In the Name of Family

my room, but I felt anything but warm inside. My father's confession about the debts and the mafia's threats wei

upportive, and always knew how to make me smile. I knew he'

locks from the restaurant. As I walked there, the familiar sights and sounds

al table by the window. His face lit up when he saw me, but

ng?" he asked, sta

rength from his warmth. "Let'

ep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "It's a

table and took my hand.

r years. And now the debts are too much. The mafia is involved, an

bling? Mafia? Bella, that's... that

ght of the number settle between us. "I don't know

filled with concern. "We'll figur

don't want you to get involved in t

not going to let you go through this alone

ar that gnawed at my insides. "I appreciate it, Marco. I really

and reassuring. "First, we need to talk to your father. Mayb

"You're right. We need to get all the

ntime, try to stay positive. We've been through tou

optimism. "Thank you, Marco. I do

h a grin. "Now, let's finish our coffee and

iny spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could find a way out of this mess.

illing the air. I moved through the kitchen, checking on orders and making sure everything ran

still trying to figure out our next steps. For now, I j

ened, and a man walked in. He was tall, dressed in a sharp suit, with an air of qu

ed, his voice smooth

ckening. "Yes, that's

ch his eyes. "I'm here to ta

Please, not here. Let

the eyes of our staff and customers on us. Once we were in the

I asked, my voice ba

y against the desk. "We need a payment.

d, my voice trembling. "Plea

ry you don't have. We need the money, or

't have that kind of money. Not yet. P

dening. "You have until the end of the

oor open behind him. I stood there, feeling

r, my mother walked in, her face pale and eye

her to find out like this. "M

nsisted, her voice shak

bling, Mama. He owes a lot of money to some very dangerous peop

yes filling with tears. "How coul

ling up in my own eyes. "But we're goin

dy trembling. "We've worked so hard for

clinging to each other, the weight o

ew one thing for certain: we