“That’s all for today,” Mariella put her things in the bag beside her. “Anything you want to ask before I leave?”“Nothing,” Luna does the same. “Oh… by the way, here.” She hands a small pink box to Mariella who looks at it with confusion in her eyes.“What for?”“I know it’s your birthday today,” Luna’s smiling from ear to ear. “Happy birthday, Mariella!” Mariella feels a little warmth in her heart while looking at Luna’s sincere eyes then eyes set on the small gift in her hand. None from her family greets her on such occasions but instead, a not blood related being took an effort to give her a gift for this not so special day for Mariella. Mariella planned not to celebrate her birthdays. Besides, it is just an ordinary day for her. “Oh my! Did I do something wrong?” Luna worriedly asked while pulling tissues to give to Mariella. “Please… stop crying.” The poor little girl had a teary eye while looking at Mariella’s falling tears.“Oh…” Mariella immediately turned her back on Luna
“This is an unannounced visit, Marchetti.” Enrico said, signaling his men to leave them two in the room.“Pardon. I have an important matter to discuss with you, Mr. Giordano.” Leo sat on a single sofa like a king. He doesn’t mind how intimidating Enrico’s presence is. He is not called Marchettis’ Mafia Boss for nothing.“What do you want?” Enrico asks while lighting his cigarette. “Your daughter Mariella…” “Mariella?” Enrico creased his forehead. He didn’t expect his daughter to be involved with—wait. “Haven’t you moved on yet, Marchetti? My daughter forgot about you. Leave her alone.”“She signed a contract with me.”“Signed a contract? She’s just a f*cking twelve-year-old girl. How can she sign a contract with you in the first place? She’s under my custody—”“But never prioritize her. I get it,” Leo sarcastically said. “I’m just informing you, Mr. Giordano. In exchange for teaching my little sister in academics, I will start the renovation of her old villa which is within your pr
CHAPTER 24“Then… You’re hired.” “Hired?” Mariella asks in disbelief. “I haven’t agreed yet. No, scratch that, I already refused so…” Mariella grabs the box of her half-empty Cannoli, and is about to leave when Leo talks again.“What do you want for you to accept being Luna’s tutor?”“I don’t want anything.” Mariella firmly uttered.“Money? Own a car? A piece of land? A renovation of your villa? Name your price.” Leo starts negotiating. He does not want to let this opportunity slip away from his grasp.When Leo mentioned the villa, Mariella was tempted. She misses the old times, especially her mother. She sighed heavily, her thoughts were fighting whether to accept the offer or be firm on her first decision, ignore it. “I will… think about it.” Mariella said before leaving the bread shop. Leo, on the other hand, followed her using his gaze. He doesn’t know if there is a higher chance that Mariella will accept the offer because her back was on them when she answered.“I really hope t
The night is deep and it is time for Mariella to sleep but she first ensures that the door and windows are locked. Even if she uttered words like she’s ready to die, as a twelve-year-old girl, fear still seeps throughout her well-being that someone might enter her room and hurt her or at worst assassinate her. Mariella heard heavy and in a rush footsteps, and also muffled voices on the ground floor. Seems like they are having a chaos. When she looks through her window, many men in black, probably Giordano's men are going inside the vans. Despite the curiosity, Mariella just let it slide because it is definitely none of her business.The next day came, Mariella’s ready to attend her classes when she heard two of the family servants talking in the hallway.“Are they dead?”“I heard they are in a critical condition but still alive.”“For sure, the family will be thrilled and threatened. It’s an uproar to the Giordanos.”“You’re right. We might get involved if something worse happened.”
One afternoon, Mariella arrived at Giordano mansion after school. She stares at the mansion for a moment feeling a bit uncomfortable since she felt living in a strange house. Noise from the field not so far from the entrance caught her attention. Mariella's cousins are playing around with guns and other dangerous equipment. Mariella's day was disturbed when one of them saw her. "Hey, b*tch! Come here!" Mariella ignored."I said, come here!"She walked faster."Get her!"The man in black grabs Mariella's arms and drags her until they reach the open field. "Let me go!" Mariella tries to free herself from their grip but what can a twelve-year-old girl do against those strong muscled men? Nothing.They throw Mariella in front of the five young Giordanos who are older than her. She's the youngest among their generation. "You," Elio, the eldest and Elmo's older brother, grabs Mariella's collar and pulls her to stand. "Don't look at me like that."Mariella does not notice how her eyes
“Good morning, senorita.” The servant gets inside Mariella’s room and puts the tray of breakfast meal on the round table near the glass door which is connected to the balcony.It’s a usual day for her, waking up in the morning, one of the servants delivers her food whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, then prepares for school, and a guard assigned to her drops and fetches her at school. It’s been a dull cycle in her everyday life since she stays in the mansion.Mariella usually spends most of her time inside that room for the fear of her family members who aim to slay her. She always feels anxious and cannot sleep peacefully at night.“Hi,” Mirabella is all smiling while peeping at Mariella’s door. She doesn’t even knock but Mariella ignores it and just focuses on eating her breakfast.“Can I join you?” Mirabella asks while holding her tray. She puts the tray across Mariella’s without waiting for her permission as if she’s not asking but just informing her.“Papa’s went somewhere