Mafia Flower // Harry Styles

9

The shocking electric bolts of lighting zapped the bustling city. Rain drops shot down like bullets. It was was spring and the weather was rainy. Usually, I enjoyed rainy weather but every roar of thunder reminded me of the bombs and bullets at my Italian home. I hugged myself tight as memories of my dog being shot down replayed in my mind. I covered my ears with sleeves of my sweater but I could still hear the whimpers of Ace and my security gaurds as they bled out. As the rain drops rolled down the giant windows, I remembered how the blood rolled down the creme paint of my childhood home. Everyone who sacrificed themselves to save me was gone forever and I somehow felt guilty. I tried to tell myself it was what they signed up for when my father hired them.  The lightning bolt struck dangerously close to my window and I jumped out of bed. I hugged myself as I shuffled to the dark kitchen to make myself a hot cup of tea. When my tea was made, I began to saunter back to my bedroom but stopped midway when I heard a thump from the door. Who could be here at this time of night? I tip-toed towards the door cautiously. I peeked through the peep-hole. There was nothing but an empty hallway. I unlocked the locks as quietly as possible and I peeked around the door while using it as a shield. There was a lonely box on the floor. I decided not to pick up the strange box and closed the door. I sauntered over to Harry's room. His door was wide open and I peeked inside. He was caccooned in black bed sheets. I pondered if it was a bad idea to wake him.

"Harry." He rolled over to face me. His eyes blinked open slowly. He rubbed his eyes and sighed.

"What is it?" He muttered.

"There's a package at your front door. I didn't know if you wanted me to pick it up," I told him quietly.

There was a puzzled look on his face as he pushed himself off the bed. He explained that he wasn't expecting any packages as he sauntered towards the door. I followed him to the door as my curiousity increased for whatever was in the box. He peeked through the peephole and advised that I stay back. I shuffled backwards a few feet and he opened the door to inspect the mysterious box. He easily opened the box and viewed whatever was inside for a few seconds. My view of the box was blocked by his back. He shut the box rapidly and came inside with a note in his hand. I immediately asked, "What is it? What's inside?"

Ignoring me, he set down the note, reached for his phone, and dialed a number. I picked up the strange note and read, I see you, Sophia.

I dropped the note and immediately glanced around. Myand heart beat raced. All week I felt like I was being watched but I thought I was just being paranoid.

Harry was speaking to my father, I assumed. He turned to me and demanded, "Pack your stuff. Don't look inside the box."

Without asking questions, I did as told and packed all my things. I wondered how they found us and who 'they' were. We headed to the airport and flew to southern Florida to meet with my father. I mostly slept on the flight to catch up on sleep. Before landing, the humid tropics and beaches of Florida was in view. Some men who work for my father picked us up and we drove to the beach house. The large beach house was familiar to me as I remembered taking vacation here as a child. The house was protected by large gates and heavily gaurded by armed men patrolling the top. Tall palm trees shaded the mansion and the car. The men carried my suitcases away and stepped out of the vehicle and into the mansion with Harry in tow. An alarm beeped but it was quickly disarmed. My mother descended the stairs without my father. She raised her arms to embrace me and I gave her a weak hug.

"Sophia, can we talk in private?" My mother asked, her eyes switched between Harry and me. I nodded and followed him upstairs to his office. She shut the door.

My mother began suddenly, "Your father has a disease." I furrowed my brows in shock and confusion. She rested her hands on my shoulders and she continued firmly, "You must not tell anyone. No one can know he is weak. Do you understand?"

I nodded my head. My mother spoke, "I'm proud of you. I'm proud of the woman you're becoming. I love you, mia figlia." She smiled at me for the first time in ages. I embraced her again. Maybe papa having a disease is making her relaize how short life is.

My head rested on her shoulder and I murmured, "What will happen to Papa? Will he live?"

My mother pulled away said, "There's a cure they're working on. We've offered a lot of money to be the first ones to have it."

"Can I see him?" I asked.

"Yes, follow me." I followed her to the bedroom and she opened the door to reveal my father lying on the bed. He appeared to be weak and slowly moved his head in my direction.

"Sophia...It's good to see you again. I was worried about you." His voice was weak and almost hoarse.

"Why didn't you call me?" I asked while maintaining a distance.

"I'm busy and I'm sick. I think that is enough reason," he stated.

"I'd like to speak with Mr. Styles and everyone now," he stated a bodygaurd opened the door to allow him inside. Harry entered and and important members of his gang entered.

"I think it's important I reveal the events that led up to this moment so we can continue with our plan of defense," My father stated.

"About ten years ago I made a deal with Boris, leader of the Albanian mafia. He wanted to trade my daughter. I of course, would not give up my daughter for anything in the world. So, I offered him ten million dollars and twenty percent of the company to make him back off. I foolishly misread the contract and now he thinks I owe him. That's why he's been hunting us for years. As for the Russians, they must know or assume that I possess the secret documents now."

My father looked to Harry and said, "I see my daughter was in good hands with you." His eyes switched to me. "Is that right?"

I nodded.

"Then, I trust you to retrieve the weapon we need to take them down."

"Yes, sir. For your daughter."

My heart skipped a beat at Harry's words.

My mother handed Harry a paper with a location written on it. The location was writren exactly with coordinates, an adress, a city, a country, and a name to ask for.

Later that day, I trailed onto the beach. I felt the soft sand between my toes and the cool breeze blow through my hair. The sounds of the ocean and birds was calming. I hadn't been here since I was a child and it was reminding me of when things were simple as a naive child. Harry trailed behind me without shoes but with trousers and a white shirt. He stood next to me for a while with his hands in his pockets. Sweet silence with his company. He finally spoke, "I'm doing this for you. Not for money, but for you. If retrieving that weapon is what it takes to make them stop coming after you, I will do it for you."

"Thank you...for everything," I responded with a small smile and peered at him through the sunlight. Every feature and flaw illuminated by the sun daring to set in the horizon.

"You look handsome in this light. You look...not so serious and bossy," I told him.

A hint of a smile appeared on his face and he shook his head with a laugh. "And you look beautiful in this light. Less like a spoiled brat."

I pretended to be shocked and offended. I smacked his arm with my sleeve and crossed my arms looking away in protest.

He chuckled for a few seconds then became silent. I slowly leaned my head on his shoulder, watching the sunset together.