01 | Honey I Rose Up From The Dead
I hate them.
I fucking hate them all.
My lips curled into a smirk when I registered the horror on their faces when Vittoria stormed into the room. They were afraid of her.
Attagirl!
"Vittoria please let me explain." The moronic mafia king's voice wavered.
He sounded like there was a dynamite stuck up his ass and she's about to blow it off. Oh man! I'd sell my kidneys to watch this. This was way more entertaining than Brooklyn 99.
Her eyes didn't leave mine even for a second. The momentary horror was now switched to a bubbling rage. With crossed arms and a displeased but innocent face, she walked up to me, staring down at me with brooding eyes.
"Define soon!" She spat.
"Um, two weeks?" I mustered up the most innocent look.
Her hands gripped her hair, allowing me a peek of her dinosaur print shorts which was until now hidden below her ultra oversized black tee.
"Two weeks is soon? Seriously Mase?"
"Why Vittoria?" The brother asked, defeated.
"Aww, the biological failure of a brother seems to be hurt." I mocked. "I hope my insult carried the answer to your question."
"Mason!" Vittoria warned.
"I apologize if I can't hold back the immense love I feel for them."
"You can't hate them without even knowing them. I'm alive today because of them." She fought back.
That's just her. My sister. The naive and forgiving Vittoria.
"Why didn't you tell us, Vittoria? I asked you so many times. You could've just said he saved you from Luca and Nikolai." Rafael snarled.
Her eyes trained down to the floor. I hated that she was feeling that way. But my worry wasn't unjustified either.
"It's because I told her not to. No need to yell at her."
"And you did. Because you don't trust us." Oliver mumbled.
"No!" She answered immediately. "It's not like that. It's just that I didn't know what was going on. We all thought he was dead and then he suddenly showed up over there to save me. I didn't have the time to demand answers but I knew there must be a reason."
"Oh really? Thanks for the explanation because for some reason you couldn't trust me without me having to explain myself every damn time. And when he asked you you do something, you did it without questioning it even once." Oliver yelled.
His words made her flinch and tears made a way out of her sleepy eyes. She desperately glanced at the joker twins but that shit Liam looked away angrily.
The last bit of my patience crumbled. They made her cry. It's what they do best.
"Well that's because I never gave her a reason to not trust me." I bellowed, hoping the hate in my voice reached these bastards' good for nothing brains. "She trusted you and what did you do? Fucking traded her for someone else. You used her as a bait while knowing how fucking useless and incapable you are."
"Stop it! Just stop it, all of you." She cried, every tear slashing my heart into pieces. "I wasn't going to hide it from you forever. He said he'd come back soon. I was going to tell you then."
"Hey, it's okay. Don't pay attention to them." Toby placed a hand over her shoulder. "You guys can't get mad at her for this. This is exactly what we've done with her countless times." He scolded.
Okay, maybe I don't hate him as much now.
"Didn't we do it again? She wasn't here when we got him here. Did she not deserve to know about it?" He continued.
"Glad to know at least one of them has got brains installed." I remarked.
"Just so you know Rafael, I heard your conversation with Oliver near my room. When exactly were you planning to tell me huh?" She glared at him.
The anger on his face was replaced by a similar horrid expression. He closed his eyes, exhaled and massaged his temples.
A chuckle broke free from my lips. "Is your middle name facepalm? Thanks dude, you've cut my efforts to keep my sister away from you into half. You do majority of the work anyway."
"If I were you, I'd watch my mouth." He warned.
I stared at him blankly for a few seconds, patiently waiting for some more threats which never came. "Oh I'm sorry, was I supposed to feel threatened?" I snorted.
Vittoria shook her head, annoyed and began untying the ropes on my wrists. No one dared to stop her.
"Just a warning. They'll be dead within sixty seconds of my hands being free." I stated. Her fingers moved away from the ropes.
"You won't do any such thing, Mase."
"Oh I fucking will."
"They don't deserve this hate Mason." She sighed.
"They made you cry in front of my eyes. Like hell I'd let that slide."
"His anger was justified. I know how that feels. Besides, you lied too. I haven't forgotten about it." She tried to reason. "Look Mason. If you really love me, you won't kick and punch anyone."
"Fine!" I huffed. My hands were free in a few seconds.
