Chapter- [ 7 ]

[ Aitana ]

The moment has finally come when my last name ought to be changed.I stared at the pale moon in gloomy silver sky.I couldn't escape from this fate,even tears betrayed me.I felt blank,completely empty vessel with no emotions.

My father,whom I worshipped like my only God,didn't listen a word I said or rather plead him to find an alternative way but he was too engrossed in celebrating his first victory that he couldn't see my pain.He used me as a pawn in his sick game.

My heart filled with pure disgust for both my father and bethroned.I am going to marry a man,whose ancestors' hands were smeared in my siblings' blood,my brothers who loved me unconditionally.

Will I be able to stand by him let alone sharing my whole fucking life with him.Men in my life always tossed me aside no matter how hard I tried to prove myself worth their trust.

I was lost cursing my fate when I felt another human's presence beside me.It wasn't my mother.Dad or Uncle Robert were out of question as they would be busy licking the feet of De Niros.

"Aitana.."

I heard a soft feminine voice.It held so much tenderness that pulled my attention on my intruder.I found a woman a few years older than me probably the age of Alessandro. She was smiling down at me.

She must be from De Niro family. The name only made me feel nauseated. In less than twelve hours,I'd be one of them.

"Aless is a very lucky man.He found a very pretty and strong headed girl.My husband told me about your retaliation.It requires a lot of courage.No doubt he chose you for Aless."She smiled at me and then embraced me taking me by surprise. It was a very intimate gesture for a first time meeting.

"I am sorry but may I know your name?"I asked her in the most polite tone I could use.

The lady radiated no harm.

"I am Destiny Carter De Niro, Stefano's wife and sister- in-law to Alessandro but we are more of best friends."

Holy shit!

I was talking with the most powerful woman in the Italy,wife of Capo Stefano.

My breath caught in my throat.It wasn't good if she tells her husband about my cold greetings .

"Look at me, Aitana."She again smiled tenderly at me resting her fingers under my chin and tilting my face in an angle from where we could face each other.

I took in her facial features. Undoubtedly, she was one of the prettiest women with a regal looking aura around her but mostly she reflected gentleness.

"Never give up on yourself Aitana. I know you'd cause quite a stirr in our family. You are not one of us though I have a leash on my husband but he is under no one's control when when must act on his conscience.Alessandro is different from the rest of the De Niro men.He has a soft heart and sensitive nature.I never heard Alessandro killing someone.He will be a loyal and honest life partner for you but he has changed a lot in last three years.I don't what made him like this but I can assure you that you're a lucky woman to have him."She said,kindness dripping from her words.

"I feel betrayed.I don't know whom to trust anymore.I can only see a fog of lies and betrayals all around me.Not for once they asked me how I am feeling about this marriage and my life in a family who..who...never mind."I wiped my tears.

She is right.I won't show my weakness to anyone.

"It's quite late.I think you should take some rest before the wedding.The will be long and I do not want you to feel exert.Not everyone is lenient in this family specially your mother in law and step mother of Stefano."She said which surprised me more.

She looked at me.

"I have beem dealing with her tantrums even after spending four years in this family. They are not a big fan of me but they dare not to show their dislike for Capo's wife."She laughed rubbing her slightly bulged belly.

"You're pregnant."I couldn't stop myself from asking.

"Yes,my our third child and the first I am carrying.I can't believe that I am going to give birth.The feeling is so heavenly."She said with a dreamy smile.

"A boy or a girl?I asked.I don't know why but talking with her gave me mental peace for a brief time.

"A boy,genes of De Niro family. Girls are very rare in the clan.Povetta,Alessandro's sister is the only born girl in the family.I hope you'll break this tradition giving birth to a girl first.I want to see their faces.You know Stefano was confident that it's a boy before we knew the gender.The first born are always boys."She told me.

She said it in the spurr of moment but the only thought of carrying a De Niro child sickened my guts.I would rather remain barren than producing one of them.

"Well it's very late now.I should go back to my house before my husband sends a search party for me.In other circumstances, he'd lock me up in a room if I told him that I was coming here to meet you before the wedding but it was about Alessandro so he gave me only half an hour to stay.You should also take some rest now.Tommorow will be a very long day for all of us but specially for you."She said getting up.

She held my hands and gave them a light squeeze,"Believe me, Aitana he is a gem."She said at last and left.

Sleep was far away from my eyes.How could I blink my eyes when I am seeing my misfortune knocking at my door.

**************

"Breathe Aitana breathe."I chanted this mantra to myself for the hundredth time since I have been waiting to be escorted for my execution called marriage.

I stared out of the huge window of a medievial century Cathedral to distract myself from the situation I was in or about to dwell.

The sky turned pitch gray and the thunderbolts made roaring sounds depicting the same stirr inside me.

For other brides,on their wedding day it would be a dream comes true but for me,it was the beginning of my lifetime nightmare. I have to give myself to a man whose face always reminds me of the cold white dead faces of my brothers laying in their coffins.

The hinges of the huge doors creaked opened and I closed my eyes to bury the last drop of weakness in the deep layers of my heart.

The family rose and citrus fragrance of my mother mixed in the nauseating smell of tobacco hit my nostrils. It's my parents.

"Aitana oh my child.I can't believe my little doll is finally going to marry her prince."Mom's cracked voice caused me to turn and face them.

She rushed to clasp me in her arms.For her,it was her biggest dream to see me in a bride's attire.My Dad,who was standing at the doorstep warned me through his cold eyes to keep the truth hidden from her.He made her believe that it's a happy arranged marriage as she still not aware of the her sons' killers.I felt bad for this innocent woman.I am going to share the same destiny as hers.

"Amanda, I think we should not let them wait for long.Aitana isn't running away.We can meet her after the wedding."Dad cleared his throat and I reluctantly let go off my mother's warmth.

"Robert,take Amanda along with you.I have to share a moment with my daughter alone."He said to a waiting Uncle Robert outside the room.

I hate being alone with the man whom I loved the most until three days ago.

"You look the prettiest bride,my little bird."He stroke my cheeks softly,in other circumstances I'd cling to him like always but now his touch felt like a contagious decrease.

However,his endearment untangled my resolve and I loosened the last thread of my patience. Tears rolled down from my eyes but I didn't care about my smudged mascara.

"Graysons never give up no matter how strong and fatal the storm is.Aitana I know you hate me right now but listen to me for once."Dad held me firmly by shoulders and the lines on his forehead told me an opposite story.

"Dad I think we should get done with this as soon as possible. It'll be good for everyone."I deadpaned.

He sighed and freed me from him.

"You're my only child Aitana and I'd never do something which ruin your life."He said.

"Ruin my life."I chuckled dryly."Well you did it already Mr. Grayson so congratulations,you are a childless man now."I clapped my hands together.

"Aitana for the God's sake listen to me first. I haven't forgotten my revenge.I did everything to save you and our family from our death.This marriage isn't a marriage you think it is ,so don't worry."He yelled in a higher pitch.

It made me frown.His riddled talk was confusing me.

"Dad,please come straight to the point."I said in frustration.

"Okay okay..I am sorry for snapping at you so listen to me very carefully."He eyed at the door to ensure we weren't surveillanced."You have to work under cover to get the secret informations about the dealings and kill Alessandro before the end of the year.I want them to feel the same pain as we felt years ago.YOU HAVE TO AVENGE FOR YOUR BROTHERS DEATH."

His words spinned the earth around me.