Chapter Eight

AFTER TWO YEARS!!

      I sat on a white-painted bench. I felt pity on myself. Angelo delayed his wedding. I stayed in my room most of the time, keeping myself occupied with my studies. I was still engaged to Andre. I never saw him after our engagement. I heard from Niko that Andre was here. 

     My parents were no longer my parents. My uncle was suddenly my late mother's distant cousin. My mother fell in love with a married man. I did not know how she died. But I was certain about one thing, Niko and Alessio hated her and My Reina Aunt. I was still confused. Was Reina my mother or Amelia? I kept my distance from everyone? They had disappointed me. Was I their illegitimate daughter? Why was I kept away from my family? Nobody usually answered my questions. But they forced me to have dinner with them most of the time. 

      Alessio hid his emotions, rarely revealing his feelings. Contrary, Niko never hesitated expressing himself, particularly his dislikes and frustrations.

       "You haven't congratulated me?" Sienna asked, stopping next to me. She looked genuinely happy that she wasn't bothered about what happened to me that day. 

      "I thought you always liked Alessio." I asked her, holding back the need to snap at her. I could bet seeing my rebellious side these days, my brothers must be repenting. 

      "That was years ago, I was seventeen and you were thirteen. Things have changed. Life is about to be amazing now." She chuckled, looking happy. 

     "Good luck with that!" I told her. 

     She stretched out her hand, wiggling her fingers, definitely trying to draw my attention to her diamond ring. "My ring is more expensive than yours. Yours looks cheap." She teased, chuckling. 

     "You must be thrilled that finally you got someone better than me." I snapped as I glanced at her. 

      She waved her hand, dismissing my accusation. "I'm over the moon. My husband is the boss, while your husband will just be another employee. Our parents have always favoured you, treating you like a princess. Things are going to change. Finally!" She inhaled deeply, clasping her hands together happily. 

      I chuckled, surprised to realise how much she despised me. She seemed unable to distinguish right and wrong. 

      Sienna looked at me puzzled. "I understand. It must be too much for you to take. An illegitimate child doesn't receive the same respect which we usually get." She proudly pointed at herself. 

      I shrugged my shoulders. "Still, I'm a princess, not just in fairy tales, but in real life." I hated to bring it up. "Your parents will always love me, your uncle, Aunt and my brothers will always pamper me, spoil their youngest sibling. And, my husband will always get the respect a princess's husband should get." I snapped, feeling annoyed. She shouldn't provoke me, particularly when I was already in a sour mood. Why couldn't she see my perspective, understanding me instead of showing off what she got. 

     "What are you two talking about?" Den asked, walked over to the bench, and sat down next to me. 

     "Sienna is explaining to me how my value will plummet after marrying Andre. After all, he's just an employee." I told him. 

     Sienna's big eyes stared at me. I saw fear in them. 

     Den pressed his lips tight in a line as he shot a frosty glance at his sister. 

      A shadow fell over me and I looked up. Alessio looked down at me. "Let's go, Ara. Your new room is ready." He said to me, My old room was big enough for me. I got my own wing like Niko and Alessio.

      I never wanted to leave my old life behind, my family behind. But they didn't have any choice. They wouldn't go against Bianchi. 

      I got on my feet and looked at Den who was still shooting Sienna a cold look. They often visited me. "If you want me to accept you as my brother, you'll drop it here." I told Den, not wanting to make an issue out of it. 

      He looked at me and shook his head. "We're your brothers. I don't care who begot you, who brought you up, look after you. You are a part of our family." Den said. 

     I smiled as tears welled up in my eyes. I nodded my head. "Won't you accompany me?" I asked him. 

     He looked at Alessio. "You don't need my permission. It's totally up to you." Alessio told him. 

      Den smiled at me and drew on his feet. "Nino would have picked everything best for you. You're going to love your new room. Though, I desperately want you to go home with us. But, it's okay. You need to spend time with your real family too." Den said. 

      "I don't know." Two years ago, I was certain I wouldn't spend more than three hours without my family. Things had changed.

      We entered the mansion through the back door and took the stairs. I looked around the luxury, huge chandelier in the center of the enormous hall. It didn't feel like home.

      "Why didn't he announce my engagement but Sienna's upcoming wedding." I asked them. 

      "I won't go into the details, Evara. But keeping you away from your real life has only one motto. Our family wanted to keep you safe." Den said. 

      "Why do they need to keep me safe?" I blurted out, climbing the stairs along with them. 

      "As nothing is hidden from you. Our Mafia world is different from what common people live in. Your father is a mafia king, my father is an underboss working under your father. Niko and Alessio are mafia princes and you're a princess." Den explained. 

      "What's underboss? Uncle doesn't work for anyone." I asked him, reminding him that. 

     "Things are different here, Evara." Alessio stopped walking and turned to me. His face was schooled. "You're completing your studies first. You'll marry when you turn twenty one. That's all your brothers can do for you now. But I vow, Evara. If anything intends to harm you, they will have to go through me." He said. 

     My lower lip began to tremble. Tears slithered down my cheeks. "I don't know where my life is going. Suddenly, my whole identity has changed. I'm Evara Bianchi, not Sterling. I'm an illegitimate child. Niko hates my Aunt. I got engaged. I am forced to stay here. My family treats me like an outsider now. I don't know what to do." I cried. 

     "Hey, we're here for you. You're not alone." Den embraced me from one side. 

     “It doesn't change anything.” I muttered in my cracked voice.

     Alessio moved forward, and lifted his hand. He gently swiped his fingers on my cheeks. "One problem at a time. You were always a Bianchi, you just never got to see your documents. You're not an illegitimate child. I don't know anything about Reina. You're not captured here. It should always be your life. And about your engagement, " Alessio exhaled quietly. "He's the best in his business. If I have to choose between Angelo and Andre. I would always pick Andre. He'll make a good husband. I can tell that. " He assured me. 

     "I don't wanna get married. I'm not ready for it." I muttered. 

     "You have three years which is plenty of time. In our world, it's hard to find a decent husband." Den said. 

     "Is he mafia as well?" I asked them. 

      They exchanged looks. Perhaps, battling who would answer me? 

     "Yes, but he's a good man." Alessio confirmed.

     "Let me decide this." I told them. 

     Alessio's mask dropped for a second, revealing a hint of concern on his face. He schooled his expression immediately. Was he worried for me? He dipped his chin and gestured for me to walk. 

     I followed him. " The left side is Niko's wing, right is mine, South belongs to Father and the north wing is yours." Alessio explained. I already knew about their wings.