Aurora’s POV
I burst into laughter though nervous because I knew that she wasn’t bluffing, yet I didn’t want her to feel like she gotten an edge over me.
“What other reason do I have for being here other than working? Matteo wanted a chef and I met the requirements so I applied,” I replied, feigning ignorance but her cool smile told me that she wasn’t buying anything I said.
“Don’t act so ignorant with me, Aurora. If your uncle hadn’t asked for my help in finishing off your shooter, Matteo would have known the truth by now and trust me, he’s very close to finding out everything.” She said with all sense of seriousness, causing me to have a splitting headache immediately.
What the hell was wrong with uncle Lorenzo? Why did he have to go this far?
“Awww,” She cooed, her expression mocking. “Cat got your tongue?”
“What do you want from me, Ginevra?”
“Voila! That’s the perfect question to ask. You’ve always been a smart one.”
My heart ached because whatever Ginevra wanted wouldn’t be easy for me to do. My uncle should never have come here in the first place because everything will still fall back on me at the end of the day.
“Just say it!” I snapped.
She tsked and patted my shoulder which I shrugged off.
“You are in no position to be cocky or act arrogant, my dear Aurora.” She drawled, evoking anger within me. “I’ll tell you what I want.”
My ears itched for what her condition was, but I made sure that my countenance remained placid and unreadable. Even though I was shaken beyond my wits, I couldn’t let her have the last smile.
“I know that you have feelings for Matteo which I can’t blame you for and that’s why I want the both of you to break up.” She spat.
My eyes narrowed in slits and my fingers balled into fists. I was so ready to punch her but I didn’t want to aggravate the situation, so I thought of things to say.
“Ginevra, you’ve got no evidence that I had any evil plans against Matteo. It’s going to be your word against mine if you go ahead to tell him anything,” I said in my own defense but she only responded by cackling with laughter.
When she had finished laughing to her heart’s content, anger flickered in her expression.
“Unlike you, Aurora, I’m not a fool. Everything Lorenzo and I discussed were recorded in case things didn’t go as planned. So what will you do? Break up with him and run away or have him kill you when I expose everything?”
Sadness tore through my heart, but amidst the sadness was deep anger and contempt for my uncle. I didn’t know that his quest for getting the Camorra was greater than his love and care for me.
“You can leave, Ginevra. I’ll think about everything you’ve said,”
“Be hasty about it, you don’t have much time left anymore.” She advised and sauntered out of the room.
I threw off my bed cover and headed straight for my uncle’s room even though my face was a mess. It would have been easier if that was the only mess I was in.
I didn’t bother knocking as I pushed his door open and found him packing his bag.
“Where are you headed?” I hollered but he ignored me and continued his back-and- forth movement to the wardrobe and bed in which his bag was kept.
“I’m done with my work here so I don’t think I’m needed here anymore,” He claimed.
If he wasn’t my uncle, I might have thrown a punch at him for putting me into such a mess and leaving me alone in it. “Why did you tell Ginevra the truth? Don’t you know that it’s risky?” I questioned and he dropped the folded clothes on the bed, folding his arm.
“There’s nothing risky about it because I have nothing to lose,” He replied nonchalantly.
“Oh wow,” I said in amazement and realisation knowing that I had everything to lose.
“So you told her because I have everything to lose, including my life?” I almost yelled but I toned my voice down, not wanting to attract the attention of everyone in the house.
“Aurora..” He began, advancing toward me. “I raised you when your parents died and honestly I never wanted to find out what happened to them. That’s why I lied to you whenever you asked about the details of their death. Then you found out and asked me for an explanation, jumped onto a plane a few days later for you to come and take revenge. Instead of doing as planned, you allowed the Moretti boy to take your heart away.” He summarised the whole situation.
“I didn’t plan for any of this to happen. I was just very angry and bitter because I never got the love of my parents. Then I realised that it wasn’t his fault and they didn’t deserve to die.” I countered him but he didn’t look convinced.
He resumed packing his clothes while I watched him angrily.
“I might have supported you if he didn’t begin to trespass and I’ve spoken to some of our men who want nothing but the Camorra to be back on their feet. Fortunately, Erizo is back to his senses and will become Capo when everything is settled.” He replied with pride spreading all over his features.
He was delusional to me but I didn’t bother stating it.
“You’re only fired up because your irresponsible drug addict son is back. Watch him disappear into his comfort zone when he discovers that he isn’t capable of being the Capo,” I spat and felt a heavy slap on my cheek.
I staggered back, willing myself not to cry. He had never hit me since I was born but there was a first time for everything.
“Well, uncle Lorenzo, I’ve washed my hands from the Vendetta so don’t come to me when everything comes crashing on your shoulders.” I informed him.
“You don’t have to be worried about that, rather worry about what Ginevra will do to you and trust me, I won’t intervene.”