FAMILY RULES (Mafia Rules #2)

Past…

“I’ve got an excellent idea,” I say after taking a deep breath, a wide grin on my face, the phone on speaker beside me on the table as I bring a teacup to my lips, I am still smiling as I blow on liquid for a second before bringing it up for a sip, I smack my lips, frowning a little as I add another half spoon of sugar, looking at Maria out the corner of my eye to ensure she doesn’t see me exceeding the required daily sugar intake recommended, she’s nothing if not anal about these things. 

I wouldn’t say I was a sugar lover in particular. Sweet things? Yes, but sugar? I didn’t think so, these days, between my mother, Gianna my best friend, Dr. Andera, and Maria to watch my every move and every single morsel I put in my mouth? I feel like I'm under siege sometimes. 

Maria will first of all do a mental calculation, Is it nutritious enough? Healthy enough? Then contact Andrea for confirmation then we can know if it can be included in my diet. 

And did I mention my husband gave them the go-ahead? 

My schedule these days includes a weekly check-up with Dr Andrea, calls to my mama and Eva every other day, my daily walks in the garden because swimming might be overly exerting and God forbid I lift a hand to carry a jug of juice from the fridge. 

Maria almost had a fit the other day. 

I’d been unamused when my doctor advised I remove swimming from my daily activities, “What do you think about yoga?” she had asked, an indulgent look in her pretty blue eyes framed by thick black-rimmed glasses. 

“No, thank you” I’d replied with the same look. 

I am not trying to give her a hard time on purpose, really, I am not.

The first time we met, Maria introduced us, “This is Andrea,” her dark blond hair in a fancy twist that screamed governess, white blouse tucked into a sharp nude skirt, and a briefcase in hand, she had looked me up and down and nodded her head in a look I interpreted as “Hmm, you’ll do” I knew then, we weren’t going to be friends. 

Then again, I’d been wearing a pair of shorts, a dark blue sweater, my hair unwashed, immediately regretting why I decided not to wear something more decent that morning. I’d looked at her unblinking, tipping my chip up slightly to regain “I’m Lola,” bringing my hand up for a shake. 

We shook and she pulled back. “I know” 

I laughed a little. 

I disliked her more with every favorite food she cut out of my diet and hobbies she removed from my schedule, then supplied me with vitamins to take daily in exchange.

And I hate pills. Yuck.

I also have calls with my girls, then I watch soap operas in the evenings. 

For a girl that used to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted so long as I got back at a reasonable time and fulfilled my duties as necessary, this is a lot to adjust to.

Being pregnant is hard. And I am bored. 

But all of that is about to change, hence my idea.

“I’m almost afraid to ask” Gianna comments on the other end and I hide a grin behind the back of my palm. 

“I am not, it sounds fun, this should be fun, what are you thinking Lola?” Vanessa asks with a slight chuckle, see why I like her?  

I can almost imagine her crossing her legs somewhere leaning back against a chair, a glass of wine in hand, unworried. Because no matter how crazy my idea is, it could never compare to what she can do. Of my friends, Vanessa is the wildest. Gianna thinks it is due to growing up with her brother, Chase, one of Niko’s captains and he allowed her too much freedom. I agree with her, silently of course.

I look at Maria who is now putting away some vegetables and fruits before returning to my conversation “You ladies know how the past month has been how do I put this…” I trailed off “Interesting for me?” I add with raised eyebrows.

“If you want to call it that” Gianna drawled. Just yesterday I complained about feeling a little cooped up in the mansion.

“I need a hobby, something challenging, meaningful,”

“I thought your hobby was to spend your husband's money and look beautiful?” Isabella jests. An uneasy laugh escapes me, pretty sure I had said something similar not quite long ago. 

Oh, how things could change in a matter of weeks. 

I push back slightly, leaning my elbows on the polished surface of the table, “While I excel at both things, I was thinking something different, more progressive?” I roll my eyes thoughtful, there’s only so much gratification that can come out of shopping online and I’ve used up every last bit of it, spending the past weeks ordering baby things. I have a room upstairs filled with just bout anything one could possibly think of, some of them, in different colors.  

We don’t know the gender of the baby yet but I just get the feeling it would be a girl so most of the things I’ve ordered are in pink and lavender and yellow sometimes. And while I think that baby shoes have got to be the cutest things to be invented, I’ve gotten tired of receiving and unwrapping packages, I just send them up to the nursery these days without looking. 

That is simply what happens when you spend most of your time doing the same thing. It takes away from it. 

“Oh?” Gianna replies thoughtfully.

“Yeah,” I nod though they can't see me “How about a job?!” I exclaimed as though I just thought of it now.

Beside me, Maria who was stocking up the fridge with a bunch of healthy snacks shoots me like I’ve gone nuts over her shoulder, I expected it so I ignore her. 

