JADE
Three days had passed already. So fast. I still had not yet recovered from the tumultuous events of the last few days.
I still find it hard to believe that I almost got raped in just my second night of being in this family and by Luciano’s brother for that matter.
And Luciano whom I expected to be my comfort and shield, treated me like I was a common object, a possession of his all because I ran to his brother for help.
We rarely even spoke these days.
I never imagined him to be so petty and keep such malice with me all because of that.
What is a brother whom you can not meet in times of distress?
He says there is nothing going on in this family yet he forbade me from going over to his brothers. Well if he had not then I would not even bother going any way.
The aftermath of the rape still loomed over me like a dark cloud. I am really not safe in this place but who can I confide in?
I do not feel comfortable with Luciano nor any other family members of his. Oh God please help me.
I feel so alone and lost. I just wish I could go back home to my parents house.
As I pondered over those depressing thoughts, the door to the living room pushed open slowly and a young boy walked in.
“Hello?” I spoke, noticing the young fellow of about four to six years old.
He smiled widely at me and waved. “Good afternoon aunty. I am looking for uncle Luciano. Is he around?” He asked.
Uncle? Whose child is this?
“Come, come sit next to me” I softly said to him, tapping on the empty space on my seat.
“Ok. Thank you” he smiled wide eyed.
I observed his features. He had a distinct resemblance with Aurora and Raffaele.
He was probably their son.
He had Raffael’s brown hair but Aurora’s big brown eyes.
Did he really come all the way from his house to mine just for Luciano?
“What is your name sweetheart?” I asked him.
“Riccardo aunty. I am capo Raffaele’s son”
His boldness and cuteness were too die for! I could not help but smile at him.
I had forgotten about all my worries at this point.
This word capo though, what does it mean? Aurora said the same thing thing to me in the wedding reception and now this young boy is mentioning that same word.
“You are such a cute little boy. Well I am uncle Luciano’s wife. My name is Jade” I introduced myself to him.
“You are very pretty” he complemented me and a shade of pink permeated across my cheeks.
It is said that when children complement you, they tell you the truth because they do not lie.
“Thank you sweetheart and you too” I laughed.
“But Uncle Luciano is not around right now. Do you want him to get something for you? I can call him now if you want” I smiled fondly at him.
“Oh do not call uncle Luciano. I will wait for him. I hope he gets here before my mum comes for me” he said to me innocently.
Honestly where were his parents? I wondered if Aurora actually knew he was here or if he took permission from her before coming.
But I doubt he had her permission to come here. I mean that bitch hates me and to top it all she caught her filthy husband trying to assault me but still I was the one called a whore!
Yeah, women supporting women alright!
I shook my head inwardly at her disgusting personality.
Birds of a feather truly flock together. You attract what you showcase. Raffaele and her are truly meant for one another.
“Aunty Jade what are you think off?” Riccardo’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I wanted to tell him I was thinking about all the numerous ways I could deal with his mother but I instead flashed him a smile , “Nothing sweetheart. Would you like pastries?”
His eyes shone in delight, “Yes very much. I would like them”
I chuckled and called out to one of the kitchen staffs to get us pastries.
While we waited for our pastries, I engaged Riccardo in a light hearted conversation.
“Does your daddy and mummy know you are here?” I was tempted to ask.
He shook his head as a reply to my question, “They do not know”
“Probably your mum must be looking for you by now. Why did you not tell them before coming?”
“They will not allow me if they knew. Daddy does not like uncle Luciano and mummy just follows whatever daddy says” he confessed timidly.
Yeah no kidding.
But I think I just solved the first piece of this mysterious puzzle. I knew from the first day that there was disunity in this family but Luciano tried to tell me otherwise.
I just need to find out why they dislike each other. Could it be a childhood grudge?
I do hope this discord is between the Greco brothers alone and not between the entire family.
“Why does your dad not like uncle Luciano?” I was trying to tread carefully.
My interest had been aroused.
“I do not know aunty Jade. Ask uncle Luciano. He might know” he smiled.
“Why do you then come when you know your daddy will not be happy with you my dear?” I asked, raising my brows at him.
“I just love uncle Luciano. He is very friendly and he does not scold me like daddy does” he replied.
Luciano, friendly? Well not to me.
“Signora Greco, your snacks are ready” a maid served us a tray filled with all sorts of pastries accompanied by another who held two glasses and a bottle of orange juice.
“Dig in sweetheart” I urged him before he began eating.
