I stood at the balcony, staring outside. This was a massive space. It felt like the gate to the castle was so far away.
I was beginning to feel homesick and by that I mean my actual home. I missed my brother and I wanted to see him again.
I had sent him some money earlier and he was screaming his gratitude. It warmed my heart to see him so happy but when I asked him what he was doing for work, he was unable to give me a good response. I switched to big sister mode again, scolding him while warning him to not squander the money I'd sent.
God knows I had done everything I could to make him not become a menace but it felt like no matter what I did he always got himself in trouble. I couldn't abandon him. He's my only living relative, he's my responsibility and I could never leave him out in the cold.
And even though his shenanigans had put me in more trouble than I ever anticipated, I wanted him to be okay no matter what. I would lay down my life for him.
The breeze blew my hair in different directions. I enjoyed the fresh air. I welcomed it.
Wanting more of nature, I decided I was going to take a walk.
Jace was nowhere to be found. He was probably busy with some mafia work and for me, I was bored out of my mind staying in one place.
I heard someone mention a garden and I asked for one of the helps to guide me to it so I wouldn't get lost.
I followed her, walking through the stoned pathways, taking in the sight of everything as I moved. The guards were situated all over the place as usual. The tightened expressions on their face showed how uptight they had become after the attack from few days before.
My sun dress was blown by the wind as we reached outside. I held it down as I walked into the garden filled with different types of flowers. From red roses, to Calla lilies, a few oleanders and such beautiful poppies.
I brought my nose closer and smelt the flowers. I sighed. Nature is beautiful when tended to. Everything seemed so put together and arranged to give the best aesthetic.
I couldn't help but place my phone at a strategic angle to take a few beautiful pictures and videos.
I had no idea when we would leave for New York but if it wasn't anytime soon, I would not mind just so I could visit this garden everyday.
It was the burst of color the dull places in this castle desperately needed.
I shut my eyes and exhaled.
"Enjoying yourself?"
I paused and opened my eyes to the see who the person who had interrupted my supposed enjoyment.
It was Lucia.
She was all glammed up despite wearing a sundress similar to mine. I wondered if she was going somewhere or she really just wore makeup and walked around the house.
"I am. Hello Lucia," I said in response.
"Hello. Mira, right?"
I paused. I knew she knew my name. It wasn't that hard to remember but then I let it slide.
"Yes, Mira."
"You seem like a nice little girl." She said, giving me a onceover.
"I didn't realize there was so much of an age difference between us."
"Age is just number. Status is what I'm referring to."
Okay she was throwing shade.
I hummed. "I see,"
She chuckled and I could hear the mockery in her tone.
"My cousin can be funny at times. But then what do you expect from and Italian Don who decides to be based in USA? Of course he'd be cut off from tradition and try to make a difference."
She said, 'make a difference' like it was a bad thing. I was unable to hide my confusion.
"You do realize you're speaking to his wife right?" I reminded her.
She scoffed. "Yeah right."
I scowled. What exactly did she mean by that?
"Dons like Jace never settle for one woman. He brings a new woman on his arm every other time he visits. The only difference here is that he married you."
I hated how her words got to me but I decided to stand my ground.
"Well, Lucia, that makes all the difference."
"You're a temporary fix. And he'll marry someone that befits his status soon." She argued.
"You're friends with Caterina aren't you? Isn't that what this is about?" I called her bluff immediately.
She laughed softly. "You're smart. I didn't take you for a smart one."
The condescending compliment made my skin crawl.
"You've seen Caterina. Look at yourself," she gestured at me. "You know you're not match for him."
I rubbed on the diamond ring on my finger and swallowed.
"Maybe you should put this energy into your own love life so you won't be out here fighting other people's battles." I said.
"How dare you?!" She raised her hand to hit me but the guard who followed me down here immediately stopped her.
"Let me go you twat!" She screamed.
"No one touches the Don's wife." He recited like a robot with his head bowed slightly.
She forced her hand out of his grip and was escorted away from me.
"This isn't over." She fumed as she stormed away.
I placed my hand over my chest to calm my racing heart. That was close. I could only imagine what I would have done if she hit me.
I walked further into the garden until I reached a point where I saw three finely decorated graves.
I read what was written on the tomb stones and stared at their pictures until I got to the third one.
I don't know why but it felt like I had seen that face somewhere. It was vague but the memory seemed vivid at the same time.
"Don Vittorio?" I read the name on the tombstone aloud.
I wondered if this was Jace's father.
"Ma'am. The Don is asking for you." The guard who had been following me startled me out of my thoughts.
I nodded and turned to follow him but as I moved, I looked back one more time at the picture.
There was something about this face but I could not place my finger on it.
If only I knew what was coming...