I watch his back. He held the door open and cock his head to the side where he could see me. I stopped, a decade of emotion swirled up inside getting along with my heart that turn into a gooey mess. But the unexplainable emotion that kick in couldn't seen in my void expression face. I am good at that. I am good at pretending..."Be good, Little" "I will..." I assure him.My gaze remain on the closed door. I was just drag back to my reverie when I heard Mr. Castania intentionally cleared his throat to get my attention. "It seems like you two are getting along just fine" he commented. I mentally smack my head. I almost forgot that they were also inside the room. "Because that's what I need to do. We need to get along, I need to make him trust me so that I easily finished this mission" I replied."You need to be careful, Hija. You can't make a mistake that will lead him to doubt you" be warned."I know..."I took a breath and casually turn to look at them.I flash a weak smile. "I'm
"I'm sorry, Dad..." I whisper and bit my lower lip. "I'm really sorry""That's alright, at least we're now aware that we need to closely monitor the Averrius Syndicate" he understandingly replied. "I will wait for your next update"I took a deep breath when I felt the heaviness inside my chest. This is my first time doing this and it bothers me. I was like betraying the family who accepted me. "I will keep this incident to your brother Apollo. If ever he tried to reach you, don't say anything to him. You know that young man very well, he might do unnecessary things that will complicate your mission" he sigh. My shoulder fell and instinctively run my fingers through my hair. He will surely get mad once he knew what Apollo did."Actually Dad, one of the reason why I called you was because of Apollo..." I carefully started, afraid what will be his response."What do you mean?" "He," I bit my bottom lip and massage my temple. "He came here in the hospital pretending as a nurse" A loud
"Selena!"I open my eyes and gasp for air. The house covered with fire disappear and the clean white painted ceiling filled my vision. Realization slowly kick in while breathing heavily. My muscles are still on tension and the fast palpitation of my heart reminds me that even I am no already in reality, my mind, my soul are still there, trap inside that nightmare. Past is chasing me. It never stop chasing me. I clutch my blanket as I felt the pinch of pain inside my chest. No matter how I tried to calm down and remind myself that everything will be alright after I avenge my family, hesitation and doubt still lurking on the corner of my head. I don't know where did it came from, but the uncertainty always makes me feel small, suffocated, and weak."Selena darling, are you alright?" I flinch when I felt a strong firm hand touch mine. My gaze turn to the direction of that husky baritone voice and I was greeted by his deep dark grey soulful eyes that glistening of something that I refus
"Why are you saying sorry?" My lips move attempting to say something but there's no voice came out. There is a long silence between us because Sain patiently waited for my response. His expression is impassive, I can't read what's on his mind. My continues attempt always lead me back to the dead end of a maze puzzle. I felt as if solving a maze puzzle that I couldn't find the right route to find the end.I gaze down, unintentionally my eyes landed on the glistening diamond from my wedding ring. As if on cue, I was threw back in time when my mother scolded me because I was such a hardheaded girl who intentionally gives a hard time to all of my nanny and they all end up resigning. Only Cladia stay beside me until I grew up. Cladia who teaches me not to hurt anyone despite my anger.I press my lips together and squeeze my eyes close before I lifted my head. Our gaze collide that made me sigh."Because I know you will stain your hands with blood because of me" I bit my lower lip and clas
I couldn't recall exactly how we made it home because the long drive was like in a daze. I couldn't remember anything honestly, maybe because my mind is just forcing my body that I am already fine but it was actually the opposite. Perhaps it was the effect of those freaking medicines that was directly injected to me that's why my body feels weak even more as if I was tortured for three days. By the time Sain guided me inside the house, relief instantly crept into me that lessen the exhaustion I've been experiencing. I take a deep, calming breath the moment we step in on the capacious living room. The familiar scent in the air filled my nostril and somehow, it makes me feel at ease."Welcome back home, Mia Signora" Eredia greeted me who I failed to notice when we enter. I flash a weak smile. "Thank you Erie" I saw her blushed because of my response and shyly smile at me. I mentally giggle because of that. I find this young woman adorable, for sure Enzo will like her because that guy
NEXT MORNINGSain left earlier than he used to and again, I don't know where he's up to. As I've mentioned yesterday, he was strangely busy these past few days. Well, I am not complaining because I prefer that he's not around so that I have the free will to look around the mansion. What's not good about is was because I couldn't monitor what he's doing, I am a bit worried that he's been having a serious discussion with the Ilde Famiglia council to plan something against Sintti. Wearing a long white floral midi dress, I decided to went down on the kitchen and have my breakfast in gazebo. I am not sure if Pierro and Nicolai is around or maybe they were with Sain because I felt as if I was locked inside our room, staying there the whole freaking day because of my sprained ankle. Good thing it is getting better now. Stuck in one place is not really my thing because I've been into a lot of places for the past fifteen years because of my responsibility in the organization."I feel sickened
