Chapter 2

Marcos never mentioned Bras simply because he hated my involvement in the Mafia and knew that Xoana was already a Caporegime (Capo) by association mainly because Bras only had 1 which was Serenity and he could have up to 3 or the hierarchy would be disrupted.

Xoana didn't know of her title yet of course for the simple fact that she is just to young. While I was with Bras for the first few months of my pregnancy both of us had thought that Xo could grow up with a close relative so she wouldn't have to bare this life but we wanted her to know us as her parents, not some family member.

A Capo doesn't have an easy job and I don't want her growing up with that kind of pressure. I lived the first 18 years of my life spoiled and rich and spent years after up until now which I am 24 living rich but dangerously. I don't want my daughter to be raised the way I started. Not having to do anything, not having to earn anything, everything handed to her on a silver platter like me because all the make up and money in the world won't make you less insecure. But I also don't want her to grow up killing from a young age like her father. I wanted her life to be perfect meaningful. Both her father and I lived meaningfully unbalanced lives but we didn't want her to experience this too. We wanted her to have money and everything she wanted but experience pain and the struggle it takes to earn what you want in life. All for her benefit.

Yeah my baby was gonna be spoiled but she was going to have to work for what she wanted which is something I never experienced and something Bras experienced to much.

It was a lot to explain.

***

"Mommy." Xoana came into my room as I dressed in my button up long sleeve shirt and black pencil skirt readying for my day shift in the office.

I worked as a receptionist at a H&R Block on Sherwood.

"Yes sweetheart."

"I want to grow up to be the beautiful-ist just like you!"

"You are even more beautiful than me baby girl. You're the most beautiful-ist girl in the world!" I kissed her cheek matching her slang.

"Ok let's go downstairs to uncle." I picked her up as I strutted down the stairs in 14.5 centimeter stilettos with my baby girl in hand.

Marcos was a couch potato when he wasn't at work so I let Xo chill with him when I'm at work.

"Bye bye mommy!"

"No Xo. It's I'll see you later, baby. I won't be gone for long." I kissed her forehead and in return she kissed my mine.

***

"Yes how may I help you?" I said putting my call on hold before looking up at the tall man in front of the receptionist desk.

"Yes I'm here to file my taxes." The man said his soft voice not matching his intimidating height.

"Sir before I can notify anyone I need you to be more specific." I smiled. I dealt with people like this often.

"How much more specific do I need to get?"

"1040 1040A or 1040EZ?"

"What?"

"1040 1040A or 1040EZ??" I repeated.

"Uhh simple tax returns..." He blurted out. I could make out the faint giggles and whispers in the back of the line.

"So 1040EZ." I smiled to lighten the tension.

"Yeah sorry..."

"It's fine love. Go ahead and sign in on one of the tablets to your left and it will get you started and explain to you the basic of tax returns." I beckoned to the center of the left side of the wait room. He nodded gratefully and moved allowing the next person in line to move forward.

"Hi how my I help you?" I asked the elderly lady who was also the next in line.

She set a box on the desk and out protruded many receipts scattering about.

"I'm here to have my taxes filed and signed for." She smiled widely.

"Oh dear.." i sighed.

***

I was in the break room scrolling through pictures of Bras and I on my phone. I missed his smile, his touch, his, warmth, his embrace. Thinking about it made me tear up.

"Uh hey, Aurora," one of my coworkers called to me, I locked my phone and look up at the tall man towering over me. Michael. I've always noticed him staring at me from the corner of his eye, we'd never really held a conversation, but judging by his straight forward demeanor, I could tell that was going to change.

"Michael?" I tilted my head as he sat in front of me.

"Would you like to go to dinner with me tonight? I would love to get to know you better."

I smiled, only slightly, before it diminished again.

"Michael I'm flattered, really... but I'm a married woman." I whispered.

"I heard." He began again, "you're married to Bras Naves right?" He asked. I hadn't answered the question I just looked at him. I'm sure he'd gotten his answer.

"Right, well thank you for your time Aurora." He walked away.

I couldn't help but rub my temples. I could see my 'husband' in the same situation but completely disregarding me. It hurt. It may not have been the case... he's probably been loyal. But there's that one part of me that has it's doubts.

***

I shut the front door to the house quietly as it was 9 and past Xoana's bed time because it was her first day of kindergarten tomorrow. I took off my heels and crept quietly up the stairs and to my daughters room to give her her goodnight kisses. I heard giggling from the other side of the door and assumed she was still awake.

"Xoana you have school tom-" I opened the door and froze.

"Mommy look! It's daddy!" Xo exclaimed excitedly.

"Bras..."