LOGINI checked the time on the wall clock. Sienna was supposed to arrive here ten minutes ago. Our parents were going to scold her.
We had a wedding we needed to attend. Our parents had left two hours earlier. Suddenly, the tapping of the foot grabbed my attention. I looked up from my sitting position. "Den! We're almost ready." I told him, smiling. Sienna would put blame on me.
He arched his brows, questioning me. "You mean Sienna." He said, walking over to her door and knocked on it louder than I anticipated.
"Evara! Wait for ten minutes!" We heard her loud voice.
I snorted. It never took me more than twenty minutes to get ready. What was taking her so long?
"Two minutes! I want you out of your room. Or, you'll answer the next call from father." Den warned her, flattening his lips into a thin line, his gaze turned cold at the door.
The door yanked open abruptly. "Are you threatening me?" She glared at him, pressing her lips together in irritation. She looked pretty in her baby pink long dress, with her straight black hair. On the other hand, I wore a creamy floral printed dress, my long and wavy hair were a bit frizzy at the tips, I wore no makeup, only pink gloss.
"I'm telling you." He told her sternly and turned to me. His hand shot out and he grabbed my hand. "Let's go, Evara. We are leaving in two minutes." He told us.
"But, we can't leave Sienna home alone." I protested, looking over my shoulder at her.
Sienna frowned at us, her gaze was furious at me, which didn't suit her at all. "I'm coming, just wait!" She shouted in annoyance as she dashed back into her room.
Our land was surrounded by a tall fence, with two guards always patrolling the land, reminding me that we were different from the people on the other side of the fence. In the middle of the property stood a beautiful bungalow, we called our home, always guarded, securing the land which didn't make any sense at all.
Noah opened the back door and frowned as his gaze scanned the area behind us. "She's on her way." I assured him, flashing my gentle smile.
"Get in." Den told me, leaving my hand.
I shook my head, causing my wavy hair to bounce, "I won't go without her." I told them, stubbornly.
"Do you want father to scold us?" Noah asked as he settled behind the wheel.
"Wait! Wait!" Sienna shouted as she rushed towards the car in her high heels and slid into the seat beside me.
It earned her the cold look of our brothers. Den slammed the door shut and walked around the car.
Noah twisted the key and the engine roared to life. He accelerated the car when Den hopped into the passenger seat. We sat quiet in our seats. I watched out the window, absorbed in my thoughts.
I had never broken any rules. I got my way. Indeed, things were always easy for me compared to my sister. When we reached there, our mothers scolded Sienna. Uncle and Dad gave cold looks to my brothers. Even though it wasn't their fault at all.
I stepped forward and smiled at them. "I'll stay next to you." I declared.
"You don't need to ask, Reina." Uncle smiled, calling me his dead sister's name and patted the next chair to me.
"They would have been smiling like you too if you hadn't taken that much time." Sienna muttered to me, which earned a scolding glance from her mother. Aunt muttered something under her breath, causing Sienna to lower her head apologetically.
I took a seat next to my uncle. "I want a new pair of sneakers." I told mom. They weren't worn out. I just liked to collect them.
"You already have plenty of them." Momma said.
"You should try something new, like a beautiful pair of heels." Aunt added, smiling at me.
"Whatever you do, just make certain she doesn't get hurt." Uncle told them, he snorted, staring down at his phone.
"Of course, we'll be careful." Aunt said, smiling nervously.
Sienna rolled her eyes. "She won't trip in her heels. It's not a big deal." She blurted out.
Uncle shot her an intense look that made her swallow hard nervously.
"I mean. I promise to teach her everything, Father." Sienna said, her anxiety evidence.
"Your mother and Aunt know what to do. Don't forget your manners, Sienna." Uncle snapped.
"I'm sorry, Father." Sienna muttered, looking down at her hands.
"Evara,"
My neck snivelled hearing my name. I beamed at him. "Niko!" It had been a month since I last saw him, he was away for a business deal. "What a pleasant surprise!" I drew on my feet and embraced him.
