Our boxes are all unpacked. My pent house has almost the exact same layout as Sam's. While Damon is living in the apartment across the hall. I went for a run this morning to clear my head, but I'm still on edge. It's not that I'm ashamed of my life. But I do regret how I left my old one. It has been 1,187 days since I left Port Charles. I've never visited, sent a letter, a post card, or even called in that time. Now I'm about to blind side my Dad about how I've been living my life at a business meeting.
I've missed my Dad tremendously, but knowing him he'll start a mob war with Damon in an effort to save me. The thing is that I made my choice a long time ago... and I didn't pick my family. Once I realized that the mob was where I belonged I thought about going home, and asking my Dad for a job, but I knew he would never say yes. So I stayed where I was happy, and formed a new family with Damon and Talia. Everyone always thought that Damon and I were together as a couple, and we thought about it for a while... but we didn't want to risk our partnership. Now he's like a brother to me.
The alarm on my burner phone goes off (I switch phones every 3 months) alerting me that it's time to get ready for the meeting. I go into my new bedroom to get dressed. I put on a pair of black skinny jeans, black combat boots, and a black t shirt. I put my medium length hair into a military style bun. Then I put my loaded gun in the waist band of my jeans, and a knife in each of my boots in the protective slots I created for them. Then I block out all of the thoughts that have been going through my head, and make my way across the hall to Damon's apartment. "Are you ready?" I ask him as I walk in. "Yeah...I just have to grab the correspondence that has the address of where we're meeting."
"Where are we meeting up?" I ask flustered that I didn't check into that earlier. "Their legitimate business... some restaurant?" Ah the place that has the best food, but never has any customers. A smile sneaks through my hardened features.
"I know where the place is let's go. " Knowing that I wouldn't say anything if I wasn't 100% positive he doesnt question me, and follows me down to the car.
It's surreal pulling up to the building that I use to visit my Dad at, and I have to remind myself that I'm going there for business. We open the door that has the closed sign on it, and make our way inside. Where we make our way to my Dad's office.
There are exactly 2 people waiting in the room my Dad and Jason. Spotting our arrival my Dad stands and introduces both himself and Jason to the both of us. While Jason stands to the side watching our every move. Damon shakes his hand, and thankfully introduces me as his partner, but doesn't say my name. (Though I'm slightly surprised that he doesn't recognize my face though my features have hardened quite a bit over the last few years. I look stronger and more confident. Heck when I look in the mirror I can see the changes in my overall appearance.)
Like Jason I stand off to the side, and watch and listen. Although unlike other jobs I catch myself glancing at the pictures he has on the walls. There used to be maybe 1 or 2 pictures of me in here, but now the room is filled with pictures of myself and Morgan. Almost all of the ones of me are from my teenage years, and the girl in the photos looks like a stranger to me. I vaguely listen as they discuss percentages and territory. The meeting goes quite smoothly. They agree to the final terms, and shake hands to finalize the deal. It's as Damon stands to leave and says, "Lets go Kristina." that brings me out of my unusually wandering thoughts. I nod to Damon, and move to his side as I quickly glance at Jason and my Dad. And in one glance I know that they figured it out. Jason goes for his gun at the same time as me.
Damon gives me a quizzical look as Jason and I hold each other at gun point. I give him a look letting him know that I'll tell him later. I move in front of him to shield him with my body and say,
"Go home Damon. I have to deal with this myself. "
"Are you sure Krissy?" He asks as he tentatively touches my back. "Yes. I'll make my way home when I'm done. "I say without taking my eyes off of Jason and my Dad. "Do you want me to send a car?" "No... just go. " I say calmly. He makes his way out of the room, and when the door closes my Dad finally speaks. "Kristina?" His voice cracking from unshed tears.
"Dad" my voice unphased. Jason tucks away his gun, and I do as well. "Will you please sit down?" His tone almost pleading, as his eyes stayed glued to like I'll disappear in front of his face. I nod in compliance and take a seat where Damon had previously been sitting. While Jason uncharacteristically pulls a chair up to the desk, and takes a seat as well.
The room is dead silent for a moment, and then my Dad breaks the ice. "Where have you been?" He asks in the softest tone I've ever heard him use. "Living a life that makes me happy. "
"With Santos?"
"Yes with Damon Santos. He's like a brother to me, and the best business partner I could ask for." I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I hate having to explain my life. "What role do you play in the business?" He asks with a slight flare of his nostrils. "I'm Damon's second. It's my job to protect him and his family. He gave me 40% of the organization. " They both have shocked but impressed looks on their faces. My Dad reaches across the desk and grabs my hand. "You could have asked me for a job. " He says. I laugh bitterly, and pull my hand away from his. "You never would have said yes. That part of your life was never allowed to be a part of ours." "Why didn't you tell anybody you were leaving or where you were going? We thought you may have been killed. " I can hear the pain in his voice. "I was depressed when I left. Nothing was making me happy, and I was failing at everything. I just needed time by myself. Then I started fighting for a living." Their both shocked by that. "Then I met Damon, and got involved with his business... and I found my purpose. I didn't want the old me to hold me back...or my family."
"Then why did you come to this meeting?"
"It's a good business deal. With that being said can we still count on the Corinthos organization working with the Santos organization?"
"Will you stay in Port Charles if I say no?" His words are shaky. "No. We're planning on relocating to Port Charles to work on our partnership, but if you end the partnership we'll go back home. " I say coldly. "Then the partnership is still on." He grabs my hand again. "Under one condition we have a family dinner, and you tell everyone that your back in person." Something I came across while working recently pops in my head. I nod my head in agreement that I'll do it. "Can you invite Brad and Lucas too?" He smiles appreciatively and says, "Yeah I can arrange that. " I stand to leave, but before I leave I look my Dad straight in the eye. "Since I'm living in Port Charles again I will make time for family. "This seems to lighten up his face. "But let me make myself clear if you go after Damon or our organization in any way I will wipe you out. " The threat shocks them both, but it needed to be said. I leave them with their mouths agape, and proceed to jog home.