Ariana' POV:
I was getting ready for school when my phone rang. It was from Levi.
On Call:
"Hello Levi. How are you?"
"Hello Riana. I am fine. What about you?"
"I am great. So how is life going there?"
"It's not the same anymore, Riana. I miss you."
"Well then come here to meet me. You can also meet my family."
"Hmm. I was thinking that. Tell me about you."
"Well I learned something shocking."
"What?"
"You know my family well."
"How?"
"Do you know Romanos?"
"Yes. They are American mafia. We do business with them but they are dangerous. What about them? Wait... Are you telling me that they are your... family?"
"Yup."
"Holy sh*t. That's soo... I don't know what to say. How did you know?"
"They told me themselves."
"Did you tell them that you are also part of our mafia?"
"Yup."
"And? How did they react?"
"They were shocked to say but they accepted that I am also in the mafia."
"Hmm. Well I am glad that they didn't make things difficult and understood you. I am happy for you Riana."
"Thank you Levi. So when are you coming to NYC?"
"Now I have to come at all cost knowing that your family is Romano family. I will see if there is any work so that I can come."
"Hmm. Don't forget to bring Ezra."
"Who is your favourite? Me or him?"
"Both."
"Yeah yeah I know who is your favourite. You don't have to say that to make me feel good."
"It's not like that. I like both of you. You gave me the opportunity to have what I have now and Ezra taught me everything."
"Okay, okay, I know that. I was just joking. Well Riana, I have to go. Talk to you later."
"Bye."
I hung up the phone and felt a little happy that Levi now knows who my family is. He is a very important part of my life.
When papa and my brothers told me about the mafia, I was a little relieved as well as happy because now I don't have to lie to them if I have to do something mafia related. I will not feel guilty that I am keeping all of them in the dark.
Now I can freely tell them what I have to do and where I have to go and why. When I was back in Texas, I had to constantly lie to my parents and I always felt so guilty that I can't describe it in words. I had to lie to the ones whom I love the most. Now I don't have to face the same problem here. Yeah I know that I still have to lie to my parents but at least I don't have to lie to papa and fratelli.
I know that I didn't tell them about me being a hacker also but we should keep some things surprising. No?
I went downstairs and saw that all of my brothers were sitting at the table and waiting for breakfast.
"Good morning papa. Good morning fratelli."
"Good morning." They all greeted me and then I went to the table and sat in my chair. I had my breakfast with all of them. Then papa cleared his throat to grab all of our attention.
"I want your opinion on something."
"What is it dad?" Tony fratello asked.
"Now that, princess knows about our mafia business and she also doesn't have any problems, I think it's time that we tell the world that we have found our princess. How about we host a mafia ball and introduce her to everyone?" Papa asked us.
"I think that is a good idea. That way they all will know that she is our princess and no one will dare to mess with her." Leo fratello said in affirmation.
"I also think that it is a great idea. We should also tell our family in Italy and invite them over." Ben fratello chimed in.
"What do you think princess? Do you want us to hold a mafia ball?" Tony fratello asked me.
I thought about it and felt like it was very troublesome.
"Is it necessary?" I asked them.
"Yes it is. When the children in our family turn 18, we host a ball for them to be introduced to everyone. We hosted for Matteo also. As you weren't with us at that time we couldn't celebrate with you but now we can. But princess if you don't want us to host the ball then we won't. It's completely your choice." Tony fratello said.
"Then okay." They immediately got happy.
"Yeah. We are going to host a ball." Twinnie cheered. I smiled at him.
"You can invite your friends who know about the mafia. No one else. As it can be dangerous." Raf fratello said.
"I will call mom and dad and tell them to come early to spend some time with us before the ball." Papa said and called our grandparents right away.
After a few minutes he hung up the phone.
"Dad said that he will be coming the day after tomorrow."
"Yay!"
"Yeah!" We all shouted excitedly. It has been a long time since we have met them. It would be so much fun having them here. I thought while smiling happily.
"Okay. Let's all go to work. Princess, Matteo, you guys go to school." Papa said. We all nodded and bid them goodbye. Then we went to school.
The classes went by and lunchtime arrived. I went to the cafeteria and grabbed my lunch. I went to our table and sat at it. I saw that all of our friends and twinnie were sitting there also.
"Hello guys."
"Hello Ari." They all greeted me back. We had our lunch then I went to my class. I feel like I don't have any friends here. I mean yes I eat lunch with twinnie's friends and we sit together but I don't feel that connection with them. I miss Noah and Jessy. I will call them and talk with them today when I reach home.
The day passed by and we went home. I am excited that our family is coming soon because nowadays I feel like my days are getting monotonous. I went to my room and after getting freshen up I called Noah and Jessy.
