Have you ever heard of the mafia? How they would do horrible things and get away with it?.. Well, it happened a lot in Ceder Hill.
I heard stories about a girl named Sophie Gracewell. How her family was a total mess and out of this world crazy..And how Sophie lost more than she can bargain for. How she got tied up with the Falcone's and Marino's families.. How her dad wasn't innocent as he seemed. How her uncle lied and used her.. And how every waking moment, she'd only realize the fact that her mother was dead.
Ceder Hills was never a safe place. Not in the newspapers-- and definitely not in anyone's home..
I woke up to the sounds of grunts and yells, only running to see what the commotion was about. As I arrive, I see a angry looking Nic Falcone at my father's doorstep.
What was Nic Falcone.. doing at my house?
I call out to my dad "Dad! What the heck is going on?"
Making my way to him, while Nic looks to me with a smile "Hey, Bella." I look to him to see if he really meant to say hey to me. But I was the only girl in the room.
"Hey Nic.. What your doing here?" Nic's smile faded, as quickly as it came. "Valentino.. he's asking for you.."
Valentino..
The mafia boss. I hadn't talked to Valentino Falcone since his upgrade to ruling a crime lords den. What could he possibly want from me?
I pushed my dad aside, indicating that I'll only be a minute. And I closed the door behind me. Nic wasn't bothered by this. He knew better then anyone why I wouldn't let him into this house. Because if I did, hell would only follow.
"What about Valentino?" I questioned.
Nic sighed, as if there were better things he could be doing but he answered me anyway, "He wants to see you."
I glanced up at him and sighed. Valentino Falcone, wanted to see me. And I wished I could've sounded more surprise at this request. But sadly, I wasn't.
"You know I can't do that." Nic saddens but the voice behind him sounded strong and sure.
"Then I'll come to you."
And there he was. Valentino walking towards us. But to my surprise, he was walking. Actually walking.
"Val.." he smiles at the nickname. I haven't called him that in ages. As he walked more towards me, I take a step back.
"-Don't." pausing him in his tracks. "I won't make the same mistakes Sophie made. I won't do this.. Not with you." I glared and with that alone being said, I could feel my heart breaking and I knew he felt it too.
"I just want to talk."
"About what?!" I yelled "Your you and I'm me! What more can you possibly say?! This is your life now." he stares at me, still and wary of the damages. "It always has been.." I added.
Nic left us alone. I can tell he was probably trying to give us space but I wish he had stayed. I didn't want to give Valentino a second chance. I didn't want him in my life. But here he was. Trying to do just that, with those beautiful eyes of gorgeous blue.
"Bell, if you could just talk to me-- you could even yell at me. Anything is better then us not talking at all. I didn't mean to do this to us. What I did was logical. I had no means in hurting you." I could see he was desperate. He, himself showed up to talk me. But the fact that I didn't know who he was before all of this.. THAT lie was to great. How could I trust a murderer?
"You just don't get it, do you? It's not just the fact that you did this to us. You lied to me, Val. It's who you are that bothers me!-THAT scares me! And that you only saw me as a logic means, to get what you want!" if that didn't feel like a stab to the heart, then the look on his face was pure agony. But I wasn't going to lie. The Val, that I knew- is sweet and kind. He loved to draw the world in it's deepest and finest moments..
But, the Val I also knew was the king of well trained mafia, assassins. He gave out orders to kill and execute. He was loyal to his family of criminals and veiled with vengeance to whoever tested him. He was dangerous. And being in his life, I'd only be a fly caught in his web of pure, crimson blood.
I didn't want that life.
"Bell, I would never hurt you. You should know that." I stepped to him, furious "You may not. But they are others, who would jump at the chance to do so. If you have forgotten Val, your a fucking crime lord. Just cause you won't kill me, it doesn't mean your enemies won't. And you just being here, puts me and my father at risk. Just please, leave me alone."
I turn on my feet to open the door behind me but he stops me in my tracks "I love you." he says calmly. If only he knew how much I wanted to say those very same words back but instead I said..
"But you'll never love me enough to leave this life behind." it made me sad to say it and hear it but it was the truth and he had to hear it too.
"You'll always be, a Falcone. First and far most. And I'd be a fool to think you'd pick me over that loyalty.. I'm not an idiot." And I damn near knew, I wasn't going to be treated like one just because he said he 'loved me.'
And just like that, I opened my door and closed it in his face.
Is this where I cried? I wasn't sure if I made a mistake or not. This was all heart and logic to me. I loved Valentino but the logic of the story is that we couldn't be together. We just lived in two different worlds. I knew love to overcome many things but this was not something to overcome with love. This was an inferno and I had to play it smart or I'd get burned.
My father stares at me, as I walked into the kitchen. All he did was lean against the sink and wait. I could only assume he's been like that since I went out the front door to talk to Nic.
"Would you like to tell me why a goddamn FALCONE was on our front steps, Bella?" he questioned not only in a hushed tone but with anger "Dad, it seriously was nothing. Can we just drop it." I wanted to walk pass him but he blocked my way "I already told you, I didn't want you hanging around with those boys. They've already ruined one girl's life. I don't need them ruining yours." I rolled my eyes, only having my legs lead me to the kitchen table "Don't act like they are monsters. Don't forget I've known them all my life, Dad. Their father was your best friend."
He glared at me "Angelo is dead, Bella! He had chosen a different path then I. I chose to walk away when the timing was right. If he had only listened to me, his stupid ass would still be alive." Though his words came out harsh. I knew my father grieved Angelo's death as much as his five son's did. I got up and sighed "If you really want to know.. It was Valentino. He wanted to talk." he grimace at the mention of his name "Oh Bell.. I knew how much you guys meant to each oth-" I cut him off before he can go any further about me and Valentino's young love story.
"Don't dad. Anything would be better to talk about but that. Because seeing him, I hardly kept it together. If you finish whatever your gonna say.. I know I'll come undone."
He nods, agreeing that it was for the best. I know he wanted to make the pain go away. But, every time I felt this tight, hallow feeling in my chest. I just couldn't help feeling, if only mom was still here. If only I could talk to her..
Maybe then, the pain could've been shared. But she wasn't here. It was just me and my dad. And we were already grieving two deaths.
My mother. Loren Mulan Quavo..
And...
Angelo Falcone..
Both people that died.. Both people that was loved..