Aurora’s POV
“You look so beautiful,” Aunt Giselle commented as she helped me with my make up and I couldn’t agree less.
“I didn’t know that you were this talented, you should make a career out of this,” I suggested, enjoying my new look. My wild auburn hair had been packed into a slick bun with some strands at the front curled to give me an innocent look.
My make up was subtle and charming and so was my dress; a flowing turquoise blue dress with a halter neck design. It suited me perfectly, hugging every curve that I possessed. I was sure that I’d never looked this beautiful in my life and somehow I felt that something good was going to happen to me.
“I’ll think of that. Angelo and I are making plans for several things, but I’ll consider this. Meanwhile, this is one of my birthday gifts to you for being a very good niece. You know how much I love you.” She said as I made a puppy face.
“I love you too, aunty.”
The door suddenly pushed open with Sofia glaring at us in rage. From the scowl on her face, I could tell that she knew the whole truth.
“When were the both of you planning to tell me about it?” She hollered, causing my face to turn pale.
Aunt Giselle approached her carefully, knowing that she was pissed off. But we couldn’t afford her knowing too much or things would go haywire. It was one of the reasons I kept my secret to myself till other people began to know about it.
“Sofia, relax please. There’s a reason we didn’t tell you about it.” She explained softly, reaching for Sofia’s hands but she jerked back like her mother’s hands were filled with hot coals.
“Don’t touch me, mother. Why didn’t you tell me that you are related to Aurora? Is that why she helped you out of the marriage with my father?” She yelled while I thought of how to placate her.
“Calm down, please. I’ll tell you everything after the party.” I chimed, but her look of disdain showed that she didn’t care.
She scoffed, then chuckled drily. “I was just about to tell you that Danilo and I are back together because he told me the truth about his ex lover.” She paused then pinched the bridge of her nose. “Well, I’ve said it already. I’m leaving.”
She stormed out of the room while I passed a worried glance at Aunt Giselle.
“Don’t worry about her and enjoy your day. I will take care of her.” She assured me and placed a kiss on my forehead.
I took my silver clutch bag which had several glitters and headed downstairs where Demetrio was waiting for me. I masked my worried face with a happy one since that was how I should be.
Demetrio turned around when he heard the click of my ankle strap heel. His eyes nearly popped and then a casual smile crept up his lips.
“You are beyond beautiful, Aurora.” He said, his eyes scanning me from my head to toe in admiration.
Angelo cleared his throat as he walked towards us with a wine glass in his hands. “You better stop staring at your boss’s woman like you want to eat her up or you’ll be eaten up.”
Demetrio chuckled and headed out while I followed him, then I stopped. “Aren’t you coming for the party?”
“I’m coming with Giselle.” He explained with a smile but I didn’t understand why so I tilted my head to the side. “Couples thingy.” He joked and I gave him a knowing look.
Demetrio opened the door to the backseat for me then I noticed that Sofia was already seated at the left side. “Are we supposed to go together?” I asked and she shrugged.
“Matteo’s order.” She replied bluntly.
I relaxed on the headrest since she was still livid and I didn’t want Demetrio to pick up the tension between us. I allowed myself to be distracted by the soft music blaring from the speakers of the car while my hands rubbed my stomach.
My eyes fluttered open and I glanced at Sofia whose attention was solely on her phone. I opened my mouth to tell her that I was sorry when the car halted abruptly.
“Get down both of you!” Demetrio ordered, his voice reeling with danger as the sounds of gunshots echoed in the air.
Sofia subconsciously pushed closer to me while I shielded her head with my hand. My mind flashed back to the conversation I had with Erizo some days back immediately and wondered if the Camorra was at work. But it wasn’t their mode of operation and no matter how mad uncle Lorenzo was at me, he would never attack me.
I was very sure of the fact.
“I don’t want to die, Aurora.” Sofia sobbed on my thighs while I rubbed through her scalp, ignoring the ache that was rising at my back because of my bent posture.
“Nothing will happen to you Sofia, you’ll come out of here alive.” I said to comfort her and she nodded shakily.
I opened my clutch bag in search of my phone so that I’d inform Matteo about what was happening but my phone wasn’t in it. Then I remembered that I left my phone at home.
“Give me your phone, Sofia. I need to speak with Matteo.” I said and she handed it to me quickly.
I’d memorised Matteo’s phone number but when I tried to call him it didn’t go through. I checked and realised that there wasn’t network coverage.
We were trapped.
Suddenly there were no more sounds of gunshots. I raised up my head carefully and a gasp escaped my lips as I saw Demetrio’s unconscious state.
“Demetrio! Are you alright?” I asked, my voice shaky with fear.
I leaped from my seat and checked his body. Trepidation filled me as I placed my ear on his chest to check his heart beat. Blood flowed from his stomach and his heart didn’t beat at all.
My eyes darted around and I found some men walking towards us with guns in their hands. My heart did a staccato bit and my hand reached for my stomach instinctively as the little action was enough to protect my child.
“You are pregnant?” Sofia’s voice caused me to jerk in fear.
I nodded, willing myself not to break down. The Mancini’s had always been known as strong people…I wouldn’t break because of an attack.
Sofia and I held onto each other as one of the men shot at the car and opened the door. I inclined my head as I kept whispering words of assurance to Sofia who was very scared.
I felt a warm hand on my skin which pulled me out of the car roughly. They dragged Sofia out as well and pushed her towards me then set the car on fire.
I couldn’t let them do that, no matter what, Demetrio deserved to be mourned by the Outfit. “No! Don’t burn the car.” I yelled as I tried to run towards the car but I felt something strong at the back of my head.
Slowly everything turned blurry in front of me and then pitch black.
**********
My eyes flickered open and I winced at the sharp pain that followed when I tried to move my head. I scanned the room in a bid to get familiar with my current location then I met Sofia at the other side of the room.
Then everything that happened earlier came rushing back to me. We had been kidnapped and we’d be very lucky to get out of here alive. The room unfortunately had no window, curtains or even a wardrobe!
Hell! There was no bed, just an empty room that was big enough to contain twenty people.
“Sofia! Sofia!” I whispered and shifted with my body on the floor towards her since my movement was restricted.
My hands were tied to my legs and my head hurt like a party was going on in it.
Sofia stirred and her eyes opened as well. She struggled to seat up but she finally did then the door flew ajar.
Three people walked in, all dressed in black with masks apart from the one in the middle who wore a red dress. The lady approached me fluidly and scooted to the ground, locking her gaze with me.
The eyes were familiar but I couldn’t remember where I’d seen them.
“You’re struggling to remember where you’ve seen the eyes, huh? Let me make it easier for you..” The woman chuckled and her voice reminded me of no one else but the wicked woman I knew.
It couldn’t be.
She took off her mask and smiled at me cynically while my lips went agape in sheer surprise.
Ginevra had arranged for my kidnap.
“You?” I grimaced, my voice clogged with shock and trepidation.
“We meet again, Aurora Mancini.” She smiled sardonically while playing with her mask, her eyes holding promises of torture and endless suffering.