Chapter 8: Broken promises

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"Serenity"

Pin drop silence followed the room, everyone knew it was something almost impossible, even the wives had shocked expressions. Don O'Sullivan didn't say anything either. The ice was broken when Igor let out an angry growl

"The fuck are you talking about Camilla! Are you high? You are lying!" he bellowed.

Camilla rolled her eyes " Oh please Igor, its 7 in the morning. And no I am not lying, I saw it with my own eyes."

"You must be fucking drunk then. Do you even fucking realize who you are blaming? Serenity would never do something as low as throwing herself on a man. "

"Why? Why can't she be blamed? Who is she? The Queen of England?"

"Camilla! Take back your words before I do something we both will regret!" Igor gritted.

"Don't forget I am older than you, little boy! You do not talk to me in that tone!" Camilla sneered back.

As Igor was about to give another retort, the Don cursed out enraged by their bickering.

"SILENCE!"

Igor and Camilla immediately ceased and bow back.

Serenity stood rooted from fear and hurt, she never thought Camilla would betray her like this. Now slowly it was making sense in her head, it was Camilla who had informed her that Killian had gone outside and that he had wore those silvery coat and diamond watch when in reality, Killian never attended the ball. It was meant to be a trap for her and she being an naïve lamb fall into it. Fear coursed over her being, as selfish as it sounds she didn't want to meet Irina's fate. It was her first time seeing her Athair disciplining someone with corporal punishment himself.

During her childhood all she witness was him firing codes and the guards dragging the person away behind the close door of the basement. She never knew what happened after that. Killian told her they made them do some hard work and she had believe him. After her banishment to the Island, everyone were so caring and supportive that she had completely forgotten about the code things and punishment. Now the codes had instilled a new fear on her, and if Athair was this merciless with his own blood then she dared not think what those people must have faced. Tears burned her eyes but she held them in. She didn't know how she was to defend herself and in that moment she prayed to whoever was sitting above to save her from, her Athair's wrath.

"What's going on here?" a familiarly unfamiliar voice sounded from the door as loud steps of the said person echoed through the silent hall.

Serenity didn't look up but she stilled when Mama Victoria let out a loud squeal "Killian!"

The man walking towards them wasn't someone Serenity would recognize if they walked past each other on some streets. A low gasp left her mouth. Her eyes budge out, she cannot believe who she was seeing. Killian...

There was no remaining traces of Killy in his features, he had completely evolved from the young man Serenity had left behind. His face was rugged with scars and marks and the apprehensive aura that vibes off him was unusually strange. Serenity noticed he had grown a big fat mustache like their Athair. He looked indeed muscular and much more stronger than the lanky boy she remembered 10 years ago.

Her mouth parted in shock and she couldn't sense anything that was happening around, her gaze was solely fixed on him, What shocked her the most was his eyes, his plain brown eyes that had used to have summer gleam was frozen, an unbarring hole that seemed to have left of nothing, in practical words- dead. She saw his mouth move and he was conversing with someone. Even when his lips twitched up in a smirk, his eyes remained the same- dead.

A churning feeling gnawed at the pit of her stomach and Serenity felt like throwing up, her temples were sweating, palms clammy and she felt a shift in the air, it was as if the ground had rattled below her feet. A lump started forming at her throat and she realized a thing that completely tore her.

"Serenity! Are you okay?" Igor jerked her back

"Huh?" she looked at him lost in thoughts. Everyone's eyes were on her, they were watching her intensely.

"Do you have anything to say?" Conall stated sternly.

She looked around and looked down, shaking her head.

"Did you or did you not agree with what Camilla is accusing you of?" he asked again.

She looked at Killian again but he didn't bother looking her way and was concentrated on his phone while standing on the side with a bored expression on his face.

'' Killy, will you still be the same Killy I know even after many many years?''

Killian smiled but it didn't reach his eyes,'' Yes, except that I might grow a big fat mustache like Athair.''

Serenity shook her head,'' No, please promise you will never change. I don't want you to be like Athair, he doesn't come home, he ignores me and he doesn't love me. I don't want you to be like Athair''

Serenity shake her head, shrugging the wetness in her eyes. "No, I-I didn't know that it was Alessandro Vitali-"

"Oh you mean you were actually throwing yourself on someone else." Camilla butted in.

"No, that's not-"

" Come on Serenity. Drop your act and tell us who your actual target was last night.'' Charon spoke up for the first time this morning eventually siding with her daughter.

