Chapter 13: Forever mine

"Your good heart and innocence will bring your downfall one day."

"If that is to be downfall, I will have the fallen angel pick me up and fly me back home. You told me yourself that my puppy eyes can persuade anyone." she grinned at him.

***

The night was unusually starry, It was like millions of tiny bulbs were lighted across the inky dark canvas of the sky. Serenity silently marveled in awe. The windy breeze brush past them and she shivered slightly. The nature seemed to be doing a good job in calming her down or else she would have been sweating bullets from her nerves. It would have been a romantic atmosphere if it wasn't for the guy she was with. Alessandro had let go of her hand once they reached out of the door. And now he was silently trailing behind her as if asking her to lead the way.

She could feel his gaze transfixed on her back. Serenity couldn't stop the heat from rising up her neck and she was thankful of the darkness for shielding her embarrassment.

Unknowingly her feet had carried her to the same place they had met for the first time.

The willow tree

Serenity abruptly stopped when she realized where they were.

Her heart pace picked up dreading the tense atmosphere. Willing herself to turn around, she slowly faced him. Her movements were delicate and petite just like her. She could feel his heated eyes on her every move. Her small hands fidgeted at the hem of her sleeve and she keep shifting her weight from side to side.

"Uhm..Hi" Serenity mentally facepalmed. Seriously? Hi? She must have lost her mind.

She didn't notice his eyes glimmering with amusement as he responded with a 'Hello, love"

" I-I uhm...H-How do you do?" By now, she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. Talk about embarrassment and she mastered it.

Alessandro seemed to be enjoying her awkwardness, "I am good." he replied.

"Well- you see- I-I just wanted to ask if- if" She paused and bite down on her lips nervously.

"If?" he pressed.

Serenity inhaled sharply and fisted her hands by her side as though to gain some courage. Her nails drew red crescent on the insides of her palm, she couldn't help but relished the pain it brought. It distracted her from her hammering heart that appear to be ready to pounce out of her chest.

"Why do you want me?" She blurted out the question that had been haunting for the entire time ever since he stake a claim on her. She looked into his eyes shyly and a low gasp escaped her mouth. His expression had hardened up and there was void of any emotion in those midnight blue orbs.

"I'm sorry- if I sounded rude. I-I am just confuse and s-scared. I-I don't know what is going to happen to me. I am just an ordinary girl. I-I will be of n-no use to you. Mama Anu said when mafioso takes a women as a 'keep', they marry her or make her their mistress. I don't want to marry you." Serenity gasped again loudly ,her eyes wide and horrified, she slapped her hands over her mouth. She wasn't sure if she had insulted him.

"No, no, no What I meant was that I am too young to get married or be a mistress. You are young too. Right? I mean I am turning sixteen next month and its illegal even if my parents consented, it will still be illegal until I reach eighteen .You may even go to jail for it. And- and it is also illegal to have me as your mistress. You will be taken as a Pedophile. You are getting me, right? Oh God! What am I saying? I am sorry but please leave me. I-I don't-"

Serenity froze when she felt a calloused hand cupping one side of her face, his thumb drew lazy circles on her fluffy cheek. He had successfully cut off her rambling. Serenity flushed red at the contact. How could someone infamous of ruthlessness do something so sweet without even knowing?

"Its actually cute that you cared a lot about the legal system when you are on the soil of a crime syndicate household, love. We wouldn't be a mafia if we were legal now, would we?" His husky voice penetrated through her whole self, leaving her cold and dreaded.

The mixed craze and amusement in his eyes told a different tale.

Serenity whimpered when she realized what he meant.

"Y-You are g-going to-my b-body-I- don't" She stumbled over her words, a look of trepidation and sheer nerves cross her face.

Alessandro's eyes softened infinitesimally. He leaned down till his eyes were on the same level as hers. Such a short little thing she was, her face held child-like innocence with her big doe amethyst eyes, small button nose, chubby cheeks and small pouty lips. She reminded him of a little bird, scared and confuse where to fly.

"You intrigued me, love" he smiled softly and pressed a kiss on her forehead. He could feel her go stiff and her breathing stopped at his contact. Once he pulled away, Alessandro decided the least he could do was giving her the assurance, she looked desperately needed.

"I may do a lot of bad things, things that are too gruesome and ruthless. I may be a murderer, a monster, a devil you say but I will never stoop as low as to sexually assault a female who is in the same gender as my mother and sister."

Her lips parted as she stared at him in wonder and...awe. She was adorable, too adorable for her own good. Alessandro wanted to hide her away in his arms forever where she rightfully belong.

It was only water that can tame the fire, only an angel that can tame the devil, only love that can tame the beast and only Serenity that can tame Alessandro.

