Claimed By The Don

Ava p. o. v

Funny how life plays trick on you, how it turns you around in circles, throwing different difficulties your way. It’s not your choice to make, it never was and never would be, it’s fate decision to make.

Breathing gets hard.

When you cry so much it makes you realize that breathing is hard.

I didn’t even want to wake up, I was having a much better time asleep, and that is really sad. It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you’re so relieved.

I woke up into a nightmare.

Stressed? Yes!

Angry? Maybe.

Depressed? Hell Yes.

Reasons well known to all, a lot of questions hit me after I woke up. Maybe because I lost words or maybe because I am lost.

Let me tell you mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common, and also hard to bear. Like a razor cutting slowly through your skin.

The worst type of crying is not the kind everyone could see. The wailing on street corners, tearing at clothes, No. The worst kind happened when your soul wept and no matter what you do there is no way to comfort it.

The frequent attempt to conceal the pain increase the burden, a saying once told, it is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is aching”.

There were moments I wish I could roll back the hands of clock and take all these away, but I couldn’t and that just left me pained.

All I want and ever asked for was a simple and stressed free life, but since when one’s desire ever come true.

I want to complete my education, have a well paying job to support my family, and then settle down. Start life with someone who’s happy to be with me, someone who is scared of losing me. Someone who loves me with all his heart and happy to spend the rest of his life with me.

Not this forced marriage I’m being thrown in just to protect my family.

Who on Earth is this man, how come he is doing something illegal and is not afraid of the government finding out. Yes, I have thought about going to the police, but that might just means putting my family in danger.

If I have to sacrifice my happiness for their safety, then I’m more than willing to do so. Even though I know that this marriage will be nothing, but a tiny disturbing bone in my throat.

The door to my room burst open, I did not flinch nor bothered by the intruder.

I lay completely still on my bed that how I’ve been. I have been trying to go back to sleep but no avail.

“What the hell Ava, you’ve been sulking and mobbing around like a lost puppy. Since you returned.” Tricia exclaimed glaring at me.

I smiled and shook my head at her, she wouldn’t understand if even I tell her. Her face held a friend when she stares at me, she sat on the bed beside me rubbing her hand soothing on my hair.

“Did something happen? You’re unsually quiet that I can bear but those giant outside our door refusing me access to enter unless I tell them my name and reason for being here. Seriously”

To say the least, I was shell shock, I couldn’t believe my ears.  What the hell, what am I? A prisoner? Or what.

I won’t take this, I’ve already agreed to marry him. Then, why caging me, like some wanted criminal. Without much thought, I stood up abruptly making my way pass my door heading for the front door.

Tricia called after me but I pay her no heed.

I pull the door open forcefully letting it slam against the wall, creating a loud disturbing noise, but that’s the least of my worries.

Both men turn alert, ready to face any danger, or it could be avoiding me from escaping.

“Why are you here, who sent you” I yelled, for the first time since I can remember I was utterly pissed. it’s not like me to get angry easily but since I met him, I’ve never lived a day without anger.

“The Don.” The taller one among the two said, head down not meeting my eyes.

Huh? Don? What Don?

I don’t know anyone called Don.

Who is he.

I was about asking who he is but Tricia’s soft murmured stop me, she dragged me inside slamming the door in the process. I whine from the sound, she had me seat on a single sitter sofa then carry the side table and sit in front of me.

“Now spill, what happened back home.” She demand staring me down, silently warning me not to lie nor avoid the question.

I sigh tiredly.

“I’m engaged.” She gasp surprise, and shock.

“Fucking bitch, you have a boyfriend? How come I wasn’t aware.” I glare at her, seeing my stare she paused. “Wait a sec, you don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Of course not.” I burst out in hot tears, I was not privilege to date and experience heartbreak, everything is just snatch from me.

I angrily wipe the tears away, I hate the moment when suddenly, my anger turns into tears. My eyes already felt dried, I won’t cry, I’m so damn tired of crying.

“It’s a forced marriage”

“Forced? How so” .

“My dad owed him so much money I couldn’t even believe, and to pay it off . I have to marry him.” I choke.

“What the fuck, that’s bullshit.” Tricia seethe pacing back and forth. “There are other ways to pay off debt, perhaps more time. That is reasonable”

I scoff.

More time she said, how long would that be, a lifetime?

If there are other ways out of this I would have done so, I couldn’t even think of a way out. This time Dad really did cage us in a corner, and I have to pay the price.

“More time that’s impossible.”

“How is it impossible, he could just give you guys more time like a year or so.” I laughed dryly, if only she knew.

“A year to pay back five million?”

“Holy baby Jesus fucking Christ.” Tricia cursed, Now it is her turn to panic.

Yeah, that’s right, it couldn’t be pay off even if we work day and night for years.

“Who is this guy anyway.” she ask curiously.

“He came with Dario to the café the other day”

“Can you describe him?” .

“He has this stormy facial expression, tan, tall and seem to have too much authority.” I described.

“Vincenzo Isaac Alfonso” Tricia’s statement render me speechless.

I still.

Vincenzo Isaac Alfonso is bad news, everyone steer clear from him, I’ve heard so much about him but never see him. it was said he start killing at a young age, he is the man parents warn their kids of before going to bed.

He is a nightmare.

The king of the underground, They call him Don king. also, a business Mogul on the surface. He got away with anything he does legal or illegal because the Government respect or more like fear him, they stay out of his way. No force team dare to stand in his way down from the cops to the FBI.

He is a second God on Earth.

But what could such a man be in our conversation.

“Huh?”

“For Christ’s sake Ava, you are getting married to Vincenzo Isaac Alfonso.” Tricia screamed, even I am startled from her outburst, then recover only to remain frozen in place.

Did she just say that man I’m getting married to his the same man, I just described? The cruel Mafia Man everyone is scared? No that can’t be, how can I even come in contact with the almighty Mafia don and even be getting married to him.

That’s one hell of a joke.

“Tricia you must be mistaken.” I tried convincing her or myself.

“Ava, he is Dario older brother how can I mistake him.” I stare wide eye at her,  Dario?

Vincenzo Isaac Alfonso also known as my fiancé is Dario’s brother? And Tricia has been dating a Mafia member.

“I know it a lot to take but Ava……..”  I didn’t let her finish, I stood up and left to my room.

“Ava.” She called, but I’m ignored her, I’m not mad at her for not telling me about her involvement with the Mafia. I’m just angry at life in general throwing me at any direction.

My life just took a whole new turn, so, I’m allowed to be sad, I have all right to be sad.

I lock my door and cry myself to sleep.