Page 131 of The Umarova Crime Family

We’re staying at the Lisbon Wine House, and it’s on my list of favorite hotels, for sure. My uncle managed to upgrade his room to a two-room suite, where we share a common area but still have our own separate spaces, which is lovely. So now I’ve just finished doing my hair, and I give myself one last once-over before I walk out into the common area.

My uncle is sitting on the couch, eyes glued to his phone. “I thought you’d be running amuck somewhere in the city,” I say, momentarily pulling his attention away from his screen.

For the most part, we’ve been together, although we’ve had some times where we go off and do our own thing. Since I know my uncle isn’t too keen on shopping, I haven’t forced him to come along with me once.

“I thought about it, but I have a few things with work that are calling my attention.” My uncle looks up from his phone again and then rolls his eyes, showing his dissatisfaction.

“They can never seem to give you a few days to yourself, can they?” For as long as I remember, my Uncle Sean has busted his ass for this global communications company. He’s worked there since I was a little girl. I have some memories of my father taking me into his corporate office, but I don’t remember too many details. I was so young that it was mainly a blur.

Mmm, my father. It’s been so long since I’ve even thought about him. He passed away two years ago from small-cell lung cancer, which I guess was his punishment for smoking his entire life. He was only forty-two, and it was a huge blow. He was diagnosed six months before he passed away, and it spread through his body like wildfire. I tried to help him, but he kept telling me the only thing I could do was stay in school and focus on my future. If I had known he was as bad off as he was, I would’ve come home and been with him… but he didn’t want that.

He lied to me for ages, making it seem like he was doing better, but he wasn’t. He was only giving me semblances of hope to hold on to when, in reality, my father never had a chance in the first place. Sure, there were new trials for that type of cancer, but most of the studies were happening in the United States.

I struggled after his death because I felt so lied to. I was furious at him for keeping the truth from me, and for a time after his death, I hated him. I hated him, yet I loved him. Imagine that… the two emotions ripping me in half, conflicting with everything I ever thought. I didn’t realize it until later, but while I loved my father, I also hated him for what he did. Essentially, he lied to me and robbed me of my last few months with him.

Uncle Sean told me that my father was trying to save me from seeing him near the end, from seeing the way the chemotherapy and radiation were tearing through his body. He tried taking my father’s side, but it didn’t work. My father hurt me, and even now, I still have some anger toward him.

If I had known we were nearing the end of our time together, I would’ve spent more time with him. I at least deserved that, and now I have nothing. I have nothing except a few phone calls over the course of those six months. I didn’t even get to see him over Christmas because the flu had broken out at school, and he said he couldn’t see me. Basically, he couldn’t risk getting sick because of his compromised immune system.

I believed him at the time, but now I don’t. I think he lied to me. I think he didn’t want me to see him so sickly.

My uncle’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “No, I’m afraid not. They don’t trust anyone else to handle things with our clients as carefully as I do.”

“Ah, so you’re dealing with a big problem then today, huh?”

“If they’re bothering me while we’re on holiday, it has to be a massive one.” Uncle Sean groans and then shakes his head.

“Of course. Listen, I wanted to say how grateful I am for you inviting me on this trip. I really needed the break.”

“There’s no need to thank me. You deserved this trip, Mona. You’ve been busting your arse off for years now. Truthfully, I’m glad you came. I’m constantly traveling by myself for work, and I didn’t want to be on my own again for this trip. So you did me a favor. I’m just glad you’ve enjoyed your time.”

“I have, so much. It’s so hard to believe that we’re leaving in a couple of days, isn’t it?”

He nods. “Yes, I don’t know if I’m ready to go back home.”

“Me either, but I am ready to find out if I passed my finals.”

My uncle looks right into my eyes. The look tells me, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” and then he shakes his head. “Mona, you’ve had an almost perfect grade point average since you were a wee little lass. I know for a fact that you’ve passed those exams. You’ve likely completed them with perfect scores, knowing you. Give yourself a break and calm your anxieties. I need to handle a couple of things for work, but what are your plans for the day?”

“Well, I was going to check out some other shops in a part of the city I haven’t been to yet. What about you?”

“I might be here for a couple more hours, but do you want to meet up for dinner? I heard about a hole in the wall from some locals, who say the food is divine.” Uncle Sean and I love good food, so I think this will be right up our alley.

“I’m all for it. Do we want to meet up there in case work keeps you longer?”

“Yeah, that sounds perfect. I even checked out the reviews on Yelp in case the locals were hyping it up. They’re all five-star.”

“Okay, cool. Now I’m hungry.” My stomach rumbles.

“Go on and grab some lunch. I’ll text you a bit later with the address, and we can settle on a time to meet up there.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you later then,” I tell my uncle as I walk by him and plant a kiss on his forehead. He’s become much like a second father to me since my own passed away. He’s been much more protective and always makes it a point to call me at least three times a week to see how I’m doing. I really think Uncle Sean saw how much pain my father caused me with his death. He was really there to pick up the pieces, honestly. I don’t know if I could’ve gotten through it without him.

For the next few hours, I keep myself busy and walk around Lisbon. Of all the cities I’ve been to, this one has to be one of the most beautiful. It’s the perfect blend of the old with the new. There are cobblestone streets mixed with hundred-year-old architecture, while modern amenities are in the buildings. I like that the people here haven’t taken down their city’s history and instead have embraced blending the two together.

Everyone here has been so friendly, and even some of the locals strike up a conversation while I’m visiting the museums, walking through the beautiful parks, or even doing something as simple as grabbing a coffee.

Eventually, a few hours pass by, and I text my uncle so we can meet for dinner. He texts me the address and says we’ll meet in an hour. I’m about a fifteen-minute walk away from the restaurant, so I take my time and check out some local shops. I end up staying in one for about twenty minutes, finding a couple beautiful dresses I can’t go home without. After I pay for my purchases and exit the shop, I head over to the restaurant and arrive a few minutes early. While I’m waiting, I put in an order for a glass of wine, and it’s brought over to me within a few minutes.

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