The Don's Daughter: Love & Betrayal

Thirty Four

Marianna 

         I blink my eyes open. It takes a few seconds for me to recognize my surroundings which is funny because I'm home. At least that's what this is supposed to be. My home. The place I grew up in and which should have a lot of memories. But I have bad memories that I'd rather forget. Growing up here hadn't been easy. Many are the times I wished for a family that would at least care for me. A mother that would tell me everything would be okay. I always imagined her taking my side every time Padre got mad and took his anger out on me. I try not to hold a grudge against my birth mother. I've never met her but there had to be a reason she couldn't be with me. Maybe now that Padre is dead....

No. I can't start thinking like that. Not when I have so much to do. I managed to get Giovanni to leave me alone yesterday but I know he's going to barge in here any minute now. I still can't believe he's dead. It all seems so surreal, like I'm dreaming and someone is going to wake me up soon. I would really hate that. My life might be harder now that I'm the head of the Lombardi organization but it's better than being a slave. I know it won't be easy because I'm a woman. It's even going to be harder to get people to trust me.

I have no idea where to begin. The things I stole from Chris are still sitting in a warehouse. In my head, getting buyers was so much easier than in real life. People tend to shy away from new players. It's true that I have the name Lombardi but that isn't enough for others to trust let alone buy anything from me. I need someone who's word can be trusted. Someone who's been in this business for long and knows how it works. As much as I hate to admit it, I need Giovanni. I would have preferred to do away with anyone who was loyal to Padre but I have no choice. I'm going to have to keep him until I stabilize my position.

Stretching, I get out of bed. Last night when I asked Chris to make love to me, I wasn't myself. Maybe that's why he turned me down. I still can't believe he said no. Was Paulo right about him? I thought he had feelings for me but after yesterday, I'm not so sure. Not that anything can happen between us now. I'm going to be so busy that I won't have the time to roll around the sheets with anyone. On my way to the  bathroom, I look at the clock noting that it's almost nine. I find it weird that they let me sleep for so long.

After taking a shower, I head downstairs. There are men sitting in the living room with Giovanni. Actually it's more like huddled and from the looks of it, they're discussing Padre's funeral. One of them happens to look up then jumps on his feet. The others follow suit and I realize Giovanni wasn't kidding about them respecting me.

"Doña Marianna, I take it you had a good night's sleep? We have a lot to discuss and I need you to be on your toes" Giovanni says approaching me. Honestly I don't know why he's doing this. He was always Padre's most trusted man who did everything he was told. If anything, he should be the first one to oppose me but here he is. Making sure everyone respects and follows my orders.

"Okay. But let's drop the Doña part. It makes me uncomfortable and I'm too young to be addressed like that"

"No. I suggest you keep it. It reminds people that you're above them. No one out there is more powerful than you right now. Even De Luca doesn't come close"

Oh yeah. No pressure at all

"Okay then. You wanted to talk about the funeral?" one step at a time. This is me compartmentalizing right now.

"Yes, have a seat" he leads me to a chair one of the men just vacated "The Don will be cremated by the end of today. Tomorrow we'll hold a memorial of sorts, let his business partners and the people who knew him come together to bid him goodbye. I know how your relationship with him was so I don't expect you to mourn for him. You'll be there to meet everyone. Make yourself acquainted with your future partners"