LOGINMariella Giordano, the second daughter of a Mafia Boss, is neglected by her own family since birth. Giordanos makes her marry Leonardo Marchetti, the rival Mafia Boss, for compensation. The relationship between them is not the usual type because trying to kill each other is their love language.
View MoreKeluarga Benalu
"Nay, coba kamu tandatangani ini dulu."
Mas Ardan menyodorkan selembar kertas bermaterai begitu aku duduk di kursi makan sepulang kerja. Aku diam sejenak, meneguk air dalam gelas yg kupegang.
"Ayolah cepat." Desaknya.
"Ini kertas apa, Mas?" Tanyaku sambil meraih kertas itu, mulai membaca isinya. Seketika mataku terbelalak.
"Mas mau memindah namakan rumah ini atas nama Mas?"
"Iya. Kenapa? Ini kan rumah Mas juga."
Aku mengusap wajah. Berusaha mencari kata - kata yang tepat agar lelaki di depanku ini tidak tersinggung. Tingkah laku nya sungguh mengerikan kalau sedikit saja amarahnya tersulut.
"Ya Mas. Ini memang rumah kita." Aku memberi penekanan pada kata 'kita'. "Tapi… ini rumah pemberian orang tuaku. Ayah sudah berpesan kalau rumah ini tidak boleh dipindah namakan oleh siapapun selain namaku…"
"Aaah… bacot!"
Lelaki itu menggebrak meja. Aku terlonjak dibuatnya.
"Ayahmu sudah mati Nayma. Apa kamu tidak tahu kalau harta istri itu juga milik suami?"
"Tapi Mas…"
"Aku tidak mau tahu. Kamu tandatangani itu sekarang juga. Atau kamu terima keluargaku tinggal di sini."
Mas Ardan berlalu dengan langkah lebar. Aku meremas kertas itu. Jadi ini alasannya. Dia ingin membawa keluarganya tinggal di sini. Memang beberapa kali dia memintaku menerima Ibunya yang janda dan dua adik perempuannya untuk tinggal di sini. Namun kutolak. 5 tahun menikah dengannya membuatku cukup memgenal bagaimana keluarganya. Lagipula, aku tidak nyaman ada orang lain tinggal seatap denganku. Risih rasanya meski itu ibu mertua. Sebagai gantinya, aku merelakan 70% gaji Mas Ardan untuk mertuaku. Tapi ternyata dia meminta lebih.
Aku memijit pelipis. Mengingat Ibu mertuaku bukanlah sesuatu yang menyenangkan. Dua minggu tinggal di rumahnya sesaat usai menikah, membuatku memandang buruk pada perempuan bergelar mertua itu. Beliau, perempuan yang otoriter. Dan selalu memandang segala sesuatu berdasarkan harta. Belum lagi dua adik perempuan Mas Ardan yang selalu bertingkah layaknya tuan putri.
"Kalau kau tidak tanda tangan hari ini juga, jangan salahkan aku kalau besok keluargaku kubawa kemari."
Mas Ardan muncul dari dalam kamar dengan pakaian rapi dan wangi. Tangannya meraih kunci mobil di atas meja. Kunci mobilku tentu saja. Dia memberi isyarat lambaian tangan ketika aku ingin menjawab pernyataannya. Tanda tak ingin dibantah.
Aku menyandarkan bahu. Lelah. 5 tahun berumah tangga dengannya, hanya getir yang kudapat. Kalau bukan karena Aryan, putra semata wayangku, mungkin aku sudah menyerah memghadapi lelaki egois dan pemaksa itu. Tapi selalu kutahan karena aku belum mencium jejak perselingkuhan. Pun, meski suka berkata kasar, Mas Ardan tak pernah sekalipun memukulku. Dua hal itulah yang masih membuatku bertahan.
***
Suara gelak tawa riuh keluar dari pintu yang terbuka begitu aku sampai di rumah. Setelah menyimpan mobil di garasi, aku melangkah masuk, namun urung mendapati beberapa pasang sepatu perempuan tergeletak berantakan di depan pintu. Salah satunya bahkan nyangkut di pot bunga kesayanganku.
