We were Born to Die

Chapter 10

Warmth spread through me as Alessandro enveloped me in his arms, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness I’d felt for what feels like eternity. “We missed you, Bella.” He murmured, his voice filled with genuine affection.

“Say for yourself.” Matteo chimed in, his arms wrapping around us in a bear hug. I fought back the tears threatening to spill over, a skill I’d honed over the years to maintain my composure in the toughest situations. Instead, I playfully punched Matteo in the stomach, earning a fake groan from him before he pulled me closer in a tight embrace. Giovanni joined in, completing the trio of familiar faces that I’d longed to see.

“We were going to get you,” Giovanni explained, his tone tinged with mischief. “But Dani insisted on going alone.” He patted my head affectionately, his words triggering a memory of Daniella’s cryptic excuse at Enrico’s estate. “Said you had some female emergency.” He added, casting a knowing glance at Daniella, who simply smiled in response.

“Yeah, something came up,” I replied, masking the turmoil beneath my surface with a nonchalant tone. Daniella had surprised me with her sudden appearance in my room, offering to help me pack—a task she’d never taken interest in before. Together, we left for home, as per Enrico’s condition, where I would resume my missions while Daniella acting as my messenger for both sides, and also covering for me when needed.

As I stood in the hall of our mansion, the familiar sights and sounds washing over me like a comforting embrace, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. Nothing had changed—the marble stairs still stood proudly in the center, leading to the various rooms that held countless memories. To my left, the guest rooms stood, while to my right, the casino and bar beckoned with memories of our camaraderie and laughter. The dinning room, with its elegant furnishings, occupied the space beside stairs, while the entrance to underground pool and home theater awaited to the left—a testament to my mother’s impeccable taste and attention to detail.

“It’s good to be home.” I murmured, the words carrying the weight of longing and belonging that only this place could evoke. And then, as if on cue, Mr. Watson appeared, I resisted the urge to run into his arms. Instead, I stood my ground, a silent vow echoing in my heart—to protect this family, this home, with everything I had.

A wave of familiar fragrance enveloped me as I stepped inside my room, wrapping me in the comfort of my own space. The air was thick with the scent of vanilla and lavender; a blend I had chosen meticulously to soothe my senses after a long day. My room greeted me just as I had left it. Glass walls flanked two sides of the bed, offering a breathtaking view of the lush garden and the sparkling pool beyond. The sunlight danced through the panes, casting playful patterns across the room. My bed, a grandiose affair, dominated the space, its ebony frame commanding attention against the backdrop of black—painted walls. The curtains were drawn aside, allowing the natural light to flood in, illuminating the marble floor and casting intriguing shadows.

Against one wall stood a towering black cupboard, its polished surface reflecting the soft glow of the dim lightening. The furnishings were elegant yet understated, each piece carefully selected to compliment the room’s aesthetic. A small book collection of my own nestled at the foot of the bed, shelved lined with books of all genres, offering an escape into countless worlds. Beside it sat a plush chair, inviting and comfortable, beckoning me to sink its embrace.

A smile tugged at my lips as I made my way to the bed, the smooth mattress welcoming me like an old friend. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to sink into its embrace, feeling the tension of the day melt away with each passing moment. The world outside faded into insignificance as I surrendered to the peace of my haven.

When I awoke, the room was bathed in the gentle glow of twilight, the day slipping away unnoticed. With a sigh, I stretched spiritless, relishing the sensation of my muscles unknotting. I glanced around the room, taking in the familiar sight with a sense of contentment. As I rose from the bed, the thought of a refreshing shower beckoned to me. I made my way to the luxurious En—suite bathroom, the cool marble floor soothing beneath my bare feet. The cold water cascaded over me, washing away the cares of the day and leaving me feeling rejuvenated.

Dressed in something comfortable, I descended the stairs, the anticipation of reuniting with my brothers warming my heart. As I reached the bottom, I caught sight of Matteo engaged in a conversation with Giovanni, their voices carrying through the air. A smile graced my lips as I watched them, a surge of affection flooded my chest. This, I realized, was what I had been missing all along – the simple joys of home, the warmth of family, and the familiarity of love.

“What are you whining about?” I asked, unable to resist poking at him. His response was predictable – a roll of his eyes and a dismissive comment, “None of your business, little sister.” He retorted with a smirk dancing on his lips as he deftly caught the plush cushion I threw his way. With a cheeky grin, he stuck out his tongue teasing me in that infuriating playful manner of his. Sometimes, I swear dealing with him was like wrangling a mischievous cat.

“How are you feeling, Bella?” Giovanni asked gently, his eyes probing mine. “I mean after the trip.” His genuine concern tugged at my heartstrings, reminding me of the warmth of our family bond.

