The house felt strange after the meeting I had with my father.
Not louder. Not crueler. Just heavier. As if the walls already knew my fate and are waiting for me
to accept them.
I walked without thinking. My body hurts all over and it's sore from all the injuries I inflicted on
myself. I hurt myself anytime I'm thinking about Lorenzo's lifeless body, I can't be unhurt while
he'll be hurting for eternity.
I made it to my room and shut the door to my room and it echoed.
I sighed "this house is so empty.
"
I didn't sit on the bed. I sat on the floor, resting my back on the bed.
I brought my knees closer to my chest, sitting like a child that wants to be invisible from the
world.
Seems like all I do is think about Lorenzo and it feels like he's still with me.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, that's just how Lorenzo knocks on my
door even when he knew I was awake.
Twice.
"Lorenzo?" I whispered his name. I hoped it was Lorenzo, I hoped it was my little brother.
A knock again "Miss Rossi?" oh. A servant.
I left out a sigh of disappointment and told her to come it. She was holding a rectangular fancy
box, it's been years I've been given something.
I looked at the package then to her and asked "What is it?"
"I don't know miss Rossi, I was told to bring it to you by Mrs. Rossi" the servant said. She wasn't
looking at me, they don't look at me anymore.
"Go" I told her. She didn't hesitate and left my room immediately and closed the door.
I didn't have the energy to see what's in the package so I just left it on the floor where the
servant left it then I climbed on my bed and dosed off.I opened my eyes, everywhere was sunny and I was at the garden, our garden. It seems so
colorful and vibrant. Is this real? I thought to myself.
"Bell!" that voice! Only Lorenzo calls me that
I looked at the direction of the voice. It was my little brother! My feet started to move on their
own towards him, I couldn't even control my tears.
I hugged my brother so tight. "I've missed you so much" I said to him, I didn't want to let go.
"I was just gone for few minutes" Lorenzo said and laughed at me.
I looked at his eyes searching if he was hurt but he wasn't.
Lorenzo furrowed his eyebrows "why are you crying? Did papa do something to you? Don't
worry Bell, when I grow up, I'll make him pay."
I smiled at him, the tears still rolling down my eyes "I had a bad dream, that's all" I can't believe
my little brother is here with me. I hugged him again. "Bell" he dragged my name "you're
hurting the rose I brought for you" he said and showed me the rose.
I smiled looking at my little brother, his bright hazel eyes just like mine, his black hair like mine
as well. Lorenzo looked like the male version of me.
I took the rose from him "Thank you, little one" I said to him and kissed his forehead.
"I'm not little anymore Bell" he said, as if he was throwing a tantrum.
I laughed at him. "let's go sit, I'm so tired.
" I told him. We sat on the bench in the garden.
"What was your dream about?" Lorenzo asked. I was about to tell him until it turned chilly all of
a sudden, it was sunny few seconds ago. I looked at the sky, the dark clouds forming "the
weather is off today" I said and looked at Lorenzo but he wasn't there.
Panic kicked in.
"Enzo!" I screamed his name over and over again but I didn't get a response so I stood up to
search for him.
"Enzo please" I said, tears building up in my eyes already. I walked deeper into the garden,
searching for my brother.
I started crying more and running, I couldn't find my brother "where are you Enzo?!" I screamed
on top of my lungs.
I stumbled on something while running so I fell. My vision was blurry because of the tears so I
wiped them off."No" my voice cracked, my heart breaking all over again seeing my brother's lifeless body. "I'm
sorry, I'm so so sorry. Please come back, don't leave me again" I cried in defeat.
I crawled to him and lay beside him. He was laying on the exact position of his grave and I lay
beside him, ready to take my last breath so I closed my eyes.
I opened my eyes as I gasped for air. I was in my room, it was dark and my mom was looking at
me with a worried look.
"Mamma" I called out for her, tears rolling down my eyes.
"I know, I know. You're alrigh.t" she said while rubbing my shoulder. It's as if she was scared
father will punish her if he found out she was showing affection towards me. Papa had always
treated me as an outcast.
"He's not here" I tried assuring Mamma that her husband wasn't here to punish her. I just
wanted her to hug me and tell me it's alright but Papa wanted me to suffer alone.
She didn't respond. "Your father wants you to accompany us to the ball" she said, totally
ignoring the fact that I just woke up from a nightmare.
"Ball?" I asked her.
"The ball that takes place once a year and all mafia family must be present." she replied.
"Oh, That one." I said with no hint of excitement.
"We leave in thirty minutes. Get dressed" she said, heading for the door. She paused before
opening the door and said "And please, put on some makeup and cover your bruises." and she
left.
I was done taking my bath and was about to get dressed and do my makeup
I looked at the time "I have nineteen minutes left, I can't afford to keep papa waiting"
I quickly put on makeup, covered my bruises and put a shiny red lipstick.
I wore the dress and looked at my self at the mirror, I couldn't even recognize myself.
It's been ages I looked good.
The dress was a black long dress with a long split at the front.
It's embedded in silver.
It showed a lot of skin which I was uncomfortable with but I had no choice.
The dress fitted me so perfectly, like it was made for me, it hugged my curves.I wore a Christian Louboutin shoes to match my outfit
I looked stunning.
I looked at myself in the mirror a little longer to practice my fake smile and laugh.
I walked out of my room to meet my parents in the sitting room, I descended the stairs slowly
not to fall, it's been long I wore heels.
Papa stood at the fire place and mamma just stood beside him, she looked so fragile as if she's
going to break.
They both turned to look at me as I got closer
Mamma looked and me and her face got softer, I swear, I saw a little smile on her face but it
faded instantly.
Papa just looked at me and said "Good, he'll definitely like this."
I looked at my mom and we locked eyes, and she gave me a little nod.
The door to the living room opened and it was Damian Volkov.
I looked at my mom, she looked as scared as well and I looked at my dad, he looked pleased.
"Papa?" I whispered, I didn't want Damian to hear me, God knows how scared I am of him.
"Shut up Isabella." my father said and walked towards Damian, the man that killed his son.
They exchanged greetings and father called for me, it took a lot in me to walk to the two men I
fear most in this world.
"Isabella, say hello to your fiancé" father said with a smile
I widened my eyes in horror "fiancé?!"