"Never to suffer would never to have been blessed"
~ Edgar Allan poe
"TINA!!''
"Look this.."
"I can explain!"
I smirk as I had just caught my best friends sucking each others face seconds ago and now witness them blabbering in front of me.
I narrow my eyes "You sneaky bastards." I say shaking my head with an evil smirk.
"Oh.. I'm late for our class." Sam says as he glances towards his hand at his non-existing watch. He rushes his way past me with reddened cheeks and disappears around the corner.
Chicken.
Olive on the other hand has a bewildered expression on her face, "Don't.. Don't look at me like that. I'll tell you everything later. We're already late, come on." She somehow manages to speak up, she hastily grabs my hand and drags me towards the direction of our class.
~~~~~~~
School was finally over, Sammy offered Olive and I a ride but I refused it. I could sense the tension between them and decided to give the new love birds some privacy.
I took the bus to home, as I neared our front porch I noticed Everett's car parked in the driveway. I couldn't hold back my smile, looks like Everett is missing us a lot.
I hurriedly made my way to the front door, just as I entered through the door, I was drenched with chilling cold water.
I gasp loudly, I was aware who the culprit was without a doubt, "WILLIAMMM!!'' I hiss loudly.
He gives me an evil look "Gotcha!" He fist bumps in the air before running away with his water gun in his hand.
That little devil is so dead.
William was a very naughty boy, he made sure to make Rose and mines every living minute hell. He was sweet on rare occasions but overall was a little devil in human skin.
"William you better get rid of that gun or I'm telling your dad." Came Bridget's stern voice as she made her way towards me looking embarrassed.
"Tina I'm sorry, you know how William is.." she smiles apologetically.
Bridget is a petite woman with brown eyes and medium length black hair, she is 5'4 and is very sweet. She is like an older sister that I never had.
"It's ok. You know I don't mind, I'm used to this little devil." I chuckle easing the atmosphere.
"Arggghh.. WILLIAM!! MOM, WILLIAM DRENCHED MY NEW DRESS!" Roses voice booms through out the entire house.
"This boy." Bridget sighs heavily, she and I make our way towards the living room where the whole commotion was going on.
Rose came in my view, she was completely drenched in water from head to toe, I couldn't contain my laughter, she resembled like a wet kitten. Rose glared at my reaction "Tina stop!" She huffs folding her hands on her chest.
Rose is 6 months older than me, she has blue eyes and brown hair, she is 5'6 tall and possess a model like figure. She is interested in modeling and is trying to get some projects while continuing school as well. In simpler words, Rose is gorgeous just like her name.
"Girls dry yourselves and change into some fresh clothes. You young man are coming with me." Said Bridget, she took hold of William's left ear and dragged him out of the room all the while he tried hard to give her his best puppy eyes.
"Come on Rose, I'll give you some fresh clothes to wear." I say to her and turn around to make my way upstairs.
"Nah I'm good. I'll get something from my suitcase." She waves off while tying her wet hairs "suitcase?'' I question confused.
"Yeah, we're staying here for a couple of days. Dad says he misses you guys." She shrugs her shoulders "Really? wow, that's great!" I say enthusiastically with a big grin which she returns, I wave her and walk towards my room.
This is a first, sure Everett visits with his family and stays with us but only on special occasions such as Christmas and Thanksgiving or sometimes over the weekends.
Well I don't mind, I'm happy that Rose and I can spend some time together and have some fun, I get lonely somedays so it's going to be good.
~~~~~~~
The upcoming days were joyful, it was always good to have the whole family under the same roof. Rose and I especially enjoyed these times the most.
But there was something up with Everett, he was acting strange. He seemed lost and depressed, it was quite evident as there was some kind of tension between him and Dad as well.
They tried not to show it but I can sense it. Everyone can sense it.
I heard them arguing last night in dad's office which confirmed my suspicions.
Bridget was also unusually quiet, no one was telling us kids anything, it was better if we didn't pry in their business they said.
3 days later when I returned back home from school, I could hear dad shouting from our main door. I ran towards the living room where the voice were coming from.
As I entered the room, I saw mom and Bridget sitting on one of the sofa that was opposite to the fire place, they both were sobbing silently.
Everett was standing beside them with his head hung low.
At the other corner of the room, dad was standing with Rose in his arms, she was crying hysterically. Dad was as red as a tomato, he was shaking and shouting at Everett, I could see his nerve popping from the side of his forehead.
He was really angry. In my 17 years of life I have never seen dad this angry, this fact scared me for some reason. Rose must have noticed me because the next thing I know is that she came running towards me and hugged me as tightly as possible.
I staggered back a few steps by the sudden force but managed to balance myself.
I hold her back tightly. Everyone present in the room turns towards me.
