Stella Romilly's pov,PastI watched as the police rushed up to me. A policewoman moved the quickest. I watched her tag dangle in front of her left breast as she had me in focus. The policewoman bent down in front of me-the contact of her knees to the floor sounded like crushing rocks, and asked politely. The cold wind blew her hair to her side and blushed her plump cheeks. I stared at the plump woman. They had received a cue that my father had abused me. Just by one look, I was sure people would have thought I was severely dehydrated and starved. My lips lacked moisture and my hair moved in thin waves, barely upholding the impact of the chill wind. The policewoman steadied herself, considering her words carefully. “Darling,” she caught my attention.Very carefully.“Do you happen to know where your father is?” she asked. As if talking to a child who might run away at the slightest provocation of sound.My head shook. Not in denial. But in fear. “What are you going to do to him?
Stella Romilly's pov,PastI looked around me. We stood in the compound where a lot of cars were laid. There were at least three other policemen behind the woman, all waiting for confirmation before taking action. “She needs privacy,” Hannah interjected. The policewoman looked around before directing her attention to me again. Her gaze then moved from my face to my teacher's. “Can you please find a spot for us?” she asked. My teacher nodded repeatedly as she guided all of us through the exit of the compound into the corridors of the school. We walked for a while then paused. I noted this route as it was quite familiar now. We entered the room we previously did. The wooden slab lay exactly where I saw it. Its rough edge never ceasing to urge me. We walked further into the room and Hannah whispered to me. “I will be right here when you need me.”She pointed to one corner of the room, indicating her need to be as invisible and uninterruptive as possible during my interrogation. I h
Stella Romilly's pov,Past“And this..” I continued, pointing at one diagonal scar that filled the holes in my back. Almost crossing to my stomach. It was shaped like a sword cut. One so deep. “My father told me I was being naughty. He was smelling nasty and he was drinking alcohol and smoking. I told him that I learned that drinking and smoking wasn't a good thing to do.” I explained. “But he got angry and threw a knife at me. I couldn't escape it. It sliced through my shirt and cut my skin,”I shook my head, trying to push the memory back. “Those are the scars I've gotten recently,” I finalized, making to pick up the bits of dresses that were left on the floor.I turned to them. Tears in my teacher's eyes. Anger in the other woman's eyes. “Are you crying for me?” I asked completely terrified. “Don't cry,” I said, attempting to wipe her tears.“That's maltreatment.” I heard Hannah mutter. She looked like she was staring at the scars over again and this time she saw clearly. H
Antonio Dante's pov,FIFTEEN YEARS AGO,I had been in the cell of a room. I watched the distant sunlight peek through my window indicating the presence of a window. At least my father was decent enough to put a window in my room even though it was barely a window. It stood scrunched up from the side with its sill a rusted mixture of red and yellow, hints of black and brown hoarded hinting its once bright color. There was a rubber attached to it that blew with the breeze of the daylight. And through the light that glistened through the tattered windows, I saw shattered pieces of glasses. My head raised a little just to peek. I didn't dare get up from where I stood. I had been in the same position all night afraid I would nudge a supposed dead body. Speaking of a dead body, I searched the vast room with my eyes. The light from the sun was doing nothing to aid me. It shone on one place only leaving the rest for the imagination. The space on my right ahead of me was totally pitch black. T
Stella Romilly's pov,Past.On my first day of school. My father. Captured. Thrown into the police car. And I watched. When he threw me a murderous look. I got goosebumps. I was starting to regret my decision.Maybe I should have kept quiet and never showed my scars. I stared at Hannah. Hannah was hurting my hand. She was holding it so hard I was sure I would get bruises. But I didn't care. As long as I was in contact with someone who seemed trustworthy.“Tell them you got yourself hurt Stella,” his forced whisper had scared me. My mind was filled with his afflictions. There was a full picture and not one was a fragment. Blood wasn't flowing through my veins. It was frozen. My heart had stopped. I stood still, looking at him. I could feel a green vein pop out of my neck. At least I wasn't scared he was going to touch me. He was handcuffed. “Tell them you were being naughty,” he pleaded. His eyes were frantic and red from drugs and he reeked of alcohol. He thought he looked
Stella Romilly's pov,Past. “Stella!”I was already turned to her, squinting my eyes in an invisible sun. She was panting and stopped right in front of me with her hands on her knees. “Stella,” she managed as she tried to control her breathing as quickly as possible, the information too urgent on her lips. “Stella, you..” she halted, running her hands through her hair. “You called the police,” she muttered as a sign of an almost finished breath and she thought I hadn't heard her so she repeated herself. “You called the police. You called the police.”“I-”“I did,” a mature female voice spoke from my side. “I called the police.“ she emphasized. My mother's pale eyes worked her way up to the woman in question. “You did?” she asked. As if she wanted to know who did. A look of horror crossed her sharp features and she turned to me.“Why did you call the police?” His mouth hung low as she stared at me as if I was the one. My teacher placed a protective hand in front of me and pushe
