A Life I Never Knew

Chapter 65

FOL I want to apologize for the extreme delay. Lots of you probably left me far behind and I won't blame you. But the story is ongoing! Please enjoy the updated chapter😘

Luna Pov

While everyone was occupied I was able to sneak off to the garden to meet Antonio. To say I'm nervous is an understatement.

What will he say? What will he do? Crazy thoughts are swirling through my mind right now. Am I insane for meeting him alone?

The rumors about him do not help my anxiety, but I HAVE to see this through. If not, Tony could potentially have to kill another person he loves. I can't have that.

Walking through the garden it's as beautiful as ever. The night air is warm with a cool breeze the stars and moon shine down brightly on the garden.

Deep in the garden underneath the moonlight stood a tall dark figure. An ominous aura exuded from the figure.

'Why aren't my legs working'? I thought as I stood only a few feet away. My body tensed up tightly gluing me to the ground. I could feel my heart pounding and sweat forming on my neck.

The feeling of oppression and fear was overwhelming. That's when it clicked, that right now, I'm standing in front of him.

Unable to move an inch I could only follow his slow and steady strides towards me. My body trembling in fear causing me to ball my fist, digging my nails deep into the soft skin.

Yet my eyes never left his as he stared at me with a pair of dark orbs that would haunt me in my dreams.

Now standing face to face with the man that has everyone on edge I could not deny that he was intimidating. He was a carbon copy of Tony, I was awestruck by their resemblance.

He's tall, dark, and handsome yet something about his pitch-black eyes reminded me nothing of my Tony.

"I didn't expect you to show up. Are you brave or stupid?" Those were the first words he said to me.

"I-I needed to talk to you privately," I tried my best to keep calm and not sound like a scared little girl but my voice came out meekly.

"Hmm. Are you also trying to exclude me from his life?" He took a step closer making me take a step back. His eyebrows furrowed I could tell he was agitated.

"W-What no I don't want that, but if you are going to be around you can't act like before," I want to reason with him as much as possible. I never intended to send him away from Tony, but rather fix their relationship.

This time he looked at me with a puzzled expression as if I started to speak a foreign language. For a second I thought I saw a glimpse of hope in his eyes.

That thought was quickly washed away by his cold stare and a hard push backward into the concrete wall that I had no idea I was so close to.

"Ow! Why-"

"Are you messing with me little girl? Do you think you can bat your eyes at me and fool me like you did my brother? You are just like everyone else! Wanting to trick me and send me away!

"No! That's not it!" I tried to explain but the situation is quickly getting out of hand.

"Shut up!" He said. His hand wrapped around my throat in an instant.

I could only grab onto his arm trying to free myself from his strong grasp.

"A-Antonio s-stop i-it," I pleaded through breaths.

"You'll never understand. No one understands! When I was trapped in darkness he was my savior. He's my big brother I wanted to be just like him," he trailed off in thought.

His grip on me loosened and I took the opportunity to gently remove his hands from my neck.

"I-I understood. He's your brother, your family, you love him more than anything. You have been through so much, right? I'm sure Tony has helped you through it all. As you grew older you must have felt as though you two were growing apart. Growing up the way you did on top of being in this lifestyle you thought you'd lose him. Am I correct"?

Antonio stood there silently looking at me as though he had found someone who finally understood him after all this time.

"We live in a world where our lives are at stake every second of the day. I never wanted things to change but before I knew it everything and everyone around me was changing. I thought if got rid of everything else in his life he'd have no choice but to be with me. That only drove us further away from each other which caused me so much anger. I love my family, especially my brother. Things have gotten this far how can I turn back now," He said.

Everything was coming together, and I was starting to understand Antonio. Like me, he was an abused and unloved child. Also, like me, he was lucky enough to find a loving family.

I believe once Antonio got a dose of what love was like he decided that he'd do anything to protect it even if it meant destroying it.

To some extent, I sympathize with him.

"Your family loves you Antonio, you have to give them a chance to show it. I came from a world where love did not exist, but look at me now. You should not be selfish with love. Share your love with us Antonio, let's be a family," I said.

"What if he doesn't accept me"? He asked pitifully.

"He will," I said.

A moment of silence fell between us as I awaited his answer.

"I'll try," was his answer.

It felt like a million weights had lifted off my shoulders.

"I appreciate your efforts, Tony will be happy to hear it. Now are you ready to go inside?" I asked.

"Let's go," he said gesturing for me to lead the way.

Walking into the mansion I could hear the silverware being placed onto the dinner table. I could hear Tony and the rest of his family talking in the kitchen.

Although I told Antonio that everyone would be happy to see him as we approached the kitchen my nerves began to surface. In my heart, I believe they will be happy to see him and learn he's trying to change but I can't be sure of their reactions.

I walk into the kitchen first and stand at the entrance luckily everyone is present.

"Bambina, where have you been?" Tony asked sitting at the table.

"I've been talking with someone," I said.

"Who?" He asked.

"Me," Antonio stepped out and stood beside me.

The Accardo family rose from their seats pulling their weapons and pointing them at Antonio.

"Luna! Get over here, now!" Tony demanded.

"Tony! It's okay, he's not here to hurt anyone he's here to apologize, put down your guns!" I yelled trying to stop any bloodshed.

"I told you I wasn't welcome here," Antonio said as he began to turn to leave.

"Wait," a voice stopped Antonio's footsteps.

Everyone in the room looked at the person the voice came from. Mr. Accardo was stopping his son from walking away.