As we both ate, Elizabeth, one of my personal maids, ambled down the stairs but upon seeing Riccardo, she let out a shriek.
“Signora Greco, what is he doing here?” She whispered to me in apprehension.
“What do you mean by that?” I flashed her dagger glares.
“I am sorry if my words offended you Signora but this is Raffaele’s son. Him being here might cause….”
“It will not cause anything. When his mother comes for him I will happily hand him over to her in one piece and if she does not come for him then I will drop him off at his house when we are done” I instantly cut her short.
She did not say any more word. Instead she bowed her head and walked away.
I hissed and continued enjoying my time with the young boy when a feminine scream barged into our discussion.
“Riccardo Greco come here right now!” Aurora barged into my home with an entourage of maids behind her.
They all had this saucy look on their face for me like their madam.
I bolted up at once and so did Riccardo who dejectedly walked towards his mother.
“What are you doing here with this witch of a woman?!” She yelled drawing the attention of my own staffs.
“I beg your pardon?” I took predatorial steps towards her.
“I said what I said. You unfortunate pauper!”
“How dare you talk to me in that tone you fool!?” I fired back at her.
The heated air in the room rose as well.
“How dare you come into my home and run your filthy mouth at me? I am not the cause of your unfortunate life and failed marraige bitch!” I retorted back using course words.
Poor Riccardo. This memory would scar him and I could tell by his disconcerted and sad features.
“Listen here Jade..” Aurora gripped unto my arm and tugged me towards her fiercely. “You should be lucky I have not exposed your shameless deeds to your husband yet”
“Even if you told him, he would never believe anything you say because he trusts me more than your own husband trusts you. You just do not want to accept the truth that you are married to a molester and a beast but it is fine. Go ahead and tarnish my name, let us see who will crumble between you and me.” I did not know why I said that and I was not sure either but I had to defend myself.
“Oh really? You are a pathetic joke. You better watch your back in this family Jade” she scorned with a baleful glare.
“Is that a threat? Oh my God, I am petrified by her words” I chuckled, unfazed.
“Watch and see then. We shall truly see who will crumble” She said straightening her shoulders as if trying to intimidate me before pivoting and walking away with her chin high.
I watched her go and flashed a tender smile at Riccardo who looked so distraught.
Oh Lord.
Turning around, I met the various eyes of my staffs on me.
“What are you all staring at?! Lower your eyes and go back to work!” I ordered, elegantly sauntering towards the stairs.
* * * * *
Dinner was so void of emotions, our eyes not daring to meet each other. Luciano came back early today which surprised me.
In the last few days he had been arriving home either by twelve midnight or by two or three in the morning.
I did not have the guts to ask him what kept him up so late at work after all what we had been through.
He rarely ever spoke to me either. It is not a pleasant experience honestly. I am a newly wed for heavens sake! This should even be the most romantic period of my marraige but yet I am battling with a family of secrets and hateful in-laws.
Life can really not get any worse than this.
“Would you quit eating too loud” Luciano spoke up so suddenly, seizing my breath. That is the first thing he has said to me in three whole days!
“Excuse me? How am I eating too loud?” I dared to ask him.
“Jade for once do not act stubborn and just quit eating too loud!” He was getting annoyed.
“I do not think I am eating too loud but if I am eating too loud then I will not stop all because you command me to do so. You do not own me!” I countered his orders.
“What is your problem Jade!?” Luciano dropped his cutleries on the table abruptly.
“What is your problem?!” I bolted up with such a tremendous force. “Why do you keep on finding fault in everything I do?!”
“You do not do things the right way!” He stood up and pushed his chair back. I watched him amble over to me.
His eyes were burning hot on me and his chest heaved heavily. So did mine too.
“Why are you doing this? Why are you behaving like this? Why are you acting so self centred? You could not even be happy that I cared about you so much when you did not arrive home earlier than I expected! God! I just hate you. Sometimes I just wish…”
Luciano instantly lifted my chin with a finger and his eyes bored into mine, causing me to bring to a halt my outburst. Our breaths were mixing and our lips were inches away from touching.
“Do you wish for me to leave? You wish you never met me?” He whispered, his breath rolling across my lips. It felt like I could taste it.
“Yes. Leave me please. You have caused me nothing but pain. Just leave me” I simply stated.
Luciano did not say a word after that. He instead held my gaze, after searching for my thoughts through my eyes. After a while he stepped back and marched upstairs.
I did not know why but twinned tears began streaming down my cheeks, my heart beating against my rib cages.
What is going on in my life?!