Thank you so much for choosing this story! This is my first book, so I apologize in advance for spelling mistakes and cringey parts.
I haven't come up with a description yet. Sorry! But I will as soon as I finish the beginning.
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Enola
Time Skip
Of course they have a private jet.
I leaned back in the plush seat of the private jet, feeling the soft hum of the engines beneath me. It was my first time on a plane, let alone a private jet, and the luxury of it was hard to ignore. The seats were made of fine leather, and the cabin was spacious enough to move around freely. My father and brother sat across from me, engaged in a quiet conversation that I had no interest in joining.
I stared out the window, watching as the sprawling lights of New York City shrank below us. It was surreal, leaving everything behind so abruptly. My mind wandered to the rundown house I had lived in and the life I was leaving. It wasn't much of a life, but it was the only one I knew.
The flight attendant brought over a tray of snacks and drinks, but I wasn't hungry. I glanced at my father, Francesco, and my brother, Dimitri, who were watching me with concern masked behind their stoic expressions. I could feel their eyes on me, probably wondering what was going through my mind.
"You okay?" Dimitri finally asked, breaking the silence.
"I'm fine," I replied curtly, not in the mood for small talk. I could sense their desire to connect, but I wasn't ready for that. Not yet.
The rest of the flight was spent in relative silence. I pretended to sleep, not wanting to engage in any forced conversation. My thoughts were a chaotic swirl, and I needed time to process everything. The fact that I had a biological family was still sinking in, and I couldn't wrap my head around the idea of moving to Italy, of all places.
Hours later, the pilot announced our descent into Rome. I glanced out the window and saw the city's lights sparkling below. It was beautiful, but it didn't feel real. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself for what was to come.
As we landed, the plane taxied smoothly to a private terminal. I could see a line of black SUVs waiting for us. My father and brother stood up, gathering their things, and I followed suit. I grabbed my backpack and the small duffel bag with my essentials, leaving the rest for the henchmen to handle.
We descended the steps of the plane into the warm Italian night. The air smelled different—fresher, somehow. Maybe it was the sea breeze, or maybe it was just my imagination. The SUVs were waiting with their engines running, and a group of men in suits stood by, ready to assist us.
"Welcome to Italy, Enola," my father said, placing a hand on my shoulder. His touch was surprisingly gentle, and for a moment, I almost felt a connection.
"Thanks," I muttered, not knowing what else to say.
We got into the SUV, with my father and Dimitri sitting on either side of me. The convoy of cars started moving, and I watched the city blur past. The streets were narrow and winding, lined with ancient buildings that looked like they belonged in a history book.
After a while, we left the city behind and drove into the countryside. The scenery changed to rolling hills and vineyards, and the stars above seemed brighter than I'd ever seen. It was peaceful, but my mind was anything but.
We arrived at a large estate surrounded by high walls and guarded gates. The house—or rather, mansion—was enormous, with tall windows and grand columns. It looked like something out of a movie.
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"Welcome home," my father said as we pulled up to the front entrance.
Home. The word felt foreign on my tongue.
The doors of the mansion opened, and a group of people came out to greet us. I recognized them from the file Luca had sent me—my other brothers. They were all tall and imposing, just like Dimitri, and they looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Enola," one of them said, stepping forward. "I'm Giovanni. Welcome."
"Hi," I replied, feeling awkward and out of place.
One by one, they introduced themselves—Antonio, Vincenzo, Lorenzo, Carlo. Each name was a reminder of the family I never knew I had. Though I could feel the hostility as well from one particular one.
"Let's get you settled in," Dimitri said, leading me inside. The interior of the mansion was just as grand as the exterior. High ceilings, marble floors, and chandeliers that looked like they cost more than everything I'd ever owned combined. It was overwhelming.
They showed me to my room, which was bigger than the entire house I grew up in. It was decorated tastefully, with a large bed, a desk, and a window that overlooked the gardens. My suitcases were already there, waiting for me.
"I'll leave you to get settled," Dimitri said, giving me a small smile. "If you need anything, just ask."
"Thanks," I said, feeling a bit more grateful than I wanted to admit.
As the door closed behind him, I sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. This was my new life now. A life with a family I barely knew, in a country I'd never been to.
I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. It was a lot to take in, and I didn't know where to start. But for now, all I could do was take it one step at a time.
