15

Ziyana 

Salvatore held my arm firmly and in place as if I could run. I walked beside him, trying to match his long athletic stride. The round neck shirt I had on was pulling up on my body and I used the other hand to draw it over my body.

It's not like they haven't seen everything, I thought, instantly, I let go of my hand and walked freely. They've seen me in my worst really, what point is it, trying to cover up?

As I walked with him, I realised that the house was much bigger than I thought and in fact, it is similar to my father's castle too. Several rooms were locked and there were different wings too, from when we left the playroom, I've counted about a hundred rooms and yet there were still more to go. 

Salvatore took a sharp cut and we got to a staircase. My footsteps padded down the case, getting us closer to where I thought we were going, considering the noise I began to hear.

A gym.

How come I never realised there was one in the house? From after, I could tell that a lot of people were in that room. The noise coming from there, mixed together with that metallic and loud music sound was not difficult to get.

Salvatore opened the heavy glass door, which swallowed us, welcoming us to this other world that I never knew existed in that house. For a split second, the room became silent as they all took in my existence. I don't know exactly what happened but someone cleared his throat. The entire area became cleared within a minute. The men left on their own, making me wonder where exactly they were going.

“It's none of your business girlie, you have your own cross to carry right now.” Sal said.

Right, I have to speak to the men.

“Here she is. Apparently she has something to say.” 

Salvatore took a seat on a working bench. It's the exact one Stefano sat down on too. I was about to ask about Vittorio when I looked sideways and saw him hit the punching bag one last time. The bag swung to the other side from the weight of his fist on it. He took his towel and cleaned off the sweat forming on his brow. He took a bottle laying beside him and drank from it before walking towards us.

“All good?” He asked as soon as he got to us.

“Our girl has something to say,” Sal explained.

“Well, shot, " he said. He didn't sit, instead, he stood beside Stefano and folded his arms across his chest. In the process making his ripped muscles conspicuous.

“I've decided,” I began. “I'll do as you all say, but I have a request to make…two actually and I'll be glad if you'll grant me.” My stomach twitched with fright as I finished my statement and waited for them to react because I sure knew they would. The men exchanged glances before one of them spoke 

“You haven't seemed to grasp the situation here. You are in no position to ask for favors.” Sal was the first to react as always. The one with less patience.

“Right? I know but I'm still going to ask anyway because I've noticed that I'm stuck with you all whether I like it or not.” I replied feebly.

“That's a good point there though,” Vittorio,the ever clowney one said

“I want all of my father's gambling debt…cleared. I want my heart eased about whatever debt he had accumulated. I know it's too much to ask for, but it's the least you all can do for me since I'll be signing off my soul to you all. Plus, from what I've seen you have the money.” As I said this, I saw Stefano's demeanor changed a bit. He probably understands what I mean right?

“I love her guts. What's the other favour you want Principessa?” Vittorio asked.

“School. I might be a once spoiled Principessa,” I said, glancing at Vittorio, who smirked at me, but I have a dream. “I'm still young. I want to finish my education, become something useful to myself…to you too since you own me now.” I added the way I thought they'd love. Stefano spoke for the first time.

“Not happening. That right there, tastes like scam.”

Salvatore grunted, his lips tightened as if weighing my statements. He hasn't said anything since I began talking which was quite unusual of him.

“Why?” He asked but I frowned

“Why do you suddenly want to go to school? For the past few weeks, you've been nothing but defiant towards us.”

“It's part of her plan to abscond. She's trying to fool us all.” Stefano asked.

“And how will I do that?” I countered. I was getting worked up but I managed to hold my anger in place. “You guys are the big horns here, if I had any thoughts of running, I can't, with the amount of men I saw here earlier.” I explained. Stefano shifted on his heels while Vittorio stayed guarded.

“My father might be dead but he would have wanted me to get educated. Plus, looking at me, I'm more of your sister right? Wouldn't you want me to at least complete my education?”

I was trying to blackmail them emotionally and for a fact. It worked. Stefano's tensed shoulders relaxed at I made the last statement and I saw a flicker of emotions that looked like understanding on his face but it soon cleared and was replaced with skepticism.

“This isn't a good idea” He reasoned to my disappointment. My palm became sweaty as I wondered if his contribution won't lead to me trashing the idea of school which is my last card to gain strength.

“I'd be taking a risk if I tried running away. Like you said, there are men out there waiting to have price on my head. All I want is to get educated and live under your protection.”

“She's not totally wrong with that. The outside world is in chaos, she'll be putting herself in danger.” Salvatore said. Stefano still didn't seem convinced but backed down in his argument.

“If you want this, you might know that you can't act out on your own. You'll follow the instructions: no defiances, no communication with strangers. All you do is go to school and return home in the car that we'll provide for you ofcourse” Sal explained.

“Understood,” I nodded,feeling happiness from the depth of my stomach.

“And believe me when I say my eyes would be on you. Any violation of the rules, you stop schooling.”

“Yes of course,” I said happily. “Thank you all.”

“Don't thank us yet. Notice that Stefano isn't totally on this one. If you mess this up, I can't guarantee your safety, even in this house. The best thing is for you to stay in line. Vittorio would see to your admission, he knows quite a number of people there.”

“Welcome to the Niccolian’s Castle, Red, " Salvatore said and I smiled genuinely for the first time since my father's death.