Katerina Dale

Just as my fingers grasped the handles of the front door, I heard Arosio's deep voice echo from the living room. He was talking on the phone and if he had said any other name, I wouldn't have hesitated from running away from these dangerous people. But the name he said made me run back inside towards the living room within seconds.

"Good evening, Mr. Dale," Arosio stated as everyone in the room looked at him in confusion. He was the one who called his father-in-law, not the other way around but of course, I had no idea about that.

Without thinking, I tore the phone out of his hand before pushing him onto the sofa. His brothers and best friends were too busy laughing at Arosio who was sprung out on the sofa that I pushed him onto while his parents stared at me curiously. Ignoring all of them, I brought the phone up to my ear and took a few steps away from them before turning my back towards them.

"Father?" I whispered and he must have heard the nervousness in my voice.

"Don't call me that! Did he find out the truth? Didn't I tell you to be careful, do you not care for your grandparents lives anymore?" my father's cold voice threatened as I gripped the phone tightly with tears brimming my eyes.

"No, I promise, it's nothing like that! I swear, please believe me," I began to beg him and couldn't stop the tears from falling. I had my back towards them and prayed that they wouldn't see my tears dripping onto the white carpet on the floor.

"Good. You better keep acting or else... besides, I have already located my daughter in Paris," my father's cold voice held a certain tenderness to it when he mentioned my twin sister, making my heart twist in pain.

"She will return on Sunday evening and I will send her to the De Luca family mansion at midnight. Make sure to swap places with her and I will have a car waiting for you outside to bring you back to your grandparents. Understood?" I was so happy at his next words that I almost forgot to answer him.

"Yes, thank you, thank you so much!" I exclaimed joyfully and jumped up and down giddily. I could feel several pairs of eyes staring at my back but I paid them no mind.

Why should I care about what they think of me anyways? Today is Friday, which means that in less than 48 hours, I will be able to escape from this psychotic Mafia family. Just thinking about that made a big smile grace my lips as I jumped up and down in pure joy.

"En. Pass the phone to Mr. De Luca," my father ordered as I nonchalantly turned around and practically threw the phone at Arosio who was standing much closer to me than I expected.

He caught the phone and eyed me suspiciously, similarly to the other members present in the room. But I paid them no mind and instead scooped little Elijah into my arms before twirling us around.

"What is it, Mr. Dale?" Arosio questioned into the phone in an emotionless tone but I could feel his eyes on Elijah and I, along with the other members of his family.

"Mommy, you seem so happy. I'm glad!" Elijah's adorable giggles mixed in with mine as my fiery red hair twirled around with us as well. Usually I kept it tied back and hidden but Elijah had taken out my elastic before so now it was flying around us. However, I was so happy and couldn't care less about it at this moment.

"That's right, my little prince! Mommy is very, very happy!" I exclaimed joyfully and gave him a bright smile before kissing both of his chubby cheeks.

"Brother, wipe the drool from your mouth. It's unsightly," Alanzo teased as the rest of his family laughed at Arosio. I stopped twirling with Elijah and my gaze snapped towards Arosio who was staring at me in a trance with clear affection evident in his softened gaze.

Several seconds went by but his gaze never faltered, making me feel a bit self-conscious. I straightened my stance and adjusted Elijah onto my hip while giving everyone the best innocent smile I could muster up.

"Um...about the food..." I whispered with flushed cheeks when Alanzo and Adriano laughed again before their mother's gentle voice stopped them.

"Stop teasing your sister-in-law! Come, dear let's go to the dining room. It is time for dinner anyways," she stated before guiding us towards the dining room as Arosio finished up his conversation with my father.

Seated at the head of the extravagant dining table was Arosio's father, Arsenio, with his wife, Eliana, seated to his right and Adriano, who I learnt is 27 years old which is one year younger than Arosio, seated beside his mother. Alanzo who is the youngest and 25 years old sat beside him on the same side.

On the left side of Arsenio, my fake husband sat down and I made sure to keep Elijah seated between us while Alejandro and Giovanni sat beside me. This seemed to have earned a glare from Arosio but I rolled my eyes at him and focused on my steak and baked potatoes.

Arosio began to discuss business with the other members of his family in Italian while I silently pouted since it was obvious that they spoke in Italian to make sure that I wouldn't understand them. I was shocked to hear Eliana input her opinions every now and then, making me fear that even she was involved in their mafia business.

