"HEALTHY RIVALRY, BUT RIVALRY, NONETHELESS. Both were always competitive, and though Scarlat has no idea that besides owning Liverpool, Rufus also owns Newcastle Eagles, and Belfast Giants under his Italian alias, that was his way of competing with his friend."
"That much makes sense. Papa was indeed competitive, so was mama. And they passed down that gene to me and my twins. But I also know that he's always been a sore loser, who always tries to get up and win at all costs. That's why I asked if they hadn't fought. If Nicolae was supposed to be papa's best friend, why didn't he trust him with mama's identity and us? I never had friends besides my family, so I don't know for sure, but aren't you supposed to be true and loyal to someone who is called your best friend?"
Kingsley and Millie shared a puzzled look, "You are right," he said after a while. "But my brother never did things by the book, Chiara. You probably know that, since you know how your father was. He always cared for Nicolae and his family, and took him as brother, and that fox did the same. Nevertheless, your mother and her family weren't just related to the Italian Mafia, niece, they were the Mafia. Your mother was the consigliere, to be the next head of the Di Matteo. The Scarlats would try to stop him from being with her, knowing the danger he would be constantly in, for marrying who he married, and thus his children would too. You would be exposed to the ways of the Mafia and would have your childhood taken away from you."
She clenched her jaw, hating to admit that that was exactly what happened to her. "Tine and Cosi had a good childhood."
Ah, child. Millie swallowed hard, "But you didn't, Chiara!"
That was part of my duty in the family as the oldest. And if my twins had the chance to enjoy their lives in a peaceful manner, without being exposed to anything, I was glad to give up on those foolish moments of a child and take over all the responsibilities that were thrown at me when I was born. I was to be mama's consiglieri when she was to take over as the family head, and for that I needed to be prepared from a young age. They did that for my best. If I became a sharp weapon, I would be able to protect my siblings, thus they would never need to dirty their hands if they had me. I do not expect them to understand, since they've never had to live in an environment as dangerous as the ones we lived in back in Sicily. And when you live in such a place, you must survive. "That doesn't matter, zia Millie. I'm fine with the childhood I had."
What the... "Don't you feel sick of all blood?" Kevin asked.
Chiara scoffed, "Blood is the most natural substance in all humanity, Kevin, there's nothing to be afraid or sick of. We are all made of blood, and that just what it is. Now, if you are asking me if I feel sick when I murder someone, no. I do not. I'm not a murdered who does it without a reason, who kills innocents just for the sake of killing them, cousin. We kill those who mess with us, who betray us, who backstab us, who do something to those we love, who get on our way, and who try to kill us. We have a code, alright?! Thus, there's nothing to be sick or scared of. Those who die by our hands, generally deserves it. Of course, there are cold-blooded murderers everywhere, psychopaths; but I'm not like that," if they do not put my loved ones in any kind of danger. I'll have no mercy for Taddeo.
She left them too stunned to speak.
"Now," she picked Nicolae's folder, "let me tell you what I got on papa's supposedly best friend." Which is still weird to me, since papa was always introverted and only cared about us and us only. It's annoying that he hid this from me.
Chiara finished her drink before starting with him, since she wasn't anxious or in a hurry, especially because her mood's sour.
She didn't bother to hide her annoyance with it, and they all noticed it. "Nicolae Gatten Scarlat. Chairman of the Scarlat group, born and raised in London. 47 years old. Godson of Luca and Keira, grew up with their daughter, whom he later fell in love with, dated, and married on a December. Since childhood was friends with Rufus Armstrong," papa, "even going to the same university, though in different degrees. Their contact got thinner as Rufus moved out of London and didn't invite him to his marriage or to be his children's Godfather." To that a grin took over her lips. "Graduated in Business and Management with honors, later on got his doctorate and master degree on Business and International Business Relations. Catholic and with traditional beliefs that were passed down from his parents, which he passed down to his five children. 1.90m, white, dark brown hair, big light brown eyes, a body just as broader and build as his father's.