He returned the gesture and ruffled my hair. "It's great to see you. Did you miss me?" He asked, smiling.
I nodded my head enthusiastically. Every weekend, my brothers took me out, we watched movies and dined at my favorite restaurants. Niko always brought me my favorite ice cream, while Alessio brought me story books, though I was too old to read them. But I appreciated whatever my brothers did for me. Den took me out whenever I wished, Noah tried to fulfil my all demands. The best part of this was, they had taught me self-defense, particularly Alessio taught me how to fight once in a week. Niko had taught me to punch, Den taught me to kick. Alessio trained me, Noah made certain I learned them properly without getting myself hurt. For the last six months, Alessio and Niko had been training me with guns. I didn't quite understand why I needed that skill. They claimed it was a part of their hobby. I never doubted them knowing they were billionaires, billionaire people often had strange time pass games. The problem was I never questioned, I was careless, but sometimes I was frightened for no reason.
"Dad is waiting for you in his study room, Tony." He said to my uncle, glancing at them. “Please, attend the meeting, Noah." Niko told them. He didn't wait for their response and took hold of my hand. He tugged me with him.
"Where are we going?" I asked him as I looked back at my family. Dad nodded his head, offering a warm smile my way, definitely allowing me to go ahead.
"It's your sixteenth birthday, Buttercup. We're getting you a present." He explained.
A big grin appeared on my face as I quickened my pace. "Really! I want a new phone and another laptop. The last old lappy works properly, but it's two years old." My smile dropped, mulling over Sienna's reaction. "But we have to ask Uncle and Dad's permission before buying my new phone. They probably won't allow me." I muttered, feeling sad.
"That's not an issue. You'll get whatever you wish for, Evara." He smiled at me.
We stopped reaching the parking lot. I admired his sleek black Mercedes with smiling eyes. Their car collection was mind blowing. I wished to drive one day.
"Sienna hasn't gotten her phone yet. She'll scold me if I get one before her." I muttered to myself.
"And why would that be?" He asked me with a soft frown, he fished out his car key and unlocked it. He opened the door for me. "Hop in." He muttered to me.
"Thanks" I said as I climbed into the car and fastened my seatbelt.
According to my brothers I was stepping into the lion's den. My father remained silent all the time, not objecting to my wedding at all. I swallowed down my saliva as I entered his office. I stood in front of his mahogany desk. I exhaled exhaustingly. He should be in his office. They acted calm and gentlemen around me, particularly my brothers. I was aware their real faces would be disturbing for my mental health. My past haunted me. I kept it to myself. No amount of training could wash away the fear I had endured. I spun to leave, noticing his office was empty. I was startled by his sudden appearance behind me. My hand shot to my running heart. He frightened me. Was he hiding in his office? I didn't see him while entering or I didn't hear the door opening behind me. "You need to stop doing that." Russo said, flattening his lips as he walked over to his desk and reached for his files. "It's your fault. You should make some noise when you walk."
A cool evening breeze blew across the garden area, providing relief from the summer heat. I closed my eyes. I missed my family, my mother and aunts. "You want some cookies?" Matt asked me, extending a plate towards me. Fabio kept staring in a particular direction, he appeared more at ease here. I could understand that he was home, surrounded by his own people. "No, thank you." I told him, shaking my head politely. "You look a bit down today." Fabio suddenly asked. "I don't know what you're saying." I tried to dodge his concern. Fabio looked at me. "It has been three years. We know what things bring you joy and sorrow. You'll get addicted to your new home." He said. "Why couldn't my husband see this?" I muttered to myself. "We'll take our leave." Fabio suddenly said, pushing himself away from the truck. They didn't wait for my response and began to walk away. "I'll go wit..." I stopped myself as I had a glimps
My stomach growled in hunger. I had no intention to leave his room and encounter any one of his family members. Russo didn't return last night. It was a relief, yet a little part of me continuously began to chant - why hasn't he shown up? Chewing on my lower lip nervously, I descended the stairs. My gaze drifted around and I saw smirking Amateo watching me. "Oh, look, my brother's moon is up." He said, chuckling. My eyes widened in shock. I clenched the railing, deterring myself from running back to my room. "I'm hungry." I muttered. I squeezed my shut tight. I should keep my mouth shut. I couldn't possibly embarrass myself more than that. He snorted. "I'm not your chef. Help yourself." He said, gesturing with his hand at the left. "I'm not his moon. I have a name." I told him, climbing down the remaining steps. I took the left and entered the spacious kitchen. "Oh, I know your name – Evara Maximo Russo Moretti." He chuckled again.
