( outfit for the day above ) { Tori's POV }

I woke up this morning feeling somewhat complete. Which is strange for someone who has just lost their mother, who was the person who raised them. I mean I was happy with my mother and I loved her. I still do.. but I always felt like a big part of who I was, was missing and it wasn't just because I didn't have a father. Don't get me wrong there were times I wondered who my father was, and I had always wanted to meet him..but he wasn't the missing part of me. If that makes any sense at all. It was always something I couldn't ever put my finger on ; it was like everything within me was screaming trying to tell me, and I just couldn't understand it. Now I'm starting too. I belong here not just the mansion but in this world. Not just because I'm blood related but because it's who I am. They might not fully see it yet but I belong here..and for the first time in forever, I feel like I'm home.

<•>

After waking up and getting ready this morning. I decided it was time to explore what was now my home. I surprisingly slept through breakfast and being lunch should be coming up soon. I decided to just feed my curiosity before feeding my body. It's not like I'll starve.

<•>

Im currently looking in every door I can get into. So far I've found the library, ballroom, other people's bedrooms, extra bathrooms, and the gym. So far....

My train of thought gets paused as I turn a corner and almost run smack into Diego.

"Oh Diego. My bad. I thought all of you were busy today." I say not really expecting an answer or anything. It just seemed rude not to say anything.

He nods his head to the left which is where the gym area is..

"You are going to the gym?" I ask

He nods his head yes and starts to walk away so of course I follow him. Because frankly I'm getting bored. He doesn't stop me or seem annoyed at the fact I'm basically trailing behind him like a lost puppy, so I continue to follow him till we reach the gym.

Diego goes over to the left and picks up two staffs. He throws one straight at me, luckily I catch it even though I was caught off guard.

"I'm assuming you are going to train me somehow.." I say knowing he probably won't say anything back

Diego nods as he swings the staff towards me. I do the same stopping his before it hits me.

"You should know I've never done this before.." I say and he nods

"But do me a favor and don't take it easy on me.." I tell him and this time he smirks

We continue sparing or whatever you wish to call it for almost an hour. I had gotten knock down like three times on my butt and a few other times I would've been dead had it been an actual weapon. I'm sure I'll have a few bruises but I also got a few good hits on Diego, surprisingly.

The very last time I even managed to knock him on the ground with the staff which he didn't even seem remotely surprised by.

I held out my hand with a smirk and helped him up like he did to me after each time he knocked me on the ground.

"It only took an hour.." I say breathing a little heavier than normal because we've been non stop sparing the whole hour.

"It took Luca two.." Diego surprisingly replies

"Seriously?" I question

Diego just nods as a response.

"How about everyone else?" I ask

Diego shakes his head.

"What now?" I ask

He starts walking towards a door in the gym. It automatically opens, and I see a shooting range.

"Holy mother of Mary. You are the luckiest people I know. This is the nicest shooting range I've ever seen." I say in amazement

I hear Diego let out a quiet yet deep sounding laugh. I turn around to face him.

"Did you just bring me in here to show off this amazing empty shooting range? Because that would be cruel. Unless you're going to give me a gun." I say with an innocent smile

Diego shakes his head but picks up two guns. He try's to hand me the smaller one but I just smirk and take both. He looks at me questionably. So I fill him in.

"I'm going to hit the left mannequin in the heart, and the right one in between the eyes."

He gestures with his hand for me to go ahead seeming amused ; I hold up the guns, take a breath, then I shoot until the guns are empty.

I put the guns down and look at Diego..and he actually seemed a little surprised but he was doing a good job at masking it.

I did exactly what I said I would do. The left mannequin had a huge hole in the heart, and the right had a huge hole right in between the eyes.

"If you are trying to see how much I'm capable of by bringing me here. I think you'll find out that I'm capable of a lot more than what any of you suspect." I say in all seriousness

"I already suspected such." Diego says

He gestures for me to leave the room first. I do and he shuts the door behind us. He leads me across the room to another door and as we walk in I realize it's some kind of knife throwing room.

I can already feel the smile on my face as I say "You should know I'm obsessed with knives. My mother found it a little frightening."

I pick up a knife and run my fingers across it without hitting the blade. Without a second thought I quickly turn and throw the knife into the wall on the bullseye. I then pick up the chinese throwing stars and quickly and swiftly throw them in a perfect circle around the knife.

"Told you knives are my specialty." I say as I turn and face Diego who seemed a mixture of impressed and amused.

"I have a few questions and I know you don't talk much but I'm hoping you can find a way to answer some.." I randomly decide to say

Diego nods agreeing to it.

"Why did everyone seem so shocked just because Luca stood beside me on the steps?" I question

"Luca always stands a step higher than whoever he stands beside. Unless he sees you as his equal in some sense, which has only ever happened with your father." Diego answers

I nod showing I understand.

"Why do you seem so confident in my abilities?" I ask

"I knew from the moment you stepped in front of Elena that you had my respect...and when you were fearless enough to stand up and against every man in that room I knew you were going to give everyone a run for their money. When I saw you in that ring, I wasn't sure. I was impressed that you agreed, but when you got punched I watched your face and body language. It was like your whole body got recharged. That's the moment I realized pain doesn't shut you down or weaken you. It wakes you up, and recharges you. In that moment I knew that you were the strongest out of all of us. They don't see it yet, but one day they'll understand. Strength isn't about the muscle it's about how your body, mind, and soul reacts to pain and to things that should slow you down. It's about who can keep getting back up after getting knocked down..and who can keep standing even when they're ready to fall down." Diego explains and for a guy who doesn't talk much he has so much wisdom.

"Why do you talk to me?" I ask

"Because you have my trust." Diego says

"But you don't talk to the others.." I say

"I talk to Luca the most. Sometimes Marco and Lorenzo..and over the years I've said a few words to your father." Diego explains

"Then why trust me?" I ask

"I always trust my instincts..and for whatever reason my instincts trust you." He answers

I nod with a smile and say "Well I'll consider myself lucky then."

Diego smiles and slightly shakes his head.

"This training or testing session has been fun but I'm starving.. and I'm sure we missed lunch. Is there anyway you can lead me to get some food before I just disappear into air?" I ask dramatically

"We wouldn't want that.." Diego states as he gestures me to follow him. We go out of the gym and head towards the kitchen.

<•>

We get to the kitchen and get two waters, some fruit because it was almost time to get ready for dinner.

We didn't talk because there were other people around but it wasn't awkward or anything. Just pure comfortable silence.

Diego makes me feel comfortable and protected in a strange way. Almost as if he's becoming the older brother I didn't know I always needed.

So at this point I'm just going to roll with it...