“I missed you guys so much, but I don’t understand how you guys are alive. I watched you both die in my arms. That was the worst day of my life,” I say still holding tight to my brother’s hands.
“We will explain everything later. But first we eat and entertain the guests that should be here any minute,” papa says.
As soon as papa finishes speaking, Vanessa comes to announce that the guests are here. The family that walks into the living room just made this whole night a lot more exciting and confusing, when Enzo and his entire family walk in. The surprise on our faces could not be faked—but only between us children—as our parents don’t look fazed by anything that is happening. I am already shocked to see my brother and father, who I thought were dead, alive today. And now I am finding out that my family knows Enzo’s family, but the big question is how? Because even though some of my memory is back, it’s still a little shady. I can’t recall ever meeting Enzo’s family when I was younger. Enzo walks up to my Papa and greets him, before walking up to me with the same confused expression on his face as I have on my face.
“What are you doing here?” Enzo says whispering into my ear.
“I should be the one asking you that question. I thought you said you were having a family dinner.” I say whispering back.
“Yes, we came to have dinner with my father’s friend.”
“The two of you know everyone can hear you, right?” Sofia says, wrapped in my brother’s arms.
Oh my God, don’t tell me her fiancé is my brother, could this night be any more interesting. I feel like my life has turned into one of those telenovelas you watch on Telemundo. That after everything that has happened in one’s life you will find out that everyone is connected to you in one way or another.
Enzo and I stop talking and look up to see everyone staring at us while we thought we were having a quiet conversation.
“Now that the two of you have finished talking, it’s time for dinner. All questions will be answered after dinner,” my papa says.
We are all sitting in the living room after dinner. I am sitting on a four-seater sofa with Enzo to my left, and Sofia with my brother on my right. We are all waiting for my mom and Enzo’s mom to return from the kitchen so the explanation can begin. Our mothers walk in and sit on a two-seater while papa clears his throat and starts speaking.
“Katherine, I know you have a lot of questions that you would like to ask but let me tell you a story first. It might answer your questions,” papa says.
“The story goes like this. It started the day I was made the president of the north-west region of the Italian mafia group. I came to pick you and your brother up from school that day, when your brother and I got shot. If you can remember—you were 12 years old while Antonio was 16. After we got shot I told you to go and get help, but by the time you came back I was not there anymore. The next time I woke up I did not see you again, so I guess you came back after Fedrigo had already found your brother and me. I was in a coma for two years. It’s all thanks to Fedrigo and his wife—who did not give up on me—that I can see you again, my dear. After I woke up I asked Fedrigo to help me find you and your mom. Because I did not have a picture of you and your mom, and our house got burnt to the ground, it wasn’t easy finding you both. I am guessing that because of what happened your mom had your identities changed to prevent anyone from finding you guys. So even after giving him your names it was like finding a needle in a haystack, but I did not stop searching. I looked for you and your mother for ten years. Untill one beautiful afternoon in Sicily, when I saw you and Fedrigo’s daughter walking down the street. I wanted to approach you, but I was not sure it was you. So, I had you followed and when the agent told me you stayed in America and lived with your single mom, I knew it was you that I saw that day. Your brother and I travelled to New York to meet you and your mom. We met your mom. But when we were about to visit you at your office we noticed we were followed. We decided to lay low till we found out who was following us before meeting you. I had already put your life in danger once and I could not do that again. When we found out who had us followed, we knew we had to kill the bastard to make sure you are safe. We planned to kill the bastard and reunite with you when everything was over, but our plans got changed when he found you. We knew the only way we could protect you was to let you know we’re alive, so that we can kill the bastard together.” papa says, smiling at the end.
“Wow, I don’t know what to say. This is a lot to take in. But you guys are alive and there is nothing more I could wish for. But I have one question. Why do I not remember?”
“I can answer that,” mama says.
“Please explain,” I say.
“After you watched your father and brother die in your arms and we could not find their bodies, life became hell for both of us. We searched everywhere for their bodies but found nothing. You never gave up though; I told you we had to move to Spain because our lives were in danger. When we moved to Spain we had accepted the fact that they died because apparently, someone found a body with your father’s tattoo on him. You were devastated beyond repair; you grieved for more than a year. You blocked everyone out of your life. Your grandfather and I were scared we were going to lose you, so we asked you to join your grandfather and handle the family business. We were happy you were doing better by taking your mind off things, but we were wrong. By the age of 14, you became a teen assassin. You believed, although they had found your father’s body, that did not mean your brother was dead. So you killed, tortured and harmed anyone who knew or was related to the people that killed your father. It became too much. The only thing you knew by the age of 16 was revenge. One day your grandfather found a place in America where hypnosis is used to help erase memories. He said we should go and try it. It worked for some while, but anytime you saw something related to your father and brother the memories came back and the urge for revenge came back too. To make sure your memories wouldn’t come back again, we moved to America where there was nothing related to your brother and father. And instead of making you think your father and brother died in a plane crash, we made you believe they never existed. It worked. But once in awhile you would dream about them and ask questions. I would lie to you that you always wished you had a brother. That’s why you had those dreams. You always believed. I am sorry I lied to you all those years but what you became was something no mother will wish for her only daughter. I know you might hate me for making you forget the most important people in your life, but honey I only did it because I love you.” she says, tearing up at the end.
I quickly rush up to her and give her a big hug while I try to stop her from crying.
“I don’t hate you, I could never hate you. You did what any mother in your shoes would do, and I love you for that. So stop crying, because you are making me cry too,” I say while wiping her tears away.
“Alright honey,” she says, hugging me while pecking me on the forehead.
“But papa if uncle already shot you guys why did he want to kill me?”
“Oh, you don’t know?” he says looking a bit surprised
“No”
“Even when your uncle shot your brother and me, he still could not become president. The new rule states that the only way he can become president is if all my children are declared dead. And everyone knew you were alive, but you were not of age. That’s why no one asked you to take the seat waiting till you were 18. But before you became 18 you and your mother disappeared, so he became president. I am sure you are wondering why I did not take back my seat as president and kill your uncle, since he tried to kill me. I was about to go back when Fedrigo asked me something that saved my life that day. He asked me; ‘Isn’t it odd that nobody from the council bothered to look for their president’s body or investigate why their president got shot?’After he said that I decided to find out why no one cared. He was right because my death was not planned by only your uncle, but by half of the council. So, the only way I could claim back my seat was to get more alliances. For the past ten years I have been getting all the alliances I could, but it has not been easy. But I am now ready for war against your uncle and his people.” papa says with a lot of pride.
“Wow, this is a lot to take in,” I say, knowing I have a lot of catching up to do.
“You have all the time in the world, sis,” my brother says.
“Thank you so much, Mr and Mrs Costanzo, I am so grateful to you for finding my Papa and brother. You are the reason why I can see them after so many years, and I am more than grateful for that,” I say with tears in my eyes.
“You don’t have to thank us. We did what good people in our place would have done.” Mrs Costanzo says, smiling at me.
“Alright, since everything has been cleared up tonight. I think we should be on our way then,” Mr Costanzo says while getting up with his wife beside him.
“We will walk you to the door,” papa says while mama walks with him to follow them to the door to say goodbye.
“Sweetheart, I didn’t know he was your father. I swear I am just finding out. Please don’t hate me.” Enzo says as soon as they walk out of the living room.
“Baby, I know you didn’t know and I could never hate you,” I say smiling at him.
“Thank God,” he says while he release’s a breath of relief.
“I would stay longer honey, but we all came in one car so I have to go, but call me if you need anything,” Enzo says as he walks towards the door.
“I will honey, bye,” I say kissing him before he walks to the car.