Bruno
It's evening by the time I reach my parent's home on the other side of the city.
Ignoring the feeling of unpleasantness in my body, I drive through ten-foot-high black ornate gates. When I pull up the drive, I don't immediately get out but gaze at my family's mansion which as always looks formidable yet elegant.
I gripped the wheel of my car tighter, wanting nothing more than to drive away from this place and never return. Why? Because this mansion makes me feel like there's something wrong with me.I spent eighteen years of my life here but it still doesn't feel anything like home.
I didn't understand it until I was older but growing up here was frankly miserable for me. Sure I was surrounded by riches but I had very little else.On top of that,I spent a large part of my childhood was spent following my father around, observing, learning, and eventually executing. I was a kid but I was a stone-cold machine. Empty.
That was until I moved away for college. Without my parent's presence, I found myself...thawing. It was during that time that Lina arrived in my life, my precious.The girl who showed me the light.
After basking in the warmth that radiated from her, I'd never wanted to go back to the darkness I used to live in. And so the old me repulsed me and so the place I was groomed to be that person repulsed me too. It felt like if I didn't get away from the place fast enough I'd be sucked back into that hell hole.
That's how I'm feeling now, along with a wave of poisonous anger at my family. I groan internally.
Maybe coming here was terrible idea.The last time I was here,during our family dinner and they'd informed me that they'd plotted against me, I hadn't been able to keep it together.I'd lost my cool and let some of the poisonous anger I'd always buried inside of me out.
I still hadn't forgiven any of them for their deceit so I was worried that I might do the same thing .I couldn't afford to have those feelings, especially now with Lina in my life. I'd ruin everything.
I close my eyes,wishing that I had any other choice than to walk into this regal nightmare. ry to reign those feelings in. My sister is more important than my feelings. Because, family is family, no matter how much they hurt you.
In the next second, I open the car door, step out, and stride towards the entrance with firmness in my step. I can hardly believe I'm doing this though. I didn't think I'd be back so soon. Things did not end well last time.
************************************************************************
3 weeks ago
Unlike today, I'd shot out of my car without any hesitation, walking quickly towards the front door. I needed answers so fucking bad.
Needless to say, the guards at the entrance let me in but not before levelling me with quick curious glances. Why? I didn't know but I could guess.
One, this home only saw me once in a blue moon. And two, I looked like a threat rather a family member.
My eyes were kind of bloodshot since I couldn't stop myself from having a potent drink on the way. I hadn't been able to numb the painful feeling of loss and confusion but self destructing still felt good. I spotted a five o'clock shadow to go with my loose black hair because I hadn't cared enough to shave since my...uh enlightenment. My aparrel, a black t-shirt, black jeans and black boots also didn't help matters .
Especially because it was time for my ridiculous family dinner.
I only remembered that stupid piece of information once I was inside the house. All at once I saw a dozen servants going to and fro making sure that the dinner time was going on without a hitch. I cursed in my head. Great, I was going to have to deal with this too.
Gritting my teeth I strode towards the banquet hall, ignoring the many servants who bowed their heads in respect when they encountered me. When I got to the entrance, I glared at security who hastily stepped aside to let me in without a word.
I went in and the fun began.
Hands in my pocket, I surveyed the merry scene without an ounce of warmth.
Attendance was mandatory so I wasn't surprised that everyone had made it. Well everybody except me. Unlike my mother, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, my father's rules don't apply to me anymore. Though the old man would beg to differ.
I couldn't help but admire the tasteful decorations in the huge room. I had to admit, for all her failings , Sienna had refined taste.
By this time, I had roughly fifty people staring at me with a mixture of surprise and fear. A deathly hush filled the room. Not surprised, I must've look like the devil incarnate. That or they are just surprised to see me.
Unaffected, I walked towards the only empty seat on the table, the sound of my shoes ominous due to the persisting silence. I finally took my seat. It was beside my father, next to my brother, and across my mother and sister. I did it like I own the place but I really felt like an intruder. I couldn't wait to get out of there. I didn't want to be anywhere near these people, but I had no choice because I have to get my answers to clear my confused mind. Answers only they could provide.
I near my seat and my brown eyes meet with my father's cold ones, which are a reflection of my own. I caught him eyeing my outfit and I smirked at him defiantly, letting him know that his rules don't meant fuck all to me. Why did he keep deluding himself that he had any power over me? I asked myself. Did he not understand that unlike the fuckers here, I was my own man? Whatever.
