VI. The Plan.
. . . . .
Safe to say, after all the yelling and scolding I received from my father. I am now a changed woman. . .
I became a man. . . |
Smack.
"OW!" I yelped as I placed my phone down and turned my head at the person who hit me. "What was that for?!" I glared at Lorenzo, who now sat at the opposite side of the couch, facing me.
"That was for being caught!" He spat. "And this—" He reached for the pillow near him and threw it at my beautiful face. "—For not taking all of this seriously!"
Throwing the pillow back to him. I retorted with a shrug, "If it happened. It happened. There's no point looking back to the past."
He groaned in his sit. "The past you speak of just happened last night! Last night!!"
I averted my gaze. 'Well, yeah he has a point.' I only rolled my eyes at him and ignored all his drabbles.
"Sister! You know better than I what will happen to you now!"
I spared him a glance and closed my eyes. "I know, so shut up." The last thing I wanted after all that had someone like Lorenzo nag at me all day long about the consequences that will be placed on the Viviana's for hiding my existence.
Whatever.
"Sisteeeerrrrr!" Lorenzo whined which made me grimace and snap my eyes open. Glaring at him.
"One more word from you, I'll be kicking you out." I threatened. 'That seems to do the trick. . .' He behaved in his sit almost instantly, shutting his mouth.
I can only heave a heavy sigh, I understand why he's getting all riled up about this issue. "Lorenzo, I know that you're worried for me but there's nothing we can do that will alter everything back to how it was." I made sure that my tone was soft, he is already a grown man, but, in my eyes, he's still my baby brother. "If I were to escape now, who's to say that everyone in this manor will be safe?"
He just listened intently in his sit. Like a good student listening to his teacher's lectures.
"Whatever the Dimitri's punishment are, I will go with it, I will accept it wholeheartedly, as long as they won't harm my family." My voice lowered, it was full of certainty.
Though, I do not like the idea of backing down without a fight, but if my family will suffer because of my reckless decisions. Then, I'd rather go down all alone than have them go down with me.
Lorenzo rubbed his forehead in a circular motion. "Fine. You made up your mind." Sighing heavily as he relented.
I grinned. "Thanks, little brother." Even though I'm not convinced he'll drop this topic entirely.
He has always been quite the nagger ever since his infancy stage. Always so clingy and won't stop to nag on everyone when needed just to spite them.
I, myself, is a menace but my younger brother is a devil underneath that angelic disguise of his.
While my face looks fierce and always moody, his, looks so soft that no one will doubt him if ever the situation calls for it. One of the examples, if he ever murdered someone and he denies it.
Yeah. . . You get what I mean.
"I'll stop but you better stop trolling everyone on the internet as well!" And now, he's back with his nagging. "Even if you're using a fake name in Singapore, what will your followers think if they saw your threads! Lucrezia, sister, your reputation there is no joke! So stop trolling!"
My hands are now twitching to pick this guy up and throw him out. I stood up from my sit and made my way in front of him. "I warned you." An empty smile plastered on my face as I said those words.
At that, I dragged him by his collar as he yelled profanities, protesting and begged me to let him go.
I'll let him go alright. . . Outside.
After taking care of the problem. I slouched back on my couch and picked my phone up.
Like my younger brother said, I was under the fake name of Lucia back in Singapore just to fit in and hide my identity in hopes of living a comfortable life.
Not until I was forced to go back here in Italy.
Not technically forced, but I had orchestrated my return, driven by an undeniable pull toward the life I thought I had left behind. I abandoned my "normal" life. It's not because I don't like my life back then, but it was just not my cup of tea.
In Singapore, the vibrant streets and bustling markets held a charm that made me want to stay, but they lacked the depth and intrigue that came with my Italian heritage. The colorful chaos of the city was enticing, filled with the scents of street food and the sounds of laughter, yet it felt superficial.
I wanted thrill.
I needed the thrill.
But because of that desperation I found myself in this situation.
I can only sigh at the irony. I was given the thrill I so-long wanted and now I don't feel like I want it anymore. 'C'mon brain, make up your mind!' I wanted to yell at myself for confusing itself.
I don't know what to do now.
I'm so lost and the words of that bastard Dakari kept replaying in my head like a broken record. "What the fuck does he even mean he'll come for me." The more I pondered that nonsense, the more it sent a sharp pain through my head. "Tsk."
The very thrill I craved had morphed into something sinister because of that man.
Any moment now, I'll have to make my way to my father's office again. Whatever his plan is, I know I'll just have to go along with it. That's my purpose now, especially after messing up multiple times. This feels like my punishment for being the stubborn brat I've always been.
No more peace for me.
I accepted that fate by now.
. . . . .
Stepping inside the office, I greeted him with a simple, "Father." He remained engrossed in his paperwork, barely acknowledging my presence as he gestured for me to take a seat in the chair facing his desk.
I obliged.
Franklin Jaruis is right beside father, assisting him perhaps. It also seems like he'll be here as we speak about the matter. He only nodded in my direction, acknowledging my presence as he continued with his assigned work. Arranging things.
Moments of silence stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable. Finally, I broke the stillness, my voice low and soft. "Father, you called for me?"
