Isabella

The plane flight was... interesting. We talked about my brothers. I already knew Lorenzo was the oldest. He told me he was 26 and after him came Matteo. He had studied medicine and bound to be smart so I had to be extra careful around him. Matteo is 23 and is followed by Emilio being 20.

Emilio loves cars. And when I say love I mean love. He couldn't stop talking about it and it was honestly so cute. I could listen to him talking about cars all day. No. No no no, no attachments

After Emilio, you have the eighteen years old twins. Rodrigo and then Riccardo. Riccardo being the smart one and Rodrigo being the aggressive one. Honestly I think Rodrigo scares me the most so I need to keep my distance from him.

"Enough talking loca, let's get you to sleep."

"I'm fifteen, not seven. I'll be fine"

A sigh escaped his mouth and he smiled weakly at me. "I know baby, you just look exhausted and I want you to be as fresh as you can. Please, for me?"

I don't even know the guy. What did he expect? A small sigh left me. There's no way I'm going to sleep next to a stranger. We may be blood, but that doesn't make you automatically family.

"I'm not that exhausted" Lies. I haven't had a good night rest in months.

"Fine, do you want to eat something? I'm sure we can find you something!" He said as he already stood up, not even waiting for my answer

"Some food would be nice...?" I carefully asked. He chuckled.

"Come on, we'll find you something" We walked to a little door. He opened it and let me go in first. Perfect spot to kill someone. He switched on the lights and all I saw was delicious food. From apples to pineapple. From sandwiches to cupcakes. From ice cream to pizza's.

Hello heaven.

"Can I have one of all?" He started cracking up. He actually laughed. I made him laugh? That feels...nice. He has a nice laugh. And I caused it.

Nice.

"Seems like we got another food lover."

"Excuse me, who doesn't love food?" I turned around to face him and gave him a fake disgusting look. He smiled while shaking his head.

"Take whatever you want, don't be shy to take everything loca" My eyes grew bigger and a smile was placed on my lips. It seems like Emilio saw my eyes light up what cause his lips to turn also in a smile.

I took some strawberries and some Nutella. You probably already know what I'm about to do. Come to momma sweeties.

Emilio sat on the couch right in front of the tv and was starting up a game. I sat across him, longing to my snack. I heard Emilio chuckle and I looked up. He patted the seat next to him.

He's your brother, he won't do anything. Right?

I gulped, but this didn't went unnoticed by him. A flash of hurt and concern flew through his eyes. He gave me a warm smile, trying to reassure me and weirdly, it worked.

Slowly I sat beside him and I focused my gaze on my food. He's your brother, you'll be fine. Deep breaths. In and out.

Talking to him was easy, almost like normal. But sitting beside him is another story.

"Hey, loca are you okay?" He asked carefully after a few moments of silence.

"Yeah, I just- got lost in my thoughts." I gave him a small smile. He looks like he doesn't 100% believe me, but he didn't ask further. He settled deeper into the couch and paused his game. He took me, causing me to gasp, and placed me between his legs.

He took his controller and wrapped his arms around me. His chin resting on my shoulder. He pressed play and continued to play his game.

"Go on, loca. I'm not stopping you from eating." I ignored my anxiety coming up and the tightness in my chest. I actually felt safe between his arms. I focussed on slowing down my breath and tried summing up everything new I saw around me. After a few moments I had calmed myself down again and honestly, I couldn't be more proud of myself

I let myself relax in his arms and he noticed my body relax. The corners of his mouth softly go up and I couldn't suppress a smile either.

Let me get this straight: Just because I felt safe and pushed away my anxiety doesn't mean I trust him. It means I let him in the first layer. The first layer of many.

I ate my strawberries-nutella snack in peace while watching him play his game. When I was full I tried to put the strawberries and the Nutella back into the little room they came from.

"Just put them on the table, love. You're not getting out of my grip."

I laughed shyly, but in reality that actually scared me. Sounds silly I know, I can't help it. This whole bad-ass act is just a masker. A masker to hide the scared little girl inside. A masker I need to wear 24/7 around these people.

I put everything on the table before us and right after Emilio pulled me back between his legs. I pulled my knees up so they touched my chin and put my arms around them, Emilio putting his arms around mine. I watched Emilio play for a while. Neither of us said a word, other than Emilio cursing in his language because he got hit or missed a shot. It's quite funny to watch him play.

