Chapter 38: Falling into their own traps

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Her entire body was pricked with the shreds of bushy twigs, Athena rolled down, gasping in pain. She seemed to have twisted her ankle while breaking the fall. It hurt like a bitch.

She grounded her teeth and screamed with her mouth tightly sealed.

Heaving inconsistently, she dragged herself away from the mansion, far from any possible human interaction. She will bear this alone, like she always did.

Athena knew all the ins and outs of the mansion, she had helped Alessandro designed its layout. She crawled towards a secret corner in the back of the little woods of the apple orchard and curled herself up into a ball.

A bitter smile on her face.

This incident itself was the tale of her life.

She never knew what a helping hand in need is.

Because all her life, it was always her and her alone.

Athena angrily tore off the outer layers of her gown until she was in her inner wears. The unfathomable remains of the aphrodisiac tormented her. She hated it. This was a reminder of the kidnapping incident ten years ago. They would drugged unwilling little kids to have them perform sexual favors for the sick old bastards.

It brought her back to the past no matter how much she tried to steer away from it.

How unfair life was, Athena had given up on expectations but there was still a tiny shred of hope that maybe someone will be willing to treasure and cherish her.

Even Alessandro, the guy who had been with her for over a decade will choose someone else in a heartbeat.

Athena surely had some unsaid disappointment towards him.

Breathlessly, she counted the leaves of the tree above her, wishing she could just be free of this world.

***

"Where is Serenity and Alessandro?" Giovanni Vitali summoned the security in charge. It was time for dinner and all the guest had taken their places on their respective tables. The two head chairs remained missing and it had inspired some rumors.

"Sir Alessandro and Ms.O'Sullivan walked out together after the cake ceremony. They haven't returned to the banquet after that. But, Capo." he hesitated, "It might be just my illusion but I saw Ms. Springton and Sir Alessandro climbing upstairs shortly after one another."

"Oh dear, right! my daughter Athena is also missing. Haven't they come down yet? What could they be doing for so long?" Mrs.Springton deliberately spoke out loud.

Boris angrily slammed a fist down on the table.

"Igor, calm down!" Papy Fostello yelled at him.

Igor who was only only sipping his water, choked

Mama Anushka leaned forward and whispered,

" Sir, that's my son, Boris not Igor."

"I mean Bruno, calm down!"

"Boris! B-O-R-I-S!!" Anushka finally shouted.

Everyone in the room was startled from her loud voice, even Papy Fostello flinched.

"Alright, Lady Macbeth, you calm down as well!"

"What do you mean that Alessandro Vitali is with some other woman when he is pursuing my little sister! This is already scandalous and we will not watch him break our sister's heart. We will take back Serenity right now!" Boris stood up from his seat, followed by Bruno and Igor.

"This might just be the bottom line, Mr. Vitali. We cannot forgive Infidelity and we will not let our sister go through what our mothers went through." Bruno said.

Papy Fostello thought deeply.

"So be it, I agree with my grandsons, Giovanni. I trust in Alessandro's principles but I won't be risking my grand daughter's happiness either."

"Oh no! I believed that they are just having some innocent conversations as you see Alessandro and Athena are very close since their early days."

These words could easily mislead any bystanders or those who are unaware of Athena and Alessandro's relationship but not Giovanni and Papy Fostello.

Giovanni smiled politely but his eyes hardened.

"Let's us proceed to catch the adulterer then, shall we?"

"Adulterer?" Mrs.Springton gasped with a shocked look, "Jesus! I don't think they would be doing anything vulgar though, Mr. Vitali. But...But we can't blame them if there is a possibility after all they are hormonal teens."

She sounded like a caring and open minded mother but her words further increased the suspicion and the rumor mill started spinning again.

The O'Sullivans were seeing red.

They marched out the banquet hall along with a few elders.

Alessandro's aunt and uncle- Lavinia and Ross volunteered to look after the remaining guest while they left.

Mrs.Springton wasn't embarrassed to catch her daughter in the act, anything else, she was elated.

Athena could get a firm position in the Vitali household and it will only give her more authority and upgrade her status in the elite society.

The wide smile hidden beneath her anxious facade didn't escaped the older Vitali's eyes.

