The Mafia's Secret Heiress

4

As we sit in the lounge, the atmosphere is a bit strange, and I am the one to blame for it. I should have kept my mouth shut and not told them anything. 

“I have a question Aria. When you said earlier that for years you weren’t given the opportunity to eat like that. What do you mean years?”  Samuel asks as he sips from his glass. I look up to Mrs Connors as she nods at me to continue.

“When I turned 16, I was only allowed to eat once my chores were completed and to my fathers satisfaction. If he was not happy about anything I wouldn’t be allowed to eat. And if I was allowed it would be whatever leftovers were there and that wasn’t very often.” I mumble.

“Wow. That’s cruel. How did you get that bruise?” Clayton asks, he points to my cheek.

“Last night after everyone left the house. Father got angry because my sister made a scene.” I mumble. I guess I have nothing to hide from them. I might as well tell them, father can’t hurt me here. I hope.

“Are there other bruises?” Mr Connors asks.  I nod my head lowering my gaze at the same time. I’m so ashamed with this conversation. I know they will not want this damaged girl for their son.

“Can you relax, Aria. You are sitting as stiff as an ironing board.” Xander says as he places a hand on my shoulder to pull me back. I wince as he touches the bruise there.

“It’s too painful to sit back. This is the only position I can sit and breath at the same time.” I say straightening my body. Calming my breathing down.

“How bad is it?” Mrs Connors asks. She had been very quiet until now.

“Possibly a cracked rib or two, nothing new" I say smiling weakly at her with a slight shrug off my shoulders.

“Let me see" Xander says as he takes my hand and pulls me out of the room with Mrs Connors following closely behind. I don’t have much choice but to follow as he doesn’t let go of my hand.

He leads me to the bathroom around the corner. Letting me enter first and Mrs Connors behind me. After Xander closes the door I just stand there not moving. I’m not completely comfortable with this. I tell him as he stands with his arms folded over his chest.

“Let me lift your dress sweetie. Ok. Let me check the bruises.” Mrs Connors says as she reaches the hem of the dress and lifts it high enough to see my ribcage.

I see her face screw up at the sight.

“Shit.” Is all Xander says as he storms out of the bathroom. As soon as he leaves Mrs Connors drops my dress and leads me back through to the lounge. You can hear the shouting and swearing before you even reach it.

“You expect to do business with a man that does that to his daughter.” I think that was Xander shouting.

“I’m not his daughter.” I say as I stand in the doorway.

“What?” Mr Connors says shocked.

“I’m not his biological daughter. My mother had an affair with another man and I was the outcome of it. She left when I was ten. I haven’t seen her since. Rose and Brandon are his children. We have the same mum" I explain to them what I’ve been told.

“Seriously. That’s even worse.” Xander all but yells.  Mrs Connors tries to calm the situation down as Xander continues to yell and shout.

“I’ll go pack my things.” I say to Mrs Connors as I head upstairs, not sure if she even heard me with all the yelling and shouting coming from the men in the room.

I enter the room that I was hoping I would be able to stay in for at least one night. I gather my clothes from the hamper and change back into them. Hanging the pretty dress back up on the rail, I get my bag and repack my things. It doesn’t take me long.

Slipping on my shoes and jacket I head back downstairs. To find them all still in the room I left them. I quietly enter

“Can someone give me a lift?” I ask

“Lift? Where are you going?” Mrs Connors asks as she jumps up from her seat.

“I think it’s best if I go. I’m sorry if this causes problems with the business. I’m sure father will compensate you for the troubles and I’m sure I’ll be dealt with also.” I say as I head right out the front door. I hear my name being called but I don’t look back.

I knew it was too good to be true. To escape father. I suppose I can continue to dream. As I reach the end of the driveway, I realise I have no clue where I am going.  I spot one of their guards at the bottom in a little hut.

“Hi. Which way to town?” I ask him.  He doesn’t say anything just points to the right. So the walk will be good then. Don’t know how long it will take.

“Aria, stop" Mr Connors shouts as he jogs down the driveway.  I hesitate looking between Mt Connors and the road ahead.

“Come back inside. You are not going anywhere. Come on. Let’s talk about this in the house. Xander is just shocked that’s all. We all are.” He says as he picks up my bag and takes my hand gently and leads me back up to the house.

Once inside, Mrs Connors brings me a cup of tea and sits with me in the sofa.

“Do you need anything for the pain?” She asks. I nod my head as I sip my tea.  I’m handed painkillers and a glass of water.  I take them and gulp the water down.

The room is silent. Nobody speaking or making a sound. I left my head to find Xander and his brothers sittings with their heads in their hands. Xander tapping his foot in the floor.

“I think it is best I leave" I whisper, making all their heads snap up.

“You can’t leave. This is your home now. You aren’t going back to that man" Mrs Connors says.

“I’m not suitable for your family. I’m not sure why this deal has been struck between you and father. I’m not his family.”

“The deal doesn’t matter at this point. We will deal with that later. Right now you need to relax and know that no matter what happens. You are staying here. Even if you and Xander don’t marry.” Mr Connor says.

I see Xander in the corner of my eye, staring at me. With a little smirk on his face. Bet he’s glad he doesn’t have to marry me now.  He can be with Tallia and be happy.

Clayton and Samuel have been very quiet since I came back into the house. Mr Connors has been asking questions and I’ve answered them telling them all about my life in the last 9 years.

I’m not sure how to read their reaction to what I told them but one thing is clear, they are angry.

“Let’s get you to bed. Tomorrow is a new day, we will figure this all out" Mr Connors says as I’m led back to the room I was in.

On the way upstairs Mrs Connors is quiet but asks about my lack of luggage. I explain to her that this us all I own and she tells me she will take me shopping tomorrow. She explained that she has cancelled her business trip which I was shocked about. I did try to argue with her about it, but she is very stern.

“No future daughter of mine is missing out on some new clothes. After breakfast we will write a list of things you need" she gently hugs me saying goodnight and leaves me in the room on my own.

After unpacking again, I change into my shorts and shirt for bed. Just as I’m getting ready to climb into bed there is a knock on my door.  I tell the person to come in. Xander pushes the door open and walks in with his hands in his pockets.

“You ok?” he asks as he sits on the chair by the window.  I walk over and sit opposite him.

“Not sure. I don’t understand what’s happening. I know you don’t want this. I could tell by the way you were in the car when you picked me up. Your parents seem adamant that I’m staying but I will leave if that’s what you want" I tell him as I pick at the hem of my shirt.

“What I said in the car. Forget that. I didn’t know you went through so much living there. I thought you would have been treated the same as Rose and Brandon. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.” He says as he teaches for my hand and he rubbed my knuckles.

“Once you are settled, we will figure this out ok. I’m with my parents on this. You ain’t going back there.” He says looking me in the eye. “No one deserves what you’ve been through.”

“I’m used to it. It’s all I’ve known for the last few years. Will your parents let me work for them. I don’t want to stay without paying my way. I don’t have much money but I can cook or clean.” 

“Mum won’t let you do anything of the sort. You are not here to serve us. I know my father said you can stay even if we don’t marry. I’m ok with that too. Let’s just take one day at a time. You need to rest and get better first. That is the priority, ok.” He says sweetly.  I nod my head as he says goodnight and leaves me to rest.

Climbing into my new bed feels strange. This whole situation is strange. I eventually get comfy enough and fall into a dreamless sleep. I just hope and pray that they don't send me back to fathers house. I really don't think I could survive staying there again.