Without knowing I felt my eyelids getting heavier and heavier. No, I need to stay awake. I was fighting sleep, not an easy fight if I say so. Emilio saw that I was on the point on falling asleep.

"Don't fight it loca, get some sleep. I'll be here all the time. Close those sleepy eyes." He whispered to me. He drew little circles on my back, causing me to fall deeper in my sleep and soon I was in a deep, sweet slumber.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Loca, we're here. Wakey wakey." A soft voice spoke to me, I didn't remember going home from school...

Someone was now stroking my cheek what made me fall back to sleep.

"Shit, that was not the plan"

I felt myself being lift up and pulled into strong arms. I couldn't help but snuggle deeper in this warm, relaxing scent. A low chuckle left the persons mouth. A man chuckle. A unknown man. My eyes snapped open.

"Shhhh, it's just me, your brother Emilio. Go back to sleep loca." My body immediately relaxed and I just let it all happen. All the memories came back and I felt like I was on the edge. So much has happened today and I'm exhausted. I'm done fighting for today. I need sleep, mentally and physically. Just like that, I fell back again into the hole of a deep sleep. The only thing I could hear was

"Sleep well, loca"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A door opened and closed again. Then I hear a door next to me open. I slowly opened my eyes and saw that Emilio was towering over me, ready to pick me up.

"Hey there sleepy head. Let's get you inside. It's six pm, you're probably hungry."

Did he mentioned food? I think he just did. Okay, react normal, not like a starved animal.

My eyes automatically opened more and I began to sit straighter. Emilio looked at me with amusement and let out a little chuckle

"You're really Rodrigo's sister, aren't you?" Rodrigo who- shit. That's the scary one. Does that means mister scary pants loves food? Looks like mister scary pants isn't as bad and scary as I thought.

I jumped out of the car and almost bumped into Emilio's back. I rubbed my nose as I cursed him in my head.

Yeez, way to give a girl a nose bleeding.

"Let's get going, the others are waiting." I froze instantly. I was not prepared to meet four other men. Four scary, unknown, taller, stronger men. I didn't think this through. Shit, I wasn't expecting to meet them this soon. I thought I still had time. Shit shit shit.

Emilio probably noticed my nervous body posture because he took a step towards me with a soothing expression on his face.

"You'll be fine loca. They'll love you. I know they will." He took my hand and softly pulled me behind him. Slowly, we made our way to the building in front of us and I finally let my eyes take in the beautiful building.

I didn't even noticed that we went through a huge black gate with golden accents, surrounded with a beautiful high hedge. A large path led us to the frontdoor. The front yard was filled with threes and flowers. And in the right corner I could see a huge driveway. Dang, what are these people doing for a living?

I could almost smell the expense of the house. If I would lick it, I'm sure it would also taste like expensive stuff.

Emilio pushed open the frontdoor and as we entered, my mouth fell even more open. A wooden floor with marble and black accents. White walls filled with thousands photos. A huge world map on the other wall and a huge white chandelier was hanging above us. Two big, wide stairs were coming from the first floor down in the hallway. At the top of the stairs was a gigantic balcony. This place was a freaking palace!

"Come on, I'll bring you to your room. Then we'll have a tour and then we can get you some food, how does that sounds?" He looked down at me with amusement in his eyes. When I say that he looked down, he looked actually down. He's towering my 5'4 with ease. Stupid giant people.

"You had me at food, the rest I didn't hear." I said honestly. He threw his head in his neck and started laughing. That already the second time.

Maybe I really need to try my luck again on the stand-up comedian career.

"You, my loca, are one of a kind. Let's go" We walked upstairs and then took another stairs what led us to the second floor.

"Here are all the bedrooms, each one with their own bathrooms. On the other side of the hallway there is a second kitchen and five spare rooms." I looked at him like he just ate his finger. I'm sorry, five spare rooms?

Okay that's just not rich level, that's just Bill Gates level.

"Our rooms are in the order of our age, first you have Lorenzo, on the other side you have Matteo. I sleep next to Lorenzo and Rodrigo sleeps next to Matteo. Riccardo sleeps next to me what means you'll sleep next to Rodrigo." Well isn't that great? Ugh, amazing.

(AN: for everyone who's confused. Its from old to young in zigzag :) )

We walked towards a door that should be the door to my room and I was speechless. Holy mother of gods.