Tears sprung out of her eyes as she vehemently tried to express herself, the way they were accusing her makes her look like a cheap whore and Serenity knew if she takes Killian name, they would surely double mean it and charge her with more disgusting imputations. Camilla had that smug evil look on her face and the other wives mirrored her expression. And when Killian himself was nonchalant, she wasn't confident enough to take his name.

Don O'Sullivan had no expression but his clenched fist was telling a different tale as it lay hidden on his side from everybody's eyes. Igor was the only one standing by her side and barking back at all the allegations. Serenity didn't know how to speak up and silently cried in dread.

" Stop making up shits Camilla! at least let her speak the side of the story."

Igor turned to her gently "You don't have to be afraid. I believe you Seri but please tell us what happened. "

"Igor.. last night a-after the dinner, I was just going around and t-then I met Camilla, s-she told me-"

"What are you talking about? Stop lying! I never met you last night. You can ask anyone I was with my fiancée the whole time."

'N-no that's not true-'

"Camilla is right, she was with Eduard last night. They never left each other." Anushka added with a smirk.

Serenity shook her head "No please believe me."

"ENOUGH"

Serenity flinched at the sudden outburst, everyone turned to Killian who now had a frustrated look on his face.

He took heavy steps and stood right in front of Serenity. Grabbing her arms he pulled her out of the line and made her stand in the middle of the hall, right at the place where Irina was, a few moments ago. Serenity could almost feel her heart at her throat, she glanced at him fearfully.

"Did. you. touch. Alessandro Vitali. last. night? Did. you. offend. him. even. after. knowing. he doesn't. like. being. touch?" Killian enunciated each word as if he was speaking to a child.

" I-I was actually-"

"YES OR NO?'' Killian barked at her face, making her jump in fear.

"Y-yes" she mumbled quietly.

Before anyone could react, a harsh blow landed on her face. Serenity yelped, falling onto the ground from the impact. Her cheek stung badly where it has been slapped and she tasted blood at the side of her mouth. Her heart dropped. Sobs racked through her whole body, whimpers escaping her lips as she cried.

"Seri!" Igor yelled, rushing to her.

Don O'Sullivan was shocked, he nearly ran to her side but composed himself. Clenching his jaws, he shut his eyes tightly and when he opened, all traces of concern and uneasiness were gone.

"I figured.." Killian crounched down to her level and roughly brushed away her hair that was cascading down the side of her neck, revealing pale bruise of tight fingers on her flesh "... from this."

" Get your hands off her, Igor. She needs to be punished." Killian said, taking a whip from one of the soldiers standing nearby.

"Have you lost it? Killian! Serenity would never do such things, it must be a mistake, For God's sake, How can you even think of her in that way?" Igor yelled at him.

"In the mafia, you don't see justifications, you don't see explanation, you do not see anyone's side. A mistake is a mistake and for that one needs to be punished to learn from it. An offence against one of our ally can create disrespect and disgrace for us in the eyes of the others. And the Vitalis aren't even our ally's yet. I do not care what she has to say in this matter but the deed has been done and she will be punished, just like Irina."

" Asshole! You dare not lay a fucking finger on her! You moron! You are fucking sick and out of your fucking mind-" with a flick of his fingers, the soldiers yanked Igor away from the scene. His fuming yells and loud swears were unheard by any of the members present there. Even if they want to help out, they couldn't. The Underboss had an authority above them which can only be nulled by the Don himself. Watching the boss censored his unsaid words. They could only sighed in despair.

The girl on the floor had not utter a plea neither a word since the strike on her face. It appeared as though her reasonings and rationality were blown away. The usual curious amethyst eyes were fixed on something too far for someone to discover, in an endless pool, recollection endowed with beautiful reminiscence of promises that had been broken unaware to her foolish self.

'I promise you, I will never change, I will always come home, never ignore you and always take care of you. '

Killian waged the whip, letting out its reins. The brassy sound echoed through the silent hall as its end connect with the pristine floor whenever he flogged it. His eyes showed no sentiment, no vehemence just a flicker of cruel sadistic glint. With a loud grunt, he lifted the whip, flinging its sharp end behind his back to bring more intensity and force when let down. Serenity clenched her eyes shut and tightly fisted the her hands on her loose jeans, waiting for the impact. Seconds passed...

