THE MAFIA'S PENANCE

VERNON'S MOVE

"I don't know Viv. But it seems like it was just a dream." Answer Renata. "You're pregnant, you don't have to think about unimportant things, let alone dreams."

It seems like what Renata said has a point. I don't have to think about anything that's not important let alone just a dream. Although I still feel curious but I do not want to think about myself in the past.

"Both of your parents are coming tomorrow, they're glad to hear about your pregnancy. But they don't want to set foot in this house, so I'm gonna ask Vernon's permission to take you home tomorrow." Renata.

"I don't want to go anywhere." My answer. "I'll leave if Vernon comes with me too."

"That's impossible, your parents don't want to see Vernon. Yesterday at the hospital they held back their feelings for worrying about you." Renata held my arm. "I'll come tomorrow after Vernon lets me take you."

"You know where Vernon is now?" Look at me hoping Renata knows and intends to tell me. "I feel your relationship with Vernon is very good. He even replied when you called him yesterday, right? Though he didn't answer the phone or the message I sent him."

"But I don't know where he is now." Answer Renata. "Well Viv, I'll go now, take your vitamins." Renata gave me the bowl she was carrying and took my vitamins in the bupet and put them on the bedside table.

"You're going?" My toot.

"I will accompany your brother to Genoa. Art asked me to accompany him." Answer Renata. "Sacra Unita is out of the way, so Art will add a few casinos and nightclubs there. He also wanted to create a hospital and asked me to take care of it."

"In Genoa? That's so far away Ren, you're gonna live there? What about Art? He can't leave Sicily." I disagree with Renata staying away from Arthur, as well as from me. However, I strongly consider Renata to be my older sister.

"Viv, you're leaving Italy soon too." Said Renata standing up. "Vernon will take you to Oslo and you will live there."

"What do you mean, Ren?"

"Vernon had to return to his country because his transfer of citizenship was rejected, his uncle also did not want Vernon to take over Camorra again after giving Genoa for free to La Nostra. That's why his transfer of citizenship was denied." Renata Bright. "His uncle was so angry that Vernon just gave Genoa to your brother. He traded Genoa for you, Viv."

After Renata's departure, I thought about what she said about Camorra's anger at Vernon. That was for sure, because in order to get Genoa, from his side lost many of his followers but Vernon easily gave Genoa away so that he could take me back to him.

Vernon still had to show his uncle his ability to carry Camorra on but because of me, ah no, I mean so I don't abort his son by taking me back, he lost his uncle's trust.

What am I supposed to do? I also don't want to leave my country and live in Oslo. I don't want to be away from my brother, even to move to Napoli I'm reluctant especially if I have to move to Oslo.

I took my phone to call Vernon, but before my phone was connected my room door was open. I turned off the phone and looked at Alec who opened the door.

Alec's steps looked heavy as he walked in and approached me after closing the door. It seems like the news of my pregnancy has been heard. Yes it was obvious, Alec was the one who was between Vernon and Arthur, there was no way he didn't know that quickly.

"Viv, are you really pregnant?" Look Alec. He grabbed my right hand and held it with both hands. "Is that really Vernon's son?"

Alec's words surprised me. What does he mean he asked me such a question? I don't know why I'm so bothered by that.

"I mean, could it be my son?" Alec spoke very close and whispered.

For a moment I watched Alec while thinking something. I understand what it means to say that because he feels jealous. Alec loved me while I was pregnant with another person's child who was my own husband.

"Alec, this is Vernon's son." I replied with a bad feeling to Alec.

But honestly, right now my feelings are slightly changed for the man sitting in front of me. If before I loved Alec so much and felt happy every time he was present but now it's not the same. It must have been my pregnancy that made me want to be with Vernon more right now.

Suddenly the door of my room opened again. This time a figure I really wanted to see was standing in the doorway. Vernon was silent for a moment there looking at me.

Alec who heard the sound of the door opening instantly released my hand from his grasp and rose to his feet due to Vernon's presence.

"You're back, Vern?" Alec said as Vernon stepped towards the bed. Alec stepped aside as Vernon took over his seat. "I just came to see Vivian, I'm glad to hear you two are going to have a child."

Vernon did not reply, he just looked at me fixedly. I can't describe her gaze to me, whether angry, upset, or cold but she seems to be holding back her emotions at the moment.

"I heard you just met uncle—"

"Come, Alec!!" Vernon exclaimed without turning his gaze to me.

Without saying anything more, Alec walked out of our room.

Vernon's eyes didn't even blink when he looked at me right now. It seemed like something she wanted to say to me, so I just kept waiting for her to talk, but she still did not open her mouth and made me a little confused.

"What's really going on? Are you holding back your anger on me right now?" I asked who finally could not bear to break the silence just a moment ago. "Why are you quiet? If you want to say something you can say it and not just look at me, Vern."

Finally Vernon drew his gaze from me and closed his eyes while turning away from me.

"Viv, listen to me. I won't force you to follow me, you're free to choose because I don't want to make you think about it so hard, I don't want this to affect your gynecological condition and make it worse." Said Vernon who just turned to me who was sitting leaning against him while he was sitting on the side of the bed on the left. "I'll go back to Norway and settle there. You're free to choose whether to come with me or stay here. I wish you would come with me because you're pregnant with my son. I also don't want my efforts to go to waste after giving a gift to your brother by letting you just walk away from me."

Hearing her words made me laugh in an inexhaustible manner. She said I was free to choose but from her words, she forced me to go with her.

"Why are you laughing?" Vernon asked in surprise looking at me.

"You're so funny. From your words you forced me to go with you." I said to hold my lips.

So everything Renata said was true about Vernon coming back and living in his country. But there's no way I want to go with him, I won't leave my country. I just want to stay here.

"What's your decision then?"

"I don't want to go to your country, Vern." My answer.

...–NATZSIMO–...