"Here you go, be a good boy and eat your vegetables," Eliana stated as she placed more vegetables onto Elijah's plate.

Shaking the scary thoughts away, I was just about to take my first bite of this delicious meal when I heard Elijah stubbornly yell out a 'no' before pushing his plate away from him. This earned a sigh from Eliana as she once again pushed the plate full of vegetables towards the little boy but he turned his head and gave me puppy dog eyes instead. My heart melted at his adorable face as I let out a defeated sigh and scooped him up into my lap.

Once he got comfortable in my lap, I pushed my food away and brought his plate in front of me. Scrunching up my nose, I began to sympathize with the poor kid. Although his meal was luxurious and prepared by the top chefs as well, it looked significantly healthier than the rest of our plates since there were so many pieces of vegetables on his plate.

Silently cutting his vegetables up into small pieces, I hadn't noticed that the other people in the room had stopped talking and were staring at me and the little boy instead.

"Say 'ah'," I gently coaxed the little boy but he pouted and buried his small head into the crook of my neck.

Knowing that he was not going to listen to me, I opened my mouth and took a bite of his broccoli before letting out a small moan and chewing it loudly on purpose.

I felt Arosio's darkened gaze instantly land on me as soon as the moan escaped me and my cheeks burned in shame but I ignored it since I had a very important mission to accomplish.

"Yum! It is so delicious!" I exclaimed with fake excitement which earned the laughter of the adults present in the room but I didn't care even if they were making fun of me since I succeeded in gaining Elijah's attention.

His small head raised up from my neck as he looked at me with bright emerald eyes, making my heart instantly swoon.

"Really? Let me try, mommy!" Elijah opened his small mouth and I quickly scooped another piece and gently fed it to him.

The little boy slowly chewed the vegetable as I felt my heart race in anticipation. I didn't want him to call me a liar or get angry with me. I subconsciously looked up towards Eliana who met my fearful gaze and gave me a small nod of encouragement.

"You're right, mommy! Today the vegetables taste delicious, it must be because mommy is feeding me," Elijah spoke with a bright smile making me let out a soft laugh as I continued to feed him more.

Throughout our whole exchange, I hadn't heard a word spoken from anyone else. Realizing this, I looked around the dining table and noticed all of them staring at Elijah and I.

Arsenio and Eliana looked proud while the rest of the men looked at me with admiration. Except, Arosio's intense gaze held something more than admiration and there was even a rare smile present on his otherwise cold, stoic face.

"Elijah, come here. I will feed you. Let your mommy eat her food before it gets cold," Arosio ordered in a gentle tone as Elijah nodded and reached out towards him.

I watched silently as Arosio took Elijah into his lap and began to feed him before bringing my own plate towards me and staring at it in surprise. Someone had cut my steak into perfect cubes while I had been feeding Elijah.

"I've never seen Aro feed Elijah before nor cut someone's food for them. How amusing," Alejandro's voice rang through the silent dining room, making my eyes immediately snap up to Arosio who was sending him a death stare.

With flushed cheeks, I began to eat my food while the rest of the members discussed their business in Italian again.

Every now and then, a pout would make its way onto my face as I strained my ears to pick up on a few words but failed miserably. I noticed Arosio smirking at my failed attempts, making me stick my tongue out towards him while folding my arms across my chest and looking the other way.

***

"Thank you for the meal. It was wonderful, the best I have ever had in my whole life!" I complimented the staff when they came to take our plates away once we all finished eating.

The staff looked at me surprised before nodding their heads fearfully and taking the plates away. I stared at their retreating backs in confusion before realizing my mistake. My twin sister would have never thanked them nor complimented them in the past.

'Katerina what are you doing? You need to act more like Isabella for Christ sake!' I thought to myself as I lightly smacked the back of my own head.

"Guarda il tuo coniglietto, fratello. È troppo innocente per il suo stesso bene. Come poteva suo padre pensare che potesse fingere di essere la sorella disgustosa e ingannarci?" the usual silent Adriano stated while laughing with Alanzo. Alejandro and Giovanni had taken Elijah to the washroom a few minutes ago but I knew they would have laughed too if they heard what he said. (Look at your bunny, brother. She is too innocent for her own good. How could her father possibly think she could pretend to be her disgusting sister and fool us?)

"Huh?" I mumbled and looked between the amused De Luca family members in confusion.

"Nothing, tesoro. Let's go, it's late. Clarence, have a maid escort Elijah to our quarters," Arosio stated in a cold voice when he addressed the De Luca family's head butler, an older man of Asian descent named Clarence.