A sudden commotion unleased as gasp and murmurs jammed up, she silently peaked through her eyelashes to meet the startled eyes of Killian who was glaring at the person that had grabbed hold of the whip before it could rain down on her.

A calloused hand came into the view followed by sleeves of leatherjacket before it revealed someone, Serenity would've never thought of seeing again.

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"PAPY FOSTELLO!"

Someone shouted from the small crowd. Everyone was confused as why would he be here. Papy Fostello was one prominent members in the O'Sullivan family. He was bestfriend with the ex Boss i.e, the father of Conall O'Sullivan, Keelan O'Sullivan and what more was that he was the father of Ceres, Serenity's late mother which makes him, her dear old grandfather.

Papy Fostello, although at his early 80's was very young in mind. He recently got married with his 38th wife after divorcing his 36th while the 37th is still in the process of official legal divorce documentation. He was someone who constantly needs to be reminded of his age and someone you would often find hiking along the Cuilcagh Legnabrocky trail (stairway to heaven). His innumerable sons and daughters frequently worried if he would actually join the real stairway to heaven without leaving a will in their favor. Thats Papy Fostello for you.

" Cad a cheapaan tu ata a dheanamh agat? " Papy Fostello chuckled humorlessly.

( What do you think you are doing?" )

Killian immediately drop his hand, stepping a side before daring to look into his old wrinkled eyes "Tá brón orm a dhuine uasail. Ach creidim go bhfuil sé is fearr mura gcuireann tú isteach orainn. Tá cion déanta ag an gcailín seo agus is fiú í a phionósú."

( I apologized Sir, but I believe its best if you don't interrupt us. This girl has committed an offense and she deserves to be punished. )

" Well then, I believe Boris, you have been mistaken. You do not have the right to punish Serenity. Didn't your father told you about my darling gran daughter's state?"

Killian frowned in confusion before looking back at his Don O'Sullivan who seemed to be in a trance. " I am Killian not Boris, Sir. And no, I do not understand what you are talking about."

Papy Fostello held his hunched back and glared at the Don angrily "What the fuck is this all about? Conall! You fucking whiny ass! Come here!"

Everyone gasped at him, although they were aware of the lack of filter in the old man's mouth, they never thought he would reprimand the Great Don by calling him a whiny ass.

Conall gulped before rushing to his side ' Yes, Dia Athair." (God father)

" How dare you allow your impudent son to hit my grand daughter? You sick fucking big butt! DO YOU WANT ME TO WHOOP YOUR ASS RED!?!" Papy Fostello yelled, bringing out his walking stick.

Serenity stared at the scene, wide eyed. She never knew how her Papy scared her Athair. It was almost humorous if it wasn't for the situation she was in. Being Conall's personal trainer and Godfather back in the days, Papy Fostello had his terrifying vexation even at his current age.

Conall looked lost for words and didn't meet anyone's eyes, apologizing profusely at Papy.

"Listen you big fat fools!" Papy Fostelloo roared before softening his eyes at the little girl on the floor "Of course except Serenity, my precious . If I see anyone lifting their hands on my grand daughter, be it man or woman, no matter what position you have here. I will still whoop your asses and cut off your noses till you resembled Voldemort. You do not have any right when it comes to Serenity. Her mother had given her under the protection of three clans at her birth. The O'Sullivans don't get to decide alone. AM I CLEAR?''

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Serenity let out a small winch when Natalie press the cool pad on her bruise that was prominently marked from the slap earlier. She was too shocked from the turn of events, if it wasn't for Papy Fostello then, she shuddered to imagine what would have become of her. Now, she was currently perched on her bed with Natalie Anderson Fostello, her new grandma, assisting her on the request of her Papy.

'' Do you need anything else?" Natalie asked, putting back cool pad on the tray.

"No, thank you...uhmm..G-Grand maman." Serenity replied sheepishly.

Natalie turned red at her reply. It was awkward and embarrassing considering she is a 26 year old rising model. She turned and walked away after a quick nod.

Serenity sighed, getting off the bed and walking to her glass sliding French door that led to a small Juliet balcony. It was too much to take in. She was terrified, yes but more than that she was heart broken. Killian had indeed change. He broke his promise. There is no sign of the over protective, charming brother who would kill and get killed for her in the present Killian.

