Past.
Adriana's POV
I felt the autumn breeze caress my face and I smiled, I continued running around my mum's chrysanthemum garden, I could hear dad's voice saying,
" be careful not fall Addy"
And I continued to run, I got to the gazebo and I rested there with my eyes closed, I could feel my heart beating wildly in my chest and then I heard dad's voice saying,
" caught you, Addy"
Ten years old me laughed. " papa you won again," I said laughing and he smiled, we sat down in the gazebo and he poured some orange juice into my glass,
" here get your strength back"
"Thank you papa" I took the glass and gulped it all.
Looking at my dad's left middle finger that has always held a golden signet with a red diamond, I asked the question that has always bugged my young mind
"Papa this ring, what is it for" he smiled and replied
" This ring is family"
"Family?" I asked and he nodded
"How?" I asked again and he replied
" This ring is only worn by the heirs of the De'Luca family, your great-grandpa wore it, so did your grandpa and me and you will too someday...."
"So I can't own De'Luca corp without it?" I asked interrupting whatever he wanted to say
"Correct Cara mia, very few people know of this ring and you are only a De'Luca heir by this ring" he replied with a smile and I nodded my head.
PRESENT.
I sat up on the bed and looked at the files and jewelry box I got from the safe, uncle Matteo left me to my thoughts some time ago.
Opening the jewelry box I saw my mom's necklace, I felt my eyes water, it is a silver necklace with a teardrop diamond, Mom always wore it around her neck.
I opened the lock and wore it around my neck, I blinked my tears back and went through the files, one was a big brown envelope that had written on it in block letters "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL ITALY ADDY" I teared up, it seems my dad was able to predict a lot of things, I left aside and checked the others, one was just a photo book and the other was a letter.
I checked for ant warnings, finding none I tore it open, I felt my eyes watering again, it was a handwritten letter by my dad, I blinked my eyes and read,
Dearest Addy
If you are reading this, then I'm no longer with you, it hurts me that I won't be able to see you marry and lead the family. I wish we could spend more time together.
I know you have a lot of questions, you are confused but don't because I might not be with you physically but I'm alive in your heart always, the necklace is what your mom wanted you to have when you go to college, right now you might be on a plane to Italy don't be scared and don't cry Addy, you'll be breaking my heart if you do, smile the way you always do.
Matteo will keep you safe, trust no one except him when you get home all your questions would be answered, I miss you Cara mia.
Love your papa.
And that was the straw that broke Carmel's back, I can't remember how long I cried but when I was done I felt strangely better.
I packed the files and jewelry box into my duffel bag, walking into the adjoined bathroom, washed my face, and walked out of the room.
I could hear a voice downstairs, so I followed the voices and it led me to the dining room, where Matteo and his friend were talking, seeing me they both stopped talking
"Are you okay Addy?" Uncle Matteo asked me and I nodded, sitting on the dining stool, I looked at them and asked,
"What's the plan?"
They looked at me and Jake answered "simple, you guys are going to Italy tonight" I nodded and uncle Matteo continued
"You are going to disguise yourself"
"How?" I asked
"Leave that to me baby" a voice replied from the doorway, I turned and saw it was one of the guys I met earlier
"A will get you looking like Beyonce in no time," uncle Matteo said and A placed a box on the table which I guess is his make up box and he opened it and I was correct,
"A when you are done take a picture of her face and send it to Mace he is waiting for it," Jake said while standing up, uncle Matteo stood up too
"Addy we need to get something's ready, tonight is the best time to leave the country" and I nodded, they walked away and I faced A
"What look do you want?" He asked me
"One that doesn't reveal my identity" I replied and murmured an "I got you"
One hour later.
A held a mirror to my face and I stared at the girl in the mirror, she wasn't me at all, I smiled but my hair might give me away, he fixed green contact lens for me and I love it
"A you are a god but is there anything you can do with my hair" he smiled
"Of course, I wouldn't be a god if I couldn't" he dipped his hand into his box and brought out hair spray,
"I'm dying it black" I smiled, I thought back to when I swore in uncle Blake's presence that I will never dye my hair, I guess he won't see this coming.
I felt the cold spray hit my hair and I smiled, I had this feeling that tonight was the only time I'll ever have to leave this country, I said a little prayer in my head
"God I've never prayed to you before but you've got to allow me to leave this country successfully"
I hope everything goes smoothly.