3

“I’m gonna miss you,” Luca said, smiling at me as the car boot slammed shut.

“Yeah, I wish you could say the same about the others here, too.” I smiled

“Oh, I’m sure they’re weeping inside right now,” we burst into laughter. “No, but seriously, I’m sure Mum’s weeping, you were always her favourite child.”

“Don’t say that, she loves you too.”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” he said non-committally. “God, I’m gonna miss you. You were the only one who actually loved me in this hellhole.”

I smiled, “We’ll call each other, and I’m sure we’ll still see each other.”

“yeah” he muttered

I turned around and started the car, lifting my heavy bridal train as I walked.

“Wait!” I turned around and saw Mum running down the steps. “You weren’t gonna go without saying goodbye to your mamma, right, Bambina?” I shook my head, tearing up

She cupped my face. “I’m going to miss you,” she kissed my forehead, “stai al sicuro ti amo.”

“Stai al sicuro, ti amo.”

The drive to the Vitelli estate was long. As I stared at the view, I thought of how life with the Vitelli’s would be, seeing as they didn’t mind showing up to the wedding covered in blood, who knew what else they didn’t mind doing?

Would it be just like before? Where I would get punished for the slightest thing? Would their-new family be just as horrible as my old one? What was I even thinking? Why ponder on unimportant things? It was always better to be safe than sorry, and by safe, I meant cautious. Just be quiet, do not speak when not being spoken to, and always keep my head bowed. With those few rules, I would be safe and pocketed under his wing for at least, give or take 15 years, if he wasn’t tired of me by then, then maybe 10.

I was so lost in thought that I hadn’t even noticed that we’d reached the gates of the estate. As we drove, I could see how magnificent it was; it was large and beautiful and big. But that was it, it wasn’t unlike anything I’d ever seen before. I had to admit that it was grandeur in all its meaning and nature, but whose wasn’t?

You see, in the mafia, everyone wanted to have the best things. The best mansions, the best estates, the best cars, jewelry, and clothes. It was a competiton and honestly, it was getting pretty fucking old. Though no one could beat the best in the game. The horrid family I was now a part of.

“We’re here, madam,” the driver’s voice snapped me out of my reverie.

“Thank you.” When I got out of the car, I was surprised to see the crowd waiting for me. Both the Vitellis and their staff. It was as if they were welcoming royalty into their home.

“Welcome, spero che il viaggio fin qui sia andato bene.” Seraphina Vitelli came up to me, hugging me and kissing my cheeks

“Yes, the drive here was fine, thank you,” I forced a smile.

“Well then, come, come!” She was quite beautiful, looking at her from up close, she had light green eyes and platinum blonde hair, which suited her perfectly. She looked so much like her daughter, except for the hair.

“I’m sure you’ve all met, this is Elia,” she motioned to her husband, “my children, and your husband, who doesn’t seem to want to greet his wife,” she said the last part sternly.

“Jesus, fuck me.” Enzo walked out from behind his brother's “Hi.”

“Hello,” I responded. It seemed like he wanted this marriage as much as I did

“Shall we go inside?” she said, looking between us.

“sure” Enzo replied. I raised the handle of my box to carry it inside.

“What’re you doing?” Seraphina looked down at me, and that drew the whole family’s attention

“ummm...well I was just...rolling my box.”

“oh don’t you worry, the servants will handle that. Come on, dear.”

The bridal train felt heavy in my hand as we walked inside. By the time we got in, I was yawning.

“oh you must be tired, Mary Anne,” a girl my age appeared next to her. “Show her her room,” she said to the girl, then turned to me, “She’ll help you with the dress, then you can shower and come down for dinner.”

I nodded, “Thank you.” As I ascended the steps, I felt a hole burning into my back.

I came down the stairs to a lot of noise, which turned out to be the Vitellis. They were speaking to each other, and I say that like an alien thing, but in my house, my father only ever spoke to my brothers, except Luca, so imagine my surprise at how inclusive everyone was here.

Seraphina spotted me first, “Oh dear, you’re here, come, come, come join us.” I smiled and approached the table. “You can sit next to Enzo.

“Thank you,” I said as I sat next to him.

The food was a lot, then again, the household was large. It tasted really good, better than it looked, actually, and I ate my food as conversation rang out across the table.

“Are you serious? Do you know his address? I would like to pay him a visit .” Nico said to Serena

“Absolutely not,” she replied

“Come on, I just wanna have a chat.”

“No fucking way. Plus, I understand his anger. I did cheat first.”

“Yeah, so fucking what? People cheat all the fucking time.”

“It doesn’t matter, don’t do anything,” she warned him.

“You cheated again? Can’t you just remain a constant Serena?” Seraphina asked

“Were you ever a constant before dad and mum?”

“Hey, we’re talking about you, not your mum,” Elia said

“No because mum’s always telling us about her, glory days, you know, her paegentry and how she was beautiful and wanted. It’s the same way I’m beautiful and wanted, and I’m gonna keep on exploring, and I’m gonna keep on having fun, and I’m not gonna pause my life for a man. Unless I’m ready to settle down.”

“Even if it’s not for love?” Her mum asked

She scoffed, “pls mum loves overrated.

They both laughed

“That reminds me, you still remember that you boys gotta go, for that meeting tommorow right?” Elia said

“Yeah, we remember,” Dante said

“Good, cause only three of you are going.”

“What? Why?” Raffaele asked

“I need the other three to go handle some business over at Monaco.”

“I don’t mind going,” Nico said

“I love monaco” Leo quipped.

“I’m in,” Adrian added.

Each raising their hands. Enzo turned to them, “Shit heads,” but they just laughed.

It was nice the way this family commuted with each other, they cared and didn’t exclude Serena because she was a girl. In fact, it was more like they wanted to protect her at every turn. If only my family were like that.