Chapter 3

"Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to the opening of bernade palace." father said as everyone raised their champagne glass for a toast.

the crowd cheered and chanted "bernade, bernade, bernade." which irritated me to the core, I really hated to much noise,with the music ,their noise ain't really helping much.

Alessandro vinci whom is father's closest friend amongst the three mafia families raises his hand in a fist indicating silence. the whole hall became as quiet as a burial ground. better!

"it is an honor to be present in the great emiliano bernade's opening of this grand palace" Alessandro announced teasingly. there were little laughter in the crowd.

"well I will also like to announce that it will be an honor to have the Vinci family in the 'bernade palace'. I will be gifting the apartments 99-90 to Alessandro my good friend an d brother" father said as the crowd cheered on. I saw this coming, the fact they were all here meant this, the penthouse will be too big just for our family after all .

" I will also be gifting apartment 89-70 to the Guerra family, the 69-50 to the Aldini family while the 49-2 will be sale for those who will be interested. " father said proudly and this time the crowd cheered louder , my eardrums will need a lot of care.

" so everyone, enjoy the party. " he added. the room filled with music again, laughter, desserts and the strong smell of wine.

I found a corner to myself as everyone moved around, drinking, chatting, eating, some guys flirting and the ladies giggling in response.

I wondered where Anna was as I pulled out my phone from my pocket to check for any messages, there were none.

I hope she fine. I thought sailing her number but it was busy, was she on a call with someone? or is it the network? I thought looking around the crowd hoping to spot her . why am I feeling uneasy? so unlike me.

Aurora's pov

I felt a bit of confidence slip into me as Dante's father was done with the announcement, we are going to be living under the same building? yes! I am so happy right now. I thought of almost jumping up and down to express my joy.

Back in Italy, we didn't live under a roof, our houses were three streets away which was which was a big inconvenience and always annoyed me because I couldn't see him everyday. I remember clearly bowling my eyes out when I heard Dante was going to the states to study, I even asked dad if I could go and he refused. I had lost hope thinking of of those voluptuous American ladies I saw when we went for a vacation last summer, not that they are a match for my elegance though.

I spotted Dante in a corner sipping wine looking from his phone to the crowd repeatedly with a worried expression as if though he was expecting someone. was it Anna? no, I don't think so. emiliano bernade hardly likes just anyone, especially an orphan like Anna who have nothing to offer and she would leave Dante if she knows he is a mafia lord's heir or should I tell her ? so she can be gone? I thought sipping my wine.

I didn't like her since the first day I laid my eyes on her, overly too nice for her own good. Dante introduced me to her the day I landed, he came with her to the airport to pick me up, introducing his girlfriend whom he loved so much. my world shattered right there but I pulled my self together, I don't plan on Losing to her, I will surely fight for Dante later on, she should enjoy it while it last. who am I? I am Aurora Vince, the daughter of a mafia family, she is no match to me.

"this is surely one hell of a night" I thought out loud watching the crowd.