CHAPTER 19

ELIX

“You missed your only daughter's ticket into the wealthiest and most powerful family on the continent, Papa. In fact, my resources have been what have taken me this far. I won Renzo's men on my own. So yeah, I am the one competent enough to end this.”

There. I said it. But the moment those words left my lips, my heart beat increased at an unusual tempo. Shit, shit, shit… what did I just do?

I could hear the smile fade from Papa's voice.

“You forget yourself,” he said coldly. “You forget that everything you have, every silk dress, every ounce of power you enjoy, comes from me, your father.”

“Yes, and I am grateful.” I snapped. “But I didn’t just sit pretty. I built influence in this house. Renzo listens to me the way I want him to.”

Papa scoffed. “He listens half dead.”

My mouth opened, but I had nothing to say.

Papa took that silence and twisted it.

“You see?” he continued. “You’re playing wife when you should be ruling. And now you want my patience while you fumble over a simple task.”

“It wasn’t simple,” I fired back. “Zaria isn’t stupid. She anticipated me… without knowing…”

“Then you should have anticipated her anticipating you,” Papa replied calmly. “That’s how this works.”

I paced now. “I am fixing it,” I said tightly. “You raised me better than to abandon a hunt.”

“Yes,” Papa agreed. “I raised you better than to be embarrassed.”

That stung.

I straightened. “Say what you really want to say.”

He didn’t hesitate. “You’re getting comfortable.”

“I am not comfortable,” I snarled. “I’m surrounded by enemies, managing a house that isn’t mine, chasing a girl who refuses to die quietly... Ugh, this complicates this. I don't even know…”

“Good,” Papa interrupted. “Which means you can still prove yourself.”

I stopped pacing.

“Prove myself how?” I asked.

His voice dropped, measured and sharp. “Find that bitch. Drag her back or destroy her quietly. I don't care. Do that, and you’ll have full reins in that house. If you need a baby then… I will bring one to you. If Renzo wasted this much time until now, it means… he loves Zaria.”

My breath hitched. “This might not be a secure line, Papa. Be careful of your words.”

“I am using a secure line. See, do the needful so that I,” Papa continued, “will finally get that shipment from Riccardo. Those girls are our source of livelihood. We are not as rich as the Dominicos to deal in legitimate business.”

“So this is about your deal,” I said bitterly.

“It’s always about the deal,” Papa replied. “It's about protecting my investment and you, my daughter is one. How many times will I say that? Save your Papa some face, will you? Stop acting like a spoiled brat.”

I closed my eyes briefly, then opened them. “Fine.”

“Good,” he said. “One more thing. And I want you to listen carefully.”

I held the phone tighter.

“There’s a gala at the White House coming up,” Papa said.

I rolled my eyes to the heavens. “Yeah, yeah, I know it's some charity nonsense to uplift the poor again. Or who again this time? The orphans? It won't work again. Try those with kidney disease this time… maybe…”

“Listen,” Papa’s voice wasn't impressed. From his tone, I knew he would punish me for my insolence later. Probably abandon me for a year or two.

My mouth clamped shut at the thought of that.

“This is not some charity nonsense. This one matters. The gala will be receiving diplomats, investors, and people who decide which men stay rich and which ones disappear.”

I exhaled slowly.

“You will attend,” he continued. “You will smile and show what you have to offer. We can't rely on the Dominicos forever.”

I exhaled slowly. What the hell?

“In red,” he added pointedly. “I don’t want to look for you in any other color other than Red, princess. Am I clear?”

My lips pressed together. “Crystal.”

“And Renzo,” Papa went on, “will be in an expensive black suit. Anything flashy will make him complete the look of a vegetable. I need him in nothing flashy and touchable. Black it is.”

I scoffed softly. “You’ve planned this down to the thread.”

“Of course I have,” he said. “Including your performance.”

My stomach tightened.

“At some point, your mascara should be smudged,” Papa said. “That’s why you should wear… those female runny make-up shit so you can cry convincingly to the investors that will be there. Everyone must feel so bad for Renzo. I want to feel bad for Renzo, Elix. So if you cannot convince me that day, who else will you convince? Those hardened potbellied fools?”

“You’re sick,” I muttered.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” he corrected. “They all love a loyal wife.”

I shook my head. “You really don’t care what it costs me.”

“No,” Papa said simply. “I care what it gains both of us.”

My mouth snapped shut again.

“Elix?”

“Yes?” I answered, already knowing.

“Keep the tone we both love so much,” he said. “My princess tone. You mustn't swear or let your anger take over.”

My jaw tightened.

“Yeah?” he added lightly. “Don’t be stupid.”

The call ended.

I stood there, phone still pressed to my ear, listening to the deadline.

Only Papa knew the real me. Moreover, this was the longest and only conversation my Papa and I would have on the secure line until next year. Everything else would be said through letters or face-to-face. And I really wasn't looking forward to the latter.

The upcoming gala event must be important enough for him to call. He even disclosed specific details which were rare…

“Bastardo,” I whispered.

Fine.

If Papa wanted a performance, I would give him one. I turned, adjusted my hair cloth, and walked back calmly toward Renzo’s room, ready to be soft and gentle the moment anyone looked at me.