Chapter 4 – Five Days Later
CHIARA
FIVE DAYS LATER
Something is happening this morning. I don’t know what it is, but my dad seems way too on edge. He’s been talking to someone in his office, and there have been men in dark suits coming in and out. Men I’ve never seen before.
Mom’s not home, and she hasn’t been home since I woke up. She’s always here to make me pancakes. I’ve called her multiple times, but she won’t pick up. I left her a few voicemails just an hour ago.
She knows we have plans to meet Dom at the bakery this afternoon. She knows how important that is to me since we’re leaving in two days.
Why isn’t she picking up? I hope she makes it home soon.
I twirl the spoon in my hand, flipping around the Cheerios in the bowl.
I hear Dad’s office door slam, and then he’s whispering with one of his men right outside the kitchen. But as soon as they quiet, his heavy footsteps pound across the tiles, coming closer.
I keep staring into my bowl, hoping I’m somehow invisible. My stomach rolls around like I’m on a roller coaster.
“Your phone,” he snaps harshly. “Now.”
Glancing up, all I find is the look of anger on his face.
“Why do you need my phone?” I ask quietly, scared he’ll flip out on me if I don’t act timid.
“Are you questioning me?!” he yells so loudly his cheeks turn into red tomatoes.
I want to giggle, but that will only make him angrier.
“Your phone is mine! Everything here is mine. I fucking pay for it.” His face glistens with sweat. “Don’t ever question me again.” He grits his teeth like a savage animal. “You do what I fucking say.”
I reach into the pocket of my jeans and pull it out, and as soon as he sees it, he yanks it from me. My pulse beats heavily in my throat while my eyes go round with terror.
“Now you won’t get it until I decide to give it back.” His nostrils flare. “The next time I ask for something, you make sure you do it.”
He gives me one more intense scowl, then turns around, storming out.
Suddenly I realize that without a phone, I won’t be able to talk to Dom! What if he texts and my dad sees it, knowing I went against him? He’ll never give me my phone back then.
And what if my mom calls? What if she’s hurt somewhere and there’s no one to help her? My pulses races, and I can’t stomach any more food.
Standing up, I empty the bowl into the trash and rinse it out, along with the spoon, before placing both in the dishwasher.
Not sure what else to do, I head for the couch, flipping on the TV. But a few minutes later, I’m no longer alone.
My father is there with one of his employees. At least that’s who I think he is. I don’t ever ask my father about what he does. I don’t think any of it is good. My skin crawls every time I see him.
“Stay here and watch her,” Douchey Dad tells the man. “Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere. And don’t allow her to use your phone or the house phone either.”
“Yes, boss.” The man with the black hair and muddy eyes nods.
“I’ll be back later. Call me if there’s trouble.” That’s all my father adds before he walks out, leaving me alone with a man I’ve never seen before.