Chapter 1.
C H A P T E R | O N E.
I woke up to the birds chirping loudly, the sun started to shine through my window. It was beautiful, I loved the early hours of the morning. It was around five am, and I decided to get up and do my daily jog. I lived alone in Italy. I moved from New York to Italy, maybe twelve years ago, I'm now nineteen. Yes, I moved when I was seven, under the protection of my parents. Apparently there was some bad business that was going on, not that I cared.
I got up, washed my face and did what I needed to do. I was going back to New York today, and the jog would really help shake off the nerves. I don't know why I was so nervous.
My phone began to ring, I checked the caller ID and picked it up.
"Hello?" I muttered, waiting for a response.
"What time is your flight?" Her dead voice seeped through my ears, making me wince.
"It's whenever it is. What's it to you? I'll be there when I am. Don't wait up for me." I said, wanting to cut the phone.
"Don't forget who you're talking to Romano. I will send some men to pick you up from the airport when you land." She said venomously, making my blood boil.
"No. Bring any of your men and I will kill all of them there and then. I'm not a child anymore." I snarled, ending the call. "Fucking bitch." I muttered to myself. I pulled on a sweatshirt and basket ball shorts, and got my headphones, phone and a bottle of water and headed out. I live in Palermo, Sicily. As I stepped out and inhaled the fresh air, the sweet aroma of coffees, pastries and bread filled my nose. I put my headphones on, and listened to Blue Lights by Jorja Smith.
I hummed to the tune, starting my jog. I jogged for about forty five minutes, and made my route back home. My flight was at one, but obviously I had to be there earlier.
When I was back home, I stripped off my clothes and showered quickly. I changed into an Emporio Armani tracksuit in black. I started to pack a few clothing pieces, underwear and all of that stuff. I was definitely coming back to Italy, hence I would not take everything.
"Good morning ma'am. Do you want your usual breakfast?" The house maiden, Giorgia asked, smiling.
"Yeah, make yourself something too G. Make my coffee extra strong today, as you know I'm going back to that shithole." I muttered angrily. "Look after the house, and do not let anyone inside that yourself or I don't know. You know where the stuff is if something happens right?" I asked as she gave a curt nod. Giorgia had been working for me since I moved, so for twelve years she has been there for me.
"I'll miss you ma'am." She said, smiling sadly.
"Call me Valencia, G. I always tell you that." I snapped. "Comunque, sto tornado." (Anyways, I'm coming back). She nodded unconvincingly, making me chuckle.
I had finished packing, and it was around seven, so I decided to quickly go to the mall and get a new pair of shoes.
"G I'm going to the mall, vuoi qualcosa?" (Do you want anything?) I asked, standing in front of the door with my keys to my G Wagon in hand.
"No, go ahead, thank you." She yelled back as I nodded, though she couldn't see me.
I headed out and got into my car, heading towards the mall. After a half an hour drive, I reached the mall and parked my car in a close spot.
My eyes scanned for the shop I was looking for. I finally found a store that sells not Italian shoes. I picked up a pair of Jordan 6 retros in black. I felt the cashiers eyes on me, he was cute but I do not swing that way.
I grabbed some Italian chocolates too, my brother, Valentino loves them. By the time I was done, it was around nine o'clock.
I left the mall and headed back home.
I had to be at the airport at eleven. I reached home and quickly fetched my suitcase and ordered a taxi to Palermo airport.
The taxi came fairly quickly, and honked twice to indicate that it was there.
"G, I'm leaving now!" I yelled, she was cleaning upstairs I think. She rushed down the stairs and nearly tripped over her own feet, making me laugh. "Relax!" I mumbled through laughter as she swatted my shoulder. I pulled her in for a hug, "Call me everyday and tell me what's going on, okay? Stay safe, and don't have sex with your husband in my room!" I said as she blushed a deep red.
"I wont. Stay safe Valencia." She said, her Italian accent becoming prominent. I left, and got into the cab as she waved.
"I'm gonna miss her." I mumbled to myself. The cab took off, and we headed towards the airport, which was around an hour away from my house.
We reached the airport, and I tipped the man accordingly. I headed inside and there was an hours delay of the flight. Soon, the hour passed quickly, and I boarded the plane. The flight was around nine to ten hours, which was okay because I would just sleep through it. I sighed as I sat in my seat, the feeling of dread hitting me. I put my headphones in, and listened to Self Control by Frank Ocean. The flight attendant began to go through all the procedures and things as I started to zone out. Soon enough, we were off.