“It was good.” I replied. It wasn’t entirely a lie – the holidays had been a welcome break from the chaos that I caused and of our lives. But the past few days had been anything but peaceful. The past few days started with excitement and especially the anticipation of my first mission and the time spent hanging out with Min-Woo and Ryder. But everything had gone downhill once the mission started, and that d**k, that lousy asshole, had made it all worse. If I had my ways, I’d see him boiled alive.

“So, what are you going to do now?” Giovanni pressed, his brow furrowing with concern. It was a question I’d been avoiding, one that echoed the uncertainty swirling in my mind. I found myself grappling with an answer. What was I going to do now? It wasn’t like me to just sit around feeling sorry for myself like a spoiled brat. But before I could formulate a response, Alessandro interjected, stealing the words right out of my mouth.

“She is going to assist Daniella for a few months,” Alessandro declared, his gaze settling on me, piercing through me. I felt a surge of anger rise within me, resisting the urge to grab a knife and plunge it to Daniella’s unsuspecting chest. “It’s just for training.” Alessandro continued, his tone firm yet oddly reassuring. “So you can understand some things before joining Matteo.” And just like that, the decision was made for me again. Daniella materialized beside Alessandro, her smile saccharine sweet, masking the underlying ambition that made my skin crawl. I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing a smile that felt as brittle as glass.

The weight of my question hung heavy in the air as I trailed behind Daniella. “How do you do it?” I asked her, my voice barely a whisper, barely able to contain the frustration and bewilderment within me. “Like how can you lie to him on his face and manage to convince him for everything.”

We halted at the outside of her office door, the polished wood gleaming in the dim light of the corridor. She turned to face me, her expression unreadable. “Just by letting him f**k me,” she replied nonchalantly, her words hitting me like a slap across the face. Before I could even register my own actions, my hand shot out, grabbing her neck and pinning her against the cold wall. A smirk danced across her lips as she looked at me, her eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and something darker. “Our little Bella sure is grown up.” She taunted, her words dripping with venom. I sighed heavily, the weight of the situation settling upon me like a suffocating blanket, before releasing her and turning away.

She laughed, the sound grating on my nerves like sandpaper against my skin. That was it. I was done with her. In a flash, my fist connected with her nose, the satisfying crunch of bone echoing in the empty corridor as she groaned in pain, cursing at me through clenched teeth. “You f*****g cunt.” She spat, her hand flying to her injured nose, blood seeping through her fingers. I couldn’t help but smile, a surge of satisfaction coursing through meat the sight of her pain.

“Thanks,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Learned it from you.”

With that, I pushed open the door to her office, ignoring the startled gaze of her secretary as she looked back and forth between us. Daniella followed, her expression a mask of pure hatred as she took her seat behind her desk. “That was first and last time you did that.” She warned, her tone icy and menacing. “I won’t let it go next time.”

I met her gaze head—on, a cocky grin spreading across my face. “Then maybe you should stop playing with my family, and only then I’ll do the same.” I retorted, the challenge clear in my voice as I settled into the chair opposite to her. The tension in the room was palpable, crackling between us like electricity, as we stared each other down, both knowing that this was far from over.

Daniella secretary swiftly exited the room as Daniella motioned her to leave, leaving Daniella and me alone. Daniella’s gaze met mine once again, her expression unreadable and professional now as she broke the silence with the words that sent a shiver of excitement and something I can’t name down my spine. “Enrico has a new mission for you, and you’ll be soon informed about it.” She uttered, her voice cutting through the stillness like a sharp blade. The mere mention of Enrico, the man who held my family’s fate in his hands, sent a wave a disgust coursing through me. I clenched my jaw forcing myself to keep my face neutral despite the turmoil raging inside me.

“Min-Woo will be giving you some defense lessons,” Daniella continued, her words piercing through the air like arrows. I couldn’t help but interject, my frustration bubbling to the surface.

“I know hand-to-hand combat more than you, and you know it.” I retorted, unable to suppress the defiance in my tone. But Daniella remain unfazed, her gaze steady as she met my eyes.

“Tell this to him yourself. I am not an owl.” She replied curtly, her patience wavering thin. Before I could protest further, her office phone rang, interrupting our conversation. “Yes,” Daniella answered, her voice firm and authoritative. After a brief pause, she instructed, “Send them in.” Then, she turned her attention back to me, her expression unreadable.

“I guess you can tell him now.” She said, gesturing towards the door as it swung open to reveal two figures entering the room. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of the first one, a flicker of excitement lighting up inside me. But as my eyes landed on the second figure, all traces of joy vanished, replaced by a deep sense of revulsion that I struggled to conceal.

