Ixora (UNEDITED)

1|A blast from the past

I hate this feeling where I had to disobey father.

Actually, I have never had the urge to disobey father ever. I strived to be the perfect daughter. In academics,in chores,in my social life, I was the daughter to write home about.

Ixora Emerald Domenico, the perfection of Salvatore Domenico's empire.

Tugging at my wedding dress, I blinked at my reflection in the mirror. This wasn't how I planned to get married. Actually I never thought of my wedding, I was still young and had a lot in my bucket list to finish before marriage.

The bile at the back of my throat was rising. I didn't like this feeling. I didn't like disrespecting father's decision. I could be mischievous and go all out on my pranks but it doesn't exceed the roof of Salvatore Domenico.

To the world, Ixora was dutiful.

**** PRESENT DAY ****

I gaped at my brother's bored expression. I didn't know whether to cry and hug him or to scream and hide.

The latter seems like a better option but he beats me to my decision by engulfing me in a bear hug.

Automatically I felt relaxed, tears rolled down my cheeks. His lavender scent still intact. It was like I never left.

Pulling away, he palms my tear stained cheeks and brushed my fake colored hair away from my face.

"This hair dye, I heard.." He breathed placing his hands in his pocket "destroys your hair."

Seriously, that's the first thing you say your sister after seven years?

"I..I..I.." I stuttered a defense but his eyebrow raised in a perfect arch daring me to spit nonsense. He always does that when I try to cook up lies when we were younger.

"Mommy." My son's voice sliced through the bubble, Emeliano's presence had created. "Who is this?"

"Uhm,he is..."

"Your uncle." Liano completed.

"I have an uncle?" Glee and doubt danced in his eyes and tone as he moved closer to me and pushed me away from my brother's space.

"Yes." Liano replied amused by Nathan's boldness. "Two uncles and aunties too." he added.

"We have a lot to talk about, Ixora." Emeliano said firmly as he takes his gaze off Nathan.

Ixora, it sounded so foreign yet so evocative.

I simply nodded as he carried Nathan in his arms. Surprisingly, there was no resistance from the little guy.

We walked to his Audi parked at the other side of the road. I chucked back a memory as we settled in the car.

The leather was so plush. It roared to life and in no time we were at a small ice cream shop. Emeliano and I sat in silence while Nathan followed the waiter to make his choice of ice cream.

"How is....uhm," I fiddled with my fingers searching for the right thing to say. I knew what it meant to marry Signore Marcos. I knew how heavy the debt was. I knew how selfish my disappearance was.

I couldn't bring myself to imagine how insulted my father felt when he discovered I had ran away.

Emeliano was quiet. His way of telling me to take my time. His eyes, however were on Nathan, who still making his choice.

"How is Mother?" I chose a less complicated subject. I'm certain she would held no grudge.

He smiled and stretched his arms across the table to hold my little hands in his. I couldn't believe that this was my little twin brother.