CHAPTER 2

CALLIE'S POV

Hello, its me

I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet…

Entering the Gambino mansion, I take a moment to appreciate the stunning architecture of this home. The interior is focused around a prominent central hallway, which flows into a large and winding staircase that leads to two further levels. The colours are warm and inviting and the heavy wooden doors give the house a homey feeling.

I walk further into the house and spot a familiar face. Walking through large casement doors which open onto the deck, I am greeted with my father's welcoming voice.

'Calliope, come over here. Come and greet your cousin Alessandra'

Daddy, or Don Torres as he is known to most, is a little over 60. It is a common misconception that Mafia bosses are unemotional and cold blooded. This is far from the truth. My father is family orientated, sensitive, loving, caring and kind.

However, when it comes to business, he rules with an iron fist. His business interests are vast, varying from loan sharking to gambling, but never drugs. In addition, he has a list of law enforcement personnel, lawyers and governors on his payroll. He is grooming me to takeover from him, something that I feel that I am ready for.

More than wanting to greet Alessandra, I want to convey the news of Piero's ending to my father, but the look in his eye indicates that business is not to be discussed tonight. So with reluctance, I immediately cap my thoughts and veer away from my father to my cousin.

Now I don't fancy myself a magician, however, passing my father and walking towards Alessandra, I almost feel like David Blane as I deftly use a sleight of hand trick to pass an envelope over to him.

Contained in the envelope with Torres signage is $100 000, a gift for the couple to be presented by the head of the house and a Don Torres tradition.

'Alessandra, it is good to see you. Congratulations.' I say as I embrace her.

'Callie, I am glad that you could make it' she smiles.

Alessandra is beautiful. Her sleek ebony black hair angled down to her jawline, shaping her face perfectly. With a saffron tinged complexion which perfectly complements her hazel brown eyes, she looked radiant. Her sharp features provide an insight into her personality - she is a sharp tounged, quick witted lawyer, who fights on the right side of the law. Well mostly. Sometimes she bends (but never breaks) the rules to accommodate the family's requests.

'Where is your fiancé? Surely it is not appropriate for her to be late for her own celebration!' my father comments

'Sorry Uncle, she should be here any minute. An emergency at work has kept her'

Curious, I ask 'What line of work is she in?'

Before Alessandra could respond, I feel an arm wrap around my waist. I turn into the embrace when I realise it is my sister, Aria. In the excitement of discussing Aria's impending birth to her first-born son, I completely forget Alessandra. It was excusable as she was whisked away by the photographer to take pictures with her immediate famiy.

Midst conversation, I stop listening to Aria as something else, a feeling? a sixth sense?, grabs my attention. It is a feeling that only uniquely presented itself whenever I was with a certain blonde. It was that of excitement, nervousness, joy, love, adoration and mostly, the feeling of home. The feeling of belonging.

Strange. Why should I get this feeling now? Why should I even get it at all.

It wasn't until my internal musings were interrupted by the clinking of a spoon against glass and I heard the words,

'Everyone, i know you have been patiently waiting… THIS is my fiance, Arizona Robbins'

I am shocked to the core.

To go over everything…

Noticing my pale complexion, Aria questions 'Are you alright?'

'Yes, just suddenly feeling nauseous'

I pick up my purse, about to excuse myself to go to the ladies when I notice that Alessandra is already doing the rounds with Arizona, deciding to start with the left of the room. As luck would have it, Arizona has not seen me but I am unable to escape. God, why does everyone need to be introduced to everyone.

I turn away and look out into the darkness from the deck. Feeling my escalating anxiety levels at the impending meeting, I steady myself and take a deep breath when I hear Alessandra say, '.. and this is my cousin Callie Torres'.

Involuntarily my eyes close, as if she should be the first thing I see. I turn and look into shocked cerulean eyes which I have longed to look into since 8 years ago.

There is a tumultuous explosion of emotion underneath the facade of cool, calm and collected. I move from love to sadness to anger.

I am sure that only Arizona is able to see the myriad of emotions - she could always read me like an open book.

Realising that neither of us said anything for too long, Arizona extends her hand and says with a somewhat shaky voice

'It is nice to meet you Callie', bringing my emotional rollercoaster to a screeching halt - because I decide to settle on one emotion - anger.

'You too' I respond curtly.

I take her hand in mine and feel the all too familiar jolt of energy between us. I look into Arizona's eyes and hop back onto the rollercoaster of a mixture of love and sadness.

Unshed tears well up but I will not shed a single tear in Arizona's presence.

Quickly, I let go of her hand and immediately excuse myself.

With a determined stride, I walk away from Arizona. My gaze is lowered the entire walk towards my destination. Once inside, I shut the bathroom door and slide to the floor…

and finally shed the unshed tears..

They say time's supposed to heal ya,

but I ain't done much healing.