Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1)

Chapter 14 (Aliyana)

Which is why Papa did not take me to functions that weren't compulsory. Most of the time, he sent his

wife and Guilia. When people asked for me, they simply said the invite wasn’t unlimited. Code for ‘mind

your own fucking business.'

Guilia walked into my room an hour before we were due to leave. She lost her shit upon seeing the

state of my room and my messy clothes. To say she started rushing me for time is putting it mildly. But

all her yelling and pestering flew out the window when I got a call first from Ren, then Mero.

Ren sounded disturbed, which had me worrying about him. He wasn’t the happy Ren, who left Azure

with promises of a goodnight. No, the Ren on the phone was the Ren who at 15, put a gun to my

science teacher's head when Mr. Rajan offered me a higher grade if I’ll let him ‘touch’ my ass.

Mr. Rajan vanished two days after.

Mero called soon after Ren and stole what time I had remaining to get ready.

Mero was the chatty one in our group. He’d hold me in a conversation that flowed so smoothly from the

time he said hello.

I was always left stunned at how many hours the two of us spoke every day. Ren preferred text and

always about something relevant, but today was something else.

Michel was the ‘I’ll call you if it’s important or when we going to meet up?’ kind of guy. Gabriel was a

show-up, and let’s talk face to face. He knew where I was, and if he did text, it was usually to tell me to

open the gate or hurry up.

Mero was the glue that kept us attached when we would have got caught up in life. He called all of us,

every single day. He’d talk more to me than the guys, but he’d meet Gabriel at least once a day if they

weren’t spending the day together already.

With me, it was a call whenever he had something to tell me, which was every single day or the others ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

wanted to meet. Today was no different. The timing HOWEVER sucked. Not only did I miss the alarm

clock I’d set to remind me to get ready, but after my sister took it upon herself to play the whining

mother, I still managed to be 30 minutes late. Well, maybe 40 minutes, or an hour.

My stepmother knew that I wouldn't be ready by 6 like she knew I’d forget to put make-up and tie my

hair. The paint on my cheek wasn’t anything new, either.

When I was growing up, I wanted to have a hobby. Papa suggested painting, and after that, it stuck.

I was good at it, so Papa sent me for professional classes, and before I knew it, I was painting pictures

that most people thought were taken from a camera.

Painting is the one hobby I enjoy doing. My pass time when I am not with my friends. I suck at sports,

so art became my sport.

But on days like these, it consumed me.

I hate pretending and acting like I care how big your bank balance is or how much your shoes cost.

Pretending to care about whether ‘she’ had a nose job or not.

But missing Guilia’s engagement announcement and the Catelli brother’s choice of a queen is not

something I could do.

My Papa hardly asked me for much. He gave me everything without complaint.

On a few occasions, he told me to do something, I did. No questions asked.

I don’t think my Papa has ever heard me say no.

After the ongoing bitching fit of Ilaria, we are finally ready to leave.

My sister and I take the twins with us in our new car. One of the SUV’s with our soldiers drive in front of

us and the other at the back.

Today we have four guards for each of us besides Filippo, who has two.

Something is definitely wrong.

My stepmother, Filippo, and their soldiers take the Bentleys.

I drive, knowing the curves of the road, taking it at a fast pace, laughing with the twins as they scream,

“Faster, Faster.”

Guilia yells at me to slow down.

This is normal when the 4 of us are in the car with me behind the wheel.

Our men keep up with my reckless nature on the road. I have always had a friendship with speed, and I

have never hidden my taste for danger. I am my father’s daughter, after all.

The road is filled with flashy cars seen from the distance as we drive closer to the venue. People walk

to Azure from the top of the street. Azure is a top-class restaurant and hotel owned by Deno Catelli.

The original venue for tonight was supposed to be the Catelli’s Mansion, but due to unknown reasons,

they changed it to Azure.

I rev the car’s engine when I spot the car guard waiting to take the car. All these people should be

familiar to me by now, but they aren’t.

It wouldn’t stop them from opening their mouths about me or talking to me.

Deciding to calm my nerves a bit, I make a big show as I do a three-point turn and park my own car.

Guilia and I decided I would keep this one, as it is already here. Guilia would have the one coming in a

few weeks delivered to New York.

My sister mumbles something about me showing off as I cut the engine.

“A car this sexy is meant to be driven fast, Guilia.”

“Not when we have the twins,” She retorts.

I roll my eyes, looking at the number of people around,

“Are you ready to get engaged?” I question her.

She looks stunning in a red dress and dark shadowed makeup that makes her eyes sparkle. She is

dressed to impress her soon to be husband, that's for sure.