Prologue

LORENZO

MY world started to stop spinning after I accidentally heard my father and his best friend talking about me. I thought it was about my accomplishments. Since I was a kid, all I did was to impress my father. I want him to be proud of me. But now, hearing those words coming out of his mouth was like a poison that started to spread in my whole body.

"Non è mio figlio, non è il mio sangue!" (He is not my son, not my blood!)

Those words. How? How come I'm not a real Costa? It can't be…Is Mom cheated on him?

I'm afraid. What will happen to me? I'm just fifteen years old. Yes, I am capable of working on my own. But…I can't leave mom now. She's in a coma. She needed me. I need to stay.

After hearing those words from my father… No, he was not my father. After hearing those words, I ran as fast as I could. I know the maids and some guards were wondering what was in me to run that fast. However, they did not stop me. Maybe they thought I was just playing as a normal kid does.

I ended up in the backyard of our mansion. Our? Should I include myself? I'm staring at the sky. But even the sky was so dark. It's like the stars are hiding from me. Are they joining me in my misery? And that moment, my tears began streaming down my cheeks while I was still looking at the sky with my knees on the ground.

I felt like someone was gripping my heart so tight. I can't breathe. And memories from the past started to play in my mind. Memories since I was a kid. Memories where my fa—Mr. Costa spoiling me. Yes, I know he cared for me…I felt it. He spoiled me with everything I wanted. But, somehow, I felt something was missing. Now, I understand it. Real love… The real connection between me and him. Even though I tried hard to be close to him… I just can't. Until my brother Fabrizio came. I was left behind, but I ignored those thoughts and tried harder to be a great eldest son.

I closed my eyes as my tears never stopped from falling. My hands grip a fistful of grass tightly as I bow my head and let my tears touch the ground. I wanted to shout… to let this pain go away, but I know it won't.

"Why? Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to deserve this?" I said between sobbing. "I-I did everything… I became a good son, a good friend, a good kid… but why?!" At my last word, I looked up again and shouted those words. "Why?!"

I can't control my emotions now. I'm hurting. I feel betrayed by my mother. Question after question playing in my mind. Questions like who I am? Who's my real father? Why did my mother cheat? A lot of questions that I just wanted to leave my mind.

I don't know what to do.

I cry until my tears get tired. I don't know how long I stayed here. No one looks for me. No one even cares except my mom. My mom, I don't know if she will wake up again and be with me. My mom…again… I felt my tears. I thought I didn't have tears to cry on but I was wrong. It started again as my heart was broken.

I sat like I lost a big battle in an online game that I love doing. But, I never lose…not even once. I lay down and stared at the dark sky. My hands are on my sides.

I feel the sadness that started to wrap around my whole body, soul, and mind. I am blankly looking at the dark sky. Waiting for it to open and fetch me. Hoping life is as easy as that. Once you want to give up, just close your eyes and leave this f*cking atrocious world.

I closed my eyes and indulged in the silence of the night. All I want is to be alone. I want to know what my father is…planning to do with me. Now that he already knew that I was not his real son. Would he announce it? Would he kick me out? Would he…kill me?

"I've been looking for you and you are just here." A familiar voice disturbs my loneliness. I did not open my eyes. I feel her presence beside me. I don't want to talk to anyone. "Is there something wrong? The maids told me that they saw you running so fast. Care to share with me?" She asked again but I remained reticent.

I heard her sigh. I know she's started to get pissed but still trying her best to act like a fine lady. Like how she should be. Being a daughter of one of the associare of Draco Elites my father is part of it. My fictitious father I mean. A family organization that even at a young age I already know what is all about.

"It's about Auntie Nadia? She will wake up soon. Sii forte, Amore." (Be strong, love)

I bit my lower lip to suppress my tears to fall again. I don't want her to see me like this. I should not be like this in front of her. But… Could I stop it? I bit my lower lip so hard that I tasted my blood.

"What the heck, Enzo!" I smirked when I heard her out of her good and decent manners. Then, I felt a cloth on my lips wiping the blood. I opened my eyes and met a beautiful pair of amber eyes.

"Carlene…" I murmured her name. She smiles and continues wiping the blood on my lips. I hold her hand to make her stop and lay her down on the ground. I heard her cursing me but I don't care.

"Damn you, Enzo! My dress!" She complained but did not get up. I used her arm as my pillow and hugged her. Silence. Then, I felt her hand start to comb my soft and wavy hair. I feel better…Carlene beside me always calms me. She's the daughter of my father's best friend.

"Grazie(thank you)... For looking for me," I said while enjoying her soft body. I hugged her tight and lay my head on her chest.

She sighs deeply. "Amore…I will always be here with you. Don't be afraid to show me the real you. I always accept even your craziness." I softly chuckled at that. I know from this day on, everything will change. Her father knew about my real identity, surely… they would stop her from seeing me. But, I promise that I will not allow anyone to make my destiny. From now on, I will stand on my own and start re-writing my own story.