"Masey." She cried into my chest while I held my sister after so long. I've never stayed away from her for so much time. If only things were different! I'd never separate her from me. Ever.
"I missed you so much." She sobbed, her voice muffled.
"I missed you too, kiddo." I kissed her head. A lone tear escaped my eyes but I quickly wiped it away.
I heard another sniffling sound and saw Toby wiping his tears. "You need a hug too?" I glanced at him, holding back a laugh.
"I could use one. Can I join?" He wiped a few more tears with his sleeve.
"Fuck off!" I flipped him the bird.
"Alright got it." He mumbled in despair.
"Let's just get out of here first. I hate this room." Without waiting for a reply, she dashed out of the obnoxious room and I followed her into the living room but not before returning Rafael's hateful glare.
I was busy scowling at the unnecessary waste of money in the swanky mansion when a sharp sting burned on my cheek.
"What the fuck, Vittoria!" I rubbed my cheek, utterly surprised like the other four idiots.
"That's for making me think you're dead."
Next, a flower vase came flying in my direction. I ducked, saving me the hit and it collided over the wall, breaking into pieces.
"That's for... I don't know. I'm just so mad at you." She lifted up a chair this time but thankfully Oliver held her back.
"Put me down, grandpa. I'm going to fulfill his wish to die." She screamed, kicking her legs in the air.
"Do I have to remind you that you actually love him?" Oliver yelled back.
"Thanks for saving my life." I held a hand over my chest. "But I still don't like you."
Finally, when she calmed down after a few minutes, I dared to speak. "Am I safe to exist in your surrounding now?"
"I need answers. How and most importantly why?" She demanded. Along with her, four curious faces looked at me like I was about to break the election results.
"Exactly! You died right before our eyes. I was there." Oliver narrowed his eyes at me.
The thought almost made me laugh. "It was a tiny blood bag placed in my chest. That guard whom you asked to shoot me, what was his name?"
"Dean." Vittoria gritted her teeth, glaring at Rafael.
"Yes, Dean! I paid him off. He was ready in position but never shot me. It was Caleb who shot me with some sort of a dart bullet. Rest all was my Oscar winning acting."
I noticed the way Vittoria's eyes closed and yet another tear rolled down at the memory. Liam hesitantly held her hand.
"Don't you dare fucking touch my sister."
"Jeez! Alright!" He raised his hands up and scurried far away from her.
"Do you have to swear in every sentence? Now I get why she's like that." Oliver scowled.
"Are you my mom?"
"No actually he's everyone's grandpa." Vittoria corrected. Sounds about right.
"No but seriously, how did you stop your pulse? I remember some guy checked your pulse and told me you're dead." Vittoria quizzed.
"Paid actor." Rafael stated before I answered.
"Oh! That was surprising, Mr Grayson. Didn't expect you to have brains." I smirked.
"So Caleb helped you fake your death. He knew were alive all along, didn't he?" She said, her voice holding a not so required sadness at Caleb's mention.
"Yes he did. And you don't need to pull that face when you think about that bastard. Killing him is probably the only good thing he's done." I nodded at Rafael.
The room filled up with incredulous gasps and surprised swears the moment those words left my lips.
"What are you saying, Mase? He was your best friend. And let me tell you he had a very painful death."
"I really have to praise you for that, Rafael. He deserved it."
"What, are they bonding now?" Liam enthused.
"Listen here kid. Don't open your crappy mouth in front of me. You're as it is annoying." I twisted my face.
"Mason! I won't tolerate this behavior. I won't hear you insulting them every two minutes. I love you but that doesn't mean I love them any less."
I conveniently ignored that. "That night when he was apparently rescuing you, I told him to get you that sassy old lady's place."
"Mrs White?" The Rivera siblings exclaimed in unison.
"Yes. Who do you think sent you the clue to that house? Anyway that's a story for another time." I continued. "But what did that freak do? He took you to the completely opposite end of the city. He broke all communication with me. He did what he tried doing back at our house."
"Are you..are you saying..." She trailed off, flabbergasted.
"Yes. He was going to take you away with him. I shouldn't have trusted him again. He was obsessed with you. Like this filthy man over here." I gestured my eyes at Rafael.
The mafia king didn't like it. He lunged at me in a split second, crashing his knuckles at my jaw. I wholeheartedly returned the favor. I enjoyed it, if anything.
