Tis The Season For Revenge

Chapter 4: A Place Called Home

Jernail

“I already have a schedule for you. A lady should always know how to defend herself. And I got you a gift. It’s on the back seat,” Marcello answers, breaking me out of my thoughts. I reached to the back and took the gift box. I laughed when I opened it and held it in my hand.

“Our princess should know how to protect herself. Our world is dangerous, sis. Your ex and his mistress don't hold a candle to the danger we face,” he says as I examine the gun. “I know, and I am ready to face whatever comes. I missed so much time with my family. Nothing will keep me away from you. Not even my revenge,” I say, and he looks at me and smiles.

“That's my girl,” Marcello says and reaches over to ruffle my hair. “Dude, we aren't kids anymore.” I say as I straighten my hair. “True, but I have fifteen years of annoying my little sister to make up for.” he says and I laugh. “I see you. Two can play that game. Make sure you introduce me to all your friends. Don’t little sisters normally crush on their big brother's friends? I also have fifteen years to make up for,” I say, and he glares at me.

“I will kill them all if they touch you. Friend or not,” he says, and I roll my eyes. “You do realize I am twenty-five and, up until yesterday, I was a married woman.” “I do, but you will always be my little sister. I couldn’t protect you then, but I can now,” he says, and I look at him and smile. “It wasn’t any of your fault. And you got the people responsible for my kidnapping. I really did have a good life with Olivia and Joel until Anne came back into their lives.

And as for my marriage, after the first year, the only light in my darkness was grandpa Charles. He loved me like his own and that was enough for me. Speaking of, did you speak to his lawyer?” I asked and he nodded. “He arranged everything just like you wanted. Your identity will remain a secret until you are ready. Mom’s friend and stylist is coming later for lunch.

He wants to do the makeover you wanted. I think you are beautiful as you are, but it’s your choice. So mentally prepare yourself, he is very over the top, but mom loves him. Your new identity is also ready. Or shall I say your old one?” he says and I laugh. “I will be ready for him. And I am glad you all agreed that I can keep the name Jay.” “We don’t care what you call yourself. You are our princess either way,” he says, making me smile.

He is a really good brother. And my bio parents are the best. I never imagined that I would meet my real family. I had given up on that years ago. I rest my head on his shoulder as he drives. I don’t know when I fell asleep. But when I woke up, he was carrying me into our home. The Moretti family compound is a beautiful property. My family spares no expense when it comes to their homes.

And the security is very tight. I understand why, and I will try my best to fit in. This will be my home now for as long as I want. And it feels good to be here. I may not remember them, but I do feel love. There is no denying I am a Moretti. They showed me all the pictures of me growing up and a few taken the day before I was kidnapped. It’s definitely me and the DNA test I asked for proved them right.

I met them six months ago. I was shocked to say the least, but I heard them out. The first time I saw my mother, I couldn't even deny her. I look so much like her. From my bright amber eyes, to my freckles, pitch black hair and dimples. They had already done their research, and they were ready to kill Alfonso and Anne for everything they put me through. But I asked them to stand down and let me handle my revenge, my way. My brother is all the back-up I need.

Marcello carried me up to my room, but mom and dad heard us, so they rushed over. “Is she okay? Did that son of b***h hurt her?” Dad asks. I lifted my head and showed Marcello to put me down. “I am fine dad, just tired. I had a long day,” I say as he pulls me into his arms. “I don’t understand why we can’t just kill him,” dad grumbles and mom slaps his arm, while I giggle. I am sure he solves all his problems like that, but I love him anyway.

“You know why, dad. Let her have her fun first. She deserves it.” Marcello answers and my father sighs. “No more talk of that. Merry Christmas sweety,” Mom says. “Merry Christmas mom, Merry Christmas dad,” I say as mom pulls me away from dad and into her arms as she hugs me. “My baby girl is finally home. Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?” mom asks, and I hear Marcello snicker behind me.

