Allora

New York

I don't really remember much about New York from my childhood. This was my birth place, but deep down I know I will be a Texan girl.

My flight landed half an hour ago and we are on our way to wherever my dad has instructed the men to take me.

Saying goodbye to my family was hard. The mere thought of not being with them bring me to tears.

I looked outside the vehicle and took in the view outside. It's really astonishing to me. My life was in the country and now I'm in one of the biggest cities in the world.

It's funny how life changes without any warning. We plan many things but life has a mind of its own.

The urban jungle started to fade as the vehicle moved forward. I see tress on both sides of the road which brings a sense of comfort for me which makes me aware of the growing uneasiness inside.

The car came to a halt in front of a huge gate. The gate opens and I see men in black dress with huge guns in their hands on either side speaking into walkie talkie like things. At that moment something struck inside me .'' Holly molly what have I gotten myself into'' I whispered to myself. Seeing the guns the uneasiness grew and my anxiety is trying to gain its dominance over me. I took small breaths to calm myself from hyperventilating. Johann and Antony nods at the men with guns and drives forward. There are trees on either side and the view is mesmerizing as we drove forward I realize the path is hilly and gradually there is a clearing. There in the top stood a mansion with huge pillars. Its so beautiful.

The car gradually came to a stop. The door to my side was opened and I feel myself calming myself from the anxiety from novelty, But protective hands gathered me from the car slowly eased the rising storm inside. I stepped outside and gave my father a smile which is unmatched to the huge one on his face.

"How was the trip dear?''

'' it was good'' I said looking around the unfamiliar surrounding.

Johann and Antony came and stood by our side and gave a bow to my dad.

okay, now that is weird. It must be some mafia thing.

My dad ushered me inside but suddenly I remembered something. " my suitcase''

'' It will be brought to your room Lora. You come inside, everyone is excited to meet you" we started walking inside.

Truth to be told I feel tired and is in no mood to meet anyone. But I can't just brutally say no to him.

I followed him inside and on the way looked around the place. The interior is equally stunning like the outside. There are many artifacts, but what catches my eye is the huge wall filled with white, yellow in swirls with the domination of the blues. I stopped for a moment taking in the beauty. I walked closer to the wall and took in the painting.

"The starry Night, you heard of it?'' my dad asked. I nodded in response and couldn't help the huge smile on my face. It's like the exact replica of Van Gogh's, but bigger. This moment gives me a sense of belonging for the first time since I landed here.

" Who is the artist?'' I asked turning my attention to my dad.

My dad was still looking at the painting and there is a this proud look on my dads face. When he turns to me he smiles and says something that wipes the smile off my face." Your mom"

It was like I was slapped by someone.

And who is at fault? Me, myself. I always tried not to talk about my mom , even with my aunt.

I walk forward without waiting for my dad to lead me around this unknown place. From the size of the place without a guide a stranger can easily get lost.

''Lorra wait'' my dad called me from a distance which I completely ignored.

This is not a time to be irrational , I thought . There is no point in being mad at him for something that happened a decade ago.

Fate was cruel to me, but then who is she kind with? It hurts really bad when I think about her. I was robbed from the precious moments I could've spend with her. I was only four.

Lost in my own thoughts I was unaware of my surroundings which resulted in me walking into something hard.

Right before me is a huge black hoodie. I looked up to see the person wearing it and oh boy I wished I hadn't. Standing in front of me is a fine specimen of human being . For a second I forgot where I'm going. I wanted to say sorry for my carelessness but nothing comes out of me. I cleared my throat to speak . " I'm sorry '' with that I moved past him, but my hand was grabbed by someone suddenly , I turned around thinking it was the stranger, but disappointingly it was my dad. Really girl? get your head out of the gutter, I scolded myself. '' Lorra darling you are going the wrong way everyone is waiting for you in the living room."

'' What if I don't want to meet them now?'' I see the sudden displeasure in my dads face at my response. I feel bad for some reason. I release a breathe of annoyance at the situation I'm in. It's not even been an hour since I landed here, but I already want to leave for Texas, but I can't. I need to digest the fact that this is my life from now on, I should be more patient and understanding.

''fine I will come'' I should get this meeting over as soon as possible and get a bath.