"Stop it! Mason! Raf!" She placed a hand on his heaving chest, standing between us. His eyes switched down to hers. "Please, let it go. Please." She whispered. It didn't take an additional second to calm him down. He went back to his seat, however not taking off his heated gaze from me.
"It wasn't like that, Mason. Don't bring that up." She played with her fingers, not looking at me in the eye.
I don't believe her. I'm more mad at her than at him.
"I will bring that up, Vittoria." I yelled, slamming the wall. "I will fucking bring that up. You can forget what he's done to you but I won't be able to. He molested you, abused you, humiliated you. And he says he loves you? That's batshit crazy!"
"I understand your concern, Mason." Oliver said.
"No you don't! You aren't any different. You did the same thing. You risked her life for Camila's safety. Let me tell you Mr Rivera!" I leveled my burning gaze with him. "My sister's worth is way more than being someone's second choice. Then be it your sister or Rafael's girlfriend. She deserves the best. Not someone's leftover love."
My eyes watered. I felt that pain all over again. I hated myself more than anyone else. I failed to protect my sister. Doesn't matter if we weren't related by blood. My entire life's purpose was to keep her safe and I failed.
No one spoke. There was a painful silence engulfing us. Even Rafael didn't say a word. His head was hung down in shame. But that won't change the past. That won't erase his mistakes and the pain she went through.
"Pack your things, Vittoria. We're going back home." I commanded.
The silence prevailed. She snapped her wide eyes at me while the others looked at her with a terrified expression, afraid that she'll agree.
"What are you saying, Masey?" Her voice was barely audible.
"I'm back now. You don't need to stay here any longer. You're in more danger now and you and I both know these people can't keep you safe." I held her hand pullinging her to the door but felt a soft tug. She didn't move.
"I can't do that Mason. This is my home. This is my family." She shivered at the thought of leaving them.
"Fine then. You stay here. Because I can't stand these people anymore."
"Mason?" She whispered. Her hand flew to her throat and she struggled for air. Her eyes fluttered close, then opened back and then continued to do so. Fear clasped my heart and I ran towards her collapsing body but Oliver got to her before me.
"Vittoria! Hey! It's alright. Just breathe." He rubbed her back.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I'm right here. Please be okay. I'm here with you."
Fuck! What have I done?
"Don't do this to me, please. Don't make me choose between you two. Please, please, please." She cried bitterly.
"I won't. I won't. I'm sorry." I caressed her head, holding her trembling frame into my arms.
"Look sweetheart, he'll stay here with us okay?" Oliver said.
"What!" Rafael and I both screamed. Vittoria pressed her hands over her ears.
"You're a part of her life and she's a part of mine. I can't separate you from her. I don't even want to. Because I know you hold a special place in her heart which no one can replace. Not even me. We can try to get along. It shouldn't be so difficult." He proposed.
"Say yes Rafael, please." She implored.
"I have no problem at all. Your happiness is all that matters to me." He smiled.
I did a mental eye roll.
"Now you say yes." She casted me that well known grumpy kiddo look.
"Don't blame me if I accidentally killed someone."
"We're okay with it. Just say yes." Liam said quickly.
"At least give it a try, Mase." She begged, seeing my poker face.
This is going to be a disaster.
"Okay." I smiled and she tried cutting off my air supply. She calls that hugging. Whatever.
"Hold on. That doesn't mean you can escape our questions. We first need to make sure you aren't dangerous." Rafael stated as we got back up.
"What does that mean?" Vittoria asked.
"He might be working for the wrong kind of people." Oliver stated.
I scoffed. "I could even know about Camila."
"What?" Five voices exclaimed.
"Or not." I shrugged. "I'm sorry I just wanted to see that face again."
"Don't ever do that again." She scolded.
Well, they aren't entirely wrong though. But there are things I can't tell them. Not at least now.
About Camila...well well, not so soon.
About a minute later, we heard some noises near the main door which flew open with a bang.
All heads flinged at the intruders sight, some worried, some furious while the person was busy smirking at me.
Our eyes met and a wide grin appeared on my face.
"You?" Oliver gasped.
She ignored him and instead flashed a shocked Vittoria a sincere smile.
"Well, hello there sissy! Belated happy birthday!"
Hello there beautiful people!
There you go with Chapter 1 of Esztar Is Falling!
The book promises lots and lots of action, drama and twists and turns you would never see coming.
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