In these few months that I have gotten to know them in secret, I have summed my mother up. She is a feeder. She believes everything can be fixed with food. And my dad may look scary, but he is just a big teddy bear when it comes to his family. “No, thank you mom. I am really tired, so I am going to call it a night, if that’s okay,” I say, and she smiles.

“Sure princess. Sleep, we can talk in the morning. Vinny is coming over for Christmas lunch, and he wants to give you that makeover you wanted. Are you sure you want to butcher your beautiful hair like that?” she asks me and I laugh. “I need a fresh start. New look to match the new me.” “Okay, you know what’s best for you. Good night sweety. I love you,” Mom says, kissing my cheek. “Night mom, I love you too.”

“Buonanotte, principessa. Call me if you need anything.” [Good night, princess,] dad says, kissing the top of my head. “Buonanotte, papà,” [Good night, dad,] I say in answer and he smiles proudly. I have been learning Italian. I am not that good yet, but I know a few phrases. They leave and Marcello makes sure I am okay, before he leaves too. They love to fuss over me and it kinda feels nice. I grab a quick shower, before I go straight to bed.

When I open my eyes again, I look around and smile. I am in my new room at my parents' house. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Jernail Walters Du Pont died yesterday and Jay Moretti rose from her ashes. Ooh, I like that. I am feeling very poetic today. I think I should get a tattoo of a phoenix to mark my rebirth. I always wanted one, but Alfonso wouldn’t allow me to 'mark my body', as he called it.

Now, nothing and no one can stop me. Marcello has quite a few tattoos, so I will ask him to recommend someone. I check the time before I get up and get dressed. My closet is filled with clothes I will probably never wear. Mom went a bit overboard with the shopping, but I won’t complain. It makes her happy to spoil me, so I will let her. We missed a lot of years, but we are trying to make up for that.

And I did give all my clothes away from my old life, so I need them now. I settled for a beautiful long red dress and paired it with a pair of black pointed stilettos. I tied my long hair up into a messy bun and looked at myself in the mirror. That should be festive enough. I know mom would want me to dress up and there will be guests. I head downstairs and am immediately accosted by my brother. He hugs me and lifts me up, swinging me around, while I laugh.

“Morning sis. It feels so good to finally have you here with us,” Marcello says, and I smile. “It feels good to be here. So what can I expect for today?” I ask when he lets me go. “It’s just us for breakfast. Vinny will join us for lunch and my best friend will swing by after. He just got back from Italy, but he is having lunch with his family. He can’t wait to see you again.” “Okay, that sounds nice. I can’t wait to meet him,” I say, and before we can talk anymore, mom pulls me away so we can open gifts.

There were way too many gifts for me. I already have so much jewelry, and I don’t need any more property or vehicles. But I was thankful either way. The sweetest gift was one that my father gave me. It may seem weird to some, but it really meant a lot to me. He kept the bullet he used to kill the man responsible for my abduction. He had, ‘For Juliana', engraved on it, and he turned it into a pendant for a necklace.

Marcello says he carried that bullet with him for fifteen years to remind him that he did avenge me. He blamed himself for my supposed death, and he never got over it. My father may be the Don of the Moretti family, and feared by many. But to me, he is just my dad. The sweet man that cried the day he finally saw me again. Seeing him cry as he held me, made me see just how much he loved me.

After our lovely breakfast, we just lounged around, while mom helped in the kitchen. She loves cooking and she is a damn good cook. I video called grandpa Charles, and he was so happy I did. He also said that Alfonso called looking for me. We had to end our call early, because Alfonso pitched up mid-conversation. I am not ready for him to see me just yet. He probably got the first gift, and he now realizes that I am gone.

My gift to him this Christmas was for me to disappear. I erased every trace of me from that house and only left him my wedding ring and a gift box under the Christmas tree. There is a note in the box that simply says, ‘Goodbye’. All our pictures have been destroyed, even the digital ones. All he can have is his memory of me. Though, he doesn't even deserve that.