Arosio stood up and held his hand out to help me get up from my chair as well. His other family members were already standing and preparing to leave to their own quarters of this monstrous mansion. However, I remained frozen in my seat as his words began to register in my mind.

"Our...quarters..." I mumbled in shock before quickly getting out of my seat and taking several steps away from Arosio. I was almost standing on the opposite side of the dining room.

"Of course, my dear sister-in-law. You will be sleeping in your husband's quarters, where else would you stay?" Alanzo held a mischievous tone as he addressed me as his 'sister-in-law' making me shake my head furiously.

"No!" my sudden scream took everyone by surprise and I felt all of their eyes bore into me, especially Arosio who looked furious. I bet no one has ever disobeyed him in his whole life.

But I don't care, Mafia boss or not, I refuse to sleep in the same bed as him! I am NOT his wife.

"What's wrong...Isabella?" Adriano broke the silence and the way he said 'Isabella' made my eyes widen in realization.

Think, Katerina! These people think you are Isabella, married to this Italian Mafia boss. What can I say to get out of this situation?

"Um...I mean...I want my own bedroom...Papa, mama please allow me to sleep in your quarters tonight?" I looked behind me and gave the older couple my best puppy dog eyes. I was surprised when it seemed to work since Arsenio's eyes softened.

"Penso che il fratello sta per esplodere di rabbia da un momento all'altro," Alanzo smirked towards Arosio and his booming laughter rang through the room as my brows creased in confusion. (I think brother is about to explode with rage any second now).

"Here. Now." Arosio demanded in a cold voice that sent shivers down my spine. His eyes were darkened and if looks could kill, I'd be laying in a coffin six feet underground right now.

Part of me wanted to lash out and stab him with a butter knife. How dare he order me around like I was some animal?

But then again, the other part of me wanted to live so I swallowed down my anger and let my fears control my actions.

My eyes fearfully darted around the dining room, trying to find another escape route. I wish Elijah hadn't been taken to the washroom by Alejandro and Giovanni. I could've really used my shield right now. Shameless, I know but could you freaking blame me?

My eyes met his almost pitch black eyes and an involuntary gasp escaped my lips when he took a step towards me. I immediately shuffled backwards and bit my bottom lip nervously. This seemed to piss him off even more, which I didn't even think was possible.

How could such a handsome and sexy man have so much anger in him?

"Do not make me repeat myself, tesoro. Come here or else, I will punish you," Arosio's expression darkened even more when I shook my head several times.

Punish? Why does that make my whole body tremble?

Arosio took a step towards me but stopped when I screamed loudly and ran behind his shocked parents while tightly gripping onto the back of his unsuspecting fathers shirt. By now, tears were pouring down my eyes as I hid behind his parents and evaded his furious gaze.

"Please, help me papa, please, please, please," I begged while hiding behind the shocked older man. This man was almost as scary as Arosio but I would choose his presence over Arosio's terrifying presence any day.

I could almost feel Arosio's glare intensify while his parents looked between the both of us, not knowing what to do.

"Please mama, please," I pleaded with Eliana instead when I noticed Arsenio's silence. Her eyes softened towards me before she sighed and gave her husband puppy dog eyes. The older man looked at his wife only one time before turning towards his eldest son with a defeated smile.

"Son, she will sleep in the guest bedroom in our quarters tonight," Arsenio stated as I sighed in relief and gave him a bright smile, silently thanking him.

Arosio's eyes narrowed at my actions before he turned his attention to his parents. I could see his self-restraint slowly falling apart.

"She is my wife. She will be sleeping with me," Arosio stated angrily and I could tell that he was trying to control his temper against his father.

I expected his father to say something but he remained silent as if he was sympathizing with his crazy son. My nerves built up with each second that passed by, and I ended up involuntarily blurting out the first thing that came to mind.

"If I'm your wife, then you ought to show me some...some...some respect! I mean...I was in an accident... and I've been through so much. I lost my memory...so when I look at you... I don't see my husband. I see a...a....a stranger! You need to give me some time to adjust...yeah, some time! Got it, Mr. Arosio De Luca?" I finished off my nervous rambling and made sure to shed a few tears throughout my Oscar worthy performance but remained hiding behind Arsenio. If Elijah wasn't here then I had to use another shield!

Arosio gave me an incredulous look as his brothers stifled their laughter yet again. I looked towards them confused and then towards his parents who were looking at me with amusement shining in their eyes.