'I promise you, I will never change, I will always come home, never ignore you and always take care of you. '

Serenity gasped, her chest was hurting. She rubbed her fingers over the spot again and again. The contracting spasm was clenching her inner muscles, tightening and choking her throat and her lungs couldn't breath in. She felt like she was drowning in a dark black current, she forced her limbs to move but it was frozen as if they were detached from her living senses. The blue sky blurred in her vision, something wet was clouding it. Her face drenched in tears. A silent scream escaped her mouth as she crouched down, clutching her heart that was hurling too fast against her rib cage.

"Serenity! Oh Gosh! What are you doing there? Oh my God! Are you having a heart attack? but Aren't you too young for that? Igor! Serenity is swimming on the floor!"

Rush footsteps resonated through the room and Serenity could feel arms lifting her up. Through her blurred vision, she saw Igor and Anushka calling to her.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY MAMA, SHE IS HAVING A FUCKING PANIC ATTACK!'' Igor yelled as he ran with her in his arms, to the west wing clinic which was four doors away from her room.

'' What's with the commotion?" Victoria appeared after hearing the ruckus.

Anushka shrugged, biting her nails, " Igor said Serenity is having a 'fucking panic attack.' Hey, Do you think it can kill her? This fucking panic attack thing? I saw her swimming on the floor like a fish out of water."

Victoria sighed before giving an overly sweet smile " I wish it could." then, she turned, walking away, muttering a ' dumb bitch' under her breath.

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"Prepare the car. We are leaving for the Crystal mansion at 4.30 sharp. I had advanced our meeting which was actually scheduled for tomorrow. Don O'Sullivan has been notified and he had generously invited us to join them for dinner." Alessandro spoke over the phone as he cuff his cufflinks and tightened his blazer while checking himself at the mirror.

"Yes, Sir. Anything else you will like to add?"

"Not at the moment Jimmy. How did it go with Alicia at the airport?"

He heard Jimmy gulped before he replied in his monotonous voice " Ms Vitali wasn't the easiest to deal with but we had managed to sit her in the jet minutes before it take off. She did warned us that she will be back and she won't spared any of us and that she will dig each of ours grave herself and drown us in holy water before throwing us into the fire pit with- with- ahmmm"

"With?" Alessandro pressed, slightly amused

"W-with you S-Sir leading the front." Jimmy's voice wavered at the end and Alessandro could detect the slightest amount of fear in it.

He rolled his head over his neck " Don't worry. She is obsessed with Dramas. Just instruct the others and the consiglieres about the change of plans. Inform the capo of the Romero clan to be there if he can."

'Yes Sir.'

"And yes, get me a pot of Red Salvia."

"Red Salvia, you say Sir?"

Alessandro hummed in reply before cutting off the call.

Alessandro checked the time, it was slightly over 4. He walked out of the closet and sauntered towards the Canvas where he had painted last night. Carefully, lifting off the white sheet that had covered his majestic piece from anyone's eyes, he analyze his art. It was exactly what he had remembered last night, the curious innocent beauty who hadn't paid heed to his warning. After coming back home, he feared he will forget the image that had settled in his mind. He, Alessandro, who was always sure of himself and take pride in his decisions was made to question himself just by an unaware passing damsel. He had jolted down that image his eyes had captured when she looked over her shoulder, immediately. After such a long time, he had witness someone to look as close as her , not at the physical features but the aura and the innocence that captivated him. She reminded him of her, his first love. And he was not ready to let go of her now.

It was just the beginning.....

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(Red Salvia for dumb bitches out there)

I Like day dreaming a lot, I love imagining scenarios and building castles in the air. When I was a kid, mom used to whoop my ass a lot for that but now she is actually thankful for it.

Guess what happened?

So, after my grand dad was discharged, he is too old and tired to do anything so he just bask in the sun the whole day (its pretty chilly here). I often went to visit and spend my time with him. A lot of my cousins too, sometimes dropped by. But none of them had these amazing super power to sit beside him for 4 consecutive hours and do nothing at all. They will sit with him for 10 minutes and they would be dying from dehydration by then. But I on the other hand, can sit with him the entire day and not get tired at all. So, my mum put me in this task so as to give Granddad some company.

And when she ask what my secret is?

I obviously answered it was daydreaming.

And I heard her mutter 'Thank God' under her breath. LMAO.

I thought that I might get some sexy tan by now but then, I looked at myself in the mirror and realized I looked like a burnt roasted chicken.

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