The Mafia's Secret Heiress

3

After they finished their food, Brandon stops by to say that they are heading out for a business meeting and he would catch up with me during the week.  I quickly tidy up again and head to my room for a little rest. After taking some more pain killers I lay down to catch up on my sleep.

Saturday is one of the days that I’m not needed to clean or cook apart from breakfast as the other maids are never up in time to do it for father. Knowing I can rest I change back into my shorts and shirt and snuggle under my blanket.

I’m woken by Marco gently shaking me awake.

“Aria. You need to get up. You’re needed in the lounge.” I blink my eyes to shift the sleepiness.

“What? Why? I haven’t done anything wrong?” I whisper as I quickly wash my face too wake me up more, Marco waiting on the other side of the door for me as I change into a pair of leggings and a long shirt, I slip on a pair of trainers and head out to meet Marco.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine" he says as he leads me through to the lounge.

“Yes sir" I say looking at the ground near the door.

“Sit down" he says in a tone I’ve never heard before. I look up to see Mr Connors but quickly avert my gaze from him as I sit on the edge of the chair beside the sofa.

“How are you Aria?” Mr Connors asks. I look up to father again for permission to speak. He quickly nods his head.

“I’m fine thank you" I whisper out.

“That’s good. So, your father and I have struck a deal.” He continues to say. I keep my gaze down listening intently.

“You are set to marry one of the Connors boys. You’ll be picked up tonight.” My father rushes as he speaks. I gasp in shock. Marriage. The deal is a bloody arranged marriage. I slump my shoulders as my father gets up and paces in front of us.

“With this merge Aria, it’s worth a lot of money for both families. You better behave and do as you are told" my father goes on to say with so much hatred in his voice.

“Henry. Enough. Aria will be fine once she settles in to her new home" Mr Connors says as he stands up from the sofa.

“Aria, go get packed. Xander will be here in a few hours to collect you.” Mr Connors tells me. I look up to father as he flicks his hand to dismiss me.

I quickly walk out of the lounge and head back down the basement meeting Marco on my way there.

“The Connors will look after you. They are a nice family.” He says as he helps me find a bag to put my things in.

“I’m scared. Will you tell Rose and Brandon where I am. I don’t even know where they live to tell them my new address"

He hands me a medium sized duffle bag that I quickly pack with the clothes I have which isnt much. Two pairs of leggings, one pair of jeans a few shirts and one dress. The shoes I’m wearing and a pair of flat dress shoes. Some underwear and my toiletries.  My laptop and a few books and a small photo of me and my mother, that I have on my shelf. It only takes half an hour and I still have over an hour until Xander is here.

Looking at my bag you would think I’m away for a weekend, not moving out forever.  To waste some time I clean my room and bathroom. Once I’m done I head upstairs, leaving my bag at the front door. I notice father isnt here, Marco said he was going out for a dinner meeting.

With father out of the house, the maids are all hanging about in the games room down the hall. I’ve never been allowed in there when they are there, so I decide go sit and wait near the front door, as I check my watch I notice the time has flown by. He should be here in about ten minutes.

Getting really nervous, Marco appears to tell me he is here. He takes my bag for me and leads me out the front door. He talks to me all the way there.

“Aria, this is Xander Connors. Mr Connors this is Aria.” Marco says as he puts my bag into the car.

“Yeah, yeah. Get in. I’ve not got all day" Xander says as he climbs into the drivers seat. I give Marco a quick hug and climb into the passenger side, buckling up and waving as Xander drives off.

“Right. Rules before we get there. You don’t talk to me in front of Tallia. You and I will never have a relationship. If I get my way this wedding will not happen and you can go back to living with daddy.” He states as he drives through the streets.

I sit and stare out the window, seeing all the buildings and people. I’m in awe of everything, its so pretty.

“Are you even listening.?” He all but yells.

I quickly turn my gaze to my lap and whisper a yes to him. I see him in the corner of my eye looking at me.

“How did you get that bruise?” he asks

“Father" is all I say as I look out the window again.

The rest of the drive is in silence. Neither one of us saying a word. I don’t look at him at all, I keep my gaze out the window. After ten minutes we are still driving and I end up having a nap.

Xander shakes me awake and not gently either, I hiss in pain as I knock my ribs climbing out of the car. I grab my bag from the car and follow Xander up the stairs. Looking around at this massive mansion I’m standing in front off.

Mrs Connors walks down the hall to greet me, bringing me in for a hug, her not knowing about my bruised ribs and I gasp in pain. She apologises although I can’t say it helped much. Painkillers is what I’m needing not hugs.

After a little chatter she leads me to what she says is my room. I mean this is not a room, this is like an apartment. A small seating area in front of a balcony window, a large bed against the far wall a huge walk in closet and a stunning bathroom.

“Wow. This is amazing" I say as I take it all in.

