lara’s message one more time trying to figure out how to act with her. What if she thinks we are friends?

There were so many people at the table but I was able to find Lara in a few seconds. Her face lit up the moment they landed on me and that made me feel what I haven't felt in years.

“ Zola,” she yelled, running towards me.

My smile broadened and I hugged her tightly as soon as she made her way to me.

“ Hey, Lara” I mumbled, because she was squeezing me so tightly.

“ I almost thought that you weren't going to be here, come with me,” she said, holding my hand and leading me to the table. 

I sat next to her and saved a spot for Alfred. He arrived and sat next to me.

“ Hi James,” I waved and he smiled back.

The table was bustling and busy, everyone was talking and laughing and took time to notice me. I'm kind of glad about that.as soon as my plate was served, I picked it up and left the table.

I walked into another empty hut and sat inside and ate my food peacefully. I don't know if I'm shy but I wasn't comfortable seating with so many people.

“ Hey, were we making you so uncomfortable that you had to leave?” Lara said, walking into the hutt with a plate of food on one hand and a gift bag in the other.

“ No, it's not that. I just wanted to be alone” I explained.

“ That's okay, I'd leave now” 

“ No, no, you can stay,” I said.

“ Are you sure?”

I nodded and she took her seat.

“The girl with Joseph, is she his girlfriend?” She asked.

“ I have no idea,” I replied sincerely.

I really don't know what's between them.

“ Hmmn. That reminds me, I got you something” she said, giving me the gift bag.

I peeped into it.

“ It's an African print dress, boots and a necklace,” she said.

Why does this make me feel so uncomfortable?

“ Why are you getting me gifts?” I asked.

“ Ohh, I had no idea you don't like gifts”

“ That's not it. We are barely friends and you got me all of this. You are making me so uncomfortable” 

I stood and walked into my hut. I shut the door and plopped down on the bed.

“ Urghh, what is going on??”

I scanned the hut briefly, wow. It's sophisticated and looks nothing like the outside. There's a couch, a dresser, a mirror, this large mattress and other beautiful things but there was no door which means the bathroom is not in here.

I was pulling off my shoes when I heard a knock on the door.