Love Conquers All

Episode2:Pain

Theodore POV

“Is the file ready?” I asked the personal investigator.

He placed it in front of me. I opened it.

It was truly her.

‘Ariabella Isabel Romano’, the first daughter of the Romanos’.

I squeezed my eyes tightly and clenched my fists tightly. Then I stood up and walked to the glass window, looking at her necklace in my hands.

It’s finally time for me to get my revenge.

I placed it in my pocket and dismissed the investigator.

Just then, my best friend and right-hand man, Pancho, walked in.

“Hey grumpy.” He joked.

Pancho has been my friend from childhood.

We practically grew up together. I didn’t see anyone fighting my right-hand man except him because I trust him so much.

Pancho is a skilled mafiaoso, dangerous too, but he is really playful, he is the only one that manages to get on my nerves all the f*****g time.

“What do you want, Pancho?” I groaned.

“I just want to hang out with my buddy.” He grinned. I raised my brows in suspicion.

“We can hit the club, get some ladies.” He drawled, then winked, smacking his lips.

I rolled my eyes, I knew he was here to persuade me to go out again.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have time for that. I have found the first daughter of the Romanos.” I informed him in a much colder tone.

“Really?, when?” He asked surprised.

“Well, Mr Romano agreed to the contract, he’s willing to partner up now.” I stated with a wicked smile.

“Such a greedy old fool, he doesn’t know what’s coming for him.” Pancho scoffed with an eye roll.

“So you saw her at the house?” He asked further.

I shook my head and continued.

“No, Mr Romano insisted on us meeting up to have a drink and finalizing the deal. I decided to play along and agreed.”

“I was heading there when suddenly she rode her horse onto the main road. She lost control then fell. I helped her, not knowing who she actually was.”

“Wow, then how did you find out?” He asked, tilting his head in confusion.

“I was surprised when she mentioned the Romano mansion was her home. I suddenly had a strong feeling she was one of his daughters, either the first or second. So I asked my personal investigator to look into it, and she actually turned out to be the first.” I explained, resting on the armchair.

“Aria, their princess.” I drawled with a satisfactory smile.

“I guess you guys are really destined to be there,” Pancho joked.

I glared at him, he cleared his throat and sat up straight once he saw I was serious.

“So what now, are you still pushing the plan to marry her?” He asked. I nodded.

Then the door opened, and the woman who means everything to me in the whole wide world walked in- my grandmother.

“Noni.” I greeted her in the usual Italian endearment to grandmothers.

Pancho did the same and then left. He probably figured she wanted to talk to me alone.

She walked up to me and placed her hands on my cheek.

“I heard you found her.” She said. I nodded with a smile.

“The hiding is over now. The whole plan is finally setting into place, my precious.” She said, also beaming in satisfaction.

She always called me her precious because I reminded her of my father, her favorite son.

“We can finally avenge their deaths and then claim back your real name as Theodore Galterio.” She concluded as a tear dropped from her eyes. I wiped them away and kissed her frail hands.

“I swear to avenge their deaths even with my last blood, Noni. Every single member of the Romanos will pay.” I vowed, gritting my teeth in anger.

“We shall disgrace and shame their precious daughter just as they did to my mother. I will slaughter every member of her family and send their remains to her so she will get to live with the agony I lived.” I raged with red-blood shot eyes and clenched fists.

“That’s it, let them all feel your wrath.” Noni encouraged, then placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

Aria POV

I woke up, my ribs and leg still hurt. I managed through the pain, pushing myself out of the bed and into my bathroom.

I brushed and took my bath.

I was going to tend to the stable today. I couldn’t do so yesterday because of what happened. If Ma’am Celine finds out, that’s another problem for me.

I strolled to the kitchen to have something to eat first.

Ma’am Serena stood over the counter, humming a song as she prepared the vegetables. I wrapped my arms around her, hugged her from behind.

“Good morning.” I chirped brightly.

“Oh morning dear, how are you feeling now.” She asked with concern as her eyes roamed around my bruised leg.

I’m fine, don’t worry.” I assured her with a smile.

“How can you ask me not to worry?” She started to worry, but ma’am Celine walked in yelling-

“Where’s the breakfast already, Serena?”

“It’s almost done.” Ma’am Serena grumbled with an eye roll.

Then Ma’am Celine turned to face me.

“It’s funny how you have the guts to eat after what you caused yesterday.” She scowled at me.

“I’m sorry.” I simply uttered.

“Useless girl.” She hissed and walked away.

I sighed and sat on the stool, Ma’am Serena hugged me.

“It will be okay my child.” She comforted him.

I ate my breakfast hurriedly, and went over to the stables.

“Hey Silvia.” I chirped happily. I took out a horse brush and gently brushed her white fur.

Suddenly, I remembered my necklace. I touched my neck but it wasn’t there.

I always wear it. Maybe I forgot to wear them today?. I decided to go in and check for it.

My Noni (grandmother) gifted me that necklace. She said it would be my good luck charm.

How, Ironic right?

I wear it all the time to remember her. In a way, I’m closer to her through the necklace.

I got to my room and opened the drawers, but it wasn’t there. I searched thoroughly but still nothing.

“Where could it be?” I grunted in frustration.

Then my mind drifted to the incident yesterday.

“Mr stranger!.” I blurted out, clicking my fingers as I recollected.

Could it be with him? But how am I even going to get it back?

I can’t believe I lost it. I slumped against the wall sadly.

“Please forgive me Noni.” I mumbled with teary eyes.

“Aria!” My stepmother yelled.

I hurriedly wiped my tears away and sprinted out of the room to meet her.

“We have important guests coming, make sure things are ready.” She ordered and then eyed me.

“Also dress presentable too. We can’t have you disgracing us, stupid girl.” She cursed and then walked away.

I sighed tiredly. I thought of getting a little rest, but of course, who am I kidding?.

I walked into the kitchen and started preparing the dish.

I made lasagna, ravioli and Spaghetti Alla carbonara, which was actually my favorite dish.

Then I also made some desserts.

It was almost evening by the time I was done. I thought the guests would be arriving soon.

I tidied up everywhere and double-checked to make sure it was perfect, then I proceeded to get myself ready.

Although, I couldn’t help but wonder who the guests were because ma’am Celine seemed really nervous.

Within a short while, I had gotten it already. I wore a simple blue gown and white sandals, I let my black silk hair down.

After looking in the mirror and deciding I looked okay, I walked into the main house.

“It doesn’t matter if you wear nice clothes, you still look like a slave.” Martina snorted and walked past me.

“Don’t listen to her Aria love, you look so beautiful.” Ma’am Serena complimented as she stroked my hair, which made my face stretch in a smile.

“I should set the table already, the guests will soon arrive.” I excused myself and started arranging the dishes.

I was done, then Ma’am Celine came down with Dad.

“They are here!.” She ordered the maids to open the door.

I decided to go stand with them. Dad flashed me a look that screamed, ‘don’t disgrace me tonight.’

I guess they are really important people if Dad is this worked up too.

I looked around, and my eye caught Martina, who was adjusting her gown so that her bosom was prominently outside.

Though there wasn’t a need for that, the dress she wore was extremely revealing.

Then the door opened, and the guests were revealed.

“Mr Stranger…”