His response was brief, almost curt. "Yes." It was a vague answer that offered little insight, and he quickly returned his attention to the papers sprawled across his desk.
Silence once again enveloped the room. I remained quiet, waiting for him to break the palpable awkwardness that hung heavily around us.
Father turned to Franklin, handing him a stack of envelopes with precise instructions to dispatch them to their intended recipients. The butler acknowledged the task with a nod, bidding us farewell before departing the room.
Now, Father's gaze settled on me, his expression etched with gravity. He spoke, "Lucrezia, it's time we introduced you to the public, to the other influential figures, to the mafias."
Surprise was evident on my face, unable to be concealed. 'I knew my existence would have to be acknowledged since my return. I had just assumed there would be more time.' With a sigh, I acquiesced, "I understand, alright."
Had events not unfolded as they did, perhaps I would have had more time to adjust, to prepare myself for this introduction to the world I had distanced myself from. Nevertheless, I had vowed to abide by whatever decision he made, even if it meant stepping into the spotlight sooner than I had anticipated.
"But why?" I asked, curiosity tinged with a hint of defiance. Although I already had an inkling of the reason, I wanted to hear it directly from him.
Sighing, he explained, "Dakari won't be able to reach you this way. Interactions are inevitable but he will be unable to reprimand you or hurt you in any way if you reclaim your position as the rightful heir."
That actually makes sense, but this would mean danger will loom over me now and not on Lorenzo. Just the thought of my younger brother feeling less burdened and won't be prone to danger anymore makes me somewhat happy.
Yet, uncertainty crept in.
Would he be okay with this? What if he wanted to take over my father's position?
The idea of him feeling overshadowed or resentful gnawed at me. I couldn't shake the worry that my return might disrupt the delicate balance we had managed to maintain.
As if reading my thoughts, my father started chuckling. "And don't worry about Lorenzo. He's fine about this, he did say he's just borrowing the position from you."
Raising a brow, "How would you know?" I can only look at him skeptically, who knows, maybe father was lying just to comfort me.
I don't plan on taking the hate I'll be receiving from Lorenzo if ever he was truly against it. Although, I'm quite puzzled how father seem to have gone through my head.
"How do I know, what?"
"My thoughts."
Father chuckled, "You look troubled, and it's written all over your face." That was his only answer.
I whispered a silent "Oh." Am I actually that easy to read?
I need time to think this through. I won't back out, no. This is meant to happen; it just needs to be done early than usual.
I tried to convince myself.
"You may go now, Lucrezia."
I only nodded and stood up; I did not bid him farewell as I am deep in my thoughts.
My heels clicked on the marbled floor as I sauntered through the halls. I did not pay attention to my surroundings. Too busy entertaining the possibilities I have in mind.
'Right, that was the right approach.' Referring to what father said earlier.
I reclaim my position as the heir of the Viviana's. Then, the Dimitri's will have no choice but to push their accusations of us being a double agent on the back. They will need to postpone their plans and investigations. Therefore, the attention needs to be focused on my appearance as the eldest daughter, the heir.
It's also inevitable if one or two of the vassals question my identity but I'm sure father is on it. There's also nothing to worry about since I am indeed their child. If paternity test is needed, then so be it.
The Viviana's have nothing to hide.
"Too much thinking makes my body hurt, not just my brain." I murmured, raising my right hand to gently massage the back of my neck, feeling the tension coiling there like a tightly wound spring. Each caress was a small attempt to alleviate the weight of my thoughts.
I need sleep.
I need to rest.
As I made my way toward my quarters, I glanced out the windows, momentarily captivated by the breathtaking scenery that unfolded before me. The soft hues of twilight painted the sky in shades of lavender and gold, casting a warm glow over the landscape. I inhaled deeply, allowing the crisp air to fill my lungs, hoping it would soothe my restless mind.
Those envelopes handed over to Franklin. . . I could only assume they were invitation letters.
A party will erupt in this house.
The idea of laughter and music echoing through the halls felt both exhilarating and overwhelming. It would be a gathering filled with the elite, their polished smiles hiding secrets and ambitions. I could almost hear the clinking of glasses and the rustle of elegant attire as guests mingled.
And on top of that. . .
He will be here.
A wave of frustration washed over me. 'Damned guy, can't he just not attend? He better not.' I don't want to see him, I don't want to hear anything from him. If I can revoke the invitation from their family, I would. However, I can't. Father personally wrote the letters and gave it much thought. It's also not best to be outright hostile towards their family. Rumors will circulate and it will be hard to contain.
Not that I care much. But, public image is important for father.
I don't want to do anything with him.
Not him, not the Dimitri's, no one.
With a surge of frustration, I pushed my door wide open and stomped inside, slamming it shut behind me.
The sound echoed in the silence of my room. I slumped down onto my bed, the cool sheets a welcome relief against my heated skin.
As I closed my eyes, the world outside faded into a blur. I took a deep breath, letting the weight of the day slip away, if only for a moment. My mind began to quiet, and I felt myself slowly drifting off to sleep.
Yet, even in that fragile state of rest, whispers crept into my consciousness- soft and insistent.
"Till we meet again."