“I don’t understand” I can almost imagine Gianna, her brows furrowed in confusion, her dark blonde shoulder-length hair tucked behind her ears. I expected that too.

I inhale deeply, it seems a very direct suggestion but I understood her confusion.

“Why do you want to work?” Vanessa, ever the straight shooter asks a touch of confusion in her voice. 

“Why else do people work?” I answer with a shrug while I try to think through the question. 

“For money, I suppose” Anna Lucia answers.

I raise a finger “Yes, that!” earning a livelihood is the main reason people work, it is perfectly reasonable for me to want to do the same. 

"you dont need money, you enjoy a buoyant life, with enough people to aid and provide your every need, do you know how rich the Salvatores are? your husband?"

Not exactly, no, but my guess is very rich. 

"Then maybe I'm not doing it for money, just to keep myself occupied, that seems reason enough," I've always thought the women of La Fagimila are bored, not to take away from being a wife but our life can be hard and having something to distract you apart from engaging in petty gossip and concocting plans to backstab would do them well, I dont say that out loud though as it is not the bone of contention at the moment, something to revisit at another time. 

There’s a moment of silence as we speculate on the idea I've just thrown on the table.   

Gianna clears her throat, her voice is soft as though she is trying to let me down easily. “I’m not sure the Capo would permit it” 

Vanessa and Anna hum along in agreement. 

What am I missing? I muse with a frown. “Why would he mind? It’s not like I’d bother him.” 

Gianna's voice comes through the speaker, "It is not..." she trailed off "Proper" she finally added “Not to mention the stress, you’re pregnant Lola. He’d never agree to it, not when you are carrying precious cargo" Another pause "Quite literally” 

"I think so too" Isabella seconds and my mood begins to dampen.

I roll my eyes scoffing loudly. “You ladies are being ridiculous, I’m not going to be pregnant forever, and it wouldn’t be anything stressful.” With a careless shrug of my shoulders, my head tilts to the side. “I was thinking Something fun, engaging…” I trailed off thoughtfully, “While I don’t need the money, it would be interesting, and save me from this infinite boredom.” I add with a smile “I’m doing it” I decided with a clap of my hands. 

Why didn’t I think of this sooner? 

It is a wonderful idea. 

Now… what to do? I muse tapping my button lip with my index finger. 

“I think you should reconsider, at least until after the baby is born…?” Anna asks hopefully. Her low voice was uncertain. 

I’m already shaking my head, “There is still a long way to go. I don’t want to spend the next five months indoors, and drinking tea” I say, then bring my cup to my lips taking another sip of sweet tea. I lick the residue on my button lip thoughtfully, “It is also not just the next few months I’m looking at, even after the baby is born and I’m busy being a mother, in the next four to five years when she begins schooling, and making friends and the like, I feel like I would like to have something doing.” I explain to them. 

In as much as I am a go-with-the-flow kind of person. I was that way when I enrolled at the academy at fifteen, I’d also like to think I adapted very well, with some mishaps when I married into New York. It still wouldn’t hurt to put some things into motion for the next few years at least. 

“Your duty as capos wife should be busy enough if you ask me, keeping counsel with the women, you have functions and parties to plan and attend, networking and making plans for your children’s future.” Gianna’s voice comes once again “All this is important work, I feel you are just taking on more than you can handle” she chastises sternly.

“Hm, I suppose if that becomes the case I can always take a step back until I have things under control again” Isn’t that the good part about working? You can apply for leave and take some time off. And if you happen to be the boss, you get to be in charge of your own time and delegate tasks as you see fit. 

“Understandable” Isa adds, a recent bride like myself, of course, she understands. 

“Don’t make her think this is a good idea Isabella” Gianna cuts in. In the background, I hear Vanessa laughing.

"And you Vaness, what is so funny?" now it is my turn to swallow back laughter as Gianna faces Vanessa. 

"Nothing, Nothing, but jokes aside Lola know I love you and I am in your corner especially when it comes to doing things the considered improper" She emphasizes the word, "For a woman of la famiglia, I also don’t think now is a good time, girl, you're pregnant just chill and spoil yourself to some new shoes and chocolate cake, maybe in a few years you can take it up?” 

I take a moment to breathe, tucking a strand of dark brown hair behind my ear, earlier, while I thought there might be some resistance to my idea, I didn’t think my friends would oppose it this strongly. 

I try a more logical approach, “I read somewhere that now is always the best time to put your ideas and plans into motion instead of procrastinating, besides I’ll have my dear friends to help me. It’ll be like when we planned Isa’s wedding but this time… more." I sighed tiredly changing my position to accommodate my back and leaning more on the table "Just think about it okay? It doesn’t have to be anything crazy.” 

