Before you read this, l need you to understand the proper pronunciation of the name lsla it simply' Aila'.
This is my first novel and I'm a new writer so please quietly enjoy my story.
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Isla lay on her bed, staring at the pale sunlight filtering through the curtains.
One could mistake the look for peace if they didn't know who the real lsla looked like in her alone time. Just a week ago, she had celebrated her nineteenth birthday. The Morretti mansion had been alive with laughter and music, many wealthy guests had attended most of those being her father's "business partners" . Of course she wasn't that stupid not to know the kind of business her father shared with those people. Still that wasn't an issue for her to analyse. She was happy, making new friends with her best friend Maya. Everything was just perfect . But now the moment lingered in her memory like it was years ago.
To lsla, life as a Morretti seemed more like a chain where she could neither see nor escape.
A sharp knock on the door jolted her from her thoughts. Before she could get it , Lucas one of her father's men pulled it open, stood there, his posture rigid, expression unreadable.
"Miss lsla," he called "the boss calls for you"
"Father?..." lsla's heart skipped a bit. Why would he want to see me? I'm l in trouble?
"Of course"... she rose reluctantly following Lucas to wherever they were going . Besides their loud footsteps and lsla's silent breaths, the halls were eerily quiet which sort of caused a sharp pain in her chest.
After what felt like an eternity, the door to Mr.Morretti's study came in view. * she frowned*
Great, Lucas was taking her to the study . " Well l might not know why he called for me, but whatever it is must be some real messed up shit".
It was always unusual of Mr.Morretti to talk to her in person especially in a place where many of his meetings took place . He would either send messengers , pass information through her brothers and sometimes through home staff.
As always Edward Morretti sat at the head of the table, a stack of papers in front of him, lazily staring at Isla with a displeased or somewhat angry gaze. Camilla was there too sitting on a chair just next to her husband.
Her brothers were there too but something felt off infact something was wrong. Was she in some kind of trouble ? But no, father would have ... actually no. She pulled a seat next to Henry her older brother. "You called for me ...is...is something wrong?"
Edward's cold eyes met hers. For some reason lsla wanted to drop her gaze awy from his but still for some completely unknown reason she locked hers with his.
"Yes, I called for you," Edward spoke out finally breaking the silence.
" You will be getting married off to Alessandro Carusso's son in three weeks time. " he added. " You should be ready"
" Wha...what? " lsla's eyes widened in disbelief, that was the last thing she wanted to hear. She wanted to argue, disagree with him but the sharp look on his face zipped her lips shut.
" l...l mean Father with all due respect l...l am not ready for marriage "
Yes that was it , that was all Edward needed to loose all his anger on her. " Who said you have a say in this?" His clenched fists hit hard on the table . " We need this connection, their mafia is prestigious and powerful, such a trade could help the family, but still you're nothing but an ungrateful brat who thinks only about herself "
" Tell me ..." he angrily rose from his seat. "Say it to my face" He grabbed a fistfull of lsla's hair and yacked her head backwards.
" Edward please stop...she didn't mean to_"
" stay out of this Camilla" Camilla pleaded with him but was shut down by his outburst angry and fierce.
Tears pricked in lsla's eyes praying to God just to be spared this once." I...I'm sorry father...l didn't mean to question your decision ".
She was now frightened, her small form slightly trembling before Edward. What would become of her? If only she had not said anything at all. But still this was her life.
His touch grew even stronger each moment more painful than the last . Isla could only whimper silently ready to face whatevervwas coming.
Seeing her this defeated, Edward felt somewhat a satisfied feeling and he slowly loosened his grip in her hair. " I'll spare you just this once. But if you ever, think of defying me in anyway, I'll beat you up black and blue you'll forget your fucking name." He threatened.
" Leave" he spat angrily. Isla knew better than to waste another minute around him . She stood up still frightened by the event yet thankful for her dear life just now.
Luca was standing by the door, everyone watched the entire scene unfold yet nobody came to her rescue besides her mother.
Isla angrily looked back at her brothers feeling nothing but complete resentment towards them. Her fists clenched tighter as she approached the door.
For how long was she going to be treated this way, for some reason this unknown marriage seemed like the best thing in her life. She would rather be anywhere with anyone but in this hell of a house. It has been nothing but a living nightmare.
All she did wrong was being born as a girl ,that's what she did wrong.
Luca's gaze slid away from Isla's unable to take the guilt and perhaps the pain in her emerald eyes.
Isla returned to her room, trembling, her thoughts spiraling. She had to process everything that had just happened.
She sank onto her bed, feeling the chill of helplessness seep into her bones.
Someone had to help her somebody out there...