Antonio Dante's pov. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO,There was a knock that interrupted my thoughts. From atop the staircases, there was shuffling of chains. Clinking of metals. A loud noise that could be heard even from the basement I thought was soundproof. A pair of blue eyes peeked, her dark brown hair falling behind. My mother. “Antonio?”No answer. I just sat there, stunned by how long she took to see me. “Antonio, are you there?”The window had cast a shadow on me camouflaging me completely.“Ant-”“I'm here.”She jumped, startled. I saw her clear her throat as a way of composing herself before gently making her way inside. “Took you long enough huh?” I muttered. She closed the door and opened it immediately. Her face scrunched up as she shakily descended scanning around. “I'm sorry Antonio. Your father won't let me see yo- goodness what's that smell?”She looked into the darkness as she placed her hands over her nose tightly, contemplating whether she should breathe. I couldn't
Stella Romilly's pov,Past.I stood there while I listened to my mom’s scolding. Telling me I messed everything up.“I'm sorry to intervene but she was abused.”My teacher stretched the last part ‘abused’ to hint to my mother that it was a problem. But my mother was far from listening to her. “Go.”She grabbed my hand.“Go tell them you were lying.”“That you hurt yourself.”“Go tell them,” She was about to lead me to what I would presume was the police station when my teacher fully intervened. “No. She isn't going anywhere,” she said sternly grabbing my other hand and pulling it back. “Your child has been abused and the offender has been put behind bars. I don't know why you keep telling her to lie but I won't tolerate you traumatizing her any further.”Flower blossomed in my heart and I felt full. I had never experienced this kind of love from my teacher. Was this what they called motherly love?It was nice. My mother turned towards my teacher and stared at her deep into her s
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO,Antonio Dante's pov,After a few days in the care center, I was sent to my room. It was fair to say that I was still traumatized. I could barely eat. I couldn't talk. I kept looking at the floor convincing myself that it wasn't blood laced.That no blood was here and I was safe. Safe. I stared at the clock when the short hand hit twelve in the morning then twelve in the afternoon then twelve the next morning. I refused to leave the bed not quite familiar with the environment around me now. That my mother and father were this brutal. I hated my father now. And I was sure I was starting to hate my mother too. Today was different. I was lying on the bed as usual and staring at the ceiling, thinking of nothing. A knock interrupted my blankness and I turned to stare at the door. Who could it be? My mum? Or dad? They hadn't come to see me ever since I entered my room which made my hatred justifiable. "Who is it?" I called over forgetting my door was soundproof. My voice
Stella Romilly's pov,"Hi," my voice croaked poorly, and even worse my voice was too small to reach her ears. Probably. I saw her. I saw her. Her gaze was low. Too low."Beer for Miss," she settled the beer bottle on the table and then a side glance. Her eyes were locked onto mine. I froze. I couldn't feel my face. Her non-existent wrinkles deepened. I tried again."Hi," I cleared my throat. She was the first to break eye contact. Her gaze fixed on something in particular for some reason. Then her eyes rolled around."I will take my leave now," her smile was so forced, I could tell she knew I knew it was forced. She came into view now, sharp and clear. I could see her tears jungle in her eyes as she poised herself. Her hair served as a shield and she turned away from me."Samantha," I whispered. It's been days, weeks, months, years. Times have passed since I met her. and while I should be feeling the dread of meeting her. All I felt was relief: relief and excitement.I stood up from
Stella Romilly's pov,Samantha, Samantha.Samantha, I'm so sorry. I wasn't in my right mind.Of course, you were!You were in your fucking right mind!I swear I never intended for this to happen but- A pause.I'm sorry Samantha.You are a bitch Stella! You are a fucking bitch. I will never forgive you.Listen to me, Samantha. Shut the fuck up! You. All of you! You all are!You all are fucking liars! Big fucking liars! I swear Samantha.Stop lying Stella. I beg of you. You did this. Don't convince me otherwise.It's not what it looks like.Then what? What do you think it is? What do you expect me to believe? That you are holding a knife because you want to? That you are fucking holding a gun because you want to? Tell me. I don't want to... Samantha, I just-Cut that bull shit Stella!It's all because of you! I didn't kill-Yes, you did. Are you blind?I said I didn't! Don't you get it? Fuck you, Stella. Spare me those damn lies. Spare me.Spare me.Spare the fuck me, Stella!
