The slow clicking of the keyboard, various clattering sounds of equipment clashing together, and the clinging of the kitchen staff making dinner all fell mute around me. I stared blankly at the computer screen in front of me. Numbers and letters seemed to blur into one jumbled mess.
The various antique vases and wall decor seemed to join into one. The ticking of the small, black wall clock rang through her ear like a mocking laughter. The floor length mirror to her right shown her reflection; her appearance morphing into a deadly monster. She gasped and began to frantically pat down her body and face.
Serafina let out a low sigh of relief as she realized her imagination was playing games. She felt like she was slowly, but surely losing her mind. How was she supposed to focus today?
A soft, hesitant knock broke the hectic choas happening within Serafina's mind. Angelina peeked her head around the large, wooden door. Her electric blue eyes meeting with her boss. Lina scurried into the office seeming frazzled and not her usual preppy self. The paperwork within her thin hands wobbled with the unbalanced weight. Great, just what Serafina could use, more paperwork to taught her frazzled mind.
"Hi, sorry to bother you right now. I just wanted to inform you that the dining hall preparations have been made for a wonderful evening. As stated, it is only our mafia in attendance. Don't worry about these papers. They are informal, I was just setting them at my workspace so I could review them later. Do NOT worry about a thing."
Angelina gave a nervous smile before rushing over to her similar oak desk and started to arrange the stack of papers into various files. All labeled and color coded; typical of her. Lina's beautiful red curls fell over her face as she worked diligently. I caught her blue eyes, noticing the few water droplets escaping the corners.
Serafina couldn't stand to see anyone within her circle upset or flustered. Especially NOT Angelina.
"Are you okay? Work can wait. I asked everyone to take the day off."
She smiled sincerely as she wiped and rubbed at her face. Her silent sniffles becoming more apparent,"You are worried about me? Seriously? I wish I knew how you seize to show any emotion or shed a tear. I am just a little emotional right now; I miss him. We all do. Not saying we don't love yo-"
Serafina cut her off with a wave of her hand,"I know what you mean. You can not offend me easily. I will be down in a minute, I just need a moment to collect my thoughts and get dressed. I am thankful for all of your effort and time put into tonight."
Angelina nodded before rushing over and wrapping her arms around Serafina's sides in a bone crushing hug. Standing, awkwardly, within Lina's grip she decided to give her back a light tap. Affection and physical touch seemed lost on her; she did not deserve to be consoled. In fact, she deserved the opposite. Lina let go reluctantly before she was out of the office in a flash. Last minute preparations won't fix themselves.
Serafina let out a sigh and looked around the oak office. Besides some furry rugs, fresh forrest green paint and wood flooring touch ups. Everything was as he left it; down to the dusty bookcase and the hidden drawer of tequila and cigars. The same aroma of sandalwood and musk cologne lingered in the air. The maids were forbidden from stepping a foot within her office.
Withhold those pesky tears. Not today, not ever. She was raised to be tough as nails and as wise as an owl. To always act on guard and be the best Marquesa she could be; even if it is all a lie. She was a phony. Everything she did was all one gigantic performance; she was the lead role and the members of the mafia were her puppets. They were supposed to be family, a team.
Today marks the ninth year of her father's disappearance. The entire Italian Mafia is awaiting downstairs to mourn him, the great Antonio Marquesa, and how he died nine years ago in a shipment accident. Lies. He is in hiding somewhere; the location unknown. He will reveal himself when it is safe, when the 'threats' have vanished or been resolved. Don't ask how she would know; she had absolutely no clue. No leads.
YOU ARE READING
Serafina's Signals
Romance"Do you know what it is like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders? To have everyone watching you? Every person I care about is hoping I board them onto my ship; when in reality, all I have is a lifeboat." Serafina Marquesa became the...