"Tii.. Tina.. tell them please!" Rose cried loudly while trying to form words "please Tina.. I.. I can't do thi.. thiss.. you know m.. my Dreams." She hiccuped, I look at her confused not able to understand her.
What is going on in here? what is she saying?
"Calm down Rose, I can't understand you." I say soothingly while rubbing my hand on her back to calm her breathing, after some minutes she was calm but still hiccupped here and there.
"Tina, I don't want to get married!!'' She started crying yet again.
"What? Who said you are getting married?" I question baffled, "Can someone explain it to me, what is going on??'' I stare at everyone in the room.
Everett averts his eyes looking defeated. Mom and Bridget were staring at me with red puffy eyes.
"Everett here has fixed my granddaughter's marriage with someone!" At last someone decided to speak up, and that someone was dad, he didn't seemed to please.
"I'm not going to let Rose pay for your dumb mistake Everett!!'' Dad yelled again while glaring at him.
"What!?'' I whisper mostly to myself, not believing what I just heard.
"I'm sorry Dad.. b-but there is no other way. They will kill us all." Everett whispers lowly as a lone tear escapes his left eye.
"FUCK YOUR SORRY AND FUCK YOU!!" Dad shouted startling us all.
Dad never cursed, he rarely raised his voice at any of us, this was unlike of him, he was always the cool parent. This made me realise the severity of the situation.
"I'm not getting married! Either you guys cut this crap or you'll all regret forcing me!" Rose says warningly, she glares at Everett for a brief moment then runs back upstairs to the guest bedroom where she and William were staying.
"Baby go back to your room." Mom who was quiet the entire time spoke.
I couldn't argue because of the tension. I silently make my way to my room, I pass by the guest bedroom and hear Rose cries from inside which makes my heart clench.
I could not do anything, hell I didn't even know what was actually happening.
Rose getting married? Us getting killed? What was Everett talking about?
I knew there was something bothering Everett but this was unexpected.
As the day passed everyone was quiet, no one spoke to each other, even William was quiet.
During dinner time mom gathered us all. Everyone was present at the table except for Rose, no one asked for her, we knew she needed her space.
We silently ate our food.
In between dinner I heard the sound of footsteps. We all turned our gaze towards the dinning rooms entrance where Rose stood in a dishelved state.
Her eyes were red and puffy from all the crying, her hairs were sticking around as if she has pulled them quite a few times.
"Come sit honey. I'll fix you a plate.'' Mom said while getting up. "Nah gram, it's fine. I'm not hungry." She replied in a monotone.
She took a deep breathe "I'm ready.'' We all looked at her confused "what are you talking about dear?'' Asked Dad.
"I'm ready– I'll get married to whoever dad has chosen for me." with that said she turned around and marched away to her room.
Bridget and mom teared up instantly.
Everett sat there emotionless.
Dad was unable to hold on to his frustration, he stood up with force knocking his chair down in the process, he threw his napkin on the plate and marched outside to God knows where.
And me? I sat there in my seat too shocked to move, thinking about how did we all got caught up in this situation.
________________________What did Everett do that is forcing him to marry his daughter to an unknown man?
Who is that unknown man?
"God is upto something or the devil wouldn't be fighting you this hard."~UnknownThe upcoming days were filled with a lot of tension. No one was talking, laughing or even teasing each other. It felt like as if all of us were strangers.I wasn't used to this environment and it was getting on my nerves.Everett decided to stay with us till Rose gets married, no one knew who the groom was except for dad and Everett and both of them weren't willing to share anything.The date for the wedding was fixed, it was to be held on the upcoming Saturday. Today was Tuesday.Rose was to be married in a small church. The groom's family requested for a small intimate ceremony with only the bride and groom's family present. They had no time for an extravagant wedding.This request was rising my suspicions about these unknown people, one thing was for sure, they were very dangerous seeing how Everett accidentally spilled out how they can kill us.
