Chapter 5

*FIORELLA*

My eyes jumped; I couldn't believe the question he was asking me, "Who do you think that you are to ask me that?" I said, furious, and tried to let go, but he had me too strong.

"Answer me?" he yelled at me, and that made me nervous.

"I don't have to answer you, let go of me. You are hurting me".

"Answer me, Fiorella, I don't want to have to ask one of our men to confirm that, " he told me, and I couldn't believe his words; who was this man in front of me.

"Wouldn't you dare?" I said, challenging him.

He smiled at me and looked back, "Flavio!" I looked at him in panic, and my body trembled at the thought of someone touching me, "Wait, yes, yes I am!" I said as tears of helplessness streamed down my face.

Fabrizio lifted his hand and gently wiped my face, "See, it was so hard to answer a simple question, sis."

I let out a sigh, and he stared at me, caressing my cheek. "Come on, you're not going to cry, are you? It would be a shame to spoil that makeup and how beautiful and innocent you look tonight, you know?" he said, getting close to my ear.

"You have become the most valuable treasure in the family; like a good brother I am, I have to make sure you stay that way for the sake of our future."

"I will be close to you, to take care of you at all times, don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt you," he said with a smile and offered me his arm to leave.

"We are leaving; Papa is waiting in the car impatiently."

We both got into the limo and set off, "Why were you taking so long? Luciano called me impatient because of our tardiness".

"Fiorella, mia figlia are you ok? You look a little pale".

I became nervous and touched my cheeks, "No, papa, I'm just a little nervous, I don't know anyone at this party, and it's been so long since ......." I said hesitating, my heart was beating fast, I had a panic attack, and Fabrizio took my hand between his and squeezed it tightly.

"Nothing to worry about, Papa, women's stuff, she will get over it," he came close to my ear and said furiously, control yourself; I don't want one more scene.

When we arrived at our destination, we got out of the car. Fabrizio offered me his arm like a gentleman to enter together.

We went to the main entrance, where a chubby man of about 70 years old was already waiting for us, who I assumed was Don Luciano; his gaze ran over my body, and it was as if he was undressing me with his eyes.

I began to understand why my father avoided his friends to see me, if they were all as libidinous as this man, now I understood perfectly.

I tried not to get nervous, but Fabrizio noticed when he saw me, and then he looked up to Don Luciano and realized the situation; he let go of me for a second, and his arm went around my waist, in a protective and possessive way.

"Giuseppe, Perché ci hai messo così tanto, vecchio amico?(What took you so long, old friend) Welcome," he said without taking his eyes off me, as he greeted my Papa, and I could tell they were good friends, what a cheek of that pig, knowing that I am his friend's daughter.

"But who do we have here, che bella ragazza sei diventata, is little Fiorella," (how beautiful you have become a child); my father smiled proudly at him, but if he realized the way he was watching me, I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to give me a bullet in the head and end his life this instant.

"Come in, please, come in," he said, and my father entered the room, but as I stood in front of him, he reached out his hand and took my arm, stopping me.

Fabrizio looked at him and saw how he was touching me and became very serious, "Child, that you don't think to greet me as it should," he said, and his arm came closer to my body as if he wanted to hug me because he was getting too close. Still, Fabrizio was astute and pushed me back from his body, getting between us.

"I'm sorry, Don Luciano, my sister, is a bit shy and overprotective, if you excuse us, they are waiting for us," without further words, we walked and entered the living room.

I took a deep breath to take strength and calm down, we barely had less than 5 minutes in this place, and I was already eager to leave when I noticed everyone's gaze towards us.......

My brother approached me and said in a low voice, "See the way all the men in this place are looking at you, as if you were a piece of meat, get used to it because your future husband will be one of them."

Hearing those words, I couldn't help but look at him, "NO! Papa said he didn't bind me to a marriage contract; he promised me," I said worriedly.......

"There Fiorella, my innocent and poor little sister, things have changed, everything has changed, soon papa will no longer be the head of the family and just seeing how everyone here is dying to have you in their bed, I will not hesitate to sell you to the highest bidder."

I looked at Fabrizio without believing what he was telling me, who he was, how he could change everything during the time I was away, what my life had become now.

My body was in this room surrounded by people I never knew, who did not care who I was, only my name, my position in my family, and in this Italian society of mobsters.

The faces had no life for me; I walked on Fabrizio's arm, he was faithful to his promise, he did not separate from me even for a moment, his friends, or at least I thought so, approached us and asked him about me.

He proudly introduced me, telling them that I had been away but was back; I could not help but feel like an object; Fabrizio told them my qualities; he kept mentioning how beautiful and pure I was.