"I'm Helena, nice meeting you Mrs. Ildefonso" Her friendly smile is suspicious, even the way she look at me as if memorizing every corner of my face because of her intent stare.Helena? Her name sound familiar. Was she the Helena Brown that Nicolai mentioned to me. The woman who was supposed to be Sain's wife but unfortunately, Sain rejected their marriage. "Helena Millie Brown," she stretches her smile even more and step closer. "I'm sure Czar already mentioned me to you" she confidently said.Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a woman on her white blonde hair standing a few feet from us which I assume her companion. She's shamelessly staring at me and this woman who's silently boasting that she's Helena Brown."No he didn't" I replied and casually fix my hair when the wind once again stirred my hair. I stood up and her eyes automatically landed on my sprained ankle but she immediately shifted her gaze back at me.Her expression change and I am not sure if she was offended or some
I feel like most of my life was spent planning for my revenge. The world spins faster than it used to but I was left behind because I choose a different path. A path that Luscio Costello wanted me to take, the path that will save me from all of my pains and mourning. It's a bit disheartening seeing how those women like me spent their lives in a normal every day routine while I am living in the shadow chasing a prey at night and hiding in the eyes of everyone in the morning.I don't have a normal life. The only thing I find normal is when I got home after a life threatening mission and Dad made a huge dinner preparation for me. It feels normal sitting on the same table together with the man who treated me as his daughter, while getting along to his sons who I consider as my brothers. We're like a normal family except the fact that we're discussing how to kill someone over dinner.The vague memories of my childhood that I spent with my real parents is slowly fading away. Those are happ
"Where is Sain? Please let me see him" I pleaded as I look at the stern expression of Sixto who's standing at the door not wanting me go inside the room."Celeste enough, you haven't fully recover yet. Let's go back to your room" Zachary said who's standing beside me while holding my arm, giving me support.It's been almost three weeks since what happen. Everything are still fresh in my memory, how I escape the Ildefonso's Residence, how Antonio help me, how I killed Teofilo, how Jaxer try to kill me and how Sain was getting shot by Apollo. It's been almost three weeks and yet I haven't saw Sain even just once. They won't let me, Sixto is always stopping me as well as Zachary who disappointingly siding at Sixto. They doesn't want me to see Sain, they are even updating me about his condition. I am dying with so much anxiousness, I am worried sick how he is doing. "Just a glance. I just have to know how he is" I insist not wanting to go back.I know it was my fault but I never wanted
The car halted in a familiar place. I took a deep breath and rolled down the car window scanning my eyes around the place. It's been a while since the last time I visit here and nothing change despite how my heart change. "Are you sure that you're doing this?" Antonio break the silence that made me look at him."What do you mean by that?" I ask in return."If Enzo is the one sitting here, for sure he will ask the same Hera. This is your enemy's place, you cannot do the first move. You just have to defend" he explain.I mentally shake my head, he almost sound like Enzo. I didn't know that he's coming to me. His loyalty is only for Enzo and I didn't know he will give it to me since he was under Sintti's training. "Have I mention to you that I have a brother? A real one and I just recently find out about him" I said."And what does it has to do with this?""He will save me together with my husband. You know how powerful my husband right? So nothing will happen to me," I confidently sai
"Hera..."I stilled on my spot when I heard the familiar voice of Apollo on the other line. Unconsciously, I turn my head to look at the direction of Sain and his brothers who's occupying the living room while discussing something that I didn't know.The trio doesn't seem to notice that I am no longer on my spot because their attentions are all on the table while Sixto is talking things that I cannot understand and follow. Perhaps it was about his organization and not Ilde Famiglia. "Please Hera, spare me a minute to talk with you" I blink my eyes and took a deep breath before living the trio. I went out and head straight to the gazebo doesn't want anyone to hear me talking to someone from Costello. "What do you want Apollo?" I ask, controlling the tone of my voice.Knowing that Teofilo Romani is the person who killed my parents, there is a sudden anger rooted inside me towards my brother. They all knew and yet they didn't say anything. They all make me look like a fool. They are a
