Shades of Passion

I hear loud noises and shouting coming from downstairs. Who is papi arguing with so late at night? I decide to go outside to check. I gently go downstairs and peep to see him shouting at some men wearing black suits. They were four, an older man that looked as old as papi. He was probably their don then another man at the back who looked like a guard. The remaing two looked like younger versions of the don so probably his sons. What are they doing in our house? Papi never brings work home. He said he was protecting me from the ugliness of what he had to do. I try to listen to their conversation then I hear papi say

“You can take anything you want but not her” he pleads with them. My father never begs. Then one of the Dons sons speaks “if she is what you cherish most then that is what I want. I want you to feel the suffering we faced. Prepare your daughter” I gasp when I hear his statement and cover my mouth with my hands. Stupid, stupid Maria, now they’ll know I heard them. I quickly rush back to my room and pretend to sleep.

The noises continue for what feels like eternity and I sleep off. I see those men tie me up in a deserted location, my body soaked with sweat, I’m in immense pain, crying and begging for help. One of the sons looks at me “daddy isn’t here to save you principessa” he says mockingly and laughs a cruel mocking laugh. I keep begging for help but no one answers.

I bolt out of bed panting, realization dawns on me that it was just a dream. I hear a soft knock on my door and I panic. I ask gently “who is it?”  my father replies “it’s me my love, open the door” I obey. Opening the door slowly I see my father. He looks tired and I’m sure he barely slept.

“I need to talk to you” he says tone serious I nod and lead him to my queen-sized bed. He sits by the edge. “I need you to do something for me, something I’d never have asked if it wasn’t necessary”

I suspect what he wants me to do isn’t going to be easy “anything for you papi” which is the complete truth. Whatever my father wants me to do I’ll do with no complaints. He has given me absolutely everything. Ever since My mother died it has just been him and I through everything. He protected me and spoiled me beyond measure, I know the work he does is dangerous that’s why I never go out and friends don’t come over, whatever he tells me to do I listen. When he stopped me from going to school and I became home schooled I didn’t object, when he stopped me from visiting friends I didn’t object, even if he told me to kill someone for him I would not object. He is my only real family.

He takes a deep breath “I need you to work as a spy for me” I look at him shocked by his request

“How? I have zero training and limited social skills, you said you didn’t want me even close to that side of the world” I moves closer

“I know mi principessa but I need you to do it for me” I think about it for a few seconds but the expression on my dad’s face made me give in