Chapter Four

     His darkest grey eyes slightly narrowed on me. He must have heard me, but he picked not to question me.

     "Sienna, inform Father - we're heading out with Alessio." Den told her and turned his gaze on me. "We'll talk about this later." He said and kissed my head. He spun and walked along with Alessio.

     "Don't be upset, baby sister." Noah pinched my cheek softly. He spun and he followed them. 

      "Let's eat. Later, I'll ask Father to drop us home." Sienna said, taking the next seat to me. 

      "You like him." I asked her, jerking my chin at Alessio. 

      Her eyes dilated in alarm and they shot at me. Fear flashed in her eyes. "Shut up. Anyone can hear you out. You know the consequences of this." She said, disapproving. 

      I shrugged my shoulders. "He looks wealthy. Why would they reject him?" I asked her. 

      She stared at me. She wanted to spill out the beans, but she wouldn't do that out of fear of spoiling the image of our parents in their eyes. 

     "Concentrate on your studies." She said, pressing her lips in a thin line. 

     "It has time. My vacation starts tomorrow after my final exams." I reminded her. 

      "No, the next class is just around the corner for you." She said, letting out a soft exhale.   

      I exhaled sharply. This party was actually boring, no matter how hard I tried to like it. "I wanna go home." I told her, my eyes turned glassy. I despised being in such a situation when things felt forced or I forced myself to do things according to them. Right now, all I wanted was to leave. We were meant to have dinner with our family. Our parents were occupied and our brothers had just left. 

      "Alright, let me talk to our parents. Just don't cry, please." She said, wiping my cheeks. 

      I gnawed on my lower lip and nodded my head. 

       If I want something, I want it. If I don't need anything, I don't want it at all. I have simple rules in my life. 

      She got on her feet. I watched her walking away, looking for our parents. I drifted my gaze around, hoping to look for them through the crowd of the party. There were only unfamiliar faces having a good time.

      My gaze caught another set of darkest grey eyes looking at me, it seemed like studying me. Despite tears in my eyes, I narrowed my eyes at him. He was his brother.

      He put down his untouched glass and walked over to me. I drifted my gaze away, avoiding unnecessary drama, I was upset it would definitely lead to frustration. 

      "Miss Sterling," He said, taking a seat across from me.

      I pretended as if I hadn't heard him, or seen him. He was Alessio's younger brother, Nicolo Niko Bianchi. 

     "Is something disturbing you?" He asked me and I automatically shook my head. "Why are you crying then?" He asked in his gentle voice. 

       "I hate Alessio. I was supposed to have dinner with my brothers." I told him and wiped another tear trailing down my cheek. 

       He cleared his throat, definitely demanding my attention. I glanced at him with a soft frown which made him chuckle. "I never thought I'd hear someone say they hate Alessio. It sounds good." 

       I blinked in confusion. "You shouldn't hate your brother. People like the rift between good things." I told him. Nobody should hate their siblings, we were meant to support, be together for a reason, to take care of each other, and have fun. Life was more vibrant with siblings. 

      His smile dropped as he really looked at me. He opened his mouth but he shut it instantly, feeling a shadow looming over us. I lifted my chin and saw my Uncle and father standing near our table. 

      From Sienna's expression, I could tell they must have scolded her. It wasn't my intention at all. 

     "Niko," Uncle said, looking between us. 

     "She wants to go home. She'll go home." He almost ordered my father and uncle. 

     I looked at Niko in disbelief. I had never heard anyone talking to them in a bossy tone. I opened my mouth to snap. But Sienna shook her head. 

     "There was no guard left behind." Daddy explained to him. 

     "I'll send my guards. Next time," He said, drawing on his feet, and he seemed very tall. He looked directly at them. "You won't force her to attend any party." Niko told my father.

     "No one forced her, young master. It was destined. She couldn't be left home alone. It's not safe." Uncle replied to him, holding no expression. 

      I chewed on my lower lip nervously. I didn't want them to fight over it. "I'll assign permanent guards for her." Niko said. 

     "Why would you do that?" I blurted out sounding confused too. 

     He smiled at me. "You're my friend's sister. And this!" He gestured around at the people. I looked around. My lips parted, noticing every set of eyes on us. "They're my family. You're part of it. Our family is our responsibility." He simply said. 

      I blinked contemplating at that moment, while installing it in my head. I got it. I had grown watching these parties, these people. "I want my brothers back." I told him. 