You call it chaos I call it family~UNKNOWNI took the dress from her "go get a shower the beauticians will be here soon." I said and she nodded then went to the rest room.I decided to get a quick snack and start getting ready myself.I made my way downstairs but something in the living room caught my eye.Curious Valentina was on high alert.I turned towards the living room. 4 unknown men came in my view standing with my brother and dad. 3 of them were in black suites with sunglasses and an ear piece. They seemed like bodyguards.The 4th man. Was in a suite and his back was facing me."Fidatidi me, nontradiròquestavolta!"(Trust me I won't betray this time!)Everett said through clenched teeth.What!?? Everett can speak Italian?? I must be imagining things right? How does my brother knows Italian and I don't??"fiducia!?"(trust!?)The man chuckled but it seemed more force
Bad decisions make good stories.~UNKNOWNA note.Ofcourse how cliché.I grabbed the note. And ran straight to dad's office. I knew Everett and dad would be there.I barged into the office "Rose ran away'' I said frantically.It was to late to realize. Angelo, Antonio and some of their men were also present in the office."TROVALA!"(FIND HER!)Antonio roared. I couldn't understand what he said but the way he said that was enough to make me tremble.Without wasting a second Angelo and all the man ran past me speaking frantically in their earpiece. He must have ordered them to find her.I hope they don't hurt her, God please. I send a quiet prayer quickly.Everett sat on the couch that was present in the office with a loud thud his hands in his hair."What is that in your hand?'' Antonio asked me coldly eyeing the note in my hand. Dad and Everett quickly looked at me and then to my hand that was clutchi
If it comes, let it. If it goes, let it.~UNKNOWNI was staring myself in the mirror. I've changed in the brides dress.In Rose dress.It was a floral A-line gown, with a sweetheart neckline and lace straps That reveal a deep V-back.The dress was stunning.But it was more of Rose preference than mine.It was a litte tight for me. Rose was tall and had a killer model like figure. And then there was me I was short and had curves.The dress attached to me like a second skin. Half of my breast were showing, much to my dismay because of the deep neckline.I felt a little uncomfortable.I shake the thoughts and smoothed the fine lines of the dress.I retouched my makeup and Bridget did my hair. Mom handed me a bouquet of rose.They were sobbing silently. I was just numb not knowing how things took such a drastic turn.One minute I was headed to the brides room to help her and the other I stood in fr
Eye contact, how souls catch fire.~YAHIA LABABIDIThe car halted in front of the church. I was so busy in my thoughts that I didn't even realize how fast we reached, I gazed at the church through the window it was a small but beautiful.This is the place from where everything will change the moment I step inside.I will step inside as an immature normal teenager girl, But will walk out with a new identity and purpose. I will be a women, and most of all wife of a mafia leader.Everything is going to change forever I wouldn't be able to back down now.Am I ready?Am I willing to sacrifice my happiness, freedom and family for an agreement?Yes! Definitely yes, I'll do it for my family. I'm not brave as Rose, I cannot run away and not think about my family.I would be worried sick, It would be impossible to move on, I would always have guilt eating me up.I may be strong but this is something I can't bear. Family over everything I believe.Everett opened his side of the door and stepped o
"Trouble usually finds me"~UNKNOWN"There is one more thing left." Antonio's voice made us stop staring each other."What is it now?" Dad asked a bit irritated. "She has to sign an agreement.." Antonio started."What??? Another agreement? Antonio I think we already passed the agreement stage! I'm not going to let my sister sign some pathetic agreement like me." Everett snarled."You have no say in this!! She's our property now." Antonio said sharply."Now where was I... You have to sign an Agreement." Antonio pointed me.A bodyguard came from somewhere with a brief case in hand. He opened it and gave some papers to Antonio, then bowed respectfully. Antonio dismissed him with a slight wave.Antonio studied the papers, after a moment he nodded approvingly."Here" he handed me the papers, I took them gently. Another guard stepped forward and retrieved a pen from his breast pocket he gave it to antonio who passed it to me.
"Murder is like potato chips, you can't stop with just one"~ STEPHEN KINGI felt someone shake me lightly waking me up from my dreamless slumber. I opened my eyes, Ella was smiling at me."Ma'am we have reached our destination." It took me a while to remember where I was and what destination she is talking about.Oh yeah I'm married and in italy now. I gazed infront of me to look for my husband who was no where to be seen.Ella must have noticed it "sir is waiting for you outside." I nodded and stood up slowly, a blanket fell from my lap on the floor. I'm sure I slept without any blanket, it must be Ella who covered me."Thank you" I smiled at her only to receive a confused look but she smiled back nonetheless.I walked outside. The warm October air hit my face, The sun was hiding behind some clouds giving a beautiful orange red colour scenery.Outside there were 20 cars with 4 guards standing with each car. Angelo was standing with A
"It may not be home but it is an adventure."~UNKNOWNAntonio opened my door and held his hand out for me, when did he came here so fast? I gently grabbed his awaiting hand and moved out of the SUV.I started walking behind him. We climbed 3 small steps and came in front of the beautiful front door, I could tell it was made of expensive wood, it had round circle shaped handles on each of the two doors to knock with, it was royal type.Before Antonio could ring the bell. The doors were opened by someone, it was like they opened by themselves because there was no one in sight to greet us.Antonio tugged my hand gently and I continued to go inside with him. We entered through the door, I looked around and saw that there was actually an old lady standing besides the door with her hands folded in front of her.She must be the one who opened the doors, she wore a neat maids dress with her greying hairs in a tight bun. She was old but had a kind aura aro