THE RIVAL HEIR

LUCIAN’S POV

I had always felt jealous of my older brother because I always wanted to inherit my father’s mafia legacy but, I am not so sure anymore after my brother died in an encounter with the enemy a month ago, I didn't feel so good, I am supposed to be happy now that he is gone, I get to inherit my father’s business but  no I was sad.

“Lucian, are you crying?” It was my dad’s voice I forgot I left the door open “Santora’s don’t cry”

He said, “We remain strong even in the hardest times, so buckle up now that your brother is dead you are going to be my heir’’

He said

I had waited all my life to hear those words from him, he said this exact same words to Antonio my brother, oh god I should be happy but I wasn’t, I didn’t know what to say to him because I know that even though he did not say it he was also sad about my brother’s death.

But one thing about being a mafia, is that  you are meant to be strong  no matter what happens.

 “Yes, dad’’

Was all I could say I couldn`t find any words of comfort for a mafia boss but I could see the hurt in his eyes, I too was hurting, after a few minutes of giving me instructions on what to do which I just replied with a soft

“hmm’’

he left, I was alone again with my thoughts as company. I just closed my eyes when I heard a knock on the door

 “Knock, knock’’

 Who was it again?

“Come in’’

I said it was Rosalie one of our oldest maids but what the hell did she want now

“What is it Rosalie?’’

 I asked sitting up to face her. Rosalie was a middle aged woman. She has been our maid for almost fifteen years. She had stayed here longer than any maid so she earned the chief maid title. She had been the closest thing to a mother figure in my life for the last fifteen years.

My mother left my dad when I was ten, so she practically raised me.

“You don’t have to stand every time you enter my room Rosalie seat anywhere you want to”

I said taking her hand and leading her to my bed squatting beside her

“What’s wrong”

 I asked her. She put her hand into the pocket of her apron and handed me a letter, when I saw the title

“To my younger brother Lucian” She did not need to tell me who it was from, she led me to sit beside her and patted my head saying

 “I know how you feel, don’t worry dear he is in a much better place now”

I leaned against her shoulder and started crying. Aside from Natalie, my best friend and my dad and brother, she was the closest thing I had to family.

“Your father wouldn’t like to see you at dinner with swollen eyes”

She said with a cue.

“I’ve got work to do”

Looking at the letter she said

“Read it when you are ready’’

She stood up and hurried to the door before she opened it. I said.

“Thanks Rosalie for always being there for me’’

She smiled and replied

 “You're welcome but find yourself a girlfriend. I would love for you to stop being all by yourself all the time’’

She said then left, closing the door behind her. I needed to do something to take my mind off Antonio and nothing was better than going out for a drink with my drinking buddy and best friend Natalie. Keeping the letter safely in the drawer beside my bed I grabbed my jacket and left my room.

    

                                       *        *           *          *       *

            

“What took you so long’’

it was Natalie’s voice she was at the bar and I was across the room

“Family issues’’

I responded to her question as I reached the bar, turning to the bartender

“Some whiskey with ice and another glass of martini for the lady”

I said turning to me she asked

“How are you feeling?’’

How was I supposed to respond, was I to tell her how guilty I felt for being jealous of my brother who sincerely loved and cared for me? Well I could not burden her with my problems. I was here to comfort my best friend’s broken heart.

Natalie is an average height girl with brown eyes, she is a chatter box and always full of surprises, she is not Italian like me but she feels like the sister I never had, me and her have been friends since high school.

But she knows next to zero about my life. She just accepted me without knowing who I am. I know that one day I will have to tell her everything but for now,  I want to enjoy her company as long as I can.

“So who is it this time around?”

I asked Natalie who changes boyfriends ten times a week and always gets her heart broken but she has refused to change or give up on dating.

“I don’t know his name but he is drop dead handsome you have to see him for yourself I like him but there are rumors he already has a girlfriend so please help your best friend here, you are also a guy so just make it work for me, please bestie’’

She said with teary eyes.

“Why are you so bent on dating this guy? There are many guys on campus, plus I don’t know him and I don’t want to help you court a guy’’

 I said with detest she dates the worst scums even though I warn her and she always end up running to me when her heart is broken

“Please Luciano he is in the same class as you, please just help me this once, please lucy”

She begged, how could I say no to her, it was just to make acquaintance with my fellow student  it shouldn’t be hard

“I’ll think about it’’

 I said irritably

“thanks, I knew I could count on you’’

She said leaning on my arm

“I haven’t said yes, yet”

I said as I shrugged her arm of me

“I know you will do it I am your only best friend after all lucy, if not for me then who would you do it for, ugh”

She said looking intently at me,

this girl will drive me crazy one day I know it. I thought to myself as I took the last sip of my whiskey.