"Isn't in direct contact with the Romanian Mafia, but has contact with it, and also knows his way throughout Mafia-like situations. Like his parents, loves attention and to be the center of attention, being an extrovert. Having an ENTP personality. Coming to the tradition of sports in his family, Nicolae is a Sheffield Steelers hockey fan, a Newcastle Eagles basketball fan. Not only a fan of Manchester United, but its current owner. Black belt in Taekwondo and said to be good at shooting," though I'm sure I'm better than he could ever dream on being. "From May 10th, he's of Taurus, with rising in Libra, and moon in Leo. Psychologically talking, Nicolae presents anxiety, apathy towards those weaker than him, somnambulism, sleep-talking, and a low level of dyslexia. His doctor also highlighted his arrogance and greed for power," it must be unpleasant to interact with him. But as papa had a personality similar to his, I can see why they were able to find a common ground. At least he didn't show narcissism like two of his sons. "Together with his wife and children, he lives in Mayfair, in a big and luxurious place, in which he raised his spoiled kids," with a big golden spoon stuck on their asses. But let's be professional here.
Still visibly annoyed, she threw the folder on Kevin's hands, before picking up Madalina's. Lessening up her annoyance by 1%.
"Madalina Kate Vasilache-Scarlat. Sole heir of the Vasilaches and madam of the Scarlat. 47 years old, born and raised in London. Goddaughter of Theodor and Natalia, grew up with Nicolae, later fell in love, married in December of the year they had turned 19. Childhood friends with Lady Lavender Smith, wife to Viscount Louis McIntyre, and the Godmother of the couple's two sons and a daughter that died when she was 19," which is very important for what I'll talk about their oldest stronzo of a son. "Graduated in Law with honors, and later also graduated from both Fashion and Gastronomy, with honors as well. Like her parents, Godparents, and husband, Madalina's catholic with traditional beliefs, which she passed down to her three sons and two daughters. 1.76m, white, black long wavy hair, light green eyes, and a curvy body," though she's more ass than boobs, "like that of her mom when she was younger.
"Both her parents taught her how to fight, and deal with complicated situations in a Mafia style, thus she's considerably more prepared than her husband is. Being considered skilled in shooting and dagger fighting, as well as a black belt in Taekwondo, Karate, and Judo," she's my type of girl, strong and far from being a damsel in distress, but with the beauty and grace of one. "Has an extroverted personality. Loud, imposing, and bossy, but powerful in her presence. Routine oriented, practical, and more rational than it meets the eye. With an ESTJ personality. In hockey, Madalina's Sheffield Steelers fan. In football, she's Manchester United fan. However, she's not only is a fan of the basketball club London Lions, as she is their owner. From July 14th, has Cancer as her sun, Capricorn as her rising, and Gemini as her moon. In a mental view, she has anxiety, OCD, and neuroticism. Living in Mayfair with Nicolae, and their five kids, she's said to be overprotective and an owl mother."
Millie giggled, "Why do I get the impression that compared to how you talked about the other five, you liked Madalina better?"
Was it so obvious? For the first time since they met her, she blushed softly, "I confess that I did, indeed, like her better than the other members of her family. In my eyes she's the one who I relate the most with, personality wise." She said in the most polite manner possible.
"And who did you liked the least?" Her uncle leaned closer.
Chiara tilted her head, "Nicolae, Damian, and Cornel."
Not good, they thought the same. But understandable.
I don't like Damian and Cornel either, Khloe said to herself, neither Nina. Florentina and Marin are the only ones to be saved out of the five of them. "And Nina?"
Her cousin giggled softly, "With all due respect, Khloe, but Nina looked just like you," and like Tine. "You have the same way with words and actions. Same zodiac, same age, same personality. Same aptitudes, same area of work, same romantic type. That kind of made me wonder if you have a complex with yourself, if you don't like her."
What? Khloe gasped, blushing hard. "I'm unique."