"Nayma, kamu sudah pulang?" Seorang perempuan setengah baya keluar menghampiriku, dengan raut manis yang jelas akting.
Aku meraih tangannya. Bagaimanapun, dia ibu dari suamiku.
"Mama kapan datang?"
"Siang tadi. Ardan janji mau jemput tapi gak datang - datang. Ya sudah Mama pakai travel saja. Lagipula adik - adikmu sudah tak sabar ingin tinggal di kota."
Aku menoleh dan mendapati Asti dan Ara, adik Mas Ardan sedang asik ngobrol dengan seorang gadis yang tak kukenal. Mereka hanya melambaikan tangan padaku. Bungkus cemilan dan minuman berserakan di meja. Dan… astaga, sepasang kaki Ara bahkan nangkring di sana. Suasana mendadak gerah.
Mama menangkap perubahan raut wajahku. Dia melirik ke meja tamu, dimana gadis - gadis berkumpul.
"Ara, turunkan kakimu nak!"
Gadis itu mendengus, lalu menurunkan kakinya.
"Dan gadis itu siapa?"
"Oh itu Dania, sahabat Asti dari kampung. Dia ternyata kost tidak jauh dari sini. Jadi mereka janjian ketemu. Tidak masalah kan? Toh ini rumah kami juga."
Aku memijit alis. Lalu pamit ke dalam pada Mama. Di ruang tengah aku berpapasan dengan Bik Sum. Tatapan matanya menunjukkan kekhawatiran. Tentu saja, siapa yang tidak cemas jika akan serumah dengan manusia - manusia barbar?
"Sabar ya , Bik." Senyumku.
Di kamar, aku mendapati Mas Ardab tengan mematut dirinya di cermin. Pakaiannya rapi dan necis. Wangi parfum mahal menguar dari tubuhnya. Dia menoleh melihatku masuk.
"Nah, syukur kamu sudah pulang. Seperti kesepakatan kita kemarin, Mama dan adik - adikku akan tinggal di sini bersama kita."
"Kita belum membuat kesepakatan Mas."
Mas Ardan melotot.
"Aku memberimu dua pilihan. Dan kamu memilih tidak tanda tangan. Jadi jangan salahkan aku kalau opsi kedua yang aku ambil.
"Tapi…"
"Dengar Nay, aku tidak mau berdebat. Moodku sedang baik. Kesinikan kunci mobil."
"Mas mau kemana?"
"Aku mau ajak Mama dan adik - adikku jalan - jalan. Kasihan mereka lama tinggal di kampung. Mumpung ada Dania."
Entah, apakah aku salah dengar atau hanya perasaanku saja? Ada binar di matanya saat menyebut nama Dania.
Pasrah, kuberikan kunci mobil. Dari balik jendela, kusaksikan mereka menaiki mobil dengan riang gembira. Sedikitpun tak ada basa - basi menawariku ikut serta. Bahkan Mas Ardan melupakan Aryan.
Dan darahku makin mendidih melihat siapa yang duduk di sampingnya dikursi penumpang. Dania.