Antonio Dante's pov,"I never knew you could show your face here Antonio.""Given all the disgrace you have had to face.""So pitiful. I pity you."I sat at a table in the center of the living room with Marco on my opposite side.I studied his eyes and facial features which were becoming more prominent as he grew. He was becoming more resemblable.Light hair. Dark eyes. I turned to Lisa who hadn't said anything throughout my meetings but still held her face strong and passive like How any mafia would."Don't waste your pity on me, Marco.""And why should I not?"My eyeballs switched to his face, eyeing him momentarily. His black suit was adapted to his arrogant posture and his mask, long gone...I considered him for a while before putting both my hands on the table and giving him my full attention."Why should you not?" I repeated."How about because I just don't like it?"He squinted his face in disapproval."Not enough.""Because I can kill you?""Not a chance.""I have footage of y
Antonio Dante's pov,We descended the staircase painted pink by light, glasses of champagne in our hands. We had arrived in the rooms with many people. Supposably Mafia leaders. We took off our masks."You're welcome Dante," a voice boomed throughout the crowd and I immediately knew it was.Light brown hair. Dark eyesLucius.Leader of The Marcos.A person I knew so well. A person I was so shocked to find out he was related. Well, not anymore."I see you haven't changed a bit Marco," I noted, sipping my wine."How can I?" he phased.I watched as he approached me. Parcafi had an astonished look on his face. I spotted Genovese who was sitting at one corner enjoying the scene."I thought maybe. Just maybe your wife's death might have saddened you," I waited to see a change in his expression but his face was solid, a constant smile lingered.He tilted his head towards me"And I see you've divorced your loving wife who can barely cope with your absence." It struck my heart deep and despit
Antonio Dante's pov,FIFTEEN YEARS AGO,My head wouldn't stop spinning. My voice seemed to rise octaves high as I watched those lifeless eyes stare back at me. I didn't know how or when I stumbled and fell on one of the bodies. Darkness consumed me thereafter. “Antonio! Antonio!”My mother's sounds became distant and faded. And I was moving further away from her into the black world. —---“Is he awake?”“Give me a few minutes.”“Calm down.”I heard voices but I couldn't decipher who it belonged to. There was a slight ringing in my ear. My eyes were blurry and as much as I tried to open them to see clearly, they wouldn't.So I decided to use my voice instead. I made a slight hum and hoped it was loud enough. It was.Two faces sprang up from opposite sides of me.“Oh gracious, he's awake!"“He's awake!”One blonde on my right. The other brunette on my left. I instantly recognized them.The brown and blue eyes were starting to come into focus.I moved on the bed, trying to adjust m
Antonio Dante's pov,Mafia is taking your time. Mafia is smart. Mafia is about being calculative. Mafia is chess. It is about selling drugs. Selling weapons. Getting debts. And most of all, fighting your enemy. An enemy is made when he poses a fight to demolish you. No mafia wants a competing mafia. No mafia wants another mafia. A Mafia wants to be the one and only. We get rich this way. In the underworld. While we keep a clean surface on top. A nobody surface. I broke the nobody on the surface rule of conduct. I'd become a billionaire on the surface and a billionaire in the underworld. And I was yet to see the person who would point it out for me. Mafia is NOT a game. And once you are in it, you can't escape. And if you want to, We kill you. But that's not all. We all have our superiors. In particular situations like Blackmail War Money The safe way out if you don't want any of these is alliance. Alliance. By marriage Sacrifice Ch
Stella Romilly's pov,Past.I stood there while I listened to my mom’s scolding. Telling me I messed everything up.“I'm sorry to intervene but she was abused.”My teacher stretched the last part ‘abused’ to hint to my mother that it was a problem. But my mother was far from listening to her. “Go.”She grabbed my hand.“Go tell them you were lying.”“That you hurt yourself.”“Go tell them,” She was about to lead me to what I would presume was the police station when my teacher fully intervened. “No. She isn't going anywhere,” she said sternly grabbing my other hand and pulling it back. “Your child has been abused and the offender has been put behind bars. I don't know why you keep telling her to lie but I won't tolerate you traumatizing her any further.”Flower blossomed in my heart and I felt full. I had never experienced this kind of love from my teacher. Was this what they called motherly love?It was nice. My mother turned towards my teacher and stared at her deep into her s
Antonio Dante's pov. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO,There was a knock that interrupted my thoughts. From atop the staircases, there was shuffling of chains. Clinking of metals. A loud noise that could be heard even from the basement I thought was soundproof. A pair of blue eyes peeked, her dark brown hair falling behind. My mother. “Antonio?”No answer. I just sat there, stunned by how long she took to see me. “Antonio, are you there?”The window had cast a shadow on me camouflaging me completely.“Ant-”“I'm here.”She jumped, startled. I saw her clear her throat as a way of composing herself before gently making her way inside. “Took you long enough huh?” I muttered. She closed the door and opened it immediately. Her face scrunched up as she shakily descended scanning around. “I'm sorry Antonio. Your father won't let me see yo- goodness what's that smell?”She looked into the darkness as she placed her hands over her nose tightly, contemplating whether she should breathe. I couldn't