"I'll leave you alone for now. Dinner will be ready in one hour. I'll come get you okay? After dinner I'll show you around on the first floor. If you want to change something to your room, don't be afraid to ask it. "

"It's perfect, thank you."

"Hey Isabella?"

Why does it feels so weird that Emilio calls me by my real name?

My eyes flikker to his with confusion. His didn't hold any anger or disappoitement in them so I guess we're in the clear.

"I'm glad you're back home." Home. I haven't got that in a long while. Could this really be my home? I really hope so. Because there only so much a girl can take.

He turned around and walked to the door, but before he left my new room I stopped him.

"Wait!" He turned around with a curious look. Alright there's no turning back now Bella.

"Erm- Well uhm it's. It's Bella."

"What?"

"Bella, I never liked Isabella so my friends call me Bella."

Well the friends I had before the bullying. But those are just details he doesn't need to know. He looked surprised, but then he looked... grateful. Meh, probably my imagination.

"Bella... I like it. I'll leave you alone now. See you later loca." He closed the door on his way out but not before giving me one of his famous smiles. I couldn't help but smile back and I hate that after a few hours with my brother, I already went soft.

I'm not going to sleep, I just woke up. Maybe I can find some stuff to draw? Or I'll just admire my room. Probably both. I walked around my room and I knew the sit spot under my second bed (picture two) is going to be my favorite spot here. That is, if I stay.

I looked on my desk and I found some pencils and some erasers. Bingo! Now all we need to find is some paper. Just when I was giving up, I saw a new sketch book on my night table. My name was written on it. How did they know?

I'll ask them later, for now I just took my stuff and sat on my new spot. I forgot time and I was totally consumed by my drawing. I didn't even notice Emilio looking at me with an amused grin. When I looked up, I almost had a heart attack.

"Jesus, if you wanted me dead, you could at least do that when we first met." He casually leaned against the wall and a chuckle escaped his mouth. But really, am I that funny?

"Sorry loca, what are you drawing?" I looked at my picture and I was surprised. It was way too long ago since I drew something and now all my emotions are on this paper. (see picture above)

"Nothing important. Just some sketches."

"Still, I want to see them." He answered.

"Wait, weren't we suppose to go have dinner?"

"You're right, let's go! You can show me your sketches later okay?"

"Fine, let's go! I want some food. Now hurry up." I said as a sprung up and bolted for the door.

"Woah, slow down miss. I don't want you to run into a wall or door. You would be in pain and I'll have to explain myself to Lorenzo. No thank y-" right when he wanted to finish his sentence, he walked straight into my door. He probably thought it was still open.

I instantly covered my mouth with my hand as I tried to stop the laughter. A big red dot was on his forehead and for a moment, Emilio looked confused at the door.

"Shut up. Let's go loca" he grunted but I couldn't help but fall on my back from laughter. I crossed my arms over my belly because of the pain I was getting. Good pain.

"Enough bullying Emilio, let's go!" He said as he opened the door.

"Did you just used your own name on yourself? You're a weird person, has anyone ever told you that?" I said as I crossed my arms and followed him to the hallway.

"Oh shush. But we really should hurry up before there's no food anymore." That snapped me out of my conversation and I immediately walked over to Emilio, fastening our tempo.

"Come on, come on. Let's get going!" Emilio took my hand and walked me to the kitchen. Jesus this place is huge. This is going to take me years of studying for remembering every room.

"You ready?"

"No, can I go back please?"

"No backing away missy, let's go." He pushed me into the room and I could balance myself just on time.

"No need to almost push me on the ground-" I could hear Emilio chuckle behind me. I didn't care. I was facing now eight scary eyes, all focused on me. Amazing. I hate attention, it gives me weird feelings.

My eyes kept focusing on one person. He looked older than the rest. He was the only one in the room with a suit. His aura was demanding respect and powerful. I visually gulped. Very uncommon.

"Lorenzo..." I breathed out.

"You're smarter than I thought you would be." he spoke to me with a cold voice. If I didn't know this was my brother, I would be shitting my pants right now. Forget that, I'm shitting my pants right now.

I hoped he would be a little more... kind. What are you expecting Bella? For all you know they could be killers.

"It doesn't take a genius to connect the dots" I matched his cold voice and for a split second I could see the corners of his mouth go up. It went away just as fast it came and he let his eyes travel from my feet back to my eyes.

