Page 12 of Velvet Chains

“I’ll leave you two alone to process this.”

“This could ruin my career,” Isabelle exclaimed, pulling me out of my jumbled thoughts, “and yours too,” she said, stating the obvious. “If people started digging into who you really are…”

Before she could complete her sentence, my phone rang, interrupting her and breaking the tense silence. I picked it up from the nightstand and saw that it was Elia.

Elia was another powerful Mafia boss, well known in the underground world of Palermo. He was also my friend and business associate. I already knew why he was calling, I wasn’t sure I had the strength for the conversation we were about to have.

“Elia, this isn’t a good time,” I simply said as I picked up. I expected him to end the call, or at least fire back at me in an annoyed tone, but the next thing he said was unexpected. There was a brief silence before he spoke, which felt as heavy as the elephant in the room.

“Congratulations Vincenzo!” Elia exclaimed, his voice filled with unexpected cheer. I expected to be scolded, blamed and chided, I definitely wasn’t expecting to be congratulated. What exactly was happening? Maybe I didn’t hear him correctly.

“Come again?” I said, not knowing how else to respond. Meanwhile, Isabelle was still on the bed, covered in the sheets and staring at me with wide doe eyes as if asking me “what are we going to do?”

I looked away and started pacing. I had no answer to that question.

“I said congratulations Vincenzo! You were all over the news, I saw the photos and videos. It looks like you have decided to settle down, and at the perfect time too. Smart move, my friend, very smart move.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought you did this intentionally.”

“I didn’t.”

“That’s even better.”

“Can you stop being cryptic and get to the point?”

He laughed. Unlike me, he found this entire situation amusing.

“So, as I was saying before you interrupted, this is actually perfect timing. Or did you forget the Cupola elections are around the corner?”

“I know, how could I forget? But what does that have to do with this situation?”

“Since I have to spell it out for you,” I rolled my eyes, he was so sassy, “being in a relationship shows you are a stable and reliable candidate. It will increase your chances of winning, so it is a good thing.”

I thought about what he said. He was right, it was better for the elections if I appeared responsible and somewhat put together. It would increase my chances of winning indeed.

“I see what you mean now.”

“Yes, so congratulations.”

“Thanks, I guess.” Elia was making a lot of sense, everything was coming together. I didn’t know why I had not thought about it before.

It was a good thing.

The gears in my head were turning, my mind was going miles per minute. What initially seemed like a disaster was now an unexpected advantage. With Isabelle at my side, I had increased my chances at winning the elections.

“I’ll be looking forward to you winning the election.”

“So will I.”

I knew what I was going to do now, I had to take advantage of the situation. I had been given lemons, and I intended to use them. I ended the call with a new resolve.

I understood the necessity of keeping Isabelle close now. I realized that she had to be here not just for appearances but to grant me success at the upcoming Cupola election.

I turned to Isabelle, who was still on the bed looking quite frazzled. Before she could speak, I spoke.

I saw her expression change almost immediately from one of confusion to anger and defiance. “Change of plans,” I said, folding my arms across my chest, “you’re not going anywhere.”

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