I felt disgusted; the gaze of those men on me was too much; the women passing by us did not even deign to approach or engage in conversation with me; I could feel their envy.

What would they think of me, that I am the novelty of the moment, the forbidden fruit that everyone wanted and that would be sold to the highest bidder? I could see my father talking with other Dons when they looked to where I was with my brother.

My surroundings were too much, I felt everyone's eyes on me, my breathing began to be more agitated, Fabrizio looked at me worried and took me by the arm, "What's wrong with you, you are pale, don't make me a dramatic scene" he said quite annoyed by my situation.

"Please, Fabrizio, this is too much, I need some air, or I'm going to faint," I said, and I was about to fall when he grabbed my arm, so I wouldn't fall.

"For God's sake, you are so weak and useless, come on, let's go to the terrace, so you can get some fresh air; there are still many people to meet, don't even think of fainting."

Fabrizio took a glass of champagne from one of the waiters and gave it to me in my hand while I leaned on one of the pillars, trying to breathe and calm down.

Fabrizio's cell phone alone and his face changed completely; when he saw the message, he looked at me undecided whether to leave me alone or wait, "If you have to leave, go away, I need to stay here a little longer and breathe some fresh air, I promise I won't leave, I'll wait for you" I said imploring him to listen to me and leave.

"Ok, but don't move from here, and I mean it, Fiorella, don't talk to anyone or go near anyone; I will send your future husband to take care of you; I hope you behave as I expect with him, be nice very nice did you understand," she said and left without saying more.

I looked at the cup in my hand and emptied the content quickly, feeling how the liquid went down my throat to try to calm down; who was he talking about? My nerves were already at their highest level; I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

*Lorenzo*

My watch was almost 9 o'clock at night, and I was already desperate to see Fiorella; as I looked around, I noticed Camilo looking for me in the crowd, I raised my arm, and he walked quickly towards me.

"You look pretty tense; you should relax," he said with a stupid smile.

"I'm not for stupid things; this is getting quite tedious; where the hell is that family, I swear if she doesn't show up soon, I'll send for her without caring about anything or anyone," I said, furious.

"Then I'm glad for the news I'm going to give you; I'm just in time; our men informed me that they are already here; I even just saw Fabrizio chatting with Mancini, I don't doubt it's about Fiorella, "Camilo mentioned.

My hands formed into fists, and jealousy invaded me; my breathing was already quite altered before I heard her possibilities of that bastard Dante laying a hand on her.

" Is Fiorella with them?" I asked worriedly.

"No, that's what's interesting; Luigi saw how Fabrizio came to Fiorella in a rather possessive way towards the terrace; from what he told me, it seems that she got pale or didn't feel well, and he took her to get some fresh air, but ......" he said. Without waiting for me to finish, I was already about to go towards her.

Camilo stopped me holding my arm, and came closer to me, "That's not all; Luigi heard that Fabrizio told her to stay there, not to talk to anyone and to wait for him, because he would come back with her future husband, so, right now, Fiorella is alone."

That caused a huge smile on my face; she was alone at my mercy. It was a perfect opportunity that I was not going to miss.

"Perfect, I want you to be attentive for anything," I said to Camilo.

Without waiting any longer, I walked quickly to the terrace. There she was, leaning against one of the pillars, with a glass in hand and her eyes closed, breathing deeply; the view in front of me was too much.

She was dressed in a beautiful and sexy black dress, which highlighted every curve of her body, her hair fell over her shoulders and her lips, damn it, those lips were calling me to claim them as mine.

I approached her slowly; I didn't want to scare her, "Are you ok?" I asked her, I cursed myself for having scared her with my question, she opened her eyes, and her body gave a little jump of surprise when she heard me.

Her look told me she was scared, and I promised myself that the causer would pay the consequences.

"I'm so sorry for scaring you it wasn't my intention," I said, moving closer and closer to her.

"Are you feeling ok? You look a little pale. Can I help you with something" I asked her, worried; the last time I saw her, her skin was pink with a few flashes of light, and now her face was pale; it was evident that she was not feeling well.

"I'm not used to this kind of party and being surrounded by so many people, I think it made me a little nervous," she said. Her voice was so sweet and innocent, at that moment, I swore to myself that this woman would be mine, I would be her first, and I promise I will be her last.

I felt so possessive of her; a feeling of protecting and caring for her came over me; I took her hand and felt her pulse; she was trembling and looked at me, somewhat blushing for my daring to touch her.

"Your pulse is agitated; I make you nervous," I told her with a smile, and she turned utterly red; she looked adorable. I couldn't help imagining how she would look, stepping over the balcony railing as I made her mine.