Crimson Roses

Chapter 1

Italy

Giovanni Mansion

5:00 A.M

"Young master! Please come down from the tree. Your father has some good news for you.", the butler informed the young child.

High up on the tree, waiting....gazing at the sky. His jet black hair flew across his eyes but he was quick to move it away. Normally his hair would have been styled back, but it was now the lazy weekend.

"Shush! I'll be there in a minute!", the young boy exclaimed as he stared at his watch and back to the sky.

A middle aged woman walked in to see her son on the tree, she sighed and shook her head with a warm smile.

"Romano, you have to come down now.", the mother called out and signalled the butler to not worry.

"Just now mother! It's almost up-", the young boy, Romano, stopped talking as his jaw dropped and his eyes widened.

There it was. Waiting for two hours straight, sitting on the branch of the tree. The sunrise....Romano watched as the sun pushed the clouds aside and took the stage. He gazed in awe as he tilted his head to the side.

"Sorprendente.", Romano muttered softly. (Beautiful.)

Romano jumped off the tree and saw his mother waiting for him. His eyes widened. He regained his composure.

"Morning mother.", Romano greeted formally as he adjusted his outfit.

"Parla in italiano.", the mother scolded Romano, earning a nod. "You need to stop greeting me formally too. It sounds as if I'm your wicked stepmother." (Speak in Italian.)

"What if you are?", Romano added innocently and dramatically held his chest acting like he was in shock.

Romano's mother, Elise, scoffed before bursting out into laughter.

"Di cosa voleva parlare papà?"Romano asked. (What did dad want to talk to me about?)

"Abbiamo una sorpresa per te.", the mother stated as she tried to hide her excitement and opened Romano's father's office door after knocking on it. (We got a surprise for you.)

"Romano...I've got good news and bad news for you." Romano's father, Lucas stated as he clasped his hands together. "The bad news is that you won't be able to further your studies in America, instead you will study here in Italy so that we can keep you safe. You're just ten, you need to develop more of your abilities."

Romano bit his lip and hung his head low as the disappointment started to soak in.

"But...the Crimsons decided to stay in Italy for good.", the father added.

Romano immediately picked up his head in excitement as his eyes shone brightly. Romano was never able to make friends. In Italy, Romano was feared by the kids, they also despised him for his father's line of work.When he went on a family vacation, he met a boy around his age and they got along well. The head of the Crimson family was high school friends with Romano's father, Lucas.

"R-really?"Romano tried to hide his excitement.

"Mhm.", the mother added. "In fact...they will be arriving at the airport in two hours. Go get ready so we can take you there

The Airport

7:00 A.M

Romano tried his best to hide his excitement, especially in front of his father. He began to fidget with the hem of his iron pressed shirt as he tried to stand still. His younger sibling Ryker began to throw a tantrum and he began to sit on the floor. Elise picked him up and carried him

"In piedi dritto.", Romano's father commanded, earning a small hum from Romano as he stood straight. (Stand up straight.)

Just then the sliding doors opened as people began to enter the airport after coming from their flight from America.

"That's not them. They're coming with their private jet.", his mother stated.

Just then Romano saw a familiar face. Kai. The families greeted each other. Romano discovered that Kai was also not the only child.

"Yes, my sister is with my mom at the moment.", Kai answered.

"What's wrong?"Romano asked as he cocked his head to the side.

"She...she's sick.", Kai added vaguely.

Noticing that Kai was being vague, Romano decided not to ask further. After two minutes of their socialising, Romano moved his eyes to the sliding door that opened, revealing Megan, Kai's mother. He cocked his head to the side and scrunched his eyebrows and noticed a little girl hiding.

"This is my sister, Sofia Serafina!", Kai exclaimed as he grabbed his sister's wrist and pulled her to meet Romano and Ryker.

"Oh- hi!", Ryker exclaimed as he charged towards her with a tight hug.

Sofia froze momentarily as her gaze met Romano's.

"Becareful Ryker! She's sick!", Kai exclaimed as he pulled Ryker away. He then cupped his mouth like it was a secret.

Sofia cocked her eyebrow up as she looked at Kai.

"And who came up with that?", Sofia asked as she looked at Kai.

Sofia grabbed Kai by his ear and pulled him.

"You're the sick one! You're sick on your head!", Sofia exclaimed.

"Oww! Mom! See what Sofia's doing to me!"Kai sobbed crocodile tears.

"Sofia! Kai! Stop fighting!", Megan separated the children.

"Hm...Libelle...", Romano stated.

"What?", Ryker asked.

"Sofia, she reminds me of a libelle.", Romano added as he had a slight smile plastered on his face.

Ryker was shocked when he saw his brother's facial expression.

"Però è stato questo stupido idiota di Kai a cominciare!"Sofia began to grumble. (But this stupid idiot Kai started it!)

"Kai, is this true?", Megan

Kai froze on the spot as if he was a deer caught by the headlights.

"Wow.....I can't remember anything!"Kai yawned.

The adults began to laugh at the kids.

"I'm pretty sure your kids and ours would get along well.", Lucas commented.

"Questo se non si strangolano a vicenda.", Frank, Sofia's dad, commented. (That's if they don't strangle each other.)

9 Years Later

7:00 A.M

"Get up! We're late for school!", Kayla barged in her sister's room and threw a pillow at her.

Sofia groaned as Kayla opened her curtains causing the sunlight to hit her face.

"Ci fai sempre tardi.", Kayla groaned. (You always make us late.)

"Perché ti prendi sempre il tuo tempo per vestirti!", She exclaimed as she got out of bed and put her glasses on. (Because you take your own time to dress!)

"Whatever four eyes." Kayla added. "Also... Kai and Romano is coming back today. Don't forget that welcome party.", Kayla stated before leaving her sister's room.

Sofia huffed.

"Damn it...", Sofia mumbled under her breath as she looked at a picture of Kai with Romano. "I miss you big bro...",her voice trailed off until her gaze met Romano's face. Sofia rolled her eyes and walked away.