The wind is blowing softly and it gives me a shivering sensation every time it touches my bare skin. I lifted my gaze and breath calmly. I am here in the gazebo hugging myself because of the morning breeze. I did stay but I couldn't find myself to sleep after what I find out. And now that the morning came, I still don't know what to do. I don't know where to start because I couldn't believe that I was been fooled for fifteen years and I am oblivious about it.I took a deep breath and gaze down shutting my eyes close. I am not sure if making a deal with Sain Czar is the smartest thing to do, but then I already did it. I already gave him my word in exchange of a very important information. I am not interested how did he finds out, my whole focus is on Sintti Organization and Mafia Romano. Both of them made fun of me, they made me believe a made up stories and I was such an idiot. I couldn't believe that I work for the man who killed my parents. I already meet him but I didn't recogni
"That's enough!" Sixto's voice filled the whole room, breaking the dark inclement mood that is about to explode. "Celeste is no longer the child we've been searching. She become the woman we never expected, she will not be pleased once she hears this" Zacharias agree. Well, he's right. Everything that is happening right now is not pleasing and here they are fighting as if I can't make decision on my own. Maybe my driven force to live is the vengeance inside my heart, but I stop living as Celeste. I already forgotten how does it feels like to live in the shoes of that innocent girl. "I will discuss this with Father. This is very complicated and I hope we are all expect the consequences..." Sixto added, sounding like a mature brother. "I don't want to see you two fighting about it."That make sense because he is the oldest among them. He has the authority to make the two follow him even the hardheaded Sain Czar. I immediately close my eyes and pretend that I'm still sleeping when Za
My eyes widen."What the hell are you doing?!" I blurt out and pulled my wrist from his grasp.Sain look at me with those serious and tantalizing eyes that never failed to drown me but I keep my distance with him, flaunting the anger that plastered on my face right now. "I am telling them the truth. You're Celeste Astraea Cortezi, and they should know that fact" My lips parted as I look at him disbelief. "What the hell are you saying Czar?" Zacharias suddenly intervene that made me fisted my hand.I stare at Sain Czar sharply hoping that he will stop this nonsense. There is no point even if he informed everyone about my real identity. I was molded and live as a Costello for fifteen years. I killed people, numerous lives die in my hands. That won't change and the fact that I am Celeste Astraea Cortezi will not cover the bloody life I'm living. But Sain ignore my warning gaze instead he turn to look at Zacharias."You heard me. She's Celeste Astraea Cortezi, the woman we've been fin
"What do you really want from me?" I ask before he take his step inside.We're already here, I was not able to stop him because his persistent to bring me back to Ildefonso's Residence is hard to break. But I need to know what does he really want from me. I want to know why he's doing this. If this is part of his revenge then he should stop it because I don't like playing this kind of game. Sain Czar didn't speak nor turn around to face me but he didn't walk away either. I am patiently waiting for his response because I need it. I don't know what he's up to because as I said, Sain Czar is difficult to read. He's hard to predict. I don't know what's on his mind, I cannot conclude any idea. He is that mysterious and I don't want to fall with his mystery."You're not my husband no matter how much you insist. You don't have the right to my life" I added.I step back when he suddenly face me. Standing six feet tall looking so handsome yet dangerous, Sain took a step closer to me causing m
"I am still here,Little. I am still here where you left me and I am just waiting for you to come back"An unknown warmth covers my heart, I didn't know this kind of assurance is what I needed right now. But then, I know that I am not supposed to ask for it. That would be unfair for him and everything will be mess up even more. I fisted hand giving him a void expression despite his pleading eyes. For the first time, I saw a weak side of him. Another part of him that he will never let anyone figure out. I don't want to be his weakness, he should not be swayed just because of me."You don't know what you're saying""I do" he firmly replied. "I am your husband and it will stay that way until my last breath. I warned you didn't I? When you insist to marry me, I told you there will be no turning back. You cannot turn your back at me, I won't let you" he hissed in a controlled tone. He looks determine, more serious than before. I look straight into his eyes, and just like for the first tim
A loud explosion made me cover my ears as I hide myself in the corner, hoping that a piece of wood I am leaning right now could save me from those sharp bullets that trying to kill me. "I should have killed them all" I hissed to myself, frowning while holding my gun tightly.I am now on the run. Sintti Crime Organization is chasing me just like what Luscio Costello told me. They were aware about the tragic death of my parents, they are aware that Luscio is part of the assassination happens fifteen years ago and now that I am aware about it they are hunting me. Things that I don't understand before is now make sense. The council anger is not about me being a woman, it was because I am a Cortezi the little girl who supposed to be dead years ago. They are trying to kill me now after I obey all their rules and commands for fifteen years. My hands are stained with blood because I stand before them, kill those people who tried to ruined the organization because I thought it was my family