Whisper of Blood

Giovanna

"La sorella mi perdoni." (I'm sorry sister) Fabrizio's voice snapped me back to the present, "please stop packing for five seconds and look at me." I continued filling my bags, meticulously folding my designer sweaters; I was trying my hardest to stay strong and not break back down to tears. 

"Tell me brother, did you know? How long have you known? Hai accettato di vendermi come uno schiavo?" (did you agree to sell me like a slave?) I finally looked up to meet my brothers gaze, "I hope it's worth it. I hope you get the world, But know when you become the Don it was my sacrifice that got you there, not yours. If I would have been a boy that place would be mine. I'm going to be Rafael's wife, and the most powerful women in the Ruggiero crime family,  and the only reason I'm not kicking and screaming and burning this damn house down is because you need this, father needs this, my family needs this. Don't forget little brother after I marry him I will have more power than you and you'd be wise not to cross me again. Now get out, I need to finish packing. My slave ship leaves in the morning." He opened he mouth to reply to me but my glare made him think twice and he left my room quickly and quietly closing the door behind him. 

I had hurt him with my words, I knew it. It wasn't an easy thing to do, our father trained us to be strong not just physically but mentally as well. Never let anyone see behind the mask, it seemed to be the unofficial Cappelletti family motto. I couldn't dwell on my stupid little brothers feelings right now, I had to finish packing my life away. 

I was shoving the last pair of Louis Vuitton red bottoms into my bag and forcing it shut enough to zip. My door opened yet again, only this time I was greeted by the twins; Jacobella and Julianna. At fourteen they were five years my juniors, but honestly we could have been triplets. 

"Vanna, I heard that you are leaving tomorrow." Jacobella spoke timidly I knew she was dreading that I would confirm her fears. 

"It's.. it's not true is it?" Julianna asked from behind her twin before I could even respond. Seeing their faces broke my heart into a million pieces right there in my chest. 

"Come on, help me move the bags by the door. I am leaving tomorrow i mini fiori.  (my flowers) I'm not sure when I'll be able to return. I'm marrying a man named Rafael." I placed the bags by the door and walked back to my bed, sitting on the edge. I motioned for them to join me and they happily crawled up and snuggled into me on either side. 

I sighed deeply before i began to dive into the melodrama that had become my life, "Here's the truth. I'm leaving tomorrow morning to marry Rafael Ruggiero. I don't know when or if I will be able to return home. You guys need to be strong, you need to fill my shoes. I need you guys to help mama with little Noemi and to also keep Fabrizio level headed. I wish I could stay but my duty to this family is calling me away. You can always reach out and I'll try my best to still be there for you. Now that's enough doom and gloom, how about a disney movie night? Go get snacks and I'll get it all set up."

The girls fled my bed quickly, loudly talking about what snacks they would grab; however I noticed the sadness they tried to hide in their voices. I huffed as I reached over to the side table for my Apple TV remote, finding Disney+ choosing one of our favorites I smiled to myself. I knew my last night with my sisters would be filled with joy, singing, dancing, and not thinking about tomorrow would bring. 

It seemed like an eternity had passed when the girls finally tumbled back into my room leaving a trail of snacks as they came and giggling loudly. They truly were mini versions of myself; small in stature, but muscular and toned, perfectly bronzed skin, and long black hair tumbling down to their waists. Our only difference was out eyes, mine were emerald green while the twins took after my father with their icy blue. 

The feeling of my bed sinking under their weight brought me back to reality. We laughed and did our best impersonations of the characters and preformed full on musical numbers to every song. As the end credits rolled I could tell my sisters were sleeping by the soft snoring coming from the foot of my bed. 

I stared at them not knowing when the next time we would ever be like this together would be. A silent tear fell to my cheek as I looked around and took in my room. It finally hit me this was my last night here, my last night in this house as a resident and not a guest. The last night I truly would be Giovanna Valentina Cappelletti, tomorrow I would be shipped away to a strange place with a strange man. A man I was being forced to marry. A man I wasn't sure I could learn to love. Non of that mattered ; all I needed to  be was loyal, loyal to him and loyal to is family and people. I mean it couldn't be that bad, right?