Chapter seven

Arturo’s view

“You seem like a very reasonable man Mr. Rossi; I am sure I have something you want.” Felipe was balding and fat now, he had worked with my father for twenty-nine years. He was always there for grunt work, earning his position in the inner circle.

“You know what must be sacrificed for what you’re asking for Felipe, no exceptions, not even for seniority.” assuming the conversation is done, because it should be, I lean back into my seat and light a cigarette. However, Felipe is persistent.

“Do you remember my daughter, Avery.” I almost smile at the memories of one of my old friends’ younger sister. When Santiago and I were much younger and our fathers still did business, we would play godfather while they met but sometimes, I would sneak off to the south wing which was completely off bounds at his house, immediately the scent of lavender was strong.

There was single purple door on that hall with white lotus flowers painted on, and when I opened the door, there was a small girl with the biggest brown eyes and

curliest head of hair I had ever seen playing tea party with stuffed animals. She has spotted me not soon after and before I can turn and high tail It back to my father, she pulls me to the table. Oddly, I am about a foot taller than her and everything else in her purple kingdom.

“Winna play? I need a king to oversee the war tactics on the eastern border.” she’s missing her two front teeth but she is still smiling brightly.

Weirdly enough without question, I sit at the small plastic, purple table. “How old are you?” she pauses mid fake pour of hot tea to count on her fingers and then holds out three fingers.

“I’m four! What about you?”

“Seven, now who is the enemy?” and whenever I could sneak to the south part of the house and play whatever hero Avery had wanted for about a year until I was sent to study with my grandfather and by the time I had returned, the agreement with the Cubans had been shredded and I had never seen Avery again.

That is until her father stumbled into my office and placed her on the board like a bargaining chip. Only when I had snuck into her room did I realize she did not remember me; her once purple walls were a dull grey. No princess themed dresser or blanket, fingers paintings replaced with landscape store art.

“So, you’ve decided to not tell her at all and just assume she’ll remember you later on?” I avoid the question throwing an extra hard blow into the thin hand pads separating my first from Oliver’s face. He winces but keeps an eyebrow raised, expecting an answer, I turn away and swipe my water bottle from the floor.

“I just don’t see how she can’t remember, we used to spend hours together.” My brother shakes his head and flicks my forehead, “Imagine what she’s been through, her father has just sold her for Christ sake, she must have blocked out a lot to remain strong, now she’s in yet another position where she is forced to be strong. Her break down showed you that last night.” Jerking off my gloves I slip out of the ring, I can practically feel him roll his eyes.

“You don’t know her like I do.”

“No Arturo, you don’t know her anymore, you have no idea what she has done to survive. Felipe is an asshat with a daughter, who I did not even know existed until he threw her on the table like a pawning item. Point is in her mind you paid for her, she will always have that resentment, do you want to add lying to her on that list?”

“Point is, I did what I had to, when the time comes, she will be informed, and she will forgive me. It was what was best.” Oliver scoffs but does not press further and I am relived. His lectures are just like our mothers.

The air outside the gym is refreshing, Oliver follows behind onto the elevator, his stop is on the ground floor and we handshake goodbye before I make my way up to my floor. I spend the time pondering over Ollies words that although annoying, may unfortunately be true.

Would Avery resent me more from keeping the truth from her or is this something better left in the dark?

The loft is quiet when the doors open on my floor, lights dimmed low. I pause for a moment; my home is usually quiet and dark. But for some reason there was a sense of warmth radiating, something sweet was swirling in the air.

The kitchen was the only room with light, Avery was planted in the middle of the island.

Dark hair surrounding her like a thunderous cloud, red rimmed eyes and a plate of cookies beside her, staring into thin air she reaches for another. Whatever she is thinking about has her full attention or she was simply ignoring my presence.

I try, “Good evening, Avery.” I have made it across the kitchen and to the fridge still in this unusually warm silence. “what did you do today?” still without responding she slides the plate of cookies in my direction, red rimmed eyes now trained on me.

The cookies are warm and soft enough to bend in my hands as I eat it.

“If you made this deal with my father under the terms of marriage. I am sorry to say you’ve wasted your money.” it is the first full and last sentence she says before shuffling out the door, her soft steps fade more and more as she climbs the stairs.