Chapter 5

“Welcome Home Young Miss” Giovanni smiled as he bowed to me. 

“Giovanni” I acknowledged as I made my way inside. 

“Tesoro!” My father smiled as he walked down the hall. 

“Arcano, stop calling me that.” I sighed in annoyance. 

“Must you always be such a sourpuss?” My father grumbled as he pulled me into a hug. I placed my right hand on my father’s back, feigning a hug back. 

“Good Evening Neko” Arcano smiled as he let me go and pulled Neko into a hug. 

“Good Evening Mr. Salvatore” Neko smiled as I rolled my eyes at their interaction. Neko engulfed my father in a warm hug and almost seemed like they melted into each other. 

“Who is this?” 

“G-Good Evening Sir. My name is Ayla and I am Miss Bella's Slave.” Ayla smiled and bowed down to show my father respect. 

“You are such a sweetheart” My father smiled. 

“She is an Elven slave and as of right now, she is under Salvatore protection. Unless you have a problem with that Arcano.” 

“Not at all my Darling Tesoro.” 

“Very well since everyone is now on the same page let's have dinner.” 

I quickly walked away from the group of people and made my way into the dining room. I sat down on a chair and pulled my phone from my pocket. I answered some emails regarding Brax. Many interested buyers wanted to know how much he was on sale but I wouldn't sell my product before it was ready. 

“Tesoro, I figured you would be in the Music room. Playing the grand piano.” My father commented as he sat at the head of the table. 

“Why would I do that?” 

“You used to love playing the piano. It made your mama so proud” 

“Yeah well it's not like she's around to see me play anymore now is she?” I comment. 

My response sounded much harsher than I intended but instead of apologizing I simply kept quiet. 

“Tesoro”  

I don’t look at my father, I know my comment hurt him but I couldn’t help it. I resent my mother. She left me and my father for a man who took her life. 

“Stop calling me that Arcano. I am sick and tired of you playing the role of a caring father. You should have done that while I was growing up. Instead, Mom left and you shut me out.” 

“It wasn't easy for me Tesoro, I lost the love of my life!” He yelled as his fist slammed against the Mahogany table. 

“Yeah, and I lost both of my parents,” I whispered. 

“As soon as I realized what had happened I tried to raise you with as much love as I could muster!” My father countered. 

“Yeah, well, that was too little too late. I was 5 years old when mom left and for the following 5 years, you shut me out. Now that I’m older you want to mend a bridge you burned long ago.” 

“Tesoro, I’m sorry.” My father whispered. 

“Yeah? So am I.” I mumbled as I stood from my chair and walked out of the dining room. I couldn't take the suffocation I felt. 

My father didn't stop me. He simply sighed as I made my way past him and into the family room. I wanted to laugh at the irony. I sat on the couch and stared at the piano. I wanted to play but I knew the moment I touched that piano I would break down. I had no room for emotion in my life right now. I was going to be the biggest Mafia Don this world had ever seen. Mafia Dons have no room for emotions or family. My father taught me that early on. 

“Good Evening Master, Neko is making Dinner. Would you like me to play you a song?” Ayla questioned as she spotted me staring at the Grand Piano. 

“No, Ayla, That won't be necessary. I just have a headache.” 

“Would you like me to procure some aspirin for you?” Ayla whispered as she walked closer to me. 

“That won’t be necessary” I mumbled as I knew exactly why my head hurt. I was around my father for too long. 

I could hear Neko making a racket in the kitchen. She quickly found her favorite room in the house. 

Neko had adjusted well in my home. It was like she was born to cook and clean. 

Ayla took a seat next to me and stayed quiet. One thing I appreciated about Ayla was her quietness.  

“Good Evening Bambi” Nicoli spoke as he walked into the house. Closing the front door behind him. A smile formed on his face.

“I thought you were angry with Arcano” 

“I was but I know that no one here can put up with him as I can.” Nicoli chuckled. 

“Has anyone ever told you that you make an amazing Housewife?” I laughed. 

Nicoli shot me a Dirty look, not at all amused by my comment. 

