Fear of the Past

“I will cherish this forever.” She sighed dramatically as she looked at the diamond necklace with obsession.

“You better.” I rolled my eyes teasingly, “It cost me a fortune.”

She laughed and smacked my butt, making my cheeks blush in embarrassment.

“Cara.” I hissed, “Everybody’s staring at us you crazy woman.”

She waved me off, “Who cares!”

“I just got my best friend back. I should be able to act like how I want to act.”

 

I tried to hide my smile, but it was hard.

That was my Cara.

“And look at these!” Her voice rang out as she reached out and grabbed my breasts before fondling them. “Your body has changed so much.” 

“Cara!” I slapped her hands away and hugged myself in embarrassment. 

I could see all the judging eyes, making me start to regret my choice of outfit.

I had on a tight black dress that reached down to my ankles. It was professional, but also showcased all of my curves and assets that my business suits usually hid.

I rarely showed skin as I started to mature.

I grew up being sexualized as my father’s only daughter in the mafia community, and I honestly didn’t want my whole life to be like that.

Not to mention the fact that I was a stripper at one point as I put myself through law school. That was one of the jobs that made me disgusted with myself, but I kept reassuring myself that I was doing it for a good cause.

I hated that job and only lasted as a stripper for six months. After that, I never looked back and was glad I put that behind me.

“Why can’t I compliment you?” She pouted, “I would kill for this body.” 

I scoffed, “What are you talking about? You have curves for days and the most beautiful green eyes that I have ever seen.” 

She blushed and relished in my compliments. 

“Well that’s true.” She giggled, “But I would kill for these legs and that ass of yours.” 

She smacked my ass again and laughed, making me even more embarrassed. 

“You haven’t changed one bit, have you?” I chuckled and shook my head in disbelief. 

“What can I say? Being childish keeps me young.” 

I couldn’t help but laugh before pulling her into my arms again and kissing her cheek. 

“I missed you so much Cara.” I sighed, “I’m glad you’re happy.”

"I'm happy." She said with so much conviction, "I met the most amazing man and I honestly couldn't be any happier." 

"So he treats you well?" 

The day I got Cara's letter, I was worried that her father arranged a marriage for her and was making her get married. Her father wasn't a monster like my father, but in the mafia, girls were always married off to settle disputes or make alliances. 

I was worried for Cara, and prayed that wasn't the case for her. All I want for her is to be happy and be in real love. I believe everybody deserves love and to be in love. 

"He treats me so well." She nodded her head as her dreamy eyes fluttered. "And the sex. You have no idea how that man can please me in bed." 

I blushed, not expecting Cara to say that. 

I coughed, "Well, thats good to know, but it's a little too much information." I patted her shoulder, "I'm glad your happy, Cara." 

"Speaking of my man." She turned her head to stare at the group of people who started to pour into the court yard. 

I recognized an older couple as Cara's parents and the second they spotted me, they were rushing over to us. 

"Isabella! Is that you sweetheart?!" Cara's mother practically yelled out as tears welled in her green eyes. 

Cara was the spitting image of her mother--same green eyes and light colored hair. They had the same olive skin, and short build. 

"It's me, Mrs. Morelli." I smiled as I felt my heart aching. 

These people were my family--my real family. 

Mrs. Morelli was like the mother I never had, considering I never knew my mother. My father told me she died when she gave birth to me, so I never got to know her. 

"My Isabella." She cried out before she enveloped me in her arms. "I've been so worried about you!" 

I patted her back as I tried to hold back the tears that wanted to fall. 

"I've doing good, Mrs. Morelli." I tried to reassure her, but I'm sure she didn't want to hear it. 

"You dissapeared and never told us where you were going." She scolded me as she pulled back and looked into my eyes, "I thought something bad happened to you." 

"Gemma." Mr. Morelli--Isabella's father tried to rein her in, but there was no use in trying to get her to leave something alone. 

"Don't you dare, Matteo!" She hissed at him with a sharp tongue, "I have the right to scold her. She almost worried us into an early grave." 

"Mama." I heard Cara sigh. 

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Morelli." I whispered, not being able to hold back my tears. They trickled down my cheeks, showcasing my sincerity and pain that I try so hard to hide. "I never meant to worry you. I just needed to leave. I had to keep myself safe." 

Gemma's face softened before she pulled me into her arms again. 

"Oh Bella." She whispered as she rubbed my back. 

I held back my sobs and just let my tears flow freely, forgetting about the room full of people. 

"You should've came to us." She whispered, "We would have protected you." 

I shook my head, "That just would've caused more problems between the family. I couldn't make you pick sides, so I had to leave on my own." 

She pulled back and wiped my tears before her eyes roamed over me, "You've grown into such a beautiful woman." 

"Thanks, mama Gemma." I smiled before putting my head down. 

"It's good to see you again, Isabella." Mr. Morelli finally pushed his wife aside and pulled me into a hug. 

"It's good to see you, papa Morelli." I smiled as he hugged me tight like I was gonna disappear again. 

"I've kept an eye on you, Isabella." He whispered into my ear as he stil hung onto me, "I'm so proud of the woman you became." 

His words warmed my heart and made the guilt of leaving start to slowly vanish. 

"Thank you." I whispered back. 

He pulled away smiling before tucking his wife into his side. Before I could say anything, the one person I didn't want to see, finally showed up. 

My father. 

"Well, if it isn't my traitor daughter." My father smirked, looking more and more like the devil as the seconds passed. 

He was surrounded by the same men who were around when I was little. The same men who tried to sneak into my room and defile me in my young age. 

Did they have any shame? 

I could feel the cold start to settle in my bones as fear creeped up my spine. So many horrible memories started to reply in my mind, making my heart race. 

Coming here was a mistake. 

I shouldn't have come.