Ariana's POV:
Days passed quickly and the ball came. Today was the day that the ball was being held. Levi was arriving today for the ball. I was so excited to meet him. I was getting ready to head to the airport to receive him and bring him to our home. Twinnie was also going with him. He knew him from the business that our family does with the Garcia mafia.
"Twinnie, are you ready? It's time."
"Yes. Let's go. I am so excited to meet him."
"Ok ok. I know." He pouted a little.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. What would happen to me?"
"You just seem not too happy that Levi will be coming today."
"No. It's not like that. Let's go or we will be late." I nodded though I still suspected that he wasn't too keen with him coming today. I suspect that it has something to do with Levi but I am not too sure.
We went downstairs and saw papa there.
"Are you going to get Levi from the airport?" He asked.
"Yes papa." He nodded and then we went to the car and went towards the airport. We reached it in half an hour. I read the information that his plane was on time.
"The plane is on time." I said to twinnie. He nodded slightly. The plane landed on time and after some minutes I saw that Levi was coming towards us. I immediately went towards him in excitement but I was totally shocked to see that he wasn't alone.
There was Ezra with him also. They had told me that he wouldn't be able to make it because he was busy with some work. But here he was. I was really shocked but happy that he was able to make it on such an important day for me. It meant the world to me. I went towards them and gave them a hug.
"You said you wouldn't be able to come." I said.
"Well then would it have been a surprise if I told you. I wouldn't have been able to see your surprised face." He said with a chuckle.
"Your face was priceless." Levi said.
"Guys, meet my twinnie Matteo Romano. Twinnie, this is Levi and this is Ezra." I said introducing them to each other. They shook hands and nodded at each other.
"Let's get going. We should reach home. Tonight is going to be long." Said twinnie. We all nodded and went together to our home. On the way I chatted with them about my experience here and they also shared the well being of the members back in the Garcia mafia.
"Damian couldn't come because someone was needed to maintain order there and we wanted to come desperately so he stayed behind. He hopes that you will be able to adapt into your role here and said that you have our full support whenever you want." Levi said. I was grateful for the friends that I have. They always had my back and I was very happy that I had such loyal friends.
"Thank you so much guys for always having my back." I said to them gratefully.
"Yes guys thank you for being there for her when we couldn't have." Twinnie said.
"What are friends for and you are one of us." He said, squeezing my shoulders a little. I smiled brightly.
Just then we reached home and we went into our home. We went directly to the living room and saw that some of them were there while others were busy arranging last minute arrangements for tonight's ball.
"Hey everyone this is Levi and Ezra from the Garcia mafia." I said introducing them. Nonno, Nonna, Zio, Zia and Orlando were there.
"Hello everyone. Nice to meet you." Ezra and Levi said.
"Hello. Nice to meet you too. Come sit down."
"Ezra, Levi, this is my grandparents, uncle, aunt and my cousin Orlando." They went and sat with Orlando. Twinnie and I also sat with them and chatted for some time.
"Levi, thank you for taking care of our princess when we couldn't be there." Nonno said with a serious expression.
"There isn't any need for it. We were there for our friend. We always will be. She is special to us and our mafia. All of our members adore her." He said with a sweet smile on his face and looked at me. I was also smiling at him and his words. They were right. They are also special to me.
"Then that's her fortune that she has such good friends and they will always support her whenever needed." Nonna said with a smile. Just then Tony and Leo fratello arrived there.
"Hello Levi and Ezra." Tony fratello greeted them while shaking their hands. They know them as they have a business with them.
"Hello Antonio, Leonardo."
"Come let's go to my office to discuss some important business." Tony fratello said.
"Riana we will see you at the ball." Ezra said they will go to the hotel afterwards. They then went to his office. I nodded and then went to my room to get some rest. Today will be long. I sigh. I just hope today will go peacefully.
******
Third Person's POV:
Today was the mafia ball and all of the mafia family will be attending it whether enemies or allies. All will be there. It was said that the mafia princess will be introduced today at the ball. All of the mafia family knew of the tragic accident that had happened eighteen years ago when the Romano princess was kidnapped by their enemies and their queen passed away after not being able to cope with it. It was a very tragic incident and all of them were sad for their family except their enemies of course.
Now their enemies felt pure rage after learning that they had gotten back their princess and they were getting stronger because all of them knew that when their princess was kidnapped all of them were devastated but after her return everything will change. She will change everything.
