Sold to the Capo-Chapter 96: A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER

ADRIANA’S POV

The next morning, I rolled out of bed, my hair sticking out at weird angles.

With a huff, I stretched my limbs, and with a small smile, I looked at the date on my phone, which Salvatore had retrieved for me from where it had fallen.

I had expected more damage to it, but thankfully, there was just a slight crack in the screen, and I knew that it would still serve its purpose. I was allowed to call Vincenzo once a week and even though it didn’t seem enough, it would have to do.

With last night’s call, I had used my call for the week even though it was cut short.

My phone lit up again, and I half hoped that it was from Vincenzo, but instead, it was just a notification from my calendar to remind me what today was.

My birthday.

It should have been a happy day for me, but I doubt anyone would remember; I had never even told Vincenzo about it, so It was like any other normal day for me.

There was a short rap on the door and I walked towards the door, opening it to see Dora.

"Morning" She smiled. "Sleep well?"

I nodded, stifling a yawn. "You’re in the main house today; I was going to come to the Haven today; sorry, I was really tired yesterday, so I just didn’t want to leave my room." I lied effortlessly because what would I tell her? Oh, I was scared that the Don had found out that I knew his little secret and he was about to get rid of me? Yeah, hell no.

"Are you feeling better now?" She sounded genuinely worried and I just looked at her, her hazel eyes burning into mine.

Hazel.

I quickly looked away. Not now, Adriana. Get that out of your mind for now.

"Ah yes, I just needed some rest, has everyone gotten food in the haven?" I used my hand to tame my hair, stepping out of the room to talk to her properly.

"Yes, they have. I came here to talk to Mr. Salvatore, and he said to come to collect your phone and tell you to meet him in the dining room in a few minutes," She said, waiting for me to reply.

He was going to collect it? Made sense. He probably couldn’t trust me with not ratting him out if I decided to change my mind and goddamn it, I was tempted to call Vincenzo again last night but then I remembered that I had made a promise to Salvatore and until I was sure that he was the bad guy, I would refrain from telling Vincenzo.

"One moment," I muttered to her, then I went back into my room, grabbed the phone, switched it off, and then went back out to give it to her.

"There you go" I nodded to her, watching as she pocketed the phone and nodded to me.

"You should go for breakfast when you freshen up" She suggested.

That was the original plan, anyway.

"Yeah, thank you" I smiled at her, watching as she walked away, her hands in her pockets.

With her out of the way, I sighed and went back into my room to get ready. Then I walked out of the room, asking the guard for directions to the dining room again before I started walking there, dreading breakfast with Salvatore.

This would be so awkward.

However, as I pushed open the door, I only saw Mr Carraro sitting at the table, a thoughtful look on his face which disappeared as soon as he saw me and he broke into a smile.

"Adriana." He smiled, and I returned the gesture, walking to the table to sit opposite him.

"Morning. Where’s Salvatore?" I asked, finding it weird that he had told Dora to call me for breakfast just for him to be absent. Maybe something had cropped up.

Did he have to do something for Master LaRosa? Was there something happening in Sicily? Every assumption made me queasy, and I cleared my throat, looking down at the tablecloth.

"Salvatore had urgent business to attend to, but don’t worry, I’m here to keep you company," Mr Carraro said, looking down at his plate of eggs and bacon.

I didn’t feel the least awkward with Mr Carraro at the table but it didn’t mean that I was too eager to eat here with him. "I should go to my room then." I was already standing up, but his next words made me freeze.

"Are you really going to spend your birthday alone?" He asked, his tone almost pleading.

I looked down at him slowly and saw that he was already staring at me with a pleading glint in his eyes.

"Eat with me, Adriana. It’s the least I can do for you, Adriana. It’s a special day" His smile was back. "There’s no cake...yet but I did order one, it was on such short notice since I had to get a few things sorted with Salvatore but perhaps we can hold a little celebration"

Tears pricked my eyes and I looked away, my chest aching even as I sat down. "How did you kㅡ" I buried my face in my hands as I choked back sobs.

For the last 5 years, I don’t think I have celebrated my birthday; it was hard to see people to celebrate with when I was always alone, trying to live in the shadows. I had almost forgotten what it felt like when someone showed you care when they actually made an effort on my birthday.

