Involved with the Mafia

7.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out a crumpled piece of paper I found on my dad the day I left. It's a parking ticket from a garage in New York. We live in New Jersey, the reason why is because it's a thirty minute drive away from his supposed job as a businessman.

From my back pocket, I grab his wallet. Slipping out his ID, I smile at the sight before me. His face was as content as he was when he was with my mom. I could see the wrinkles at the edges of his eyes, the crinkle of his forehead and the stubble on his chin and cheeks. Surging through my heart is the aching pain of longing.

  I miss him.

  As I was about to close his wallet, I spot a business card. It's stained a slight yellow with calligraphy ink displaying the company name.

  Garret's Money Management.

  It was pretty evident that my dad wasn't a businessman, so why does he have a card?

  Just on time, someone knocks on my door. Fiddling the edges, I gently open the door for Wilson. My breath hitches in my throat. I hadn't planned what to do once I see him. Seeing him right in front of me, with his brown eyes pleading into mine gives me a sense of an intimidating feeling. His hair is flattened on the top of his head, dark circles are under his eyes and his lips curl into a frown.

  "Reece."

  I walk backwards and he makes his way in, shutting the door after him. Without once taking his brown eyes off of me.

  "Wilson, it looks like you haven't slept," my hand reaches for his face, but his cold ones hold it before I can touch it.

  "I worry for you, Reece," his voice reaches my ears and I get a slight dizziness.

  "I'm fine. Where's Klara? Is she alright?"

  "She's okay. A little upset, but it'll blow over."

  I shake my head. "I'm so sorry." 

  He grabs my face and looks into my eyes. From the window, a light shines to his face and sculps his jawline. His face is so sharp, so detailed that I had to look away. I don't know what's come over me. I didn't know that love could overpower my heart and break what's left of it.

  I'm being a coward. I'm not supposed to feel this way for a person I can't have. So when he leans in to kiss me, I push myself backwards.

  I have to respect Klara even though she's not being respected by the one who sets a wall for her. In a snap of my finger, the sadness that goes through my body tightens and leaves a cold residue.

  "Wilson. I loved you and you loved me. But it didn't work out. Klara has you know, and you have to respect her. Even though her and I aren't in good circumstances, I won't be that person who goes behind her back. Whatever we feel for each other has to stop, Wilson."

  His body stands upright and he ruffles the hair at the top of his head. "I made a bad decision, Reece. I get it."

  "What?"

  "I made a bad decision in choosing Klara. I was fazed by her. By the both of you. The minute she pulled down her..." he sighs, "She told me to choose her, Reece. She knew you had feelings for me and like the ignorant guy I am, I fell for it. I'm afraid of how heartbroken she'd feel if I left her."

  "Even more afriad than what I might've felt?"

  I tear slips down his eye. "I knew you were heartbroken. Just don't ask me why I didn't comfort you."

  I shake my head. "Wilson, forget it. Don't worry about me."

Dismissing him, I turn my back and sit on the chair by the large computer, eyeing the web I made on the wall above it with the paint.

  He makes his way over to me and views the paint. "You did that?"

  I nod my head, then stand and point to all the thumbtacks pinned to a map. "I might need more, but this would do for now."

  "Let me help you."

  I spin to face him. "No, Wilson."

  He grabs my arm gently. "It'll only be professional, Reece. I won't distract you."

  I shake my head once again. "You'll just be a reminder."

  "Only if I give you something to remember," he lets go of my arm, "I might know where your dad's job is."

  My eyes search his. "You're still going to be a reminder."

  The edges of his lips twitch. "I knew all this time, Reece. Even when you were clueless as to what profession he is. Come on, Reece. Hate me. I kept this from you."

  I can't hate him.

  "Do you have feelings for me, Wilson?"

  He keeps quiet for a moment, before lifting and closing his mouth. "No."

  My mind goes blank for a moment before looking at his eyes. His tongue rolls out lies while his eyes show too much compassion. He does have feelings for me. He's saying he doesn't for the sake of me.

  And to get through this with him by my side, I believe it.