***

Once dinner was over, Serenity had asked Alessandro for 5 minutes so she could see her brother Igor who was currently locked up in his chamber. She was assigned to leave with the Vitalis right after that. Her belongings were packed and ready in the bonnet of the car. It was cruel of their Athair that he did not even allow the siblings to sit for dinner together one last time but Conall was afraid Igor would do something reckless and worsened their situation.

Serenity balanced the tray in one hand and opened the lock on the door with her other hand. She knocked first out of politeness and entered his room.

A yelp of surprised escaped her mouth when she took in the condition of the room. Everything was...destroyed! Igor seemed to have taken out his frustrations and anger on the poor furniture and clueless glasses.

"Igor..." she whimpered when she saw his defeated body slumped down by the foot of the bed. Her heart broke for her dear brother. Tears pooled up in her eyes but she sniffed them up, she had to be strong.

she cleared her throat and forced herself to sound cheerful "Hey, Look what I brought! Its Iceberger! Come on Igor, Quick! lets finish it before it melts!"

She rushed to his side and place the tray in front of them.

"Igor! Come onnnn" She whined, tugging at his arm.

"Seri..." Igor raised his head, eyes red from anger and tears. He smiled bitterly, "I-I I'm sorry, I am such a horrible brother, I couldn't even protect you from your own family. you know what- " he cleared his throat and sat up straight, looking at her dead in the eyes "you should hate me, punch me Seri, hit me. Take out all your pains on me. Please."

Serenity's bottom lip jutted out and trembled as she look at his hurt expression, "Igor...please don't say that!" she sniffled, quickly cocooning herself in his arms, ''You are the best brother in the world. I would say I hate you but you will know it in a second that I am not the best liar. please don't go hard on yourself. Its not your fault! Who knows maybe- maybe this is happening for a reason. Alessandro Vitali promised that he would not hurt me and I-I trust him. And I think Igor that- that he just needs a friend... He said the reason he chose to keep me is because I intrigued him.

And you know I learned in third grade that its in human nature to want to make friends with people who fascinate us. Maybe he just doesn't know a good way to ask for it and maybe its because people misunderstood him" she muttered the last part to herself.

"This is the problem Seri!" Igor pulled away harshly and grabbed her shoulders "This is the problem! You are too kind, you shouldn't be. You try to see the good in everyone, fucking don't! Some people are just fucked up in the head. The man you were defending just now isn't humane in any way. He grew up to be a killing machine. He doesn't have a fucking heart. And friends? Are you out of your Goddamn mind? Alessandro don't do friends. He is a lone wolf! Words goes around the street that he murdered his own mother and even ate her bloody heart!

He is a fucking monster and he is fucking with your mind already!" he yelled at her.

"Please Igor. Aren't you being a hypocrite? You were the one that told me the other day that all men in the family are raised to be criminals. You shouldn't believe in rumors. How can I just judge him without even knowing him?-" She looked at him softly.

"There is no smoke without a fire, Seri." he scoffed, looking at her in disbelief, " Why can't you judge him? You saw with your own eyes what he did to Killian in the ring, didn't you? He practically strangled you to death at the party.".

"Igor, I am not taking anyone's side. Yes, I admit. He terrifies me but- see it from the other side. Killy was aware of what he was getting himself into when he entered the ring. It was a fight exactly like what happens in battles and war. No one side is the hero or the villain. And for what happened with me that night, it was my fault too! Grandpa explained this morning that Alessandro hates to be touched by women outside his family. Maybe he mistook me as a threat in the dark."

"Even a blind man will see that you're no threat, Serenity. Your good heart and innocence will bring your downfall one day."

"No, Igor." she smiled softly, contrasting his hard glare, "If that is to be downfall, I will have the fallen angel pick me up and fly me back home. You told me yourself that my puppy eyes can persuade anyone." she grinned at him.

Igor rolled his eyes but couldn't help the slight tug up on the corner of his lips.

Time rolled faster and it was the moment of goodbye. Don O'Sullivan stared at his little girl hugging everyone for the last time as the Vitalis readied the transports. He could see her eyes subtly roaming around, searching for someone. He knew who it was but he wouldn't step out of the dark neither cover the distance within them. It was all for the better. He told himself. He can't let her in.

Conall shut his eyes tightly, clenching and unclenching his fist. He opened them to stare at the star filled night sky.

"Hey, Ceres. Do you see her? Our girl is the prettiest flower in the garden just like what you used to tell me. She has your eyes and your hair. And she looks so much like you" he sighed, "-and it makes it harder. I can't help the guilt clawing my insides. I can't help but push her away. I'm sorry Ceres, my darling, I am sorry. Please continue watching over our daughter."

He drew the curtain shut.

