As Raphael Rossi slowly opened his eyes, the dim light of the car's interior illuminated his gaze. He was met with the familiar sight of luxurious leather seats and tinted windows, but his mood was far from luxurious. The car's engine purred softly, and the sound of gravel crunching beneath the tires indicated they had arrived at their destination. The large mansion's gates swung open, revealing a sprawling estate with manicured lawns and a grandiose entrance.
The car glided smoothly up the driveway, coming to a stop in front of the mansion's imposing facade. Raphael's gaze drifted out the window, taking in the sights and sounds of the estate. The city of Aldovia, known for its rich history and powerful mafia families, was now home to his worst nightmare. The De Gouveia Mafia Family's mansion loomed before him, a symbol of the life he was being forced into.
Raphael's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with anger and resentment. He had been sold off to the De Gouveias, traded like a commodity to settle a debt he didn't even know existed. The thought of being under their control, subject to their whims and fancies, made his blood boil. As the car's door opened, Raphael's gaze snapped to the figure standing outside. A burly man with a stern expression gestured for him to exit the vehicle. Raphael's eyes flashed with defiance, but he knew better than to resist. For now, he would play along, biding his time until he could find a way to escape this nightmare.
With a scowl, Raphael stepped out of the car, his eyes locked on the mansion's entrance. The De Gouveia family's crest adorned the door, a symbol of their power and influence in Aldovia. Raphael's heart seethed with rebellion, but he knew he had to keep his cool if he wanted to survive in this new world.
The burly man, who had been driving the car, placed a hand on Raphael's shoulder, his grip firm but not unkind. "Hey, kid, don't worry about being here," he said, his voice gruff but reassuring. "The De Gouveias are good people. They're mafia, sure, but they look out for their own. You'll be taken care of here."
Raphael's gaze snapped back to the driver, his eyes flashing with anger. "Good people?" he spat, his voice low and venomous. "You call being sold off to pay off a debt being taken care of?"
The driver's expression turned sympathetic, his eyes filled with a mixture of pity and understanding. "I'm sorry, kid. You're just unfortunate. Your parents... they didn't leave you in the best situation. The loan they took out, it wasn't paid off, and now... well, you're here."
Raphael's anger simmered just below the surface, his fists clenched at his sides. He knew the story all too well. His parents had died in a tragic accident, leaving him with a mountain of debt and no way to pay it off. The De Gouveias had swooped in, offering to take him in and settle the debt in exchange for his... services.
The driver continued, his voice gentle. "Listen, kid, the De Gouveias aren't cruel. They'll teach you the ways of the business, and you'll learn to navigate it. You'll be part of the family, and they'll protect you. Just... just try to make the best of it, okay?"
Raphael's gaze drifted back to the mansion, his mind racing with thoughts of escape and rebellion. He knew he couldn't trust anyone here, not yet. But for now, he would play along, biding his time until he could find a way to take control of his own destiny. He took a deep sigh, his shoulders sagging slightly as he resigned himself to his fate. "Whatever," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
The driver nodded, his expression understanding. "Come on, kid. Let's get you settled in."
He escorted Raphael to the mansion's entrance, pushing open the large doors to reveal a grand foyer. Raphael's eyes widened as he took in the opulent decor, his gaze darting from one expensive item to the next. The room was filled with lavish furnishings, crystal chandeliers, and artwork that looked like it belonged in a museum.
But what really caught his attention was the Ferrari La Ferrari sitting in the middle of the room, gleaming under the soft lighting. It was as if it was a display piece, meant to be admired and coveted. Raphael's eyes lingered on the car, his mind boggling at the thought of how much it must have cost.
"Whoa," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's... that's a La Ferrari."
The driver chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "Yeah, the De Gouveias like their luxuries. You'll get used to it."
Raphael's gaze continued to roam the room, taking in the extravagance. He had never seen anything like it before. The De Gouveias were clearly wealthy and powerful, and they didn't hesitate to show it off.
As he looked around, Raphael noticed a figure standing at the top of the stairs, watching him with an intense gaze. His instincts kicked in, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. The figure at the top of the stairs began to descend, her movements fluid and confident. As she reached the bottom, Raphael's eyes widened in surprise. She was stunning, with curves that seemed to defy gravity and long blonde hair that cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall. She had on a tight red dress that hugged her body in all the right places. Her heels clicked on the marble floor as she walked towards Raphael, a sly smile spreading across her face.