Dad would always tell me it was a waste of time to celebrate birthdays and I grew up thinking it was true but deep down, I wanted him to show me attention but he never did, he would leave the house without so much a happy birthday but I knew he loved me, he always said so.

"What are you thinking about?" Mr Carraro’s voice broke through the haze and I looked up, dabbing at my eyes with the edge of my hands.

A chuckle escaped me and I looked away, my cheeks hurting from how wide I grinned. "I’m wondering how you knew".

"Ohh, let’s say someone gave me a tipoff," He joked, and I laughed gently with him, noticing the way his eyes seemed to brighten at the sound of my laugh.

The air around the room suddenly felt lighter and I started eating even though I was giddy with happiness. "So, Mr Carraro..."

He quickly cut me off, his voice a tad sharp. "Call me Michael"

I looked up at him and smiled politely. "Michael," I repeated after him, and something flashed in his eyes; what was it? Regret? Happiness? Or a mix of both? Whatever it was, it was gone in a minute.

"I took permission from Salvatore so we can do whatever you want for today. What’s your wish, Adriana?" He pushed his food aside, setting his hand on the table.

Maybe a year ago, I would have wished for my father. That was my wish every year when I sat in my cramped apartment. I always wished for him to come back to me but now, I thought for a bit, a small smile on my face.

"Happiness..." I said to him, my voice slightly above a whisper.

His jaw ticked but he never looked away. "You’ll have it, I’ll make sure of it, Adriana. You’ll never have to be alone anymore..." he whispered, his tone filled with so much affection that I frowned a bit.

"What?"

He shook his head and straightened up. "Nothing at all. You’ll be happy though, that I can make sure of. I could even be a father figure in your life," he joked, but there was an undertone of seriousness in his voice, and I was forced to laugh at his words.

"Seriously? That would be great, actually." I smiled, wanting to humor him, but the look on his face carried a hint that this wasn’t a joke to him.

He probably just missed his daughter, and he had said I reminded him of her; if it made him happy, why not? The absolute joy in his eyes warmed my heart as it was.

This day was probably the best one I’d get in days, so I wanted to just enjoy it, but a nagging part of me wanted to hear Vincenzo say it. I wanted to hear him wish me a happy birthday but I hadn’t told him about my birthday.

I must have looked distracted because Micheal was speaking again. "The birthday girl looks sad... what are you thinking about? Don’t forget, you can tell me, we’re alone anyways" he leaned back against his seat.

Thinking about it for a split second, I looked up at him with a sad smile. "I kinda wished that I could hear Vincenzo wish me a happy birthday, but then I remembered that I’ve used my 1 phone call for the week, so... till next week." I laughed it off even though the thought plagued my mind.

Micheal was watching me silently, probably thinking I was weird but then he said something that shocked me. "You may have exhausted yours, but it turns out I can make calls anytime I want... there’s a signal right now." He pulled out his phone, waving it in the air.

My eyes widened as I saw him dialing a number. "No, shit, you don’t have to do that. I don’t think Vincenzo would like his employees calling him, especially in times like this"

Micheal didn’t look up from what he was doing but he raised a brow. "Who said I work for him?" He asked.

His question was rhetorical but I stopped. Holy shit. That was right. No one told me that. Then...who...?

I didn’t get to brood more about it because Micheal put the phone to his ear and I heard a voice from the other end of the phone. "Micheal? Can you get the phone to Adriana? I can’t reach her, and Salvatore said he’s not at the Haven right now; I was just about to call you. Did you wish hㅡ?" Vincenzo’s voice rang clear in the dining room and my eyes glistened.

He knew and I never even told him.

He wasn’t the type to talk that much but heading him just ramble on now made me almost laugh.

"Adriana’s here. Here," Micheal gave me the phone, and I collected it, my hands trembling as I put the phone to my ear. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Vincenzo?" I whispered into the phone.

There was a slight pause. "Tesoro..." his tone was different now, lower...husky just like I remembered it and I shut my eyes as I heard the endearment term.

"Yeah?" I laughed into the phone.

"Buon compleanno, Tesoro," He whispered into the phone, and his words wrapped around me like an embrace.

For the first time in years, my birthday felt complete