     "Evara," Dad looked at me, his lips slightly pressed together in disapproval. They scolded me in the same way. I shrugged my shoulders. Niko suggested it.

     "That's impossible at the moment. But you can have breakfast with them." Niko said. 

     "Promise?" I asked him, hopefully. 

     "Promise," Smiling, he dipped his chin before turning away. "I'm sending my driver." He informed my father and uncle, and he left. 

      I dared to look at my father and uncle. "Please, don't scold Sienna." I requested them. 

      Uncle took the seat beside me as he flashed his soft smile my way. "We won't ever force anything on you. You know that, buttercup?" Uncle asked, to which I nodded my head immediately. 

     "I'm sorry." I muttered, feeling embarrassed. 

     Uncle smiled broadly and shook his head. "No cartoons, no games, you'll straight go to your bed and you will follow your sister's instructions." Uncle said. 

      I dipped my chin gradually. "I promise, Uncle." I muttered.

      He let out a sharp exhale as he drew on his feet. He kissed my head. "They're here." Uncle gestured at the guards positioned behind me. 

     I could never quite understand why we needed guards? Perhaps, my father and uncle ran a successful transport business or it must be related to drugs. 

     I waved goodbye to my family and headed out of the party following Sienna with the guards leading the way out. 

         I woke up early the following morning. My life revolved around my family. My brothers, Sienna, weren't merely my family but also my friends. 

      My sad face quickly erupted into a big grin when I spotted my brothers in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for us. I hurried my steps forward. My excitement was replaced with shock. My eyes dilated seeing unusual faces in the hall.

     "Finally, you are up!" Den said, grinning at me. 

     I blinked in surprise, looking at them. "Why are your friends here?" I asked, drifting my gaze around, looking for my parents. 

     "Isn't that a bit rude, Evara?" Noah asked, stopping in the middle of the kitchen. He was preparing the salad. 

     "From now on, we're your brothers, I mean like your real brother." Nicolo said, pointing his index finger at Alessio and himself. 

     I snorted. "Is this the price of bringing my brothers home?" I asked them. 

      Nicolo chuckled in response. "Not entirely. But I wouldn't mind." He shrugged his shoulders, returning to the stirring part.

     I walked over to them and peered from behind Alessio. "You're making pizza!" I asked in my astounded voice. 

      The corners of his lips slightly curled up as he dipped his chin. "You like it," Alessio said in his soft voice. It wasn't a question. 

      My mouth began to water as he topped the base with black olives and spinach. "Could you please add more olives and mushrooms." I told him. 

      Alessio looked at me and nodded his head. He didn't look dangerous.

     "Shouldn't you say - Thank you, brother?" Nicolo asked, wiggling his brows. 

     I rolled my eyes. "Thank you, Brothers." Saying, I pulled the chair out for myself and settled down. "Where is everyone?" I asked them. 

     "Sienna is studying in her room. Our parents are out to attend a function." Noah explained.

      A soft frown creased my forehead. "But, it's morning." I complained. 

     "It's noon, buttercup." Den corrected me. 

     "So, basically it's brunch." I muttered. 

     "It is," Den muttered.

     "Go, freshen up." Noah told me. 

     I pulled myself on my feet and turned to my room lazily. "Alright." I muttered. I missed Dariel. He was my favorite brother.

      After taking a shower, I changed into a cream top and a long floral printed skirt. Instead of going to the dining room, I headed to Sienna's room. I knocked on her door gently. Usually, I walked in unannounced. 

"Who's this?" I chuckled behind my hand hearing her soft voice. 

      "Alessio Bianchi," I laughed a light louder this time. 

     Suddenly, the door swung open and she stared at me with her big eyes. "What's wrong with you?" she scolded me, looking irritated. She held my wrist and pulled me into her room. 

     "You should be in the kitchen helping them." I told her, chuckling. 

     "Not everything is funny. Anyone could hear you. You'll put me in trouble." She looked at me exasperated.

      "You have a crush on him." I told her, turning to her. 

      She let out a quiet exhale. "It doesn't matter. Why are you here?" She asked me. 

       "I'm hungry. Let's go." I told her, taking hold of her hand and tugged her with me out of her room. "Aren't you going to tell him?" I asked her. 

      "I doubt he cares one way or another." She replied as she shook her head. "You're too young to understand that. Let's not discuss this." She said, smiling at me. 

     I shrugged my shoulders, smiling back at her. All I could solely think about was delicious pizza.