The Mafia's Flower ( #2 in the Mafia Series )

six

( Annika pictured above )
{ Annika's POV }

When we all get to dinner I become kind of depressed knowing that this is when Reia is leaving us..and I don't know if she'll ever come back. I just have to have a little faith in her.
She needs this. She deserves this.

As we start to eat I see Cristian look around and I know he realizes there isn't an empty chair at the table, and yet Reia isn't here.

"Isn't there a chair missing?"
Cristian questions

"No." Luca responds roughly

"Then where is Reia suppose to sit?"
Cristian asks

"She doesn't eat down here." Marco says like it's not a big deal. I guess to them it isn't.

"Why?" He asks

"We don't know she just hasn't since Val passed." Lorenzo informs 

"He didn't pass, he was murdered." Tori adds

Lorenzo nods in acknowledgment and says "Right she hasn't ate down here but a few times since Val was murdered. She took his death hard."

So at least he realized that much. For a second I would've almost thought Cristian was going to drop the topic, but luckily I know my brother.

"Do none of you see a problem with Reia shutting herself off, or do you just not care?" Cristian questions clearly getting angry, and I can tell everyone noticed that much.. because they tensed up as if getting ready for a fight

"I've noticed, and I care. I'm trying to do something about it." Tori speaks up

It's then I know that she has to be the one helping Reia get out making me have more respect for Tori.

"Of course we care." Luca says like Cristian is stupid, he has no idea the stupid one is himself.
Marco and Lorenzo nod in agreement with Luca. They are just as stupid at this point.

"Then how about all of you at least make sure no matter who is here.. that she always has a place at this table." Cristian snaps a little

I told Reia he would change things.

I told her he would notice everything without me telling him.

She's not even here to see it.

The rest of dinner was tense and quite.

<{🥀}>

After dinner I went upstairs and meet Tori, Reia's mother in Reia's bedroom.

"She's gone." Tori says

"I know she left. She told me earlier. She wants me to read a letter she was suppose to write. I'm suppose to read it to everyone together."
I say explaining the reason I'm here

"I know she told me to give it to you." Tori says handing me a folded piece of paper then she says "I'm glad she got to spend time with you before leaving. Thank you for being there for her, despite almost everyone else telling you not to be."