Kamara’s POV
I slid into the chair across from her, my fingers lacing together on my lap.
“Explain. Tell us what the hell you have done.” She said, cutting straight to the chase. No warmth, no room for greetings or jokes. They wouldn’t even listen to it if it was offered.
My throat felt dry. “I don’t know what Ciara told you, but”
“She told us enough,” my mother cut in sharply. “She said you’re not in New York, well this proves it. That you’ve been lying to us. That you’re pregnant. That you’re living with some mafia boss. Is that true?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
My mother flinched like I had slapped her.
“And you weren’t going to tell us?” My father asked, his tone low and furious.
“It’s not what you think,” I said, choosing my words carefully.
My mother scoffed. “Then tell me what it is Kamara? Because from where I’m sitting I don’t understand anything. How could you be so reckless, Kamara? How could you throw your life away like this? Do you know how difficult it is to carry a child and raise a child?”
My stomach twisted, frustration burning in my chest. They thought I was happy with what I’ve sacrificed? Do they know what I have done because of them?
“I didn’t throw anything away,” I said, trying to balance my voice.
Jason scoffed. “Really sis? Then explain it to us because right now it just seems you’ve sold yourself to some shady criminal. What did you do?”
“I didn’t sell myself.” I snapped.
“Then make it make sense Kamara Hermes!” My mother thundered, slamming her fists against the table, drawing attention from around but she didn’t care. “Do you know what you’ve done? Do you know how many opportunities you’ve already lost because you decided to forfeit that scholarship? After we decided to let you chase your dream and now you come with nonsense news like this? Or are you stupid, you don’t know what a mafia is?”
“Mother”
“If you utter a word, I won’t hesitate to hit you.” She threatened. “You ungrateful brat. He is a shady man. Do you think mafia men just operate with legal businesses? He’s a criminal and you know that. And you’re pregnant for a criminal. We raised you better than this.”
I clenched my fist under the table, my nails digging into my palm. “You don’t understand”
“Look at me and make me understand, Kamara. Go ahead. Spout one of your silly lies for me to listen to. And of course, I’ll take it just like an idiot and listen to you just like we did before. Isn’t that right?” She hissed angrily.
I opened my mouth but no words came out. But what could I say? That I agreed to be a surrogate to pay off their debts? That I sacrificed my own future to clean up their mess? That this wasn’t even my mistake and I was the one paying the price? Obviously, Ciara hasn’t told them who the mafia boss was or they would get the idea of why I was there. I said nothing. And my silence only made it worse.
“You can’t even defend yourself.” My father muttered, shaking his head. “Unbelievable.”
“You’re coming home.” my mother declared.
My head snapped up. “What?”
“You’re leaving that place, that man, and you’re coming back where you belong. To help with the family business and pay off all our debts.”
“No, I’m not,” I said firmly.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Kamara”
“I’m not leaving,” I repeated, standing my ground. “I have made my choice and I’ll see it through.”
Jason let out a sigh. “Stop being so stubborn Kamara”
“Stubborn?” I let out a humorless laugh as I cut him off. “Tell me, Jason when Dad lost everything when he had no way to pay back the debt he owed before it was put on hold, where were you? Where were you, Ciara? You couldn’t ask your billionaire husband for funds then could you.”
As I said this Ciara looked like she’d seen a ghost as everyone turned their attention to her. “She’s talking about Gideon, my boyfriend. He’s not a billionaire.” She hurriedly said.
“I know Gideon and you’re just trying to get out of this mess, aren’t you Kamara?” June spoke up after being quiet.
I nodded my head, finally understanding what was going on. The true side Ciara showed to me wasn’t just a facade, it’s how my siblings have been thinking for all these years.
“I’ve had enough of your excuses, Kamara.” My father hissed angrily, pointing towards me with anger. “What has gotten into you? Now you’re a liar and affiliated with a criminal. I am so disappointed in you. I honestly am.”
“You are just trying to change the topic since you know you’ve been caught red-handed. You’re pregnant after throwing yourself at Don Diego and now you’re trying to blame me with some petty lie.” Ciara said, her smug smirk widening.
“Wait, did you say Diego?” My father asked as if realizing something.
My jaw clenched. “Shut up, Ciara.”
“Make me.” she taunted.
I was two seconds away from lunging across the table when a shadow fell over me. I didn’t have to ask who it was because the scent of the rain mixed with an ocean scent hit me before I could even turn.
Diego.
He stood behind me, his presence as imposing as ever. Dressed in a sleek black shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His dark eyes scanned the table, assessing each of my family with the same cold indifference he had for anyone who wasn’t worth his time. His gaze fell on Ciara and then his lips lifted in a wicked smirk.
“Tell Gideon he didn’t have the pack of goods I requested delivered to me. I won’t mind purging his entire underground business if he fails to deliver, Melinda or should I say, Ciara.” Diego said, a hint of danger in his tone.
“We meet again, Mr Hermes.” He tilted his head to the side before taking my hand. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be taking her with me.”