I’ve just always liked the idea of being a part of something, bringing an idea to life, even if it was an art project with my friends back at the academy, though at that time I was content to stay in the background.  

“And what did you have in mind?” Vanessa asks and I’m glad we’re getting past their disbelieving state to the fun part.

I take another sip of my tea, before answering “I’m not sure yet. It will undeniably have to be something that isn’t too tasking, I’m not keen on constant headaches. But it has to be fun, and creative. Better if it doesn’t involve too many people” I don’t see Niko liking that. “Maybe I could open a spa?” I ask unable to contain my excitement, that could be fun, my friends and the other women in the family can be my customers, even Mama and the Chicago women can come by for a treat when they happen to visit the city, “What do you think Gianna?”

“I don’t think anything, I am not in support of this”

“Okay, I hear you, I still need ideas”

Gianna is the first friend I made when I got here, she was the one who took the time to explain to me so many things I had no idea about, that being sent away to a boarding school prevented me from learning. 

I didn’t know the difference between Capo and Capo dei Capi, I didn’t even know there was a difference, to begin with. As wife to one of Niko’s captains, she has made it her duty to support me and keep me informed of the happenings in the family, I appreciate her so much. Was I annoyed that she didn’t support my dream of being a working woman? 

No. 

Albeit, a dream that only took root this morning but a dream is a dream. 

I’m positive I can convince her to support me this time.

Done with stocking the fridge, Maria is now standing beside the table, her hands crossed under her breasts, a clear look of disapproval on her face. 

I know she is just waiting for me to end this call to give me a lecture on why this is a bad idea, truthfully, I'm surprised she hasn't cut in already to give me a piece of her mind.

I lean back “What about a restaurant? I don’t know anything about running a restaurant but it would be interesting, no? Customers can also make reservations for parties, birthdays, engagements, whatever, I can hire chefs and bake-”

“You do have a knack for planning” 

Eyes widening, I gasped clapping “That’s it! Vanessa Irene Bernadi you are such a genius! I could be a planner, for events!” All smiles, I make a fist bump unable to contain my excitement. 

y goodness, that is just what I've been missing.

And I have some experience too, I did a really good job with Isabella’s wedding if I do say so myself and I had such a fun time doing it. 

Over the phone, Gianna makes me a displeased sound. 

“Come on Gee, I could plan birthday parties and weddings and dinners and other fun events.” Another clap of my hands “Just imagine it. I can get a hall, and hire some experts” I nod my head as the idea begins to form in my mind “It correlates with my duties as Caop’s wife, only I’ll do it officially, I’d start small definitely, but it can be big” the more I think about it the more I like it. 

“I don’t think so Lola” 

Ahhh, here it comes.

“Why? What’s wrong with it?” I narrow my eyes at Maria who has obviously been listening. I point a finger at her “You don’t think I can do it? I happen to be very hard-working I know you dont believe me, I’ve just never had the opportunity to prove it” 

She shakes her head, “You don’t know anything about running a business.” 

I tipped my head to the side, drumming my fingers on the smooth surface of the table, smiling softly “You are right, I don’t, but I know someone who does.” 

“Who?” 

Interestingly, enough, I happen to know several people who are into business and should be able to help me start one, there’s Matteo who is always nice to me, and my stylist, who works at a boutique I met on my first trip to the city and has been happy to supply me with maternity outfits that are both stylish and comfortable but still gives me a flattering look. 

There’s also father but we all know that conversation would never go well. He did call me to say congratulations on my future baby then hung up after saying have a boy. 

For days I’ had been annoyed whenever I recalled that conversation. Father always had a natural ability to upset me. Couldn’t he just say congratulations and leave it at that?  

I sighed, already getting annoyed just thinking about him. 

I spare Maria another look, coming back to the topic at hand. There's 

the most obvious option, my husband who runs what has to be a multi-millionaire cooperation, doing what exactly…? I’m not sure, probably because he doesn’t like me getting involved in his business but I know he owns buildings and profitable businesses. 

But I probably shouldn’t bring it up to him until I have everything sorted out or I’ll get shut down as Gianna is secretly hoping.

What?

I know she is and I don’t blame her.

The idea of women working in the family is unpopular. 

And a capo’s wife working…?

Even I realize how crazy that sounds. Am I going to give up though?

No. 

“Lola?” Gianna calls bringing me back to the conversation.

“My mother-in-law, Eva. She’s in real estate” or at least she owns a building.

“That doesn’t mean she works” Vanessa points out.

True, but it is a good place to start. 

“Sorry ladies, let me call you back,” I say. 

The girls and I say goodbye, with Gianna, Vanessa, and AnnaLucia promising to visit with me soon as I leave the call, knowing they will remain to keep discussing my idea.