His mistake.
I finally took my seat and smiled broadly to everyone around me.
"Good evening, everyone."
Huge surprise-not one person responds, not even Giana and Leonardo. They sense that shit is about to go down.
I turned to Sienna, who looks like she's still reeling from the shock of my presence.
"I'm sorry, I'm late mother. Thank you for your invitation by the way," I say with another smile that doesn't reach my eyes. Sienna doesn't say anything, just places her glass of wine on the table. Her face then fixes on me, worry present in every inch. Somehow,she still manges to look beautiful with her small face,huge blue eyes and brown hair that is styed into an elegant bun.
My father recovers first.
"What is the meaning of this Bruno?" he asks, his tone unhappy.
I turn to look at him, an older version of me. Unfortunately.
His face as always looks stern and disapproving, a permanent frown plastered on it. God forbid that I look this when I'm his age.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Father, " I reply in a tone of complete innocence as a servant magically appears to pour me a glass of wine. I don't decline as It'll help me get through this dreadful family affair.
Donatello Rossini is wearing his usual poker face, not giving away a flicker of emotion. However, I can sense his inner confusion. Along with that of my mother, and siblings. I'm enjoying it very much.
My relatives are confused too but they don't matter. They're just a bunch of strangers to me. All that counts are the four people who are supposed to have my back at all times. Not hit me where it hurts most the first chance they get.
I decide to toy with them before I finally drop the bomb. Though heaven knows they deserve a lot more than this. So much more.
"I'm just here for the family dinner."
My father's eyes narrow at me, looking most displeased with my answer. I'm sure it's because I usually give him straight answers, not wanting to be in his company a moment longer than necessary. Now he was wondering why I was in it for the long haul.
" Why is everyone staring at me?" I asked, making eye contact with as many people as I could.
"Is it that I'm not allowed to have dinner with my own family? Mother assured me that I was still welcome, didn't you mother?" I ask, turning to Sienna for confirmation. She gives an absent nod, in a way that implies that she's following the conversation but is still in the dark about what's going on. I've rejected her invites too many times for her to know that I don't mean all this family bullshit.
Our relatives turn their gazes from me to my father, their leader, and his successor. I can guess that it's making my father less than pleased. Sure enough, when I turn to my Father, his expression is outraged and frustrated. For once, it looks like he's out of patience.
"Why don't you cut the bullshit already and say what you're really here to say, Bruno!"
"Okay, "I said before looking away from him to grab my glass of wine and take a sip.
I'm done. I want answers.
"Something interesting and important happened in Botswana, Father."
" Have you forgotten we don't discuss business at the table, Bruno," said my brother Leo, talking for the first time since I came.
I gave him my coldest smile before returning my attention to my Father.
"Oh, this isn't business Leo but I also wouldn't call it pleasure."
"Then spit it out already," Leo says with an edge in his voice. My usually calm little brother sounds impatient. How charming but unfortunately I am impatient too.
"Adelina Rivera," I say in a low voice. My Father and brother freeze in their seats. I hear my little sister gasp before she knocks her glass of juice on the table, making the brightly colored liquid spill onto her dress.
"Fuck," she exclaims as she tries to deal with her clumsy mistake with shaking hands
She automatically looks at mother, as if expecting a reprimand but mother doesn't say anything. Her gaze is fixed on me with a pale expression. I hold her stare with a burning intensity, waiting for her to give me a hint that I'm wrong. She doesn't.
"None of you said anything. Why!" I yell banging the table so hard with my hands that it shakes. Along with my Mom.
Mother opens her mouth as if to say something but nothing comes out.
Leo beats her to it.
"Your memory..."
"That's right, It came back. Though I believe I asked a question."
Leonardo doesn't answer me but instead regards me with a guilty expression which tells me all I need to know.
I turn to my father.
"You did this, didn't you?" I say, my voice laced with hatred and bitterness, I'd been holding in all my life.
He says nothing for a moment before speaking.
"Don't tell me you're making this scene for that insignificant girl from all those years ago, Bruno."
And I honestly thought I couldn't hate him anymore.
" Is that all you want to say to me right now?"
"Well, what else? Do you want an apology? An apology for protecting you and our family by making sure that you don't marry that gold digger of a girl."
" You didn't even know her!" I yell while facing him, becoming more enraged by the second.