As they approached Alessandro's room, everyone could hear the lewd noise and shameless moans from a distance, the door was left slightly ajar.

Boris, the hot headed O'Sullivan, growled in anger before kicking open the door. The moment he barged in, he instantly switched his eyes to the side. It was too dirty to look at.

The two people, caught in the act, shouted in surprise before scrambling to hide under the sheets.

Mrs. Springton ran inside with a delighted heart but the scene infront of her drained all her blood.

"H-Honey...I...I can explain." the man stammered.

She froze and took a step back. All her facade flew off the window and she let out a maddening scream before fainting on the spot.

"Mr. Adam Springton..." Giovanni wanted to say something but he closed his mouth and flicked his fingers. Instantly, the guards entered and drove the adulterous pair out of the room as they clambered to get dressed.

Mrs. Springton was also picked up and taken away along with them.

Papy Fostello breathe out silently. He almost had a heart attack. Atleast the ice berg won't be irritating anymore.

"Where is Serenity?"

"She is safe, Mr.O'Sullivan." Simone and Antonio entered the room.

Boris frowned, "Where is my sister?"

Simone sighed and turned to his uncle,

"Athena and Serenity were drugged with aphrodisiac. Alessandro is taking care of Serenity right now."

Everyone instantly stood up straight. Even the chill Papy lost his calm. He snarled and flung his cane on Simone's leg.

"What the fuck do you mean by my grand daughter's drugged and another man is taking care of her!" He thundered, "She is still a child, Bastard!"

Antonio rushed in between them before Simone could suffer any more blows.

"No, no, no. What he actually meant was Alessandro found out earlier and is looking after her!"

"What do you mean by LOOKING AFTER HER!" Igor roared and grabbed him by his collar, "How dare that fucking monster lay his hand on my sister!"

"NO! You got it all wrong! They are not doing it. They are doing something else...Oh fuck! Like, like...like... Alessandro is dipping her in cold water. No! Fuck! That sounds wrong!"

The furious Irish temper was evoked. Papy Fostello didn't wait for further explanation and ordered the Italian men to bring them to Serenity and Alessandro.

Far behind the crowd, a young man stilled when he heard what they said. A sudden rush of anxiety and worry flashed over him. He didn't even blink an eye when his father was caught cheating on his mother but the news of Athena drugged and all alone brought a pang of guilt in his heart.

Aaron took off the other direction. She needs him.

****

"A-Alessandro, it hurts! How long do we have stay in here? What...What is happening to me?" Serenity whimpered. The cold water was freezing but her needs were burning. It was an awful combination, so much worse. She'd rather have a high fever than this.

Alessandro pressed her closer and rubbed her arms. She moaned in pleasure. Her sensitivity hiked up in the last few minutes and every touch was a flame of fire rushing through her veins even though his fingers were iced cold.

"Someone tried to drug me, love. It is an aphrodisiac, something that is used to heightened up sexual drive and senses. You drank my share. I am so sorry, I should've checked and made sure it wasn't spiked. I will be careful from the next time. You didn't drink much, the effect will fade off in a few hours. Please bare it for me."

Her eyebrows pulled together, she leaned her back against his warm chest and asked, "But why would anyone try to drug you?"

Alessandro sighed, "My world is cruel, love. There is only greed, power and lust."

"But you are my world, Alessandro. If your world is cruel then wouldn't mine be cruel too?"

He smiled softly and kissed her cheek, "It won't be, I will fill your world with only happiness and sunshine that there will never be a shadow of despair. You deserve the best of all the world."

"But I don't want that Alessandro." Serenity muttered slowly.

"I want to grow with you. I want to be strong enough to protect my loved ones and I want to stand beside you with my head held high. I don't want to be a doll who sits still and look pretty, Alessandro. I want to be a fighter like you." She suddenly turned and look into his eyes, "I want us to go through all the ups and downs in our lives together. I don't want you to be my bodyguard. Alessandro, I want you to be my lover. This is the first time, I am asking you for something. Will you grant me my wish?"