I walked it to the house as it wasn't too far, a twenty minute walk. As I reached up to the house I saw the bodyguards outside, the black SUV's, the guns.
"Fuck me, I'm not ready for this." I walked up to the iron gates, and pressed the buzzer.
"Who is it?" A gruff voice sounded as I blew hair out of my face.
"Open the gates." I said.
"Identify yourself or the men will shoot." I laughed at that.
"Valencia is home bitches." He let out a small gasp and opened up the gates immediately.
He smiled timidly. "Don't worry I wont tell." I said, winking. He let me past, taking my bags off me.
I walked into the house, voices coming from the living room. Sudden nostalgia hit me, the faint gingerbread smell, the loud atmosphere, the love. The house had changed since I was six, it was now all marble.
I walked into the living room, everyone was around the table playing Monopoly. I slowly creeped up on them, and sat between my siblings. They were so engrossed in the game, the didn't even notice me.
"Hey can I play too?" I voiced, and it went pin drop silent.
"VALENCIA!" Multiple screams were heard, then I got tackled into a bear hug left right and centre. I laughed and hugged them back.
"I can't believe you're back. Look at you, all grown up." My older brother Valentino said. He gave me a proper big hug, and I did damn well miss this feeling.
"I got you Italian chocolates." I whispered into his ear as her fist pumped the air. My eyes scanned the room as it landed on a little girl.
"Who's that?" I mumbled, nodding towards the girl. She looked about twelve.
"That is our sister, Valeria." He mumbled back, making my eyebrows rise. "Also, I have a six year old son." He said as I gasped.
"What the fuck? You never even told me?" I mocked hurt as he chuckled.
"Damien! Come here." He shouted as my cousins came to say hi and stuff. A little boy with ocean blue eyes and black hair popped up in front of me, with a cheesy smile.
"Hello, I am Damien. Nice to meet you." He had a bit of a lisp, which made me laugh.
"I'm Valencia kid." I ruffled his hair as he pouted and ran away. My 'sister' I didn't know about made her way towards me, shyly sticking her hand up, waving. I motioned for her to come over here.
"Hi, I know we've never met before, I'm Valeria. I know you are Valencia, sometimes Valentino and Vanya don't ever stop talking about you." She said, laughing. Vanya is my younger sister, she is sixteen I think.
"That's okay. How's mother treating you?" I asked as her smile sunk, but she put a front up and smiled wider.
"Great, but could be better I guess." I laughed and nodded. It suddenly went dead quiet, indication that the big shotters, my parents, were here. Yay.
"Hey mother, hi father." I said, ripping a petal off a red rose.
"Turn around when you speak to us." She snapped as I chuckled. I turned around anyway, not wanting to get into trouble my first hour back. My mother, Viviana Romano still looked the same as the day she sent me to fucking Italy by myself. So did my father, they hadn't aged a tiny bit.
"You guys look well." I muttered. "How long am I staying for?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"For good." My father muttered as I let out a chilling laugh.
"I will not stay in this shithole place an hour more than I need to." I snarled, feeling the anger build up inside me.
"Everyone get out. Now." My mother sneered. They all left immediately, leaving me with them.
"You are to take over the family business now. You have no say in it. You don't you die, you do, you don't die. Make up your choice." My mother said as my soul left my body. I cackled hysterically.
"Me take over the business? Me take over the mafia? Are you fucking dumb?" I said in disbelief as she glared at me.
"Watch your mouth young lady. You do as I say. We wont have a repeat of last time you disobeyed me. Valentino has a family, it is too risky for him." She said as my father stood idle.
"Fuck you and your business." I snarled, walking up towards the door. I felt something fly towards my face, and just slightly graze it. I hissed at the pain when I touched it, it was bleeding too. She had chucked her knife at me.
"You are to start tomorrow. We will get the ceremony ready as soon as possible. Defy me, I'll kill you." She said, leaving. My father followed after her, like a dog on a leash. He sent me an apologetic look, but carried on anyways.
I sat back down on the chair, I saw a cabinet open with bottles peeking out.
"A bottle of Jack Daniels? Don't mind if I do." I mumbled, unscrewing the lid, and downing bottles till the sun rose. "Guess I'm a fucking mafia leader now. Cheers to that." I said to the air, the only person that listened to me.
interesting start. 😁