During my exchange with my dad I forgot about the stranger who was now observing us. My dad saw me looking at the third person.

"Allora meet Rosario''

The man nodded at me with a small smile with amusement in his eyes, I wonder why? .

'' Where are you headed to Rosa?'' my father asked Rosario. I did notice that he didn't bow to him. Could it be that he might be a relative by blood. There is a possibility and I really hope it's not the case.

'' The shipment from Italy has reached earlier than we anticipated''

"Isn't Gabriel there?''

"He is , but I wanted to be there when the cargo is loaded to the warehouse"

"what cargo?'' I found myself asking out of curiosity.

The two of them looked at me , both with different expressions. One had the uneasiness parents had before explaining something complicated to their children, The other one was waiting for my response to the answer I was seeking with amusement.

'' You are part of the family and I wish for you to lead it one day. Just know that everything we do is inevitable in order to keep many people safe " I gave no response to this , I didn't know how. '' It's weapons '' and oh boy that did got a huge response from me. Shipment , cargo is associated with huge amount right. I mean what else should I expect, the man did tell me that he is involved in mafia. The men outside with guns were just an intro to the turn of events in my life about to come in the near future I'm guessing.

Lost in my thoughts I didn't even realize when Rosario left.

I continued following my father and he led me into a huge room which is the size of a football ground. Ok that might've been a bit exaggerating, but still its freaking huge. There is a huge chandelier hanging in the right middle of the room. The furniture looks so expensive and aristocratic. I looked around with a gawking fish expression and didn't notice the eyes on me . At the clear of someone's throat did I realize that. There were many people standing with welcoming smiles on their faces. I suddenly felt shy and looked down. I don't usually feel self conscious, but having this many strange pairs of eyes at you a time maybe does that. I waited for all of them to say something, but they stood there smiling. A lady who looked stunning and probably in her late forties was wiping away her tears but still smiling. Now this is awkward.

Helplessly I turned to my father who placed his hands on my shoulder and he looks so proud.

''Allora meet our familia'' My dad said walking us towards the small crowd emitting excitement. The first to come and hug me is the weeping lady. " Oh my she is so big now, I remember the little angel walking around calling for tia'' the woman said who I'm thinking is my aunt from what she said with an accent. Papa Robert and mama Maria sometimes have heavy accent when they are emotional.

Tia kissed me on both cheeks and I stood there with an awkward smile " Do you remember me mijah?'' she asked hopefully.

I don't want to disappoint but still I decided to tell her the truth '' No '' I replied politely as possible. At this the rest of the room erupted into a laughter and tia looked at them with a frown. But thankfully she turned to me with a smile "You were only two when I last saw you, but you still called me tia and it was the most cute thing mijah.''

I smiled bright at this , cause this woman had love beaming in her affection towards me.

'' This is my sister your aunt Sofia '' my dad said introducing the lady embracing me.

I looked towards rest of the members who looks excited like tia minus the tears. But in the left end stood a woman who wasn't emitting the same aura like the others. There was something off about her.

'' I'm Lola and this is Lisandra, we are both Sofia's daughters'' a girl around my age introduced her and her sister. Both of them looks like the younger version of Sofia. Gorgeous is what I would call them,. I smiled and curtly nodded at them, but both of them pulled me in for an unexpected hug. '' I'm David Sofia's husband'' a man around my dads age said to me. He also gave me a gentle hug. Next came two little girls who I'm assuming are twins. They seemed to be around four years. By them stood a handsome man with green eyes.

Lisandra came near him and said '' This is my husband Joe and these two are our twin angels Maria and Sasha''

I might've looked stupid withy my shocked face. I thought Lisandra was in high school or something younger than me.

She laughed at me '' I know what you are thinking, I'm 24 even though I look younger'' she must get this response quiet often.

Joe nodded at me with a welcoming smile.

Next came the lady with the off vibe. She came near my father and looked at him, it was like she was waiting for him to introduce her . And he did what was expected.

'' Allora meet Janice'' the lady smiled at my dad and looked my way with a not so welcoming smile. It looked wicked.

She snaked her arms around my dad and this made me a bit uncomfortable. Must be a lady friend I'm guessing. But what my father told me next was the most unexpected thing that shocked me to the core. '' my wife''