On call:
"Hellooo besties. How are you guys?"
"Hey Ari. I am fine but I miss you so much." Jessy said.
"Yeah, same here. Can you come here? We both miss you very much." Noah said.
"I miss you guys too. I feel so sad that we had to live apart. I can't come yet Noah. Why don't you guys come? I will tell mom and dad and they will talk to your parents. Plus I can fund your entire trip. We will have so much fun. I will take you to all the places and you will also meet my family. What do you say?"
"Umm... but we have classes." Jessy said.
"Jessy, you forgot that we will have four days off next month." Noah said.
"Oh yeah. I totally forgot about that. We can come then."
"Ok then tell me a few days early so that I can make some arrangements for you guys."
"Ok. We will."
"So how's life going there? Is your family treating you well?" Jessy asked.
"Yes they are treating me better than anyone could imagine. My brothers treat me so well that I can't describe it in words. When you guys come here then you will know what I mean."
"That's good then. We just want you to be happy." Noah said.
"So Ari tell me something. Did you meet any hot dude?" Jessy asked.
Well I can't expect anything else from her.
"Well I met someone but he is..."
I told them about Elijah and sighed. I still feel surreal as to why he distanced himself from me.
"That's his lost Ari. Don't worry you will meet someone who you deserve when the time is right." Noah said.
"Yes that's true Ari. Don't feel sad about him. He is not deserving of you." Jessy chimed in.
"So Jessy, what about you?"
"What about me?"
"Did you get a boyfriend?"
"Nope."
"Why?"
"You know why. Anyways don't talk about that."
"Ok ok."
We talked for some time then hung up. *Sigh*. I miss them. I hope they will come soon. After some time I went and did my homework.
****
I thought of someone whom I could invite. Then I called Levi.
On call:
"Hello Riana."
"Hello Levi. How are you?"
"I am fine Riana. What about you?"
"I am fine. My family is hosting a mafia ball and I want you to invite you and our friends in the Garcia mafia to come to NYC. My family is going to introduce me to everyone in the mafia. So will you guys come?"
"Ok. I will talk to everyone here and let you know."
"Then I will wait for your news."
"Ok bye Riana. Take care."
"Bye Levi."
We hung up the phone and I went downstairs. It was dark by now and all of my brothers and papa have returned home. I saw them sitting in the living room.
"Hey guys. How was your day?" I asked them.
"It was good, princess. What about you?" Papa asked.
"School was good. So I have invited my friends from the mafia. I hope it's ok."
"Of course it is Ari." Raf fratello replied.
"Yeah I have already sent the invitation to Damian. I want to thank him and his mafia for taking care of you when we couldn't." Tony fratello said.
"Ok thanks fratello."
"You don't have to say thank you, princess. We are family. It is my responsibility to take care of you and my family." He said. I smiled and nodded at him.
"So when are we hosting the ball, dad?" Twinnie asked.
"Next week. We have started preparing for it." Papa said.
"Ana, you have to choose the gown for the ball. You can go shopping when our aunt and grandmother arrive." Ben fratello said.
"Ok fratello. When will they arrive?"
"They will be here by evening the day after tomorrow." Alf fratello said.
"So Raf fratello, does your girlfriend know about the mafia?" I asked curiously.
"Yes she does Aria. I invited her to meet you all after telling her all about us and she accepted me and our family." He said.
"Is she in the mafia too?"
"No she isn't but she understands me and supports me fully."
"How lucky you are, fratello. I am happy that you have someone like her in your life."
"I also feel lucky, Aria." He said with a smile.
"Do our friends from school know about the mafia too, twinnie?"
"No, they don't twinnie. They are from a normal family. That's why I am not inviting them to the ball either. Try not to mention that in front of them."
"Ok. I will remember that."
After chit chatting for some time we had our dinner and went to sleep.
*****
I woke up with a start. I think I was having a nightmare. I felt thirsty but saw that there was no water so I went to the kitchen to get some. After drinking water I was going to my room when I passed by papa's room and saw that his room's light was still on. I went towards the door and saw that he was still up and was staring at a photo and talking to it.
"You know Beth, our princess has grown up to be such a beautiful girl and she is so intelligent and mature that sometimes I get so surprised as to what good we have done in our life to get such an amazing daughter. We are going to host a mafia ball and introduce her as a Romano princess. I wish that you were here and get to see everything with your own eyes. I wish that she also got to see what an amazing and a kind hearted mother has given her birth. But I guess life doesn't give us everything that we want. I miss you very much Beth. I will always love you."
Papa was talking to my mother's picture. I was heartbroken to see him looking so down and sad. Just then he looked up and spotted me standing there by the door and he looked shocked.
******
Here's another chapter guys.
Happy reading.
Love, Stella.♥️