“You sure are your father's daughter. You guys are both annoying as hell.” Nicoli bit out making louder laughs escape my lips. 

I walked back into the dining room, Nicoli followed behind me. My father was still in his chair. His eyes stayed on his hands not bothering to glance my way. I simply sat on a chair avoiding my father at all cost. I was still fuming. 

“What's the matter with you?” Nicoli questioned as he took a seat next to my father. 

“Nothing. It's nothing” My father shot him a fake smile that didn't reach his eyes. 

“Dinner is ready!” Neko beamed from the Kitchen. 

Ayla’s light footsteps could be heard walking into the Dining room where the tension was high. You could practically cut it with a knife. 

Ayla held a few plates in her hands. She didn't speak as she started to set the table. No words were spoken. The only noise in the room was the clanking of plates when Ayla would set them down. 

When Ayla finished setting everything she scurried out of the room and into the kitchen. It was apparent she was still slightly terrified of men. The way she flinched when my father or Nicoli would move was a dead giveaway. 

“So, who was that girl exactly?” Nicole questioned in confusion. 

“Ayla, another slave of mine.” 

“How many are you up to now?” 

“Three, but I have another auction to attend this weekend so it might change.” 

“How many do you plan on having in total?” 

“No more than five” 

“If you need any money-” My father's voice began to speak. 

“I won't” I cut my father off. 

Once again silence befell the room. I basked in it. Actually enjoying the peace and quiet. I started at the wall and examined the horrible scribblings on the wall. Ones I made when I was younger. 

I remember my mother had Arcano place a clear coating over my so-called drawings. She wanted to preserve my childhood. 

As I watched the wall now the only thing I felt was hatred. I hated my mother. I hated her for leaving me. I hated my father for being a Mafia man. I hated the man who killed her. I hated everything and everyone. 

“This room needs a new coat of paint” I bit out in anger. 

“As long as I live these walls will stay like this” my father bit back. 

Ever since the death of my mother, my father was one to never show his anger in front of me.

I could sense the anger in my father's tone when he spoke. I decided against speaking about the wall any further. 

The room was once again filled with noises made by my slaves. 

Neko walked in with a huge pan. Ayla followed suit with a pan of her own. Neko placed the lasagna on the table and Ayla placed another pasta next to it. Neko smiled at me as she quickly headed back into the kitchen with Ayla in tow. 

The silence once again consumed the room. It was starting to get awkward but I didn't dare say anything. My father's eyes met mine but I quickly looked away. I may act tough but I had seen the true face of my father. There was a certain amount of disrespect that he allowed and luckily for me, I knew exactly how far that was. However as any child has done I often crossed the line to see how much my father would allow. More often than not when it came to my mother my father had a very strict line. 

Neko once again came in and I thanked God for the distraction. Neko held a bowl of salad. Moments later Ayla walked in with a basket of freshly baked garlic bread. 

I laughed to myself at the current situation. How typical of an Italian family having Italian food for dinner. Oh, how ironic can life get? 

Neko tended to everyone as she and Ayla served the food and drinks. I started to eat in silence while Arcano started up a conversation with the family. Throughout the night I didn't speak a word. I ate my food in silence. 

When dinner was done Neko and Ayla cleaned up the table. 

“Dinner was fantastic” Nicoli commented. 

“Yes indeed” My father chuckled. 

“Bambi, do you plan on being angry for the rest of your life?” Nicoli questioned with a chuckle. 

When I didn't respond, my father spoke up. 

“Tesoro, when someone asks you a question it is only natural to reply.” 

“I'm not angry. I want to leave” I commented nonchalantly. 

“Will you play the piano for me before you go?” My father whispered. 

My eyes shot up searching for his. I was met with sincerity and hope. Tears began to well up in my eyes and a knot formed in my throat at the thought of placing my hands on those keys again. 

“No” 

I stood from my chair and walked out of the room.

“Neko, Ayla, we are leaving” I yelled out as I walked to the front door not bothering to listen for a reply. I needed to get out of this house. I needed to go home.