I felt a strong urge to remain in our room, so we could share our first night together. I noticed fear in her eyes. She was quiet. I never meant to capture her. It would be her safe heaven, though she never wanted our wedding. I had hoped for a new beginning for us. "You should stay home." Vene said, walking along with me. I shook my head. "You'll understand me better the day you fall in love." I told him, holding a soft smile. He chuckled, throwing his head back as we stepped into the elevator. I pressed the button for the top floor. "If I ever get married, it will only be for pleasure. Nothing more." He told me, shaking his head. A bullet had skimmed the skin of my shoulder blade, leaving a gash. Morphine was doing a miracle. "Weddings are about much more than just pleasure. You'll know it one day." I told him and a soft smile crawled on my face, recalling her wide eyes, focused solely on me. Vene chuckled again. "Give me three
My stomach clenched as his fingers tightened around my hand. I looked down at our intertwined fingers. During our flight back to his fortress, he kept me to his side, never letting me out of his sight. I turned my gaze back to the helipad, eagerly anticipating the moment his helicopter would take off. It was still shocking for me that Vene was piloting it. I had asked him twice when I saw him getting into the cockpit, and strapping into the pilot's seat. "You look unharmed, and perfectly fine. Don't tell me you still don't believe he can fly it." Amateo said, chuckling. "Is it going to stay here?" I asked him. "Yes, I have a meeting." Russo told me. I was taken back, my lips parted in shock. Did I hear him right? I didn't expect that. I was scared he would force things on me. I looked at his giant mansion. "I don't know where your room is." I muttered under my breath as I swallowed hard. I wanted him to provide me with a private chamber.
I didn't have any bridesmaids but my brothers, including Alessio, stood by me during the ceremony. I had thought he wouldn't attend my wedding. I wished Sienna to be here. I was also worried about her. I hadn't heard from her. "I pronounce you husband and wife." The priest announced, adding. "You may kiss your bride." He said My already beating heart began to run in my chest. My wide eyes snapped at him. I reached his chin in my high heels. His hand rested against my back as he took a small step forward. I stared at his lips for a brief moment. He leaned in and his lips grazed mine. I felt a tingling sensation running through me. My stomach clenched as he pressed them softly. I heard applause l. Abruptly, his arm tightened around me, lifting off the ground and he swirled. "What are you doing?" I squealed in terror. My hands shot around his neck. My body shuddered in fear as I heard a gunshot. Then, everything went dead silent. My brothers quickly drew ou
I was ready to go to college. I had doubts about being a good student since I didn't remember anything. The dining hall was quiet. Dad was seated in the head chair, engrossed in the newspaper. Niko was scrolling through his phone. Alessio was occupied with his files and laptop. Catrin seemed
The projector played and a picture popped up on the screen. I immediately recognized the man. He was Alessio's father, cradling a small girl, two boys standing beside him. "You were just four months old in this photo." Aunt said. I gasped as I stared back at the picture. "Yo
An sinister grin appeared on his face that seemed mocking me. "Soon! You'll forget everyone. Only one face will linger in your thoughts, Hon." He said, pointing his index finger at himself. My eyes snapped open, I was drenched in sweat. My heart was drumming in my chest. I wiped t
Catrin’s words continued to resonate in my head. I left my room and headed down stairs. Upon seeing me, the room fell silent. Aunt hurried her pace towards me. "How are you feeling, Sweetie?" She asked, looking worried. I offered her a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Aunt." I rep







