I roamed through the halls of the mansion feeling the heavy emptiness of Nonno's absence. It hasn't been long since the funeral, but it feels like forever. The maids seem to be avoiding me. Maybe they think I'll snap if they say anything. I won't. Sometimes it feels like I might, but I won't. Today is just a really crappy day.
Tyler had already gone to finish some business and I hoped he was going back to the warehouse my father had loaned him. I was doubting it considering he wasn't intent on checking in with his partner. Or whatever this Devon is to him.
Zachary saddled up to me with the biggest smile on his face. I couldn't resist smiling back at him and taking his hand. The servants walking our way scattered nearly knocking into each other. Zach laughed and we reached the balcony where I'd officially met Nonno. I'd learned that the man he'd killed was Josiah's son who had been a spy. Serves the bastard right.
The early evening sun blasted us as we stood there. I was blinded for a couple of seconds before Zachary started talking. The words rolled off his lips like butter as he began to describe the day he'd had. I wish I could be this excited about living sometimes.
"I just finished talking with Alex and Josiah is...D-E-A-D." He laughed like it was the funniest thing on earth. "Like I saw him and I'm going to assume it's from starvation."
"It's that funny?" I asked.
"Of course. I mean, it's not everyday your rapist dies from starvation. Besides that, my wonderful fiancée, guess what?"
I feigned interest and put a finger to my chin in thought. I didn't care about anything at this point. Life was meaningless. I wasn't going to get a chance to start over with the life I had planned.
"...What?" I looked at him.
"Once all of this is over, we can get married. Do you know that the mafia's judge can help you and Youngmin get a divorce today?" Zach exclaimed.
I perked up at the news and gave him a genuine smile. That was great news! I could finally be free of Youngmin. No more annoyed looks from the staff when I walk with him.
"Really? Do you really want to get married after that's all over?" I took his hands excitedly.
"Of course. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life. How could I pass up the opportunity? Alexandre is happy for us. He told me himself."
"What about his brother?"
That's what made us both stop. Where was Alessandre? After Afan interrupted the reading, he sort of went his own way after hearing Nonno had given him free reign whenever he came to Italy. I haven't seen him since. Aless, Mariano, and Elias went along with him. I don't know where they have gone or where they've been. I can't fathom Alessandre being with them. I know about them not trusting the Italians even though their capos.
I sort of gave up on knowing of my brothers' whereabouts when they refused to show up on my command. I would never doubt their alliance with the Italians. But given the current circumstances, it wouldn't be such a farfetched assumption. Silly of them to switch sides so suddenly. Especially Alexandre. He's always been so intent on proving his allegiance to the Italian mafia.
"...Eh, how would I know? Aless has been very...secretive lately," Zachary said. "I asked him after the reading what his problem was and he sort of looked at me like I was the last person he wanted to hear that question from. I thought it was because his grandfather had just died. Or because he and his brother didn't get much from him. But...I'm starting to think otherwise."
"Otherwise?" I scratched my head.
"Like he's working against the Italian mafia or something. I know you won't believe it, but he's been kind of protective of the twins if you haven't noticed."
"He's always been protective of the twins. They grew up together."
"I didn't move out of Italy until a couple of years after you, Tia. I know when there's something going on and your brother--"
"Go find him. Ask around. See who knows about where he's been or could be!" I demanded. There was no way I was going to stand here and let him accuse my brother of something he may or may not have done. "...Zachary, I really want to believe you, but I've known my brothers for as long as you have. Neither one of them are capable of doing something this stupid. And taking hold of assets is a big deal."
"Cynthia..."
"Zachary..."
We both glared at each other as I dropped his hands and crossed my arms. I couldn't bear anyone telling me my brothers were traitors. They've been working with the Italians before I knew what it was. How could they suddenly agree to work against the people who loved them? Or maybe what Alessandre told me was true. Everyone's pretending with this love because Nonno was alive. I wasn't. I've always loved them and will never stop. No matter what they decide to do with their lives.
"Sorry to interrupt." Afan stood a few ways from the balcony with a smile on his face. Zach and I quickly adopted the same expression. "Could I steal Cynthia away for a minute?"
