AMELIA

Get your butt down here you whore!” My step father called from the empty hallway where stacks of cartons of noodles and packs of cigarettes laid carelessly, scattered by Susan of course.

“Where's Susan?” I asked calmly wondering where she had gone.

“None of your business, at least if she is out messing around she is careful enough to avoid cameras clicking. You shameless American” my step father spouted, still resentful about the photographs that came out.

“ I just asked where she was…” my voice trailed.

“Listen to me, just one day you decided to fuck around, an old man took you up for bait, leaving you mocked and scandalized..” My oldie started, acting like he cared but with an intent of mocking me. He talked as though he wasn’t aware of the whole plan. If I had my way, I would leave them for good.

“Father it wasn't an old man…”

“Shut the hole in your face motherfucker….! You could have fucked a billionaire and I could have used your virgin ass to make some cool cash! At least you wouldn't be so useless around here!”

I kept quiet, taking all his insults sink in the deep mire.

“Your pinch nosed college degree boyfriend has broken up with you…seems no one wants a meal an oldie has eaten”. His last words tasted like vomit in my throat.

“I know that father, did you call me here to remind me?” I asked.

“Since your life has fallen out of your hands and your big blossoming backside is not pleasant to any one any more, I got a preposition for you”.

“ Don't insult me father…”

“I could have listened to you if you didn't get screwed but you chose the wrong man to be your opener, even my Susan whom you rated as a she devil is more sensible than you will ever be”.

Anger built up in my throat.

“What do you want to say father!” My instincts told me I wasn’t going to like what I was about to hear.

Picking his cigarettes and tossing it to his mouth, he lit it up and poured out a puff of smoke to my face, making sure I inhaled his menace.

That's Gary Filch, he wants a partner, ready to make a good fortune for the woman who will agree to be his wife”. He said with a tone of finality, tossing his phone to me as I appraised the man placed on auction.

“ He's old” I fired back. “ Besides, am I some commodity to be traded?”

“Maybe a bit more than the one you screwed”.

The man looked like casino stuff, old and stiff but with a wandering eye….eyes for his money of course, and I wouldn't see myself making love with an ape.

“I don't accept this father” I wanted to clear out.

His expression turned stern “ I did not tell you this to demand your opinion, It is a done deal and you will do as you are told, Amelia. This is for your own good.” He barked.

I felt a surge of anger and resentment. It was clear this was another attempt by my step father to control my life. It wasn’t the time to show weakness. “ I will not marry anyone without my consent”, I turned to say but he was gone.

The beacon lost its taste, not the usual salty and porky taste I always loved. Everything was bland and my insides grew irritated at everyone, my step father, my step sister and even my late mom then myself.

I was washing the caramel flowered plates in my hands when I heard the door swing open.

I saw him again, his jawline etched with so much depression and the will to survive. But fuck his determination! He was the reason I was in this mess in the first place! The person who dragged my family's heirloom to the mud!

“ I was about to tell you that I am not going to marry your candidate “ I heard myself wailing, mustering the last strength my bland bacon gave me. Again the man I called my father ignored me.

My eyes flashed with so much anger.

“Did you hear me! I said the marriage….!” .

Bang! The cold metals struck the back of my head and I prayed so much that I wouldn't get blind after this.

****** ******* ********

PEDRO'S POV

Chicago had become a hobbit of doom, could this week become anymore worse. Two nights ago, I fumbled through the skirts of a total stranger and her sweetness still made my cock hard.

Drifting towards the supermarket, a mad pedestrian almost got himself killed by jumping in front of my car. I swerved and cursed at him as the nasty pedestrian in turn raised up his middle finger.

“Idiot!” I could hear myself heaving. Today was not a day to hit butts or else this piece of trash could have gotten himself punched.

I took the last turn heading to my grandmother's exquisite mansion. Nothing terrifies a mafia boss like me, but the phone call from the doctor earlier today did. My grandmother, the only woman that stopped me from killing myself after I heard of my parents' fatal accident and demise, was diagnosed with a stroke.

“cocaine and money will not replace your parents tender love and care Pedro” my Grandmother’s soothing voice always warned me.

“I know that grandmother, but it can soothe the pain” I had always come up with a toxic reply to every question that threatened my Mafia business.

“How is she?” I tried to control my shaking voice.

“ Your grandmother is stable now, Pedro. The doctor had to sedate her since she has refused taking her medication”

“ Why?” I thundered. “The pills are supposed to be empty by now, Don Torres ”. I asked tossing every known object to the ground and pinning over every little object that got in my way.

“Your grandmother has refused treatment, boss. She will not eat and neither will she come out of her room”.

“And you let her! What if her stroke kicks in again”. I yelled at my uncle and assistant. He had been a willing caretaker of my household since my father died .

“We have tried Boss Pedro, but you cannot really force an adult.”

“What do you mean old man? Are you waiting for her to die!” I wailed, sensing the resignation in his voice.

“Amelia Brets quits being her care giver, we are facing a dilemma”

“shit! So my grandma puts her life on hold because of some shitty lowlife care giver who cannot do her job to the end!”

“The doctor reports that she will not accept treatment except Amelia escorts her, I am telling you Pedro, The lady was more than a caregiver. She became your Grandmother’s new lifesupport.”

“Do what It takes to find her Don!”

“Yes boss”.

“Again, whatever it takes!” I replied through gritted teeth. Nothing should stand in the way of my Grandmother’s recovery, not even a dispensable servant that proved to be indispensable.