Chapter 2

• Chapter 2
• Abby’s POV
• The wedding went off without a hitch. So, now I am back in the limo with my parents on our way to the reception. My father hasn’t yelled at me, so I must have carried myself up to his standards so far. Let’s just hope it stays that way. As we exit the vehicle for the second time, once again we come face to face with the drug lord of the cartel and his family. This time I know better than try to start a conversation with Jose. I just stand there awkwardly beside my mother. My father turns to mom and I and instructs us to go in without him. That he, Jose, and Juan have some business they want to discuss. So, that is exactly what we do. All three of us women, including Sofia head inside to the ballroom. We take our assigned seats and talk among ourselves.
• About an hour later my father, Juan, and Jose join us at the table. We are halfway through with our meal. After we are all done eating, Juan raises his glass up in the air, and proposes a toast. “I would like to wish the bride and groom all the happiness they can find. Also, I would like to announce another marriage to further enhance, and strengthen our alliance with the Italian Mafia. My son Jose, and Don Joseph Moretti’s daughter Abby. The room erupts in cheers and clapping. I’m to stunned to say a word, I just sit there with my mouth hanging open wide, that is until my papa decides to kick me under the table making me snap out of my trance. I put a big smile on my face to keep up the charade.
• Once Juan takes his seat again, he stares dead at me, with a look that has fear running throughout my whole being. Him and my father are a mirror image right now. I drop my gaze back down to my lap, not wanting to infuriate them any more than what they already are. My mother who is just as shocked as me, is the one to break the silence. “When will they be wed?” My father answers her, “In a month’s time. Two days after her 18th birthday.” I try to push the tears away, but a few escape. Thank goodness no one seems to notice. Shortly after the announcement my dad excuses us women, and gives orders for us to be taken back home. He stays along with Juan and Jose. It’s no secret what is about to happen. They will indulge themselves in the company of whores and do God knows what. While the wives and daughters get ushered home to sit and wait for them. Any lady who is involved with the mafia knows that their worth depends on how many kids she has, and how well we take care of our husbands. We aren’t allowed to go to college, get normal jobs, basically have any type of life.
• As soon as I am sitting in the back seat of the limo with my mom and I am sure no one can hear me I start pleading with her. “Mother please speak with papa and try to get him to change his mind. Just ask him to give me a little more time before the wedding that is all I want. I know that him marrying me off is inevitable. I’m just requesting a little longer of an engagement. He shouldn’t get to mad about that. I’m only 17 years old. I haven’t even had a chance to live. I’m always locked up at the house. I never get to have any friends. Why can’t I have six months just to get use to the idea that my life is already mapped out for me.” I’m crying so hard at this point that she can’t even understand what it is I am saying. She just holds me until I have calmed down. Once I am no longer hysterical, she pulls me out of her embrace and looks me dead in my eyes. “Honey, you know how much I love you. If it were up to me, I would let you choose who you wed, but we both know that I don’t have no dog in that race. Your father doesn’t listen to anything I want or suggest. If I was to bring up postponing your nuptials then it would piss him off and he would punish not only me, but you. I’m sorry that this is the life that you were born into. I wanted so much more for you then what I went through. I’m sorry dear but there will be no changing his mind especially after they announced it to both families today. The only thing we can do is make the best out of this bad situation.” She kisses my forehead and hugs me again. I dry my tears, and decide not to cry or pitch a fit, because she is right what is done is done. I can only learn to live with it.
• The next day a delivery came for me from Jose. In the package was a princess cut 9 carat diamond in white gold engagement ring. It fit my finger perfect. Makes me wonder how he knew my ring size. There was a note that accompanied the package. “Abby, here is your engagement ring. Put it on your finger, and keep it there. You are to wear it day and night. Never take it off. If you do you will be punished.” What a fucking prick. I slip the ring on and can’t help but admire it. But the weight I feel when I have it on seems like one more nail in my coffin. I need to escape. Leave here and go somewhere that neither my papa or Jose can find me. Well, I’m not too sure that Jose would even look for me, because he clearly isn’t too happy about me being his wife.
• Two weeks later I think I have come up with a plan to run away. Today my mom, Sofia, Angel, and me are going dress shopping. It is a very rare occasion that I actually have permission to go beyond the walls of this compound. I looked online at the boutique we will be shopping at to get the layout of the building. There is an exit that leads out into the street in the manager’s office. That will be my best chance and avoiding any of the guards. As I get dressed in a green tight short sleeved body con dress that fits my body like a second skin, and a pair of matching pumps. I keep going over my plan in my head. I try to psych myself up, and imagine about what it would be like live in a world without the mafia. I realize it won’t be easy, but I think I can handle it.