"You certainly could." Zach stepped away from me. "I have important business to take care of at the moment. Don't do anything too stupid, Afan."
"I'm not as crazy as you think."
Once Zachary was out of sight and we could no longer hear his footsteps, Afan's smile dropped. So did mine. I walked over to the king and hooked my arm through his. Of course he had something bad to talk about. No one had a lick of good news. Not since Nonno died. I really need to get over that. We barely knew each other. He ended up giving everything to a woman who wasn't even related to him.
We found the backdoor to the gardens that were now overflowing with Midnight Marvel Hibiscus. One of my favorite flowers since arriving at the mansion. Afan was intent on showing me his favorites and I was glad he did. They were probably the most beautiful ones I'd seen beside the Hibiscus. I'm glad he showed me. It wasn't everyday you got to see a Middlemist's Red Camellia. Really breathtaking.
"I found a pink one for you." Afan smiled as he snapped a stem in half and handed me a flower. "It represents me missing you."
"Missing me? You're not leaving again, are you?" I asked.
"Of course I have to. My mother and sister are ready to fly back home." We walked in complete silence for longer than comfortable. "...It's getting dark. I should probably get to the point before we can't see and start tripping."
"That you should."
I let Afan gather his thoughts and admired the flowers blooming from the hedge maze we were walking through. I hoped we got to the middle before the sun set all the way. We rounded a hedge and were met with another. Well, dead ends weren't that rare in this maze. We could just turn back around. But that's not what Afan had in mind.
"...I should tell you before...everything gets too crazy. Just hear me out before you slap me or leave," Afan pleaded with me. Who could say no to his face? I will listen to everything he has to say and if it's worthwhile and understandable, then I won't hit him. I've never done it before, so why would I start now?
"You know where the Cooper twin's stand in the Italian mafia, right?" I nodded. "Only so many people know they will trade sides in a heartbeat. If not for your grandfather, they would have left the Italians behind a long time ago. The mafia wasn't something they had planned on joining when they graduated from college. When I tell you they have multiple relationships across this continent all the way to Asia, I'm not exaggerating. Korea is one of them. Ren is also Korean, so it's good for her to know them, too.
I thought your brothers would fight through the temptations that were being thrown their way when I got here, but it seemed as if only one of them managed to do so. I'm not trying to make you hate either of them, but one of them has decided to side with the Koreans. That means if Ren decides to take the throne after Julian, then she can cut off anyone who's made her mad. That leaves you without people to rebel against her if she turns out to be the comare no one wanted.
Alessandre...He's working with the Cooper twins. I found out after returning from my trip to the city. I was talking with his brother when he mentioned not seeing him around the mansion much. I thought it was just him being the busy brother and working overtime. It's not that, Cynthia. Aless has been picking out secrets from under our noses and feeding it to the twins who have been reporting back to the French. At this moment, they could be reporting to the Koreans. Your brother is a traitor."
It took me a moment to soak all of this in. He's said all this just to tell me that Alessandre is working against me now? My own flesh and blood? It makes sense since he is part French. But why now? I thought we had an understanding. He was always there for me and I truly thought of him to be my full brother. Working with the Koreans is an offense that can't be forgiven. I won't forgive him for it.
"...My own brother?" I asked softly. By now, the sun had gone down and the floodlights were on. With how tall the hedges were, I could only see half of Afan's face. His expression was grim. "He betrayed me?"
"Us. He betrayed the entire mafia. Tricked us all into thinking he was a part of us." Afan grabbed me.
"I-I-I can't believe he would do such a thing. He told me he'd never side with the Koreans."
"It's all Youngmin's fault, Cynthia. He feigned his hurt here and pulled Alessandre and the Cooper twins in. He's using them to get out of here."
"He hates me that much? I thought I was being kind when I let him leave the mansion whenever he wanted. I believed he wasn't the one behind Lucio's murder. What have I done? That's exactly why no one likes me," I wailed into Afan's chest.
"I like you, Cynthia. I've always been here for you." He held the back of my head. "I'll be here until I can't be here anymore."
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Sorry, I'm over at my sisters apartment and the wifi has been very weird since I arrived Thursday. Sorry for the excuse and look forward to a chapter Monday. Love you all😘
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