Mafias

First, there's the darkness. It's like being in the womb again, right before the grand explosion of birth. Except now, the darkness isn't comforting, it's claustrophobic. It's an abyss that threatens to consume me whole, and yet, somewhere within it, I find the strength to start swimming.

"She'll be fine, right?" I heard a soft female voice ask, her voice was familiar yet soothing and pleasant to my ears.

My eyes slowly fluttered open, my visions were blurry and vague at first as I looked around the room strangely. It slowly became clearer as I could see the room very clearly.

This looks like Alexander's room. I turned to stare at the figures that were staring back at me. I instantly felt a soft wave of deja vu wash over me. My eyes caught Alexander's grey orbs that were mixed with so many emotions I couldn't decipher. 

He just stood three foots away from the bed I'm lying on - his bed. I forcefully dragged my eyes away from his to stare at his parents, who were standing closely beside him. 

Mr Marco's face was simply expressionless and vacant. Alexander's mom sighed lowly, a look of worry, concern and relief settling on her beautiful face.

"I was so worried sick, honey," she voiced out, her sweet, pleasant voice reverberating in my ears. She slowly made her way towards me and sat on the bed beside me.

I tried to get up but she hastily stopped my movements urging me to lay back down on the bed with a groan. My body is so weak, I can't even lift up my arm.

"Do not stress yourself, honey. Your body needs to rest," she softly said and reached out to touch my hair but I instinctively recoiled and flinched. She blinked twice and a look of hurt flashed through her face for a mere seconds before she smiled at me and took her hand back.

I didn't want to hurt her, I just didn't mean to flinch away from her. She's a nice person. I know she is. Even though she happened to be the queen of mafias, She wouldn't hurt me.

I just feel like I'm not safe anymore, knowing the type of people they are now. I think the information or would I say, the discovery was so much and a hard pill to swallow that I had even passed out.

"How long have I been out?" I asked, my voice sounding rough and hoarse, making me clear my throat.

"You've been out for ten hours." My eyes suddenly widened at her response.

"Ten what?! For that long?" She nodded slowly and I turned to look at Alexander who still staring at me intently. He looks disheveled, with his hair scattered like it has been pulled on severally. The black shirt he was wearing looks rough and uneven.

"You need to eat and rest, Claire would bring in your food shortly. I know whatever it is Alexander said to you, must have weighed you down," she spoke softly, while gazing at me gently. "Can you two leave the room, I need to talk to Ivory. Alone." She turned to face her husband and her son, giving them a nudge with her head when it looked like they wouldn't move an inch.

Mr Marco sighed and looked briefly at me, his facade broke and a look of solicitude flashed through his face but it was gone as soon as it came. He gave his wife a curt nod before he turned and left the room.

Alexander still stood on his spot unmoving. His jaw was ticked and his eyes kept twitching. 

"Alexander, please," came his mother's calm voice. He stared at his mother for a brief second before looking at me for like forever. He swiftly turned around and exited the room.

I sighed out in relief, I didn't even know I've been holding my breath in all this while. The air is now less toxic and sophisticated than when those two were in here.

I tore my gaze away from the closed door to look at Alexander's mom. Urgh....I don't even know her name.

"You can call me Samantha. Sam for short, honey," she said, as if she read my mind.

She gently took my hand in hers and softly caressed the back of my palm. She is so lovely and affectionate. I wonder how a soft woman like her got involved with a man like Mr Marco.

Goose bumps rose on my skin as cold, chilly air seeped in from the open window sill. I looked out towards the window, the sky was cloudy and gloomy. I could tell a storm was coming. 

"Ivory honey?" I took my attention back to the woman that was sitting beside my lying form, with a raised up brow that mirrored confusion.

"Did you say something to me?" I asked in a confused manner.

"Not really." She sighed and squeezed my hand a little. "You know I was once like you, I mean, my reaction to the news then, was far more worse than yours."

"What are you talking about?" I inquired, not quite getting a heads up on what she's saying.

"I know you know that Alexander is a mafia prince and my husband, the mafia king. You'd probably be thinking I'm the mafia queen, right?" She let out a soft laugh and I snorted with a smile.

"Well, I am no mafia queen, honey. I'm just married to a mafia king and don't get me wrong, I didn't know he was a mafia until after I had married him." She looked down at my fingers, gently caressing them. Some strands of hair fell over her face and she elegantly tucked them behind her ear.

This woman is so beautiful and ethereal that I'm envious of her beauty.

"Alexander can do a lot of things but I know he'd never hurt you. We'd never hurt you. Our intentions towards you are pure."

"And how am I supposed to be sure of that? I just got married into a family of mafias. And from what I know, mafias are dangerous and ruthless people. People who are involved with so many illegal and vigorous activities. My safety is not guaranteed." My voice were in whispers now and my throat was slightly tightened.

She slowly shook her head at me. "Believe me, honey. You're more than safe with us. With Alexander. I bet you don't even realise that you're a blessing to us, a miracle, an Angel. You're like a bright light that brightens up Alexander's world." She sighed, and I gave her a weird look.

An angel? A Miracle? A bright light?

Me??

I guess not.

"I don't understand what you mean by those words."

"You wouldn't, for now. I just want to let you know that your safety is our priority. Don't be scared or afraid, because you know we're mafias, or because you're married to one. You're safe here, no one's going to harm you, honey, I assure you. Even if Alexander tries anything, I'll cut his balls and feed it to the birds of the air".

I suddenly laughed out at her last sentence.

She wouldn't do that. She doesn't have the guts. I bet, she can't even hurt a fly.

She flashed me a smile and I gratefully returned it. I felt a wave of calmness wash over me. Her words just soothed me. 

To be honest, when Alexander had told me they were mafias, I felt my soul leave body. Because I know, being close to a mafia is dangerous. I've assumed it would be like those that I've read from books. 

I painstakingly sat up on the bed despite Samantha's protests. I engaged her in a warm, tight hug, muttering a low thank you under my breath.

"I'm so blessed to have you as a mother-in-law."

"Oh puh-lease....I'm so much more blessed to have you as a daughter-in-law. I wish and pray that you'd be with us longer." 

I chuckled at her words which she replied with a giggle. We disengaged from the hug when a knock sounded on the door.