Dress to impress. That was what my older brother Stefano had told me that evening. It's okay for him, he has his own business which he loves to run. He could look good in a body bag, not that I imagine him dead or anything . . . let me start again. I've never fit in; in this family. Everyone has their place, I'm not sure where mine is exactly. I mean I sure can make a mean Bolognese but in this line of work, that's not what should be expected of a girl. That should come with everything else. I can't shoot a gun and I definitely can't work a knife like my sisters can. I was born too late into this war between the gangs, it's too dangerous now.
Still. I've done as I've been instructed. My hair which is a lovely shade of dark brown. Which compliments my perfectly blue dress which falls drastically to the floor. Okay. I have one trait which the family adores. I look great as my brother loves to say to any guest near. I don't know what today is going to entail, I just know it's important. I'm not normally involved in such gatherings being only seventeen, but for some reason they seem to think I deserve to see whatever is going to happen. All I know is it's something big.
"Siena I want you to stay close to your sisters tonight, do not go wondering off by yourself. Am I understood?" my brother states blankly, looking over at me like this is a very important thing. I nod at him quickly and he bows his head at me with respect.
"Gee Ste she'll be fine! Let's go before you burst a vein," Madeleine insists, putting her frail arm around my shoulder, giving me a quick hug. I giggle at the name.
"I wish you would stop with that silly nickname," Stefano begs, though he has his smile which I love about his face. When I was young I couldn't pronounce his name, so Mamma got me to call him Ste instead. He hated it at first, but by then it had become the normality for everyone to call him Ste. Of course if we had company it would be Stefano. Appearances and all of that stuff which I don't understand. It's only a name.
"Yeah yeah," says Selena; wafting her hand to ignore her brother, giggling to us girls while we walk down the stairs hand in hand. They were about to leave but I had to say goodbye to Pappy first. Stefano looks at me like he was going to say something but he gestures towards the study and I smile at him innocently.
"I'll be quick," I inform him softly before I make my way into the study to find my Pappy reading his newspaper with a frown on his face. The minute he sees me enter the room his frown disappears and a smile appears. My Pappy is growing older in years and his heart bothers him, though he would never admit it; to me anyway.
"Look at my youngest daughter! Growing up quicker then I realised. Do as your brother tells you tonight love," he says tenderly as I give him a kiss on the cheek. Pappy pretends to swoon and I giggle like a little girl when I hear a disgruntled yell from the hallway. Pappy looks at me with a 'scared' face.
"You better go before your brother has a breakdown. Have fun," he says as I exit the room. Stefano looks at me with a stern face but he's harmless.
"ANGELO!" he bellows around and I roll my eyes at Madeleine. Angelo is the oldest son. You wouldn't believe he is older then Stefano by the way he behaves. We had just got outside and Angelo was leaning on the side of the vehicle with a look that read 'what kept you?'
"Do you want us to be late little brother?" mocks Angelo as we all get inside the car. Well I call it a car, it's a limo really but I don't care to boast about such things. I am extremely grateful for everything that we have and continue to have.
The journey to the venue consisted of Stefano telling us all how we were expected to behave, and Angelo telling us everything we could do to make tonight go wrong. I was expecting Stefano to be angry and yell at his brother but instead he didn't say a word. See; Angelo makes himself look like a clown in front of just the family, but we all know that the minute he needs to he is serious. He makes the family look good. He knows what to say before it's even the next conversation. I could never do that.
I got out of the limo and thanked the man who helped me out, when Angelo was next to me in seconds. He looks after me like I'm still a child. I know he is going to take over the business when father dies, but that isn't going to happen for a long time.
"No problem beautiful," says the guy which causes me to blush. I'm not usually the one to receive such remarks. No, that goes to Selena.
"Siena I expect you to always be standing next to someone. Do you understand me?" Angelo questions for like the fifth time that night.
"I got it the first time you asked," I said but I looked at him like he needs to stop asking or I am going to get mad.
The outside of wherever they are is a sight to see. There were fountains in every corner of the grounds, bushes cut to look like different animals; candles everywhere leading up to the doors. I couldn't stop looking around until I noticed that we were heading toward the entrance. I gulp as I take a quick look inside, suddenly nervous. There were people everywhere, I've never seen so many people all in one place. Madeleine holds my arm protectively as we make our way inside. I gasp at the beauty and splendour in the room. There's a new exciting sight everywhere I turn.
"Aaaah, this must be the youngest daughter in the Donatiello family. Siena isn't it?" asks a lady who obviously thinks a great deal of herself. I open my mouth to answer when Stefano gets there first.
"Her first ball, Lady Verratto," he says, bowing his head to her slightly. She nods to him in return. I smile innocently at her but feel a little nervous to be the centre of attention. It's something I'm not used to in this kind of scenario.
"May I show her off to everyone boys? She's a beauty and I'm sure there would be lots of people who would be thrilled to meet her," Lady Verratto asks Angelo who smiles at her with a polite grin.
"I'm sure you would agree that a first ball is not the correct time to show her off like a Christmas decoration," says Angelo protectively and Lady V as I will call her simply raises her hands in apology (though she doesn't look very sorry), before walking off to probably find another poor girl to parade around like a peacock.
I would have quite liked to go around with her, but as usual my family answer for me. I love them but I think they forget that I am a person in my own right. I was about to make a fuss when my sister whispers in my ear.
"Don't worry my dear, there is more then one way to make yourself known," says Selena, giggling at me as she pulls me along with her to the where some people are getting drinks. I was about to suggest we go look around when my sister passes me a cupful of something that looks divine. I smile at her cheekily before we both take a sip. Oh gosh this is the nicest thing I have ever tasted. Wait.
"Is there alcohol in this?" I ask her and she looks at me with a devilish smile. Definitely not.
Hey guys, this is a new one for me.
Did you know that squirrels can't get rabies? Me either!
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xxJumping_Lizardsxx
YOU ARE READING
The Debt
Mystery / Thriller"Pay what you owe Stefano!" demands the man with the gun. "I haven't got the money you stupid man. Who has that kind of money but you anymore?" my brother defends himself, pushing me behind him protectively. "Fine. If you can't pay you know the rul...