Conall looked at the mirror and the sight disgusted him. He was a sick person. Nobody knew the consequences and the aftermaths of Ceres death, he had only consulted his most trusted colleague and psychologist. Dr. Newman about his condition. He had developed Philophobia, an extreme fear of being attached emotionally or loving someone. Conall had always had philophobia all his life but Ceres managed to break through his walls and had showed him what it feels like to be loved and care for somebody. Her death took a major toll on his mental health.

Serenity resembled Ceres in a lot of ways. Like mother, like daughter. both selfless, kind and innocent. He feared to get his walls broken down by his daughter. He feared for the history to repeat itself. He knew he wouldn't be able to take it. And in that way it enraged him of his selfishness.

He was too selfish to not care that whilst protecting himself, he was hurting the little girl who had wanted nothing but acceptance from his side.

He was a coward, a piece of him died the time he handed his daughter over to the ruthless Vitali heir in the name of alliance. But it was true, they say ' A coward dies many times before his death."

***

"Athair didn't come to see me off?" Serenity innocently asked Papy Fostello but both knew it was a rhetoric question. He only returned a soft smile and patted her back "Take care, my sweet child."

One of the guard guided her to the awaiting striking red Lamborghini. She leaned down and slide inside the vehicle, staring at the intricate opening of the door in awe. Why is everything complex when you're rich? She couldn't relate. Her years of simple living with Mama Dido still rubbed on her and she was thankful for it. She didn't want to abuse the riches she was granted. She even had no idea how to use the black card her Athair had sent her a few days back.

"Seatbelts, love"

Serenity jumped on her seat, startled. Her head whipped to her side only to meet the midnight blue orbs. She completely forgot that it was a two seater convertible car and only the Great Vitali drives it.

"Huh?" she asked, taken off guard.

Alessandro suddenly leaned over, her breath hitched as she pressed herself further into the leather seat. His delicious cologne wafted over her nose and Serenity took a deep breath in unconsciously. A slight smirk appear on his lips. She flushed red when she realized what she did.

He moved back and an almost pout formed on her lips. She loved his scent- it was a distinct subtle musky fragrance with a hint of citric perfume. It smelt heavenly and soothing.

"Uh- um thank you." she said when she looked down at the seatbelts done.

Alessandro nodded curtly in reply.

The buzzing night life of the city greeted them as they drove through the street. Serenity mentally noted the landmarks, she need to familiarized her motherland. She could vaguely recall some of the important structures but with the roll of time, development changed the land. She turned to Alessandro. His eyes were on the road and his movements automatic as if he had memorized all the maps of Dublin in his mind. She frowned when she realized they didn't have the GPS map on.

"A-Are we still on Dublin6?" she asked, confused

"No, 14." he glanced at her shortly, "You don't know your own city."

Serenity looked away shyly "N-No...I recently came back. I-I don't live here for a long time."

Alessandro hummed and continued driving. He wasn't accustomed to make small talks. The longest he had ever talked might be the times when he was with her. It wasn't like he was ignoring her, he found it useless to talk when it was unnecessary. He was just a man of little words.

But definitely a little someone wasn't habitual to tense silence.

"U-Uh Where are...we going?"

"The Vitali's guest villa."

"H-Have you visited Ireland before?"

"No, its my first time."

He heard her gasped and stared at him wide eyed "Then how do you know the directions? Are you sure we are going the right way? Igor lives here all his life and still use GPS!"

He looked at her blankly.

She gulped and curled herself back to her seat "I-I was just asking." she mumbled with an adorable pout, turning away back to the window.

***

Igor still couldn't push the unsettling feeling knotting the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong. And he couldn't point out what it was. Even after Serenity persuading and convincing him. He dreaded Alessandro. His little sister was gullible and naïve, she could easily be manipulated. And she was sent in the devils' den. What was there to expect? All it was left was to pray and hope, she will be fine.

"How is Irina?" Igor asked when he saw his mother coming out of the medical chamber.

Albina sighed, "She is fine. The Doc had confirmed that it would leave some permanent scar. Irina wants me to contact Dr. Lee, one of the best plastic surgeons for it."

Igor nodded silently.

"You should rest Mom, you must be exhausted."

" Yes, I will. Good night darling." Albina pecked his cheek and was about to walked out when something hit Igor in his mind.

"Mom!"

Albina frowned and looked over her shoulder "Yes?"

"What does a Red Salvia signify?"

Albina furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head, ''Red Salvia? In common world, it shows a possessive promise of a lover 'Forever mine' but in the underground, Red Salvia gives more of a territorial oath. If a man gives Red Salvia to a woman, then it means she is his and vice versa, even hell or heaven shouldn't dare come between them... Why do you ask?"

The ground slipped from Igor's feet.

Now that's where it was wrong.

***

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