***
Next
“I hope you understand why I’m doing this,” Luna said while putting a soft scarf around Mariella’s neck. They also put some makeup on Mariella’s face as if nothing happened earlier.Luna’s heart raced when they heard a knock outside.“Coming!” Luna shouted before putting the makeup brush on the table beside her. “Wait there,” she said to Mariella and opened her bedroom door.“Fratello!” Luna forced a smile and deep inside she’s too nervous to face her eldest brother. Though she wasn’t at fault, she knows what will happen if Leo finds out what Lean did to Mariella. “I can’t find Mariella. When did she leave—oh… You’re still here.” Leo looked at Mariella who’s now standing behind Luna.“Yes. I… I asked her to stay for a while.” Luna explained, cannot look straight at her brother’s eyes. “Uhm… I thought you planned something for Mariella’s birth—”“Prepare yourselves. We will leave at seven.” Leo glanced at his wrist watch before looking at Mariella before leaving them to prepare.Luna
“That’s all for today,” Mariella put her things in the bag beside her. “Anything you want to ask before I leave?”“Nothing,” Luna does the same. “Oh… by the way, here.” She hands a small pink box to Mariella who looks at it with confusion in her eyes.“What for?”“I know it’s your birthday today,” Luna’s smiling from ear to ear. “Happy birthday, Mariella!” Mariella feels a little warmth in her heart while looking at Luna’s sincere eyes then eyes set on the small gift in her hand. None from her family greets her on such occasions but instead, a not blood related being took an effort to give her a gift for this not so special day for Mariella. Mariella planned not to celebrate her birthdays. Besides, it is just an ordinary day for her. “Oh my! Did I do something wrong?” Luna worriedly asked while pulling tissues to give to Mariella. “Please… stop crying.” The poor little girl had a teary eye while looking at Mariella’s falling tears.“Oh…” Mariella immediately turned her back on Luna
“This is an unannounced visit, Marchetti.” Enrico said, signaling his men to leave them two in the room.“Pardon. I have an important matter to discuss with you, Mr. Giordano.” Leo sat on a single sofa like a king. He doesn’t mind how intimidating Enrico’s presence is. He is not called Marchettis’ Mafia Boss for nothing.“What do you want?” Enrico asks while lighting his cigarette. “Your daughter Mariella…” “Mariella?” Enrico creased his forehead. He didn’t expect his daughter to be involved with—wait. “Haven’t you moved on yet, Marchetti? My daughter forgot about you. Leave her alone.”“She signed a contract with me.”“Signed a contract? She’s just a f*cking twelve-year-old girl. How can she sign a contract with you in the first place? She’s under my custody—”“But never prioritize her. I get it,” Leo sarcastically said. “I’m just informing you, Mr. Giordano. In exchange for teaching my little sister in academics, I will start the renovation of her old villa which is within your pr
CHAPTER 24“Then… You’re hired.” “Hired?” Mariella asks in disbelief. “I haven’t agreed yet. No, scratch that, I already refused so…” Mariella grabs the box of her half-empty Cannoli, and is about to leave when Leo talks again.“What do you want for you to accept being Luna’s tutor?”“I don’t want anything.” Mariella firmly uttered.“Money? Own a car? A piece of land? A renovation of your villa? Name your price.” Leo starts negotiating. He does not want to let this opportunity slip away from his grasp.When Leo mentioned the villa, Mariella was tempted. She misses the old times, especially her mother. She sighed heavily, her thoughts were fighting whether to accept the offer or be firm on her first decision, ignore it. “I will… think about it.” Mariella said before leaving the bread shop. Leo, on the other hand, followed her using his gaze. He doesn’t know if there is a higher chance that Mariella will accept the offer because her back was on them when she answered.“I really hope t
The night is deep and it is time for Mariella to sleep but she first ensures that the door and windows are locked. Even if she uttered words like she’s ready to die, as a twelve-year-old girl, fear still seeps throughout her well-being that someone might enter her room and hurt her or at worst assassinate her. Mariella heard heavy and in a rush footsteps, and also muffled voices on the ground floor. Seems like they are having a chaos. When she looks through her window, many men in black, probably Giordano's men are going inside the vans. Despite the curiosity, Mariella just let it slide because it is definitely none of her business.The next day came, Mariella’s ready to attend her classes when she heard two of the family servants talking in the hallway.“Are they dead?”“I heard they are in a critical condition but still alive.”“For sure, the family will be thrilled and threatened. It’s an uproar to the Giordanos.”“You’re right. We might get involved if something worse happened.”
One afternoon, Mariella arrived at Giordano mansion after school. She stares at the mansion for a moment feeling a bit uncomfortable since she felt living in a strange house. Noise from the field not so far from the entrance caught her attention. Mariella's cousins are playing around with guns and other dangerous equipment. Mariella's day was disturbed when one of them saw her. "Hey, b*tch! Come here!" Mariella ignored."I said, come here!"She walked faster."Get her!"The man in black grabs Mariella's arms and drags her until they reach the open field. "Let me go!" Mariella tries to free herself from their grip but what can a twelve-year-old girl do against those strong muscled men? Nothing.They throw Mariella in front of the five young Giordanos who are older than her. She's the youngest among their generation. "You," Elio, the eldest and Elmo's older brother, grabs Mariella's collar and pulls her to stand. "Don't look at me like that."Mariella does not notice how her eyes
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