{Mac Allister}{Two weeks later}The past two weeks that went by had been a tug of war between my mother and Abebi, or should I say my consigliere. My mother refuses to support any advice given by Abebi to me. She even went as far as faking food poisoning when Abebi cooked special delicacies for us.As for Abebi, it is this not bowing attitude she developed for my mum. She feels as if she is too big to be corrected by her. I couldn't do anything about Abebi's situation because of the vow I had with her in Cerami to me not to reduce her in front of my mum."Pass me the salt," Madame Beatrice said to Abebi, her voice laced with expectation. Abebi, however, played deaf for a moment before subtly signalling for Chiara, who stood behind her, to take the salt and pass it to her mother. I could see a hint of disappointment on my mother's face, as if she had expected Abebi herself to fulfill the request. It was a small interaction, but it spoke volumes about the unspoken competition betwee
{Abebi}I stood in the kitchen, preparing the Spanish noodles for the table. I instructed Bianca to take the tray and bring it to the dining area. The aroma of the dish filled the air, enticing our appetites. I wanted everything to be perfect for our meal together.Turning to Aurora, I handed her a green rag, instructing her to make sure the table looked shiny and presentable. She nodded in acknowledgement and left the kitchen to carry out her task. Now, only Chiara remained with me in the kitchen, humming softly as she diligently washed the dishes.I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt lingering within me, a remnant of my recent outburst towards Chiara. Wanting to address the issue, I approached her gently, breaking the silence that enveloped the kitchen."Are you still angry with me?" I asked, my voice soft and sincere, hoping to mend any lingering tension between us.Chiara turned her face towards me, her eyes meeting mine. "No, mistress," she replied, her tone respectful but d
{Abebi}I think within my solitude of myself as I think about the events of the past.{23 years ago}{Somewhere in the province of Enna }My heart raced as I watched the tense scene unfold before my eyes. My mother's anger echoed through the room, filling the air with tension. Young Tony and his twin brother, Mateo, stood beside me, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion."Where is the money I kept in the box?" my mother shouted, her voice filled with frustration and desperation. Her eyes darted between the three of us, accusing and searching for answers.Fear gripped my young heart, knowing that my mother's wrath could unleash a storm of violence upon us. I clung tightly to Tony's hand, seeking solace and support in this terrifying moment."If you don't tell me who took it, I am going to beat you all!" my mother threatened, her voice trembling with anger. The threat hung in the air, suffocating us with its intensity.Just as my mother was about to carry out her threats, a su
{Abebi}We drove through the narrow streets filled with slum houses. I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the increasing danger in Cerami and the relative safety we had found within our circle. Tony's choice to invest in a bulletproof car spoke volumes about the escalating threats we faced."You never told me you bought a bulletproof car," I commented, impressed yet also slightly unnerved by the need for such extreme measures."Cerami is becoming more dangerous," Tony replied, his tone reflecting a sense of concern and caution. He maneuvered the car skillfully, slowing down to allow a group of children to cross the street safely.Mateo, always observant and analytical, added, "For us, it's getting safer." His words hinted at the changes we had made in our lives, the steps we had taken to distance ourselves from the criminal underworld that had once consumed us.Tony followed Mateo's direction, turning left into a narrow, one-way lane. The atmosphere shifted as we en
{Abebi}Resting my head against the comforting embrace of Mac Allister's chest, I sought solace in his presence. His steady heartbeat echoed in my ears, calming my racing thoughts. "We are going to work it out," I reassured him, my voice filled with determination. "I can't believe she was caught sleeping with Duran's half-brother," Mac Allister expressed, his voice tinged with disbelief."She lost her golden chance," I replied, my tone laced with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. As we lay there, seeking comfort in each other's presence, Mac Allister's hand gently massaged my back, easing the tension that had accumulated within me. His touch was a soothing balm. "Let's get some sleep," Mac Allister suggested, his voice filled with a sense of practicality. "We have a mass wedding ceremony to attend tomorrow." With a nod, I nestled closer to Mac Allister, allowing the blanket to envelop us both. The weight of the world lifted as sleep beckoned, offering respite from the
{Abebi}The morning light filled the room. I slowly awakened to the gentle touch of Mac Allister's hand on my forehead. Sensing his intention to change the television channel, I quickly intervened, urging him to wait. "Wait, wait," I said, wanting to catch up on the news. Mac Allister paused, allowing me to listen to the newscaster's report."Oh my God," Mac Allister exclaimed, his voice filled with shock. I leaned in, my curiosity piqued. "Five members of the same family burned to death," he relayed, his head shaking in disbelief. The weight of the news sank in, and a sense of sorrow washed over me. "What is our peaceful Enna turning into?" I questioned, my voice laced with concern.Mac Allister's sombre tone matched my own. "Eventually, these incidents will attract the attention of the government to Enna," he remarked. The gravity of his words hung heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the escalating turmoil that surrounded us. "It seems as though we are all doomed," he added, h
{Abebi}I hid the poison beneath my bed at the back of one of my boxesMy heart raced with a mixture of relief and apprehension as I saw Mac Allister enter the room. I hastily stood up, my body tense with the weight of my secrets. His words struck me like a thunderbolt."My mother told me everything," Mac Allister said, a warm smile spreading across his face as he approached me. His words echoed in the room, mingling with the delicate dance of hope and fear that swirled within my soul.I met his eyes, searching for any sign of judgment or anger. Instead, I found understanding and acceptance in his gaze. It was as if he had seen into the depths of my struggles and chosen to embrace me despite them."I'm glad you two are getting along," Mac Allister continued, his voice filled with genuine happiness. His words resonated within me, offering a glimmer of solace in the storm of my inner turmoil.I couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt. The fragile peace we had found seemed too good to b
{Abebi }"Are you out of your mind?" Mac Allister's words carried both disbelief and a hint of anger. He understood the danger we were in, yet he stood his ground.Bruno, however, seemed to revel in the chaos, his intentions revealed by his chilling response. "I have always waited for this day," he declared, his voice dripping with malice.My heart pounded in my chest as Bruno's finger tightened around the trigger. I closed my eyes, bracing for the worst, but instead, a gunshot echoed through the air. I cautiously opened my eyes to see Bruno lifeless on the ground, blood staining the earth beneath him.A rush of relief washed over me as I realized Tony and his twin brother had come to our rescue. They ran towards us, concern etched on their faces. "Are you safe, sister?" Tony asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.A mixture of gratitude and exhaustion filled my voice as I replied, "Thank you, both of you. We owe you our lives."Tony's attention quickly shifted to Mac Allister's