You weren't even around when he died. I was. And I'm the older one."It might come strange; Sergio was my brother, my older brother to be precise, and it was when I returned home two years ago that Portia cleared everything up.More like confused me the more.I still didn't know why papà left him nothing substantial... perhaps he had a reason."The older one who didn't get a dime out of papà's will. Where were you boozing?He made a show of coming to hit me, but Portia's low, controlling voice stopped him.Enough of all these brawl, she said and stood up, her rings glittering in the light of the overhead chandelier, "The will was read, sì. But there were conditions to it."She gave pointed looks to both me and Sergio, who was still fuming with anger."Now sit and let's talk it out. As a family."Sergio muttered something and sat back down, but I stood still , staring at her.sit, she said to me again, in a more commanding tone.I scoffed."I know the conditions for the will, and I've
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and watched as mom and dad cleaned their faces with the serviette. That was rude, but I have bigger problems."What do you mean 'getting married'?" I asked again. "For christ sakes I'm only eighteen. And I just got here. I'm supposed to. . .live with you, get to know each other. What the hell do you mean!?" I asked again. "Don't. . .don't you want me? Are you that desperate to give me away just after you've found me?""Oh honey don't talk like that," mom said and reached out to place her hand over mine, but I pulled it away.She sighed. "Emily... it was an agreement. It was endorsed since. . .well, we really needed to find you and we needed help so---""This is bullshit," I said, not regretting my use of vulgar words, "So you sold me so that you can find me? That doesn't make any sense.""Please try to understand us. A deal's a deal, and---""Who?" I cut in."We don't really know, but he's a friend of ours. Very nice and kind."They were both
New_York.Emily's POV.To be cool and cold and unemotional.That was the only way I was going to survive this.I snuggled into my passenger seat on the plane to get more comfortable. But nothing could make me relax now.And it's not because of the marriage to whoever.I've never been on a plane before. This was a whole new experience I was willing to try out, despite being uneasy and excited at the same time.📣📣📣I looked out to the front as an air hostess was signing the safety precautions that was being echoed over the speakers... and then we were warned to get ready for takeoff.First the plane glided slowly on the runway, then it picked up speed smoothly, and before I knew it, it was taking off!OMG!The feeling of being airborne. . . that moment when even gravity had no power over you and you could just float away. . .that was an awesome feeling. I was tempted to unbuckle my seatbelt and float right out of the plane, away from everything that clouded my life.But soon the fe
LorenzoFestus just called to say that Fergus was almost here. I got up from the seat in the study and stretched myself. Then I downed the remaining glass of wine and went into my room. A knock came on my door, and the knob turned as Portia came in."Dios! I told you to always knock!" She closed the door behind her and smiled. She always looked different when she smiled, like the mother she was when I was little. It always brought back memories, and I found myself wondering why she changed. That was then. Now, I knew her not as the mother she was but as the greedy woman she'd become. Not "madre" again, but as Portia. She stepped into the room."Lorenzo, you know I'm in full support of you taking control of the Mafia.""Last I remember, you were totally against it," I replied drily."Sì, I know. But now I want to support you. That's why I want to help. I've found you a bride.""What the hell are you talking about!?" I shot out. "I don't need your help, OK? And I've already gotten a wif
EmilyI managed an appreciative smile at the driver, who just nodded as he took my box inside. Another suited man came out and drove the car away from the entrance. I returned my gaze to the house in front of me, and oh my gosh! It was huge and had this antique quality to it; it was like an ancient house, perhaps it was a legacy. It was coated with dark grey marbles plastered on the walls; it gleamed in the midday sun. In front of the house were mowed green lawns which were surrounded by the same grey stones. There were about six steps leading to the door, and I climbed them slowly. The house might be beautiful, but it wasn't home. With a sigh, I lifted a trembling hand to knock on the door when suddenly it opened and a woman came rushing out. She immediately pulled me to her bosom in a tight hug, and she smelled of spices, bread, and fruits, which was a comforting smell."Oh, welcome, welcome!" she said with a huge smile, holding my hands as if we were long-time friends."Uh... thank
Seeing him again, standing just a few feet away from me, brought back one thing only; he upped and left Dellany High in New York, USA, and even America, without the decency to let me know.At first, I felt hurt, but that slowly turned to anger, and I don't know why. Then, over the last couple of years, I'd forgotten it completely. Guess his sudden appearance proved that I didn't really forget it; I just refused to think about it.He stood there with his arms crossed around his chest and his head cocked a little bit to the side, as if he was gauging my reaction. My eyebrows lowered in a frown, and I clutched my satchel tightly. Then I swung around on my heels and ran down the stairs, yelling, "Taxi! Taxi!! Taxi!!!"Damn, where was a cab when you needed it? I needed to get out of here. I tried again, "Taxi—" but I was cut off and prevented from moving when I felt his hand around my wrists, pulling me toward himself. And I got a good look at his face. It was somehow... different. And his
I bounced twice on my bed in my room, whose main theme was blue. The bedclothes were different shades of blue, from the lightest, which was kinda light blue, to the upper one, which was a deeper shade. The curtains and window blinds were drawn, allowing the midday sun to seep in and bathe the room in a cool blue glow."How'd you know that my favorite color is blue?" I asked Prudence, who was helping me add finishing touches to the room, like where to keep my box."I didn't, he did.""Oh."She came to sit beside me. "I can remember when Lorenzo came back from the U.S. and A., he and Festus—""Festus?" I cut her off, not wanting to hear anything about him. "Where's he? I'd like to see him.""He's on duty now.""Alright. Please tell him I said hi.""Sì. So, back to dinner. The whole family will be there: his mother—""You mean his mother?"I slipped my arms into the sleeves of my turtleneck and put on jeans that stopped at my ankles. I ran my fingers through my hair (I'm so used to doing
Um...I'm...""She's your brother's bride," Portia announced dully and waved a hand in my direction. I saw Sergio's handsome face screw up in a frown."Where did he get her from?""My thought exactly," Camelia chirped in. "I'm thinking that maybe there was a favor somewhere.""Excuse me," I said more loudly this time. "Didn't any of you know about this?" I asked as I glanced at them all."Now, first of all, you have no right to speak unless spoken to," Portia said. "Do you understand? Here, we have rules. We do not live life on reckless impulse as you do back in the U.S. and A.""What do you—""And we do not talk back," she cut me off with a cold stare, resting her chin on her linked manicured fingers which glittered from the number of rings on them.It was pointless saying anything. The food hadn't even arrived, and I was already uncomfortable. I nodded, but then my eyes caught Sergio's, and he was still staring at me... like he was sizing me up or something."So, tell us your name. F