"No." His answer was short and clip, "It's too dangerous, Serenity. You are born into a crime regime and your boyfriend is one of the infamous mob leader. I can't let you step into this dirty politics and unfair war. I will always be there to protect you. You don't have to give up on your virtues to love me. My hands are already stained. I am enough to fight for the both of us."

"It is not necessary that I stain my hands to be strong, Alessandro." Serenity argued.

"It is, love."

"Do you realize that keeping me guarded and secured all the time will only make me more fragile and dependent?"

"You can lean on me."

"You can't be with me all the time, what if I get cornered in an unwanted situation and you aren't there?"

"There won't be any such situation-"

"Alessandro! Please!" Serenity clenched her jaws, "Please try to understand what I am saying. My life won't end up on a cage because you wish to keep me safe forever. I can stand on my own two feet without giving up my virtues. And I will show you that. If you don't want to teach me then fine, I will surely find another way but I am not playing dollhouse with my life. My brothers had treasured me and were overprotective in my early days. I love them but it was suffocating, Alessandro. When mama Dido took me to the island,we weren't that prosperous but I was free. I was happy. But now that suffocation is hitting back again."

Alessandro remained silent, taking in her pale face and trembling wet eyes. Even in her weak state, her determination was strong and it was sparkling in her deep amethyst orbs. A sour feeling rose up in his heart. He had always seen her as a naive girl who needs to be protected but his girl wasn't naive at all. She was innocent but a smart woman who knows her priorities.

He cleared his throat, "I apologized if I went too far, love." Alessandro sighed, "I didn't realise I was overwhelming you. Alright, your wish my command, my little warrior. Grow up with me and be my comrade. I believe we will be invincible if my love is my greatest armour."

Serenity finally broke into a smile. She grinned and approached him for a hug when the sound of the door opening interrupted them. Since the leisure room was huge, a small partition separated the lounge from swimming pool.

Alessandro quickly grabbed a bathrobe and draped it over her wet self.

"Serenity!" Boris's frantic voice came.

With thunderous foot step, the small group of people had arrived. Simone took charge and only let the immediate family members in, just in case if there is something inappropriate.

He didn't trust the new couple, one high in aphrodisiac and the other,a hot blooded male.

Alessandro helped her climb out of the pool since her body was heavy and drowsy from the effects of the drug. Serenity felt that she was getting better, the worst part was over but the small itch remained.

"Jesus Christ! Are you okay, baby sis?" Bruno pulled her into a hug and worriedly ran his eyes over her body. She was decently covered in a bathrobe but the brotherly protective streak was lighted.

Boris glared at Alessandro and then looked down softly on Serenity. "Did he do anything funny, Seri? Did he touch you inappropriately?"

Serenity quickly shook her head, "Alessandro is a very decent man, Boris. He will never take advantage of me especially when I am at my lowest point."

"Speak the truth, there is nothing to be ashamed of! I will avenge you, Seri." Igor said.

"There is nothing as such, Igor. Can you all please step back? Please." She whimpered, "The drug is still there. I am very uncomfortable."

The O'Sullivans immediately gave her space. Bruno anxiously looked down on his watch.

"How long has it been?"

"One and a half hours." Alessandro answered.

"When will she be alright?"

"Probaby a couple more hours." Antonio said, he already had the files.

"Gentlemen, we will discuss this in my office but for now, let Serenity rest and sleep it off for the best." Giovanni suggested from the door. He respectfully didn't look at the scene and instead called for Alicia and other female attendants.

Alicia quickly rushed in and hug Serenity.

"I am so sorry, I was late. Are you okay now? Come, let me bring you to your room."

Serenity nodded and look at her brothers and then Alessandro before excusing herself out.

Finally, Riccardo and Silvia Vitali, Simone's parents went back to the banquet to explain the situation and put out the fire Mrs. Springton had lit up.

Clearly a few eyes had seen the inappropriately dressed Adam Springton, a indecent young woman along with the fainted Mrs. Springton carried out to their car. The tables were turned especially with the help of Anushka O'Sullivan's gossiping skills.

"Mr. Springton was caught in the act. His lover was indeed a petite beauty, young and beautiful. Mrs.Springton couldn't bear the scene and she fainted right at the spot. What a disaster tonight is! And her daughter isn't even with Alessandro. Infact Serenity and Alessandro had sneaked out to have a private date. Young love, I tell you but poor Mrs. Springton. She must be devastated."

