Donnie
“I'll be on my way, then” My father said, satisfaction evident in his voice. Yes, he'd gotten his way once again.
Jack was going to be my bodyguard. I sighed with derision at the fact that I'd be seeing his disapproving mug everywhere for as long as I didn't know.
Jack had left just minutes ago, to pack his belongings. In the next hour, he'd be living in my bungalow, invading my space, eating in my kitchen, watching my television—
“Donatella! Did you hear what I said?” My father snapped me out of my internal ranting.
I shook my head and he repeated his statement.
“Wait! Father, you just got here two days ago!” I protested, “I haven't spent a lot of time with you!”
My father's face fell, “That's true, Donatella. I'm sorry but I have to get back to Sicily. A very important deal is about to go down.”
My father didn't go into details, and I didn't ask. He knew I had no interest in his Mafia activities.
“You can let Luca and Pieto handle this deal.” I pouted, throwing my arms around my father in a plea to get him to extend his stay. Luca was my elder brother, while Pieto was my cousin. They were my father's most trusted and loyal men, and recently, he'd begun to let them handle some deals.
He patted my back imperiously, “Not this one. This deal is with a high profile partner, and I have many competitors, who would kill to take my position.”
“I see,” in all actuality, I didn't see, but I knew my father would not change his mind and I didn't want to make him feel guilty for spending such little time with me.
“What time do you leave?” I asked as I laid my head on my father's shoulder.
“As soon as Jack returns. I'll leave you in his capable hands,” He smiled at me reassuringly.
I rolled my eyes, why did my father think Jack was capable of keeping me safe? By the time reports of how I'd given Jack the slip numerous times reached him in Sicily, he'd know Jack was like the other oafs he hired to protect me.
I smiled mischievously, thinking of how I'd enjoy pranking Jack. As I stood in my father's embrace, I outlined all the ways I was going to drive Jack crazy until my father fired him, or he quit.
“For how long is Jack going to be my bodyguard?”
Hearing my question, I felt my father tense a little, but after a second he relaxed.
He patted my back again and said soothingly, “You know I love you, right?”
I immediately withdrew from my father and gave him a quizzical look, searching his face for clues.
“What did you do now, Daddy?” I queried when his expressionless face revealed no clues. Whe never my father asked me if I knew he loved him, it meant he had done something that I wouldn't appreciate.
“What makes you think I've done anything?” He asked with faux-innocence.
I narrowed my eyes at him and folded my arms, “I asked how long I'd have to put up with Jack, and you didn't give me a reply. Don't tell me he's going to be with me for life!”
“No, no,” My father put up his hands, “It's just until you graduate from college.”
I was going to graduate college in roughly nine months. So Jack was going to be with me until then. I hadn't expected anything less, so why was my father acting weird?
Maybe he expects me to come back to Sicily, I thought hysterically. Sicily was a great city, but I didn't want to be smothered by my father's many security operatives.
“Daddy, are you going to try to get me to move back to Sicily?” I asked.
My father scratched his head, “No. No. Not that. I think you're safer here.”
“So why are you acting off?” I was really curious and worried now. It was unlike my father to be so evasive.
My father called one of his ever-present men and whispered into his ear. The bald man nodded and left for the guest bedroom my father had taken over.
“What?” I asked my father again.
“Wait.” He smiled.
I willed myself to remain patient. Moments later, the man returned with a little shopping bag. He handed the bag to my father and retreated.
“Donatella, while I was in Sicily, I bought you a little present.” My father produced a jewellery box from the shopping bag.
I swallowed audibly and my eyes lit up. I always loved the presents my father gave me, because he had great taste.
My father slowly opened the box to reveal a designer bracelet decorated with emeralds. The precious Sinclair s dazzled in the light, beckoning to me, and my mouth went dry.
“Oh my God!” I cried out when I blinked about three times and the bracelet had not disappeared.
“Do you like it?” My father asked, knowing fully well that I did.
“Like it?” I stretched out my hand so he could put the bracelet on me, “I love it!”
“I had it made specially for you by the finest jeweller in Sicily.” My father informed me as he clasped the beautiful bracelet onto my wrist.
“It looks really beautiful, but not as beautiful as my Donatella.” He complimented me as we stared at my wrist in awe, “ never take it off, it'll bring you luck.”
I didn't believe in bracelets bringing luck, but I was proud of the bracelet and wanted everyone to see it, “I won't take it off, ever.”
“Okay,” My father nodded and changed the subject, “Donatella. Soon, you'll get your degree, and then you'll be at the next stage of your life.”
What's this about? I wondered idly as my father kept talking.
“I don't know what you plan to do after college, but whatever it is, you should be protected and loved while you do it.” My father patted my hair as he said the words.
I grinned up at him, “That's why I have you, Daddy.”
“And you'll always have me, baby. But I can't protect you as well as a husband would.” My father quipped.
My eyes widened and I gripped my father's arm, “What are you saying, Daddy?”
My father finally confessed, “I know a good man who's interested in marrying you. You'll get married to him as soon as you finish college.”