Forbidden Fruit

CAPITOLO SESSANTOTTO- Judgement Day

"It's too late to apologise." -One Republic

Sicily, Italy📍
15:45
August 25 '19

"Convoy is cleared for entry."

The sound of the security guard muttering into his handheld transceiver pulls Rheah and Cataleya out of their thoughts and back into the present moment. It was only then they finally notice the grand gates to their family home opening and the car they were held in was making its way into the reclusive premises.

Their hearts jolt within their chests. As the convoy of vehicles round the water fountain, the sisters instantly suck in their breaths, the butterflies fluttering manically in their stomachs while their eyes take in the familiar surroundings.

They were home.

As the car doors swing open and the sisters pile out from either side, they wait patiently for Gabriel to climb out of the vehicle, Cienna still sleeping peacefully in his arms. The sisters take in grand sight of the beautiful mansion.

Nothing had changed in terms of the scenery of their vast abode but deep down, in the crevices of their hearts, they could feel something was different. What was once a place of comfort and security now seemed alien and daunting. The extensively large and beautiful Mediterranean- styled villa towering over them made them feel small and unworthy to even step through its doors. The heavily guarded Sicilian mansion was a home exclusively built for Mafia Royalty...

Mafia royalty they had betrayed.

A blank-faced Gabriel finds himself in front of the women. He doesn't even attempt to catch the individual expressions on their faces; his icy blue eyes were trained to the large mahogany front door he was now striding towards.

The girls obediently follow behind him, not wanting to trigger or upset their unusually quiet brother.

Rheah, however, couldn't help but peek over her shoulder towards the rest of the cars that had begun to move out. As they make their way back towards the exit, she catches a glimpse of Orlando curiously staring at the trio until his eyes catch hers. He was just about able to register the glimmer of sadness in her eyes before the fountain blocked his view and by the time she was within his sight once more, Rheah's head had already turned back to follow where she was being taken to.

As they walk through the spacious halls of the house, the girls take in every inch of it as if it was their first time there. A wave of nostalgia washes over them and it was enough to pull a tiny smile onto their faces. This is what they had been waiting for, all they had wanted. To finally be home with their family.

But things were different now. Where they once imagined a warm welcome on their return, they were now drowned with the daunting sense of failure, guilt and nervous anticipation for whatever punishment they knew was about to come their way.

They follow behind Gabriel as he briskly leads them towards Rheah's wing. A few minutes later after climbing the stairs and shifting through the halls, they arrive at her door. Gabriel halts and turns to meet his elder sister's face.

Rheah immediately takes the hint and opens the door to allow them entry. It wasn't to say the door was locked but Gabriel had always been respectful when it came to her space so she knew he wouldn't just walk in without permission. She couldn't help but smile at the small but significant gesture. It hinted that in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the tension brewing between them, there was a faint presence of normalcy. But as soon as it appeared, the whisper of a smile vanished in an instant as Rheah was hit with another crushing blow of guilt. Even though her brother was eerily quiet, he was still being himself with them and they didn't even deserve it.