The Mafia's Possession (Ongoing, Being Edited)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

"Just call him already."

I glare at my brother, for what feels like the hundredth time in a short span of ten minutes.

"I'm building up my confidence, leave me alone." I respond with annoyance.

"He's your step dad. What are you so scared of? Is he going to send you to jail or something?" Diego questions as he shoves a handful of skittles into his mouth. "I'll give you the green skittles as a prize if you call him within the next two minutes." He finishes saying through a mouthful of skittles.

Three days had already passed since we left Spain and returned to Italy. Nothing interesting has happened since our return. For the most part, the father and daughter bond between Santiago and I was growing with each passing day. At least I like to think it has.

Despite his job occupation of being some mafia Don, he's a really nice, caring and smart man. I don't have a doubt in the world that he would've been a great father to me if I had had the opportunity to be raised by him.

But between those feelings of accepting Santiago as my father I still have a nagging feeling of guilt eating away at me. Days have passed since I last spoke with Chris, and the last time we spoke we didn't exactly end things on good terms, hence my current dilemma.

For the past hour and a half Diego and I have been sitting in one of the study rooms in our fathers home. For some stupid reason I couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone and call Chris. After my conversation with Adriano the other day  I know that he's right. I can't just show up to New York in the state that I was in. Hell, I couldn't show up to an airport looking the way I do without raising questions.

Chris would no doubt use my condition as a reason to hate Santiago. Deciding to stay a few more weeks was one thing, but figuring out how I'm supposed to tell my stepdad that I was going to extend my stay, for maybe a couple of months, is going to be hard.

It doesn't help that Diego is in his usual relaxed and teasing mood. Every time I pick up the phone and put it back down he has a smart ass comment to say to me. I was tense, nervous, and scared. Diego doesn't understand why I was acting this way.

The more I think about it the more I start to realize that I also have reasons to be mad at Chris. He has purposely kept information from me and he has lied about certain things like saying that he didn't know Santiago or about his whereabouts until just recently. Whether he thought it was for my well being doesn't make it hurt any less that I was kept in the dark. I have a right to know.

With new found confidence I finally pick up the phone and dial his number. While the phone ring and I wait for him to answer his phone I glance at Diego who is sitting on the other side of the big mahogany desk. He's poured all of the remaining skittles on top of the desk. I can't help but think of how mad our father is going to be if even a little scratch is left on his precious desk.

I stifle a laugh and hold back an, "aww," as Diego starts to pick out the green skittles from the rest. He looks up to me and sticks his tongue out. "I knew the skittles would convince you." He says while I roll my eyes.

"Hello?" The sudden sound of my step dad's tired voice makes my heart squeeze with guilt.

I clear my throat and blink back tears as overwhelming emotions take over my body. The conflicting feelings of being mad, homesick, and guilt is not a good combination to feel at once.

"It's me, Clarissa." I try to say with a strong voice yet it comes out as a little whisper.

"Clarissa? Are you okay? Why are you calling from a private number? Never mind, I need to explain myself for what happened last time." Chris is speaking fast, not giving me a chance to respond. "I'm sorry for trying to guilt trip you last time. You have no idea how much I've been kicking myself for that. There was no way for me to contact you to apologize. I've been waiting and wondering when you would call again. Adalfo hasn't seen you since the day he dropped you off either." His words rush out all at once as if I was going to hang up on him any minute.