If I turn into a ghost, I'll haunt you! (2)

I take deep breaths to calm my racing heart, yet it starts hammering in my chest again when I see Mr. and Mrs. Ricci walking towards me. They look like a pair of gods about to punish a mortal. And, yes, that mortal is me. Poor little me will be hit by lightning or burnt with just a thought. I know so!

Mom, at least your son will die by the hands of people you know, so please don't put them in jail!

In the process of standing up, I knock my knee on the table, which loudly rattles. Mr. and Mrs. Ricci obviously notice, pausing in their steps, but thankfully do not comment on it and naturally greet me. Oh, the shame!

"Lovely to see you, Aldo!" Mrs. Ricci said, kissing his cheeks.

"The only lovely one is you, Mrs. Ricci." I return with a grin, making her chuckle with a 'oh, you', before I turn to the other man and extend my hand. "Mr. Ricci."

"Greco." The older man nodded as he took the offered hand. The grip was tighter than polite convention, but I would do the same to the supposed boyfriend of my daughter. I just smile and then gesture for them to take a seat.

"Well, we must say we are pleased to know you are willing to meet with us again." This time, it is Mr. Ricci who speaks first. It is really rare to listen to him talk, but whenever he does, I feel as if all my being trembles at his voice.

He sounds so firm and cool that one would prefer to be stepped on by thousands of elephants than hearing him get angry or this serious. It makes my back straighten even more that it could snap at any moment.

"Yes, well, as you were close to my family before, I thought it would be rude for me not to do so." I take a sip of water to moisten my already dry throat. I have not gotten to the 'fixing' part and I am already this anxious…

"I hope your mother and father are doing well. We promised to visit them, but a little heads-up never hurt anyone." Mrs. Ricci says with a smile that reflects nostalgia, as if she is remembering all the time she spent with my mom. Which, thinking bad, it was not that often. But when the two got together…

"They are doing well. Mom fell a few months ago and now the chill affects her elbow, where she fell." I say, my mind still a whirlwind of unfinished thoughts. This trivial and casual conversation is not helping me decide what to say or do so they do not get angrier at Heidi.

"But she's ok, right?" The woman immediately latches on that.

"Oh, yeah, of course. She's still active but we make sure she gets appropriate rest when she uses her elbow too much. Stubborn as she is to claim she's fine." The words automatically come out from my mouth.

Mrs. Ricci nodded relieved. Then, thinking it was enough catching up, Mr. Ricci spoke up. "We must go to Heidi's place as soon as possible, Aldo, so please tell us what's the important matter you mentioned before." His tone tells me I am taking too long with the announcement.

My brain disconnects for a second, as I feel my face freeze. The thought of them lambasting against Heidi for choosing her own happiness, then taking her away make me panic. Worst of it is the thought of never being able to see her again! 'Take responsibility'. Niccolo's voice pops in my mind, tangling my thoughts even further.

Adding to that was the pressure of having their expecting gazes boring on me.

How can I take responsibility?! What kind of responsibility?!

Come on, mind! I have to say something! I need to make Heidi happy and avoid her hating me.

Yes, that's right!

I am doing this for Heidi. And for myself, too. To have her by my side, and be able to see her smile, to see her grow old, preferably together with me. I have to say it. Say the words that will make everybody happy.

So, say your responsible words, Aldo!

Say them! Enlighten them!

"I'm dating you daughter."

She is coughing.

Oh my Lord, Heidi's mother is coughing as if she is about to die.

Did-Did I say something wrong? Let's recall.

Me calling them to have a talk about an important matter, my mind being a mess, Mr. Ricci's voice pressuring me to think of something quick to not make them lash out against Heidi's treachery, Niccolo's voice resounding in my head, the elephants… wait, what elephants? Never mind that. Where was I? Oh yeah, Niccolo's voice, responsible words, stating I am dating Heidi.

Yeah, nothing that would make her react like that… She was not even drinking something. Oh! I didn't ask for drinks-

Mom, I think your son's brain was abducted by aliens.

OH MY GOD!

How could I just say something like that so casually?! They will kill me, and then Heidi will kill my corpse… is that possible? Well, if not, she will make it possible! Oh God! I stand up all panicked to try to help Mrs. Ricci, but when I finally react, she is all better and giving me a wide and bright smile.

"Sit down, Aldo." Mr. Ricci orders. I just do it without thinking it twice.

Here it comes. The time for my trial and execution. I do not regret anything… well, I do regret a few things; like, not confessing my feelings to Heidi. I always wanted to tell her I have liked her since I was a wee kid of ten. That despite dating other women, she has always been the one for me. Her presence one that will always lead me like a moth to the flame.

I also regret not giving my mom a grandchild. She always wanted one. If things could have been good with Heidi since the very beginning, maybe we could have had three or four beautiful children. After all, my brother is not even trying to look for a girlfriend; and my sister just fools around with men.

Aside from that, I think I lived well. I will leave this world happily.

Sorry for being an idiot Heidi, but this sacrifice is worth it. I hope you see it like that in the future.

And if I turn into a ghost, I'll haunt you, too.