“I’ll let you unpack and get settled into your room. I’m heading away for business tomorrow so we will  be having a family dinner tonight. Where you will meet Xander’s brothers.  I took the liberty of getting a dress for you for this evening. It’s in the closet. Any questions?” she says as she holds my hand, she smiles sweetly at me, and I can tell she is just shocked at the bruise on my face.

“Who is Tallia?” Xander didn’t explain who she was.

“Xander’s friend. Or f**k buddy. She won’t be joining us tonight so don’t worry about that. She knows she’s not welcome when I’m here." Mrs Connors tells me. f**k buddy. Excellent. At least I won’t have to deal with his needs. I wouldn’t know where to start anyways.

“Ok. What time is dinner Mrs Connors?” I say to her as she reaches over and runs a thumb over my cheek.

“Please call me Angie. Ok. We are going to be family soon. In an hour for dinner.” She kisses my bruised cheek and leaves me to unpack.

It doesn’t take long to unpack. Twenty minutes and my bag is empty, everything put away and my books, my photo frame and laptop on the little desk in the corner.

I start to get ready for dinner. I slip off the clothes I’m wearing and slip on the dress Mrs Connors got me. It’s nothing to fancy, simple black knee length but elegant. I slip on my flat shoes and brush through my hair. Checking my reflection in the mirror I sigh to myself as I feel my nerves coming.

I leave my room and head downstairs to see if anyone is about. I see Mr Connors in the lounge drinking a bottle of beer.

“Aria. Come. Sit" he stands and ushers me round to sit beside him. I keep my gaze to the floor not making eye contact. I’m so nervous right now.

“Wow. That is Xander’s new wife” A girl hisses across the room. I keep my gaze down.

“Enough Tallia.” I hear Xander say. I didn’t even realise there was other people here.

“Seriously. You are dumping me for that. She can’t even look up. Is her neck broken? Or is she that ugly she needs go stare at the ground?" Tallia says with humour in her tone. She is a b***h. I thought Mrs Connors said she wouldn’t be here.

“Tallia. I think you should leave now. We are having a family dinner. You are not family, never have been and never will be.” Mr Connors stands in front of me in a protective stance. I look up just as Tallia walks past. She gasps.

“Oh my god. Did you see that bruise. Xander?” She says as he leads her out of the room. I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Aria. Are you ok?” Mr Connor crouched down to eye level with me.  I look up to find him staring at me.

“Yes sir.” I say and immediately lower my gaze.

“Come. Dinner is ready and the boys are desperate to meet you.” He says as he takes my hand and walks me to the dining room.  He pulls out a chair for me and I sit with my hands in my lap looking at the cutlery on the table.

“Aria, sweetie. This is Clayton, Xander’s older brother and Samuel, his younger brother.” Mr Connors goes on to say. I quickly look up as he started talking. Clayton sits opposite the empty chair to my left and Samuel sits opposite me.

I nod my head and lower my gaze again.

“Nice to meet you Aria.” One of them says but I don’t look up to see which one it is.  I just smile politely and keep my gaze down.

Mrs Connors soon joins us. She sits to my right at the head of the table. They all begin to chat amongst themselves as Xander comes in and sits to my left in the empty seat.

“Ok. So Aria. Did you get unpacked ok?” Mrs Connors asks.

“Yes. I did. I don’t have much” I try to relax a little. I must ask if they have rules that I need to follow.

The table goes quiet, almost like they are having a silent conversation.

“Aria sweetie. Can you lift your head up. We are not in your fathers house anymore. We like to make eye contact with everyone." Mr Connor says in the nicest tone. I lift my head slowly looking over to Mr Connors who has a nice friendly smile on his face. I glance over to Mrs Connors and see she has the same smile.

“s**t. What happened to your face?” Samuel asks. I lift my hand forgetting about my bruise.

“My father" I lower my gaze again.

“Samuel. Language please. Aria. It’s ok. We will discuss this after we’ve eaten” Mrs Connors states as she scolds Samuel for swearing.

I nod my head as the maids bring out plates of delicious looking and smelling food.

As they all chatter around the table. I sip on my water and try and eat. The food is delicious, but I hardly touch my food as it’s the most I’ve eaten in nearly three days.

“Do you not like the food?” Xander leans over and says in my ear.

“Its lovely. I just can’t eat much" I say as I leave my plate and look up at him.

“You are too skinny. You need to eat.” Clayton says.

“If I’m honest. It’s been a years since I have been given the opportunity to eat this amount of food and my stomach has shrunk that much that I can’t eat a lot. My water will be fine.” I say then lower my gaze again.

The table again falls silent but Clayton soon starts the conversation talking about random stuff I have no clue about. Soon dinner is done and I’ve hardly touched my food. I feel that it is such a waste but Mrs Connors says it will be given to their dog who eats everything.

We head to the lounge again,  Mrs Connors taking my hand and leading the way. Making me sit beside Xander. I feel so awkward though. Don’t get me wrong they have been nothing but nice to me since I arrived but I’m not used to this. I’m used to being in the kitchen cleaning and cooking.