"Welcome to our humble abode," she said, her voice husky and confident. "I'm Rosá De Gouveia. And you are...?"
Raphael's eyes locked onto hers, his mind struggling to form a coherent response. He was taken aback by her beauty, and his usual sassiness seemed to have deserted him.
The driver intervened, saving Raphael from his awkwardness. "This is Raphael Rossi, Miss Rosa. He's the new... addition to the family."
Rosa's gaze lingered on Raphael, her eyes seeming to assess him. "Ah, yes. I've heard about you from the family head. You're quite the topic of conversation around here."
Raphael's instincts kicked in, and he felt a surge of wariness. What did she mean by that? And what kind of role was he supposed to play in this family?
Rosa's smile grew wider, and she took a step closer to Raphael. "Don't worry, darling. You'll fit right in. You'll learn to love it here."
Raphael's eyes narrowed, unsure of what to make of Rosa's words. Was she being genuine, or was this just another act? Just as Rosa was about to say something else, a voice echoed from the back of the mansion. "Rosa, stop acting like you're part of the dark side of the family and leave the new guy alone!"
Rosa's expression changed in an instant, her mature and mysterious demeanor giving way to a more childish and petulant one. She pouted, her lips curling downwards. "Aww, come on Alessia! I'm just being friendly."
Alessia emerged from the shadows, her long black hair a stark contrast to Rosa's blonde locks. She was slimmer and more athletic than Rosa, with a toned physique that spoke of her dedication to fitness. Her eyes narrowed as she gazed at Rosa. "Friendly? You call flirting with the new guy friendly? He's not some plaything for you to toy with, Rosa."
Rosa's face reddened, and she stomped her foot. "I'm not flirting with him! I'm just being nice. You're always so uptight, Alessia."
Alessia's expression remained stern. "I'm just trying to keep you out of trouble, Rosa. You're not exactly known for your self-control."
Rosa's pout deepened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Whatever. I'm going to go talk to him anyway."
Alessia sighed, her eyes rolling heavenward. "Rosa, don't—"
But Rosa was already walking away, her heels clicking on the marble floor as she disappeared into the depths of the mansion. Alessia turned to Raphael, her expression apologetic. "I'm sorry about my sister. She can be a bit...much sometimes."
Raphael watched the exchange between the two sisters, his mind reeling with the dynamics at play. It seemed like Rosa was a bit of a wild card, and Alessia was the voice of reason. But what did Alessia mean by Rosa's lack of self-control? And what kind of trouble was Rosa likely to get into?
Alessia nodded at Bob, the driver, her expression firm. "I'll handle it from here, Bob. Thank you for bringing Raphael in."
Bob nodded and turned to leave, his eyes flicking to Raphael before he disappeared into the shadows.
Alessia turned to Raphael, her expression expectant. "Follow me, please."
Raphael nodded silently and followed Alessia as she led him through the winding corridors of the mansion. As they walked, Raphael couldn't help but notice the guards stationed in almost every corner of the house. They were all dressed in black suits, their eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of vigilance and boredom.
Alessia seemed to notice Raphael's gaze, and she smiled slightly. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We're not formal here...well, not too formal, anyway."
Raphael's curiosity was piqued, but he decided to start with a simple question. "Where are we going?"
Alessia's smile grew wider. "We're going to see the family head. She wants to meet you."
Raphael's eyes narrowed slightly. The family head. That sounded ominous. What did this person want from him?
As they continued to walk, Raphael's mind whirled with questions. But for now, he kept his silence, his eyes fixed on Alessia's back as she led him deeper into the heart of the mansion. As they walked, Alessia finally stopped in front of a large wooden door. She knocked twice, and a deep voice bid them enter.
Alessia pushed open the door, and Raphael followed her into the room. The space was dimly lit, with only a few candles illuminating the space. Behind a large desk sat a woman with piercing green eyes and long, blonde hair that cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall. She was dressed in a tailored suit, and her presence commanded attention.
"Ah, Raphael," she said, her voice husky and confident. "Welcome to our humble abode. I'm Aurora De Gouveia, the head of this family."