What the hell? Aren't they suppose to feel pity for me? What a crazy family. I need to escape soon or else, I might become crazy like them!

"Exactly, brother. She was in an... accident... lost memory... give her some time," Alanzo stated in between laughter as Arosio sent him a murderous look, effectively silencing him.

"Never thought a woman would want to avoid sleeping with the almighty Arosio so badly" Adriano mused aloud, making my cheeks instantly flare up. Of course I wouldn't want to sleep beside this...this...murderer!

"ENOUGH. You will be sleeping in my fucking bed with me tonight and every other night for the rest of our lives. Understood?" Arosio roared in a menacing tone as he stalked towards me, making me flinch back and almost run out of the dining room but I froze when a small figure ran into my legs and hugged me tightly.

"Stop fighting! Mommy will sleep with me, is that alright, mommy?" Elijah questioned as he looked up at me with bright eyes. He seemed to hesitate and I could already guess that my sister never once agreed to sleep with this little boy.

"Yes, yes, yes! A thousand times yes! Mommy loves you so much, let's go to bed my little prince" I quickly rejoiced for heavens having sent this angel to save me before scooping him up into my arms and running out of the dining room.

I didn't fail to hear the men booming with laughter and I shivered when I could feel Arosio's anger even from outside of the dining room now.

***

Unbeknownst to Katerina, the dining room was in an uproar. As soon as she left, Arosio was teased by his brothers and best friends as his parents shook their heads and returned to their own quarters for the night. With a new fake daughter-in-law, who might become their actual daughter-in-law, it was safe to say that they had enough for one night.

"Shut the fuck up or else," Arosio threatened the four men beside him before making his way out of the dining room.

"Where are you going, Aro?" Alejandro questioned but they could all guess where he was heading to. They silently sent a prayer for their new sister-in-law's well-being since she was the first human being to ever disrespect the Italian Mafia boss.

"To sleep with MY wife and MY son," Arosio emphasized with a devilish smirk before exiting the dining room.

Arosio made his way to his quarters which was located at the furthest end of the De Luca family mansion. Everyone knew how much importance Arosio gave to privacy so they made sure to give him the furthest private quarters. It had five levels, and Elijah's bedroom was on the fourth level while his master bedroom was on the fifth level.

With quickened footsteps, he made his way into his bedroom and took a shower before changing into a pair of black sweatpants and heading down to his son's bedroom.

Today was the first time that Arosio felt grateful for his parents giving Eljiah a king size bed. They were afraid that Elijah would fall during the night so they made sure to give him a king size bed that could fit more than five people. It was similar to the bed that Arosio kept for Elijah in his personal mansion.

Arosio opened the door slowly and the sight that he was met with instantly melted his stone cold heart. Laying in the middle of the bed was Katerina who was fast asleep with her arm draped across the little boys stomach. The duo had kicked off the soft duvet covers and their legs were tangled up. Arosio couldn't help but take out his phone and take a picture of the two before making it his screen lock background.

Slowly, he made his way to the bed and covered the two with the blanket. At first, he wasn't planning on actually sleeping beside them since he wanted to respect Katerina's wishes. But seeing her angelic form as she embraced his son and slept so peacefully, completely shattered his previous resolution.

Lifting the covers up, Arosio slipped into the bed beside his wife and wrapped a protective arm around her waist. He felt her stiffen for a second and held his breath, thinking she might have woken up. However, in the next second, the petite girl had turned around and snuggled into his bare chest with her face resting in the crook of his neck and her legs draped over his.

Arosio's cold face broke out into a wide grin as he tightened his hold around her and was met with her sweet aroma. His whole body relaxed and he felt that tonight would be the first time in many years that he would be able to sleep more than two hours at night.

Elijah subconsciously cuddled into Katerina's back with his small arm reaching across and hugged her waist, making Arosio chuckle softly and extend his arm to pull them both closer to him.

The small family of three snuggled up together on the king size bed and experienced the best sleep they had ever in their whole life.

***** Hello lovely readers,

I hope you enjoyed this update! I know some of you are probably wondering why I'm able to update this quickly and not my other books. This book was actually written a few years back (same characters, settings etc but I recently changed the plot line) and back then, I unpublished it to do major editing aha.

Don't worry though, I will be updating my other books next week since my last exam will be done and I will officially be on vacation next week!

Thank you for your patience,

PLEASE READ, VOTE & COMMENT!