1: revelation

~Aurora Rossi~

"Miss Aurora." Maria's voice called out.

"Okay?" I rolled my eyes and held up my mascara near my eye region. "I already told you I wasn't eating." Maria, my maid, could be overly caring at times.

"Noted ma'am but your Father sent for you. He's in his study."

I reflexively dropped the mascara, my eyes blinking as my heart pounded in anticipation.

"I'll … be there." I stuttered, rising to my feet. Father only sent for me only when it was important to him otherwise he'd pass the information through Maria.

The only thing that mattered to him was climbing to the top of the business ladder, money, fame and power, not family so we didn't have a healthy relationship. As a Mafia associate, he took his job too seriously.

We only talked when it was necessary and it didn't help that for the most part of my life I went against what he wanted me to do. For example, I studied event management instead of business management.

It hasn't really paid off in the past few years since I got out of school but today I'll be finishing up the last lap of planning a charity ball hosted by influential people of his kind, happening tomorrow.

On my social media platforms, I've been so loud about my profession and I got gigs on my own without father's influence. Infact I didn't let people know that I was a Rossi, it was easy because father shielded us from the media although he was popular, to some extent.

I still didn't know who gave me this gig but I'll be proving my Father wrong that I could do things on my own.

For now, I had to hear what he has to say.

I knocked at his door.

"Come in." His firm voice ordered.

"You sent for me." I said, avoiding his ever stern gaze.

"Sit down if you may." He flicked his wrist briefly at the direction of the chair in front of him.

Father's study was dimly lit, with only few strategically placed lamps casting warm pools of light. The air was thick with the smell of cigar smoke and whiskey.

"Thank you." I responded, with a tight lipped smile.

"I actually called to share a great news with you." I was sure this was the first time I was seeing father's smile in a very long time. He frowned all the time, so his face has taken the structure of a frown. His blue eyes, like mine, crinkled as he revealed his yellow teeth.

"Oh really?" I knew better than getting excited quickly, the man in front of me was full of wonders.

"Yes, Aurora Rossi, you'll be getting married in a few days from now."

"What?" I could swear that heart stopped beating for a second. What the hell? My eyebrows furrowed in shock, then boiling rage coursed through me. How could he do this?

"No, Father, you can't do this!" I seethed, shaking my head defiantly.

"Oh yes, I can. Or would you rather let Bianca stand in your place? You pick." Father tilted his hand towards me, waiting for my response. I huffed at the thoughtlessness of his question.

For god's sake, Bianca was just nineteen, away from New York and studying business like he wanted at the university. How could he suggest marriage to her at this young age?

"I'm waiting." He informed, shrugging.

"Father!" My eyes blazed with fury as my fist slammed onto the desk, making the wooden surface shudder.

"I'm certain you inherited your anger from me but careful darling, don't hurt yourself. I'm pretty sure your inlaws wouldn't want to see a scratch on you. Everything is signed and sealed so you now belong to the De-Luca's."

De-Luca? I couldn't let little Bianca get involved with either of them. Since Father couldn't protect us, it was my duty to protect my little sister.

Dread filled my being as goosebumps sprouted all over my body.

I didn't really know much about them but I knew they were ruthless and they've been ruling New York for years.

I shouldn't have anything to do with either of them, we shouldn't even cross paths. I knew they were deadly and I didn't need that energy in my life. Worst, I didn't know which of them I was getting married to.

Was it the one accused of killing his parents and being mentally unstable?

or the one that has been in and out jail these past few years?

"Father, no. Please." I extended my hands, palms up in a pleady gesture. My eyes welled up in tears, face contorting in a plea.

I knew no amount of anger could force him to reverse his decision. I had to humble myself, and beg him.

"Father, I know you don't trust any of my decisions but trust me on this one, I'll get a good man soon. You don't need to toss your twenty-three-year-old daughter into an arranged marriage like that."

"Good is an illusion. You need to get married to a powerful man and even if I give you from now till eternity, you won't get that without my help."

I sighed. "Father please trust me on this one. I don't need always need your help to get things done. You didn't want me to study event planning but see, I'm the head event planner of one of the biggest charity balls happening today…"

No one told me to stop talking when I saw the look on Father's face. He was staring at me like I had grown two horns on my head then he guffawed, spritzing the whiskey from his mouth.

"How can I be impressed when I helped you get the job?"

I sprang from my seat, chair scraping against the floor. "Father, you did what?"

"You heard me clearly," he nodded. "Just know that I'll forever be ahead of you."

"But why?" My lips trembled as I spoke, voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know how exactly I'm supposed to answer this silly question of yours but Aurora I need power and your marriage to Alessandro De-luca will help me achieve this." He explained. "Do you think I want to be a caporegime forever? What happened to climbing to a conglisingre official?"

I didn't fully understand what he was talking about since I wasn't versed with the Mafia rank.

"-For now, just abandon everything you think you have fixed for today, I'll handle it. Someone will be here tomorrow to take care of you and we'll going to the charity ball together and you'll make sure to behave yourself properly as you meet your husband tomorrow." father warned.

I stood transfixed, my shoulders slumping. "I can't do this," I cried.

"Yes you can. Wipe that stupid tears of yours because The Rossis don't cry."

I had been told that from birth. Sure, Rossi don't cry. I instinctively wiped my tears as more slide down my cheeks.

"You should be happy you know? By next week you'll be married into a very powerful family where you'll get everything you want."

I stood there, glancing down at him in disdain. How could a man would be so concerned of power at the expense of his children's life. He wasn't fit to be called a Father.

"You may have to gather yourself and show some mental stability because your husband, as I hear, is a bit mentally unstable."

I gasped at the sound of that revelation but before I could speak, Father yelled. "Now get out, and again, wipe those stupid tears of yours!"

I flinched and scurried out of his study.

I had no say in this.

Soon I'll go from a regular event planner to the wife of a dangerous underworld man.