"I didn't need to know her. Her family background alone told me all I needed to know," he said, calmly sipping his drink.
I clutched my glass hard enough to break it before loosening my grip and putting it down. What the fuck was I bothering trying to convince him that he was wrong? It was so stupid. He never listened to me about Lina when I was younger, he definitely wouldn't start now.
Lucky for me, this time I didn't need him to listen. The game had changed. He didn't hold the slightest bit of sway over me: I'd dedicated years of my life to my 'work' and it had paid off. I was a powerful man and needed no one's approval.
To prove my point, I stood up from my seat and took out my phone while striding towards the door.
Now that I'd gotten my answers, I had things to do.
"Where are you going, Bruno?" My father asked.
"Like I owe you a fucking explanation," I reply,not even bothering to look back at him.
With that, I walked out of that claustrophobic room to find the one person who's ever made me happy.
*************************************************************************************
Present
As soon as I enter the house, the first thing I notice is Chase briskly descending down the staircase, muttering things to himself. He doesn't even see me. When he's finally made it down he takes out his phone while coming my way, shaking his head in a way that told me that something was not as it should be in my bodyguard's world.
"Is there a problem Chase?" I ask.
He pauses a few steps from me and slowly lifts his head.
'Shit,' I see him mouth
I raise an eyebrow, kind of amused to see him so panicked.
"Excuse me," I say, smiling inwardly.
Little did I know that my smiles for today would end here...
Chase's only response is to blink in shock.
Alright,the charm was wearing off.
I needed my level headed guy back.
"Speak," I tell him in a voice that communicated that I didn't have much patience. I really didn't.All I wanted to do was to see my sister as soon as possible .
All Chase has to say to me is:
"I was about to call you sir."
Okay?
"About what?"
Chase opens his mouth but doesn't get to say anything as he is interrupted by the sounds of angry voices upstairs. My mother and Father's to be specific.
My eyes instinctively search upwards, wondering what the commotion was all about.
Without another thought, I climb the stairs to find out.
"Sir, wait. I..."
"Make it later, Chase," I tell him, my attention already on other things.
The angry voices get louder when I continue going up ,making me wonder what the hell was going on. When I get closer I start to hear the sound of a voice I didn't expect to hear speaking with such intensity. I make my way to the room where the voices are coming from.The door is open so I simply step inside.All at once I take in the black and pink decor.
My sister is so complicated.She's also standing in the middle of the room, alive and well.Getting yelled at by my father.
"...given you too much freedom.You're getting out of control,young lady"my Father tells her.
Giana's face tightens, clearly angry but she doesn't say anything.
Smart girl.
"Seriously," my mother begins,"how could you fake being sick.Do you know how worried your Father and I were?"
No. Fucking.Way.
"What!" I exclaim loudly for everyone to the turn their heads my way.
Any control I might've had vanishes as those three faces fix my way.
"Bruno, "mother and Giana say at the same time.
"What are you doing here?" Sienna asks.
"Visiting my sick sister, "I say, walking straight towards Gia.
Her face reveals her dilemma: wether to look happy that I was here or to look guilty that she once again decieved me.
"You've been faking," I declare soflty,more of a statement than a question.
Gia's face young, heart shaped face starts coloring in guilt and starts playing with her shoulder length brown hair nervously. Her light brown eyes start to glance at anything that isn't me.
"Gia!"
She startles before throwing her hands down.
"Okay, fine,"she says." I was faking."
I grit my teeth, thinking that I'd allowed a seventeen year old to make a fool out of me.
"Why?"
Her eyes start to look even more guilty and sad.
"I wanted you to come here," she tells me.
Unbelivable.
"You wouldn't answer my calls and I wanted, no needed, to explain,"she says intensely, leaving me close to loosing my cool.
"Explain what,Giana?How you,my own sister who I would do anything for, stabbed in the back the first chance you got!" I yell at her.
Tears start welling up in her eyes but I'm too pissed off with her to care. If she only knew what I left behind to be here.
" I-I..."she stammers.
"You what Gia!"I demand angrily.
"Enough Bruno,"my mother says, her voice raising. "You don't talk to your sister like that."
"Your mother is right,Bruno. It is enough," my father barks fiercely.
"Seriously, you two are just going to defend her?" I say, looking at my sister angrily.
"No one is defending her, Bruno. She made a mistake and she will get punished for it. However, you cannot yell at her like this. She's still a child,"my father says at length.