What they didn't know was that she already had made significant changes in them. That they were already determined before her return that they will not be broken when they finally found their sister. They wanted to be strong so that they could protect her and not let anything happen to her again. They would do everything within their powers. So when they met her she healed their heart that was held together by sheer determination to get their missing piece their sister back.
Now they were completely healed by her, by her smile, laugh, determination, love, kindness and everything that makes her who she is.
Their enemies will try but they won't be able to do anything to the Romano family because they have one thing that makes everything different and that is family love. Love that strong will be able to stand against anything.
While their enemies were raging with fury someone was there who was genuinely happy knowing that Ariana was back. Not everyone was their enemy after all. There were allies also and some friends.
Before the news of the ball Romanos made sure that any news regarding Ariana be hidden and they didn't let any news spread about her so except for her friends and family no one knew that she was back. Now they were finally going to meet her.
*****
Ariana got ready for the ball and was looking ethereal in her gown. She was truly looking like the mafia princess that she is. When she alighted the steps all of her family members froze, too stunned to say anything. They all gasped at how stunning she looked.
Her steps were measured and confident showing that she was ready to show the world that she is the mafia princess and she is going to do great in this world.
Her gown flowed around her like a promise not yet spoken. Deep wine-red silk shimmered beneath veils of black tulle, the colours blending softly rather than clashing, as though even the darkness had learned restraint. The bodice held her with quiet confidence, its shadowed embroidery tracing her figure without severity. When she moved, the skirt parted just enough to follow her steps. Light and unburdened, reminding the room that she was still young-still becoming- standing at the threshold of a life far larger than herself.
Her makeup was light not hiding her face but brightening it. Her eyes were softly defined- warm black and muted bronze blended just enough to give depth without drama. Her lips carried a rose wine tint, blotted and understated, echoing the gown without competing with it. Her hair was made in a low bun and some of the hair strands were hung loose, framing her face, adding a soft touch to it.
She wore little jewellery. Small antique-gold earrings rested just below her ears, each holding a dark stone that caught the light only when she turned her head. There was no necklace at her throat. She wore a thin gold bracelet on her wrist.
Her shoes were black satin, elegant and practical, their heels modest enough to allow ease of movement through the evening. A subtle gold detail glinted at the back of each heel, visible only when she walked. Combined together she looked elegant.
As she reached the last step Gabriel moved to her and took her hand in his. He was truly proud and happy of her. He turned to look at his family and saw that they were also looking proud and happy. That she was where she truly belonged.
"Princess, you look absolutely gorgeous. There are no words that can truly describe how you look." He said.
"Thank you papa." She smiled softly. All of the members complimented her. She truly looks ethereal.
"We have our work cut out for us tonight. Matteo and Benjamin, you both will not leave princess' side tonight for even a minute. Do you hear me?" Antonio said in the demanding tone that he has, being the future mafia boss.
"Yes fratello. You don't have to say that. We will protect her from male vultures that try to approach her tonight." Benjamin said more like grumbled because he knew that his sister is going to attract all of the attention tonight at the ball. After all she is the main guest tonight and the ball is to introduce her officially.
"Why are you all being like that? Did you forget that I can protect myself?" Ariana asked in a sharp tone.
"That is not what we meant princess. We know that you can truly protect yourself but we want to protect you and we don't want anything to happen to you." Benjamin said seriously.
"Yes twinnie we know that you can kick ass when you want to but we want to protect you. That will give us a sense of peace." Matteo said gently.
"Ok then but I want you all to enjoy yourself as well. Just don't hover around me only. Okay?"
"Ok deal." They said despite knowing that they won't be able to let her go outside of their sight tonight. Then Ariana noticed their clothing.
They all were dressed elegantly as well. All the females were dressed in elegant gowns and males were wearing similar looking suits. All of them looked very handsome.
"Ready to go?" Alfonso asked.
"Fratello, will Luka and Luna also come?" Ariana asked them. She knew that they knew that they were part of the mafia and they had accepted her brothers.
"Yes they will meet us at the ball." Rafael answered.
"Then let's go." They all went to the car and went directly to the place where the ball was being held.
What they didn't know was that this ball will completely change Ariana's life for better or for worse. Who knows what destiny has planned for her. Let's wait and see.
******
Hello dear readers. Here's another chapter.
Happy reading.
Love, Stella.♥️