~REID
"Athena, you look divine." He said as he took her hand in his, his eyes locked onto hers.
Athena smiled politely, her voice soft and welcoming. "Thank you, Mr. Gambino."
My father's eyes flicked to me, his once radiant expression replaced with a stoic and neutral one. "Son." He briefly acknowledged.
I nodded, my voice even. "Papa."
The tension was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words and expectations. I could feel Athena's eyes on me, but I didn't dare look at her because I trust that my expression might give away hints to the type of relationship we hold.
My mother who was oblivious to the undercurrents smiled brightly. "Shall we eat? I'm sure you're both famished after the long drive."
The dinner was a somber affair with the only sound being the clinking of silverware on plates. Athena's eyes were cast down and her shoulders stiff as I sat lost in my own thoughts, my mind, consumed with the plans I have for our mafia once father hands over full power to me.
"Athena, tell me about your parents."
My father's voice cut through the comfortable silence we were basked in.
Athena's hand froze, her fork hovering above her plate as she stiffened beside me, her body language screaming uneasiness. I glanced at her, my eyes narrowed while wondering what was wrong, because her pupils were now dilated and her breathing was shallow making her look like a trapped animal ready to bolt.
"I'm an orphan." She said, her voice barely above a whisper with her hands fidgeting on her thighs. Her fingers were trembling and I could see the pulse in her neck throbbing wildly, betraying her attempt to stay calm.
A wave of surprise which I masked down immediately washed over me, catching me off guard for I didn't know anything about her past or her life before she was taken and sold.
I reached out under the table and my hand closed around hers pulling it onto my thigh instead. Her eyes darted to mine in surprise, and for a moment I saw a glimmer of fear there but I just gave her a gentle squeeze trying to calm her down. She relaxed her hand resting in mine and her fingers intertwined with my own.
'Taking the role so serious hm?' I thought to myself before I zoned out again, my mind wandering to the Valtorian mafia and the reins of power that I so desperately wanted to grasp. I thought about my brother, and the unsolved mystery behind his brutal death, the vengeance I wanted to exact upon the Alvarians. My heart burned with a fierce passion, and my gut twisted with anger as I continued to think about how I'd ruin the Alvarians and their generation to come.
My pulse pounded in my ears and my jaw was clenched tight. As I sat there, I couldn't help but think about how quickly I wanted to take control of the Valtorian mafia. I wanted to rage war on the Alvarians and make them pay with lives in exchange for the one they took from me. But without owning full control and becoming the Don, none of it would happen and the thought of it irked me, because I felt like I was stuck in a cage unable to move and act.
My thoughts were miles away, lost in the plans I was brewing for the Alvarians when I felt Athena's hand squeeze mine. I turned to her, my eyes staring back into hers and I saw fear staring right back at me.
I didn't know what had caused it or what my parents had said to her but I felt a surge of protectiveness, a desire to shield her from whatever was scaring her which made my grip on her hand tightened involuntarily.
But Athena was really good at this as she quickly wore a convincing smile on her lips, her eyes sparkling with a warmth that I knew was fake. "Mama asked when the wedding would take place." She spoke with that innocent tone which was always laced to her voice whenever she speaks.
My gaze tore to my father's, his eyes were expectant and I knew I had to come up with something convincing enough to delay this so-called wedding. "We just got engaged and so, the wedding will take a while." I explained, trying to buy us some time while my mind raced with ways to delay the inevitable.
My father, as I had expected was having none of it. "We don't have a while boy." He firmly said as his eyes bore into mine scrutinizingly. His eyes seemed to gleam with a calculating intensity, making me wonder what was on his mind, but just like he was trying hard to read my expression, I was trying hard to read his too.
"One month." He began, his tone authoritative and conclusive which brooked no argument. "You'd be getting married in a month." He finished as he leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips as if he was enjoying this conversation.
I felt a surge of frustration, I didn't want to be rushed into this and I didn't want to drag Athena into my business, but I knew I had no choice.
Sure, I wanted to fulfill his wish so I could get full reign over the Valtorian mafia, but I didn't like the fact that he was unknowingly dragging Athena into my mess.
"And she should have an heir in the first year of your marriage." My father spoke again, his eyes glinting with a calculating gaze that made me feel like I was trapped in a corner as my jaw ticked in frustration, but I dare not act on it if I wanted to leave his house with all my limbs still attached.
"I'll tell Maria to prepare one of the guest rooms, you'd both spend the night here." He added with a dismissal wave as if the matter was settled. But part of me knew that the conversation was settled and over at my father's end, which means it's final for me.
I nodded in acceptance, my mind racing with the implications as my grip on Athena's hand loosened. She was in this now, whether she liked it or not.