And all the ladies could talk about after that was consistent.

***

"Are you still uncomfortable?" Alicia asked worriedly.

They were still walking to her previous room, Alicia forbade her from entering Alessandro's room saying that there are some situations happening there. Serenity was clueless and could only go along with what she said.

"I will manage, Alicia." Serenity breathe.

The female attendant opened the door to her room and they stilled when they entered. It was cozily decorated with colors and balloons like a perfect celebratory room for the birthday girl. Even the bed sheets were changed into fluffy pastel colors with cute little pillows all over.

It was something she usually sees in pinterest. Aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

"Goodness! This is so pretty. Who did it?" Serenity asked

Alicia was dumbstruck.

"It was Miss Alicia who had prepared everything in advance before she left, Ms.O'Sullivan." The attendant politely answered, ignoring the questioning look from her mistress.

Because clearly Alicia didn't. She wanted to but she couldn't, she left it before she could even complete it as soon as she heard the news of Springton staying  over.

Then why was this girl lying on her face? And who did it? Alessandro?

But Alessandro wasn't someone who would even think of such ideas. He had even forgotten about shifting Serenity back to her room.

She will find out later, but for now Serenity needed her rest.

"Thank you so much, Alicia. This is so beautiful. I love love love it." She gushes while admiring the room.

"Come on Serenity, let's get you in bed. You will be completely alright when you wake up. Get warm quick. We can't have you falling sick now, can we?"

Serenity went to change into her pajamas and dived inside the soft duvet.

"Go to sleep, I am here if you need anything." Alicia sat down beside her on the bed.

***

"Oh! what the heck is this place?"

Butter shuddered at the ambience of the woods. She had came out for some fresh air before the dinner and wandered around aimlessly. The light music could still be heard from the background. The woods fascinated her. Maybe she could find some mystery or a treasure or even a ghost.

A light breeze brushed past her and she jumped

"I'm Peppa pig, oink!"

It was a ridiculous habit that had stuck on her since childhood. She would blurt out random sentences when she gets scared.

Just when she was about to turn back, she caught the sight of a broken stilettos lying on the ground.

Butter gasped dramatically.

That looks fucking expensive! Who in the right mind would throw it here?

If she possessed one of these then she would hold onto it till her last breath. Rich people, she shook her head.

She attempted to follow the trail beyond and came across the other pair. Butter was intrigued. Did the Vitalis bury people here?

She was spooked but excited.

She quietly reached a spot that looked insignificant but a more careful look can observed that there is a hidden corner just by a turn.

The wet leaves under her shoes gave a sloppy crunch as she approached the corner, her heart hammering loudly. She held her breath and let out a scream.

"DaVinci is gay!"

It was a girl, her knees were pulled to her chest and her head buried in it with her arms bloody and red with clawed marks. Her tattered clothes barely stick to her body.

The first thing that came to her mind was rape.

Butter quickly rushed to her and pulled her up.

"Miss, Are you okay? Who did this to you!"

She was even more shocked that it was Athena Springton, the girl she was admiring since the past few days.

Athena wasn't in her right mind. She appeared to be delusional. Her forehead was broken and bleeding. Her arms scattered with brutal marks drained from her long nails.

Butter attempted to pull her up but she let out a grunt and fell back. Her ankle was twisted in an awkward angle. Butter carefully laid her down against the wall and searched for help. The wall by the corner had blood stains like someone had repeatedly banged her head to passed her out.

Who could be cruel enough to do this to such a young girl?

"Help! Is anybody out there? Help!"

Butter wanted to go look for help but she couldn't bare to leave her alone in such situation.

"Athena...stay awake! Please." Butter tore a clean slide of her dress and tied it on Athena's bleeding forehead.

She got down in front of her and pushed up Athena on her back.

She was an island girl, surely she can carry her if she can pick up the LPG barrel.

Athena was surprisingly heavy for a petite girl like her. Her waist bent 90° but Butter relented and continued to carry her out of the dense wood.

A patrolling guard saw them and immediately assisted to help.