"I never pictured you as a prejudicial person, but never judge a book by it's cover I guess." I continued. Now he almost gave me a playful smirk but something told me it was a very dangerous smirk. I gulped.

"What makes you think I judge people?"

"You just said 'you're smarter than I thought you would be', I think that's a judgement." I tilted my head in a challenging way. I saw that he was surprised by my comment. Take that you ice-prince.

"Well, I saw your grades and I-"

"-don't know anything. Just as simple as that. Don't judge my action when you don't know my reasons." My voice turned cold and distant. No one, and I mean no one is going to lecture me about my grades. His face turned cold and angry. I fought the urge to say 'what' but that's not the smartest move.

"Let's eat" Emilio broke our staring contest and pushed me to my seat. I sat between the twins and I don't know which one is which one. Make a mental note to thank Emilio later for the safe.

"So, Isabella, welcome home." The man beside Lorenzo said. I give him a confused look. He gave me also a confused look when suddenly his eyes show a flash of hurt.

"Kiara never told you about us, didn't she?" He asked with his tone softer than before.

Kiara is my mother's name by the way.

"No, I'm sorry. She always told me it was me, her and Logan from the start. But Emilio told me about you guys. Brown hair, stubble beard, green eyes, pretty old, you're Matteo." A flash of hurt went through Emilio, Matteo and one of the twin's eyes. Matteo pushed it aside and his face was now full of amusement.

"Old? I'm not old!" he pouted like a baby. Oh this is going to be fun

"Whatever makes you sleep at night old man."

"You're a little devil! I like that." That was not the plan. If I would have water in my mouth, I would have spit it all out. Matteo smiles at me like he just won the battle. This is not over Matteo, mark my words.

"So I'm indeed Matteo, the attractive one of us"

"Let's not tell ourselves lies big brother." One of the twins says. His voice was calm like he knew his every move. Riccardo... He faces to me with soft eyes.

"I'm Riccardo, but I think you just figured that out." My eyes grew bigger. Is this guy in my head or what?

"You pretend to be dumper than you are, just so you have the element of surprise, pretty smart if I must say. But predictable." Thanks I guess Einstein?

He gave his twin a look I couldn't place. Wait, his twin is- Oh fuck.

"Rodrigo" his voice was cold, had a glint of boredom and irritation in it. I tried to look at his windows of his soul, his eyes.

Nothing. I couldn't see a single thing in it. Like he didn't had feelings, didn't had a soul. He's going to be a challenge. I love challenges. Then it hit me. Only me and Emilio and Lorenzo had blue eyes. The rest of them had green eyes, just like mother...

That means my father had blue eyes. I have the eyes of my father... Hold on, my father!

"Where's your- our father?" Everyone's gaze turned cold and hurt. No, no no no. I didn't even meet the guy and I already felt tears coming up.

"He died of ALS. It was five years ago. I'm sorry you don't remember him loca" Emilio said with the saddest eyes I've ever seen.

Before I could say anything, staff ran into the room and placed a plate full of food in front of everyone. I thanked the girl who gave me a plate. She seemed shocked but nodded back. It's been so long I had a normal meal.

"Enjoy everyone." Lorenzo said and we all started eating. We we're all having spaghetti. So simple, yet so delicious. I always had a big appetite but it shrinks when you get little to eat.

I couldn't fully finish my plate, but I've eaten about three fourths. I couldn't eat any more. I let out a satisfied sigh and Riccardo chuckled. Seriously, am I that funny?

"I see you're done eating Isabella. Now, could you come with me to my office. We have some things to discuss." He didn't ask, he ordered. I sighed and followed him upstairs. I looked behind me and Riccardo smiled at me and then looked away. Rodrigo was busy at his phone. How friendly. Emilio was doing the thumps up signs and Matteo was doing the good luck signs. I swear to god these two will be the death of me, yet I couldn't help but laugh and I swear I saw Rodrigo look up from his phone for a second. Stupid imagination.

He led me to the first floor and pushed open the third door. He let me in first and I thanked him. I took place at the seat in front of the biggest seat in the room screaming 'I'm rich so I have a big ass chair'. I rolled my eyes.

"Now, let's have a talk Isabella."

Oh dear lord

Edited.

Thank you all so so much for reading! I hope you like it so far! Let me know if I make any mistakes.

Huge thank you to Katie, I swear you never fail to make me want to write 40000 words. Love you, crazy ass.

Hopefully I see you in the next chapter! Until next time love!