It was Min-Woo and Enrico, the two men whose presence in my life was both blessing and a curse. Min-Woo offered me a small smile, a glimmer of warmth amidst the coldness that surrounded us. But Enrico’s expression mirrored my own, his face twisted with same disgust and disdain that churned within me. I forced myself to maintain a façade of composure, hiding the turmoil raging inside me behind a mask of indifference. But I could tell that Enrico had already noticed, his sharp gaze piercing through my defenses with unnerving precision.

“Hi” Min-Woo signed and I felt a warmth spread through me, familiar and comforting. His hands moved gracefully, conveying his words effortlessly. “How have you been?” he signed next, and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my chest at his attention.

“Good. How have you been?” I replied, my voice echoing alongside my gestures. It felt natural, almost like a dance we shared, communicating in this silent language.

“A little bad without you,” Min-Woo signed, and I chuckled softly at his playful remark. Despite the serious nature of our surroundings, his humors had managed to lighten my mood.

Before I could say more, Enrico’s voice interrupted us. “Are you ready?” he asked, his gaze piercing as he looked at me.

“Yes.” I responded simply, meeting his gaze head—on, Enrico nodded, turning to address Daniella. “We will be here before evening.” He informed her before leading the way, Min-Woo and I following closely behind.

Twenty minutes later we arrived back at DiCaprio estate. Ryder greeted me with a smile, and Zane pulled me into a tight hug, surprising me with his sudden affection. “How have you been?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but smile at the genuine concern in his voice.

But Enrico’s voice cut through the moment, bringing us back to reality. “Enough with the chatter. Now back to work,” he announced, his tone firm and commanding as he stood beside me. “Min-Woo here will be teaching you some self-defense,” he continued, his eyes scanning over me critically. “You sure do lack that.”

I bristled at his words, feeling a surge of defiance rise within me. “I do know more than self-defense if you remember how you kidn*pped me,” I retorted, my face a mask of determination.

Enrico’s response was cold and calculated, “Then you need to learn it again, because last time I checked, you weren’t defending yourself rather crying while Orion was getting ready to r**e you.”

Anger flared within me at his callus words, and I locked eyes with him, refusing to back down. “If you forgot, I was drugged.” I shot back, my voice trembling with suppress fury.

But Enrico’s expression remained unchanged, his satisfaction evident in the curve of his lips. “Excuse, I guess.” He replied, his words landing like invisible slaps.

I couldn’t believe what was happening. My heart was now pounding in my chest as I stared defiantly at Enrico. His smirk sent shivers down my spine, and I knew I had to stand my ground, no matter what. “I was almost r***d doing the s**t you needed not for me but you, and you think I’m just making excuses about being drugged?” I scoffed, my voice trembling with anger and disbelief. How he could be so selfish and stupid?

Enrico’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t back down. Instead, he looked at me with a challenge in his gaze. “Then I guess you should prove it. Let’s see if you really need those self-defense lessons or not.”

I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I wasn’t about to let him intimidate me. Without hesitation, I accepted his challenge, my voice strong despite the fear bubbling inside me. “Fine. Let’s fight.” Min-Woo and Ryder stiffened at their positions while Zane’s face turned pale with worry. But I couldn’t afford to show any weakness, not now.

Enrico’s lips curled into a sinister smile as he contemplated his next move. “What will I get if you lose?” he asked, his tone dripping with malice.

I met his gaze head—on, refusing to back down. “Anything you want.” I replied, my voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling inside me.

His smile widened in satisfaction, and I felt a chill run down my spine. “A favor.” He said, his voice low and menacing. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of confusion. Wasn’t I already doing whatever he wanted? But I knew better than to question him. I had to focus on winning this fight, no matter the cost.

“And what do you think I’m doing right now?” I shot back, my voice tinged with frustration. “I’m already doing whatever the hell you want.”

Enrico’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes gleaming with determination. “As I said, a favor.” He replied, his voice unwavering.

I let out a frustrated sigh, feeling the weight of his words pressing down on me. But I couldn’t let him see my weakness. I had to stay strong, for myself and my family. “And if you lose,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “Then I’ll have my freedom. You won’t touch my family, including Daniella leaving my brother alone too.” I could see the shock registering on Zane and Ryder’s faces. I had made my decision, and I was prepared to face the consequences.

Enrico's eyes narrowed as he considered my offer, his expression unreadable. But after a moment, he nodded, a cold smile playing at his lips. "Deal," he said, his voice dripping with malice.

I met his gaze with determination, my heart pounding in my chest. "Deal," I replied, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me. This was it. The fight of my life. And I was ready to face it head-on.