"Please call a doctor or an ambulance. She needs medical attention immediately." Butter gasped lowly.

"Athena!"

A well dressed man in a suit quickly ran over to them.

"Oh God! Athena!" He called out anxiously and picked her up before rushing to his car.

Butter quickly followed them. She heard the man whispering countless assurances on the way. He looked terrified.

"You'll be okay soon, please be alright. I won't let anything happen to you. Please be alright."

His eyes were dark and conflicting and appeared to be filled with guilt, Butter didn't know who he was to her.

But she guessed that he must be a close relative or a friend.

***

The men gathered at Giovanni Vitali's office. Each one of them tense and brooding.

Alessandro narrated what had happened on his part and laid out the evidences. He had contacted Simone and Antonio to divert the situation by bringing Adam Springton and an experienced lover to his room as soon as he got Serenity. The Vitalis worked fast and had tripped Mrs.Springton in her own trap.

Mr. Adam didn't even need a drug. Athena had already confided him of his lecherous adultery that had been occurring behind Mrs. Springton's back for years. That woman was too absorbed in her chase of power that she didn't even notice her husband seriously.

Igor mindlessly insulted, "You must be thanking God that Serenity took the drug on your part or you would be the one caught in the act."

Alessandro had minded of his ways respectfully taking the fact that he was his love's brother but the O'Sullivans were taking it too far.

His midnight blue eyes coldly glared at the younger O'Sullivan. Igor could feel a chill running down his spine.

"I have been nothing but respectful. I would advise you to not cross the line, Mr. O'Sullivan or I wouldn't be so considerate."

The O'Sullivans had always used Serenity as an excuse to forced him into the corner. But Alessandro won't be taking their nonsense any longer.

They were arguing their way on a baseless ground. The Irish mob was a losing power. The other crime families had annexed maximum of their territories. As much as they try to deny it, the importance of the O'Sullivans were now only related with their alliance to the Vitalis.

Alessandro could've taken advantage of that fact and snatched Serenity by force but he respected her and her loved ones. He wanted to win her because she deserved to be treated like a Queen not a random prize.

"Alicia Connors and Giovanni Vitali are your dearest sister's God parents. Her mother had entrusted a part of her safety to them when she was born, this secret was hidden from the eyes of the public and your worthless father because I didn't want him to take advantage of the Vitalis all for nothing." Papy Fostello confessed.

The brothers were thunderstruck!

Bruno was the first to recover, "That...That means the third family...the third family protecting Serenity is the Vitalis?"

"How the fuck is this possible! You're making this up!" Boris yelled.

"I have the will of my daughter Ceres Fostello with me, shut the fuck up!" Papy Fostello shouted back.

"Alicia and Ceres were best of friends when they were alive. Alicia was the one who named Serenity when she was a babe. What will a mere boy like you who was born yesterday know!" Papy grunted.

"So listen you all and listen carefully, there is no way that you can break the bridge of Alessandro and Serenity. You have no rights to force him into your atrocious demands. I heard that the twin asked for little Alicia's hand in marriage in exchange for Serenity."

Giovanni clenched his jaws tightly.

"My son won Serenity O'Sullivan fairly in the ring. He didn't dispose her like a mere keep but rather gave her the respect and honor she deserved. If you want Alicia Maya Vitali then, you work for it. I am not afraid to declare war on the Irish for this."

The O'Sullivans were stomped down eventually. But Boris and Igor weren't satisfied yet. Bruno was smarter. He knew their approach could only lead to their downfall. Now they can't even threaten the Vitalis. The Don had already issued a warning.

Serenity was also under their protection. The Vitalis proved that she is safe under them. So their only bait of taking her away was gone. Their athair, Conall O'Sullivan had fucked up a lot and they were left to fend for themselves.

Killian won't wake up. Now without the supervision of the Don and the underboss, the mob was in chaos. Bruno and Boris could only act as a stand-in- commander. They weren't swear into their positions and hence could hold only a little power.

Bruno had secretly decided that if Killian don't wake up by next week, he will swore himself in and eliminate all the oppositions to his throne. He was ambitious and cunning. It would be a war on the family but he was ready for it.

***

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Adios,

Stella Cadante.