"And you heard her,"my mother chimes in,"she just wanted to talk to you.She didn't mean any harm by it."
"Well, I'm not ready to talk to you liars," I say angrily.
I haven't come close to forgiving them.
God, this family brought out the worst in me.That's why I usually stayed away. Why did I come here?
My Father leaves my mother's side to stand in front of me,trying to stare me down.
"I've heard enough of your disrespect Bruno. Firstly , you should know that your sister did not want to become apart of this,neither did your brother.I forced her to do this. Secondly, I did what was best for our family. Can't you see how badly this would've affected our family?That girl was never right for you." says father.
"That's not something you get to decide," I say through gritted teeth.
"I'm the head of this family."
"So fucking what! You don't get to make decisions about my life!"
"That is your Father you're talking to, Bruno!" Mother says.
"Is he really though?" I ask tonelessly.
The silence after I say this is deafening. You could here a pin drop.I wish a pin would.
I'm staring right into my Father's eyes and I don't like the things I'm seeing there. First there's nothing, then there is a sign of pain which is followed by a flicker of regret.It's hard form me to watch.
I'm saved as the deep voice of a familiar person resounds around the room.
"What's going on?"My brother Leonardo asks.
"Bruno,you're here,"he says surprised.I turn to look at him.
Another copy of Donatelllo Rossini,Leo is dark haired ,dark skinned,square jawed with a huge frame.
One of the reasons the Rossinis may be chosen to sire offspring un this world is because we have some pretty strong genes.
"Well, now I'm leaving," I say, quickly walking past Leo and going out the door.
"Bruno," Leo's says following me in the hallway.
His bulky frame eventually get's infront of me, blocking my way..
He's my brother so I allow it, shoving down my first instinct to pummel him. Usually, no one tried this shit with me and lived but my family were an exception. Despite everything, I just can't bring myself to hurt them.
Instead I feel an annoying yet irresistible urge to take care of them.
Most times anyway.
"Move out of the way," I tell him.
"Not till you tell me why you're here," comes his reply.
"To see our see sister, obviously."
His looks thoughtful for a while before he finally speaks.
"She just wanted to talk to you,"he says.
I sigh. Of course he knew about this. And he must've kept quiet about it to get me here. I'm not surprised as Gia could never get anything past the two of us.
Though I'm surprised that he went as far as to guilt trip me so that I came. He must be want to make things right badly.
Tant pis, I wasn't really in a forgiving mood .
"I have things to take care of,"I say through gritted teeth.
"What could possibly be more important than your family?" He asks in frustration.
I keep quiet as, like I said before,I'm not ready to share.Much less with this family.
"I gotta go," I tell him as I try to walk past him. I say try because he restrains me by holding my arm.
"You're going after her, aren't you?"he declares , moving to face me with an expression of a deep worry.
I firmly refuse to say anything
"Dad, won't like this,"he says with that deep sense of foreboding.
I have to resjst the urge to roll my eyes in disappointment.He's always been such a daddy's boy. It's a point of great sadness to me.
"Fuck that'" I tell him quietly.
With that, I remove his hand form my arm and walk past him.This time he let's me, sensing that I 'd explode if he touched me again.
I quickly descend the staircase, wishing that I'd never set foot here in the first place. I felt more angry with them than I did before. Now I have no other choice but to try to push this deep down inside of me when I'm with Lina.
Chase is still downstairs when I get down. He's looking at his phone but I don't doubt that he heard everything that was said upstairs. I'd be unhappy if I didn't intend to keep him around forever.
I stop infront of him and level him with a scathing expression.I don't say anything but instead let him stew.
He looks as if he wants the earth to open up and swallow him.This was a permanent stain on his perfect record.
"I'm sorry ,sir," he says, bowing his head in apology.
"You allowed an seventeen year old to trick you, Chase.
"I know Sir.It won't happen again," he assures me, head still bowed down.
"It better not,"I warn him scathingly.
Then I march past him to the entrance.I pause before I step out.
"And continue keeping an eye on things the business. I still have to take care something," I tell him.
"I understand, boss," comes his curt reply.
With that I walk out the door and make my way towards my Aston.I yank the door open and unceremoniously plop in the driver's seat. As soon as I grip the wheel, I feel all those toxic emotions rise to the surface of my mind. Longing, bitterness, anger, hurt and regret.
I grip the wheel tighter, intending to erase theses feelings ftom my mind.