Emma
As my eyes flutter open, I am greeted by the sun's dazzling rays streaming through the two glass doors. These doors lead out onto a balcony ideally placed to face the rising sun, illuminating the multiple hills that rest beyond the locked doors.
Despite the beauty of the outside world, I feel trapped and confined within these walls. I long to step out onto the balcony to inhale the crisp night air, but last night, when I tried the doors, I discovered they were locked. I could have tried to use the pins in my hair to pick the lock and escape, but the risk posed by the men guarding the house made me hesitant and the man who holds my heart even more so.
As I lie here, I reminisce about the countries we have lived in over the years. The United Kingdom has always held a special place in my heart because of him, and I am grateful to be back. The cool English air is a welcome change from the hot and humid weather I have experienced elsewhere. The countryside here is unparalleled; even my home country, with its vineyards and scorching sun, cannot compare.
Suddenly, I am jerked out of my reverie as the door opens with a soft click and the whoosh of air. A maid appears, pushing a trolley laden with my bags and a tray of food. My father has finally sent over my belongings. However, I would rather avoid unpacking them. So I remain rooted to the spot, leaning against the wall and staring out into the vast gardens beyond the house. I can't help but wonder if I can trust this maid.
As I walk to the desk, the young maid brings me breakfast. She appears to be a few years younger than me, with brown hair and deep chocolatey eyes. I can tell she's full Italian, unlike me, who's a half-blood. Despite her understated beauty, I can't help but feel out of place with my blonde hair and blue eyes. My looks are a stark contrast to those around me, given my mafia family's dark heritage.
My father always thought his DNA was strong enough to overpower my mother's meek traits. But he was wrong, and I ended up inheriting my mother's looks, much to his annoyance. My sister, on the other hand, didn't disappoint in the looks department. I'm not ugly, but I don't look like the typical mafia princess who's supposed to take over the family empire; hence, I'm being married off to Luca or so I presume. Once my father's problem, now Luca's, as he's told me many times.
"Thank you," I whisper as the maid places the breakfast in front of me. I know she's heard me, but I speak softly nonetheless.
"The boss won't be able to join you for breakfast, but he has requested your presence at dinner tonight in the grand dining hall at 6 pm," the maid informs me. "Until then, you are free to explore the house. But please keep in mind that the basement is off-limits. Only the boss and his men are allowed to access it."
"Could you show me around? I don't know where the dining hall is," I ask, trying to assess her character. I would like to know if she's easily swayed and if she could be useful to me in the future.
"Of course," she replies, smiling briefly. "My name is Anna," she introduces herself, extending her hand towards me.
I decided that Anna was someone I could easily manipulate and befriend if necessary. "I'm Emma," I introduce myself, but I don't shake her hand. "Are you just a maid?"
"Yes, just a maid," she confirms, gesturing towards the breakfast she's prepared for me.
I grab an apple from the table before reaching for my pink suitcase, which is bursting with all my clothes. Despite the snag on the corner, I managed to unzip it and take out a few clothing items.
I quickly picked up the first dress that came to my hand. It was a skintight black dress that fit me like a glove, making me feel like a modern-day princess. The dress was simple yet elegant, covering my body in all the right places. It was the perfect attire for someone like me who wanted to portray sophistication in every aspect of her life.
I was no longer the same person that Luca knew in the past. I had transformed into a mafia princess, trained to be deadly. I had learned how to kill people with inanimate objects and was taught to withstand the worst torture known to man. All these skills were crucial to keeping the honour and privacy of my loved ones from the bad men, especially the secrets I had stored in my brain.
After leaving the girl in the room, I entered the bathroom to dress up. I used Luca's toothbrush and comb to clean myself and make myself presentable. As I swept my hair into a high ponytail, my curls bounced with each movement, giving me a glamorous look.
Anna was waiting for me where I had left her moments ago. She had a slight smile on her lips as she noted me ready for the day. Her eyes swept over my body as if approving the woman Luca would marry.
"This way, my lady," she said.
"Emma, please," I corrected her.
"Emma," she repeated my name.
Anna walked me around the house, showing me various rooms that she believed I needed to know about. On the ground floor, Luca's rooms took up the west of the house. His bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet occupied most of the wing. There was also a home office and a parlour along from his rooms, just before the grand sweeping staircase. To the east, there was the main kitchen, along with a few other offices and parlours that were mainly used for work-related activities instead of leisure.
As we ascend to the second floor, I notice that the hallway was dimly lit with fluorescent bulbs. Anna informs me that the second floor is where his men reside. We don't visit the rooms since they are of no importance. Each bedroom houses three or more of his men, and according to Anna, there are about eighty of them. They rotate three times a day, ensuring that everyone is well-rested and able to train as needed.
It's evident that Luca has built a trustworthy crew over the years. His father must have trusted him with some important jobs, which is why he has his own crew now.
Moving on to the third floor, we come across two offices and a massive gym. Half of the floor is a communal area with a television, pool table, darts board, and sofa, among other things. I presume this is where Luca's men relax in their downtime. It's impressive to see how Luca has turned this compound into a home for his men rather than just a place of work. I appreciate that as a man is never more protected than by those who love him.
As we sweep through the third floor, Anna brings me to one of the offices. Angelo sits at the desk, a grim look on his face as he follows the array of people on the monitors that line a whole wall. My eyes dart over the CCTV monitors as I note more than one hundred camera feeds are swapping and changing every few seconds.
I can't help but feel a sense of hopelessness, knowing that any chance of escape has been dashed. However, I'm not even sure if I want to escape.
"Ah, you're awake," Angelo notes without turning to us, obviously having been waiting and knowing my whereabouts since I left Luca's room.
"It seems I am," I nod quietly.
"I trust Anna has ensured your needs are met."
"Again, yes."
"Very good, get on with your tour," he points to the door, explicitly instructing us to leave.
As I stand there, I realize that I want to have a conversation with Angelo. I want to open up to him about my worries and discuss how we should proceed, but he insists that our conversation must remain private and away from prying ears with a sharp shake of his head. So, I follow Anna as she leads me towards the stairs.
Anna shows me around the sprawling gardens, pointing out the various features. We come across a beautiful pool, which is currently covered, and a hot tub nearby, which is on, the water bubbling below the cover as evidence. The house, nestled among the rolling hills, is adorned with arches made of roses and climbing vines, which serve to camouflage it even further.
As we walked, I noticed three of my people darted around the balconies watching me. Despite feeling safe in their presence, I know that their traitorous behaviour will not be pardoned when the knowledge comes full circle. I need to tread carefully and ensure their truth remains a secret as long as possible, as I never know when I will need their protection.
My people knew they were putting their lives on the line when they agreed to help me, yet they still did so without hesitation. But, with Luca's growing intelligence and ruthlessness, their loyalty might not be enough to keep them safe.
Anna led me to the grandly stocked library as we continued our tour. I spend the afternoon lost in the pages of a few first editions, my mind sweetly occupied as I flit between two stories I've read on many occasions. However, I can't shake the feeling of boredom and the sense that I'm merely a sitting duck.
My father has trained my sister and me tirelessly over the years to become the next Rossi women. But, I recently discovered that he never intended me to carry on the Rossi name. Instead, I am to take the Moretta name and help repair the fracture that has gaped open since we left London. It's a daunting task, but one that I am willing to undertake.
So I turn back to the books, intent on filling my mind with make-believe love stories that have happy ever afters, just as I hope Luca and I's story will be.