C20 Happy Enough

Annabelle couldn’t stand waiting for news anymore.

When Maria and a kitchen maid wheeled some food in early, they gave her nothing to hold on to.

The kitchen maid looked flustered by her questioning and Maria simply ignored her questions while talking about how the cook had made the pasta alla norma extra healthy because of her recovery.

“Enjoy your meal, miss,” Maria said after the kitchen maid had quickly left the dining room as if she wanted to escape more questioning.

Annabelle quickly grabbed Maria’s hand. “I asked you a question. Where is he? Do you know if he has any new information about my sister yet?”

Maria gave her a gentle smile as she patted the hand Annabelle had on her. “I don’t know anything about the boss’s business, ma’am. I know that he specially asked the cook to make this food for you though, and he might be pissed if you didn’t eat it. You need to take your medication too.”

That said, the lady gently yet firmly removed Annabelle’s hand from hers. “I will come back to clear up soon, ma,” she said before she closed the door after her.

Annabelle drilled her nails into her palm in frustration.

Then she slowly released her fist again. “Don’t get him angry. You need him. This will soon be over.” she thought to herself in a litany as she went to the adjoining dining room where the food was placed.

The deep red sauce coating the pasta made her remember the stain from earlier and the sautéed eggplant made her feel no better.

The fresh basil leaves and the ricotta salata were something she had never had in her meal before, yet she couldn't enjoy it as she dipped her fork in and methodically ate.

She ignored the queasiness in her stomach that was becoming a common thing anytime she had to put anything in her mouth. It wasn't as if she had any choice anyway. He had ordered that she should eat. So she must eat.

She had wondered earlier if there was a camera trained on her to watch her every move. She doubted a man like that would just take her at her words though.

So, she did as she was told. Anything to keep him happy. Happy enough to save Cathy.

Maria soon came back to clear the table. She smiled happily when she saw that Annabelle had eaten her food.

Annabelle showed her the pill box before she could ask. Then she looked at the lady expectantly.

“I think you should be patient, miss. The boss will get the right information to you when the time is right, I am sure.”

“When the time is right,” Annabelle scoffed beneath her breath after Maria left again.

“When would the time be right for Cathy?” she wondered as she stood and started pacing.

She needed to do something. She knew all this waiting would kill her even before he decided to.

“Maybe I can go ask him?” she wondered as she stopped pacing suddenly.

She soon remembered that the room would be guarded, and the men might not allow her to pass.

She quickly thought of what she could say and headed to the door before the thought fully formed.

Then, she was surprised when she came out and saw that no one was standing by the door.

The alarm bell raged in her mind as she remembered what happened the last time. “This could be another trap”, she thought.

Yet, she knew she had to know her sister’s fate at least. Maybe there could even be something she could help with.

She could go out to search too.

Even though she had no idea where to start, she was sure she could be of help. She was no weakling and was good at direction.

There might be something his men were missing that she could figure out. Anticipation pricked at her skin as she quickly walked down the stairs.

No guards were on the landing either.

She suddenly stopped as she wondered where he would be anyway.

Then she heard a muffled voice coming from outside. Her heart beat a little faster as she quickly walked towards the front door. With curiosity overpowering her caution. She carefully unlocked the latch, easing the door open just enough to look outside.

The front of the mansion was lit with sleek lights, casting long, dramatic shadows across the driveway. Dante stood tall, his back to her, surrounded by his men. They formed a tight circle around a man kneeling before them, yet Annabelle could see his face through the gap between the two men.

His battered face twisted in terror as he pleaded in a hoarse face, “Boss, I swear I will never betray you. I had no idea he was going to tail you. I am sorry, boss. Forgive me, boss. Remember I have been with your father before…”

Angelo gave him a hefty kick that lifted him off the floor and smashed him to the floor again. She quickly covered her mouth to stop them from hearing her gasp.

Annabelle's eyes narrowed as she watched Dante’s form, his presence commanding the air itself. His voice, low and controlled, sliced through the sound of the man's ragged breathing. “You know what I hate more than betrayal? Cowards who can’t stand by what they did.”

The man on the ground stammered, his words jagged, pleading. Dante took a deliberate step forward, his gaze unwavering. His voice dropped, icy and dangerous. “You’ve made your choice.”

He raced his hand sideways and Annabelle saw Angelo make a small movement. She didn’t see what passed between the two of them, but she soon saw Dante place something firmly against the man’s temple.

“That is…”

Annabelle couldn’t hold back her horrified gasp this time. Every eye turned towards her just as the man’s body jerked on the floor.

No sound at all. She had not even seen Dante make a move, but she knew.

Oh, she wished she hadn’t, but she knew.

She wanted to turn and run as fast as her legs would carry her, but she couldn’t.

A shiver ran down Annabelle’s spine, her grip tightening around the door.