New Life

Part 4

He walked down the stairs slowly, he, for the first time was unsure of what he was doing. His face didn't show how he felt though, it was cold like stone. One step at a time, he got closer. The closer he got the more he couldn't turn back.

"Everyone! Please give your attention to the stairs!" Tarso yelled. All their heads turned to the stairs. Some expecting Celso's father and mother, others not caring.

When Celso came into view everyone's faces turned into ones of confusion. Celso's eldest uncle stepped forward.

"What is the meaning of this? Is this a celebration?" He talked with his hands, waving them frantically.

"It's more of an announcement," Celso started. He stood half way down the stairs. Not moving only standing.

"My father has passed." His face was still cold and sent fear to the members of the family. The lack of care or sadness in him, scared his cousin's, aunts and uncles. Tarso only smiled, he was proud of Celso. Celso took another step down the stairs. The people in the front closest to him, took a step back.

"He was murdered, by Dante." No one talked. It was completely silent. Until one aunt turned to Chiara. 

"You! You, how could you two betray our family? We gave you a home! Traitor!" She yelled it, fake anger on her face. Soon the whole house was filled with whispers and voices. Chiara turned to Celso. Tears falling out of her eyes, but anger on her face. Celso had been right, they wouldn't accept her as family.

"Enough!" Celso yelled surprising everyone in the house. Once more he became the center of attention.

"I'm now the head of the family. My father only had one child, me. But I will accept any and all challenges. But be warned I won't hold back. They will take place tomorrow. Noon to Dusk. You will stay here if you wish to compete. Chiara will be staying here and will take place as one of my opponents. Unless she says other wise." Celso smirked, he was being an ass and he knew that. But he need to stop her from crying. She smiled, she could hold her own in a fight. She nodded.

Soon voices started up. All volunteering their children to fight for Celso's spot as head of the family. He only smiled and held up his hand to stop them from talking. His smile wasn't a warm one. It was cold and fake. They all stopped talking.

"Get in a line if your parents volunteered you." Celso sat on the stairs. His legs slightly spread apart, his elbows resting on his knees. His right hand supporting his head, he looked bored.

Soon a line full of pretty much all his male cousins formed. Elia standing in the front, his smile was big.

"Hey! I didn't know that you would take over! Wow!" He struggled to talk, his accent still very thick. Celso only nodded.

"Do you want to go against me?" Celso's eyes were slightly closed, his voice bored and tired.

"Nah." Elia waved his hand. Celso nodded then waved his hand himself. Tarso grabbed Elia and moved him to the left.

"Next," Celso yawned. His younger cousin stepped up.

"No." Celso nodded again and waved his and to the left. This went on for awhile. All of them saying no. 

"Any adults?" Celso scanned the room, some shaking their heads other's looking down. Those on the left looked at him expecting  him to do something. He sighed and stood up.

"You all may leave. Pathetic." He turned around and walked up the stairs. Everyone stood there confused. The day went by fast, and took a huge turn.

"You all heard Mr. Regio. You may all leave but Ms. Chiara." Tarso lead them all out of the house practically pushing them out the door. When he came back into the house shutting the door behind him, he wiped his hands and continued to lead Chiara up to her room.

"Come, Ms Chiara. You must get some rest. You will need it for tomorrow. It will be a long day." She only nodded. She was silent, her head full of thoughts. 

Celso sat in his room, on the little ledge that came out of the window. He looked out watching his family members leave, car by car. He then looked up to the stars. He wondered, about how things would have been different if he had gotten love as a child. If he had friends, if he wasn't feared with every glance he gave. But he didn't complain, he was meant to be this way. He was suppose to be this way.

The knock at the door redirected his attention to it.

"Sir, I have had them all leave and put Ms Chiara to bed. I understand that you want to go out? Shall I call for a car?" Celso turned around to Tarso.

"No, that shouldn't be necessary. I will be going for a walk. I doubt I will be back before lunch. Tell Ms Chiara she'll have to wait till I get back. I will get going now." He stood up and walked past Tarso who stood off to the side to let him past. 

"Stay safe, you better come back. Dino might kill me if you don't." Celso chuckled knowing that would probably happen.

"Tarso." Celso nodded. Tarso's lips turned upward into a small smile. 

"No problem, Boss." Tarso replied. 

Celso looked over his shoulder at him. Then turned around and walked away. The walk he would be taking would be around the whole city. And he would make sure to spread the news of his new title.  He walked around the city till it was time for him to go back. When he got to the gate he was greeted by his father's business partners. He walked past them into the drive way going straight into the house. They took a moment and looked at each other then went after him. 

He called for Tarso as soon as he got into the house.

"What are they doing here?" He pointed at the two men that followed him in.

"They are here for business, sir." Tarso bowed his head slightly at the men.

"What business? We don't have any business till Friday." He turned to the two men.

"Well, you see. Now that your father's dead we need to tell you everything that we do together and-" The first man started until Celso cut him off.

"I know everything. I did most of the work. You two are from "Elit" Right?" The two men nodded surprised. 

"You may go. Tarso will show you out if you don't know the way out."  Celso faked a quick smile. They were standing right in front of the door and Tarso was in front of them. They said their goodbyes then left.

"That wasn't very nice sir." Tarso turned to Celso.

"I don't care." Celso raised an eyebrow. Tarso sighed then nodded.

"Yes, sir.  He turned and walked away. Celso sighed then walked into the kitchen. The cooks were making lunch. They all stopped and bowed then continued. The head chief practically ran up to Celso. 

"Hello sir. Is there anything I can get you?" The older man asked, he had a smile on his face. His mustache blocking must of the smile from being seen.

"Coffee, black." Celso sat down on a stool. The older man nodded and then ran to make Celso's coffee so he could get back to work.

"So, this is where you were." Chiara stood next to him. He looked down at her, even though he was sitting he was still taller.

"I just got home." He looked back to the head chief who was still rushing to make the coffee.

"Ah, I see. So you aren't avoiding me then?" She smiles to him even though he wasn't looking at her.

"No. We will have the challenge then have lunch." Celso turned to look at her. They made eye contact and she nodded.

She knew she had no chance against him. But that wasn't the point and she knew that's why he offered the fight in the first place.

"That's fine with me. I wouldn't want either of us to feel sick after." She smirked, he only nodded in reply. His attention turning back to the chef. She turned around and walked into the living room.