6

13 year old Emilia was different, a good different. She was chirpy, bubbly, talkative and adventurous.

Once I heard my father saying to my mother, "Both Emilia and Lily are big girls now. Old enough for marriage. If they are to find a husband and become perfect housewives, their wings need to be clipped before they learn how to fly."

And mom.......well, she agreed with him.

That's how my mother was, followed every order that my father gave. she is still the same, following every order that a man gives her, without any questions.

I can't say that my father's absence and untimely death was acceptable because after he was gone, my whole family was completely at the mercy of Adriano.

After hearing what my father told my mother I got really upset, my cheeks turned red due to humiliation. I ran into my room and hugged the pillow and started crying.

That's when my uncle Alfonso came bragging in my room.

Men here never knock at the door.

Uncle Alfonso didn't live with us, he used to visit my father every now and then, to discuss about business.

He picked me up in his arms and told me that he has bought chocolates to lift my mood up.

I really felt uncomfortable in his arms but I didn't oppose.

Then he offered me one and I don't remember what happened after I ate the chocolate. I just felt nauseousness taking over me and the first thing I remember after waking up was blood on my sheets and intense pain between my legs.

I was no longer a virgin, I understood.

Uncle Alfonso was gone, he went on a mission to help my father and never came back. Only his dead body came back because he failed.

I remained silent. What else could I do? No one would have believed me.

I kept the biggest secret of my life with myself. And now the time has come, when I need to marry Adriano.

This can probably be called my last day on the planet. I don't know what will happen when Adriano finds out his future wife is not a virgin. What will happen when he finds out that I am tainted?

Tainted, that's what people say about non-virgins here.

I have no idea how quickly will he kick me out of his house or disown me or stay away from me, in company of his mistresses every night, after he finds out my secret.

My truth.

I woke up from dreaming about my horrible past. The lights were out and the night was dark.

I want water.

And more importantly I want to run away now.

I opened the door of my room to find 2 huge men, wearing black suit guarding my room.

What is happening?

One among them was Dario, Adriano's security head.

As I took a step out they stopped me. "Mam, you can't leave your room till the morning. Adriano's orders."

He bowed to me.

Oh, so the Adriano has made sure that I don't escape out. What else was I even expecting?

"W-Water" I softly spoke.

Dario nodded and told the other guard to fetch water for me.

"Thanks." I went inside my room and looked out of the window.

Five more guards were stationed there.

Adriano knows very well how to keep his property intact.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I couldn't sleep the whole night.

In the morning, Adriano sent his female staff to dress me up, do my makeup and turn me into his perfect bride.

Some of the people he sent, packed all of my stuff while others helped me in getting ready.

The wedding was short and plain and to my suprise only a few people were invited.

From my side, my mother, Marcus, Gianna and Aida attended the wedding.

Lily refused to attend.

From Adriano's side his real younger brother Enzo, Enzo's wife Sofia, their two children, his younger sister Anna, his mother and his uncles and aunts attended the marriage.

I had to keep my head low the whole time. This is how the daughter-in-law of the family is supposed to behave. Eye contact with any male member or any elder member is seen as a great form of disrespect.

When wedding got over, mother came to me and said, "Be a grateful wife the whole day and leg spreading lady by night. Do your best to keep your husband happy and satisfied. This is the only way through which you can keep this marriage going."

I bid my final goodbye to my mother and hugged Gianna and Aida as Adriano gestured me to follow him to his car.

Most of the time he talks in gestures with me.

I am going to miss Aida so much, her small hands and small feet, her fun, her cute smile, her happiness and laugh when I used to chase her while we played.

Don't cry. Don't cry.

I followed Don as Dario opened the car doors and both of us slipped in. The driver started driving, leaving everyone and everything behind, leaving my old life behind.

From today onwards I am Mrs. Emilia Adriano Romano.