FALLING FOR THE DON

~Camila's POV. The night was cold. Brutally cold. My vision blurred throughout the drive. I still found it hard to believe that I am now an orphan. Just yesterday morning, Mum was laughing because I nearly burned the pancakes. Dad teased that one day I'd poison my future husband. We laughed together. Now they were both beneath the ground. Five minutes. That was all I got to say goodbye before my life changed forever. “Hey you,” the driver called my attention. The car had already come to a halt. I gently got out of the car. Right before me was a beautiful house, or maybe a mansion— I don’t really know what one is anyway. The house was elegantly designed. Wealth was evident in every corner Two bulky men stood before the door, they looked at me weirdly, something in their eyes made me cringe. “Don't just stand there,” a woman’s voice came from behind me. My aunt. She came down from a car, the guard who opened the car door stood solidly beside her. Her face was bright as ever. She was dressed gorgeously in a way that commanded respect and power. I analyzed her looks: a part of me shocked and the other impressed. “Hi Aunt,” I managed to say, my voice low, broken and inaudible. I barely recognized her though; she has changed a lot. She isn't the aunt I used to know. “Oh my, darling,” she walked towards me. “Let's go inside.” I moved in the same rhythm as her, my eyes scanning through the interior decorations of the house. When did Aunt Diana become so rich? The house was decorated in the most modern way ever; exquisite paintings hung on the walls, a golden chandelier dangled in the sitting room, chairs that looked like something meant for royalty were perfectly arranged. It took a lot from me not to gape my mouth. I was stunned. “You look rough.” No one needed to tell me that, I knew it myself. “You must have had a long day, you need rest. Lucy take her to the guest room,” she muttered. And Lucy, of course, who I find to be very beautiful, took me to the guest room. I settled myself in, it seems like life at aunt Diana’s place isn't going to be as horrible as I thought it would. I laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling blankly, still trying to figure out a lot of things. Trying to analyze how I'd survive the world alone now that my parents are gone. > > > > > > > > “Camila, get dressed, we are heading out,” my aunt's sharp voice rang from outside my room. I have been indoors for weeks, it's good that I'd finally go somewhere— even if I don't know where that is. Aunt Diana took good care of me these past few weeks, and I promised to be nothing less than a good niece to her. I hurriedly got dressed into one of the clothes she got me. Honestly, some of the clothes were very uncomfortable for me, most were tight and others were revealing. I couldn't complain, I had to abide by her rules… I was just an orphan who she’s helping out. “I'm done Aunt,” I muttered. Her gaze ran through me, she was probably analyzing if I was dressed well enough. I think I was though… I was wearing a black body con knee length gown, long sleeved and covering up to the neck, but it revealed my back, matched with sandals and a small bag. She bought me heels, but I do not like wearing them. And I also didn't wear makeup, just lip balm, but I was sure my black hair fell beautifully on my face— one of the best traits I got from my mother. “Good,” she said, and we took our leave. The car stopped at a building which looked like just a normal building to me. I got a little disappointed, I expected something a lot fancier. Walking inside the building, I figured out the reason behind the phrase that says ‘don't judge a book by its cover.’ The inside was completely different from the outside, light beamed all around the place, the sound of classical music faded into the background, it was decorated like an avenue for wealthy people. Beautiful young ladies and handsome young men walked around, while some were seated on chairs appropriately. From their formal dressings, I could tell there are business people. Did aunt Diana bring me to an auction? “Hi,” a man dressed in a blue tuxedo greeted my aunt. “Hey Derek, long time no see,” she smiled. They must be acquainted. “Is this the girl?” Derek asked. I guess my aunt already told him about me. But I didn't like him referring to me as ‘the girl’. I had a name. “Yeah, my niece, Camila,” aunt Diana responded to him. “Alright,” he grinned. “Come with me Camila.” Come with him? I don't know who the f**k he was. “Go with him Camila. This isn't your section, as you can see… no one of your age is around here,” she assured. I nodded to her words. Yeah… It would be totally weird if I sat amidst the middle-aged people, so I followed the man. I glanced back at Aunt Diana. She smiled at me.