Fated to the Enemy.

| 3 | Companions.

Storming out of my parents' study, emotions surge within me, a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. Every second that passes is one I spend trying to convince myself that none of this is real. That none of this is actually happening.

I need to speak to someone, and the first people that come to mind are my best friends, Caterina and Alessio...

They lived in the mansion with me, seeing as Caterina is the daughter of my Father's Consiglieri, Salvatore Russo, Uncle Sal we call him, while Alessio is the son of our Capo, Marino Lombardi. They were like my father's brothers, so Alessio, Cat and I all grew up closely and as siblings. Aside from the two of them, I couldn't really rely on anyone else. Making friends in art school was extremely difficult for me, considering my family's status, and so they were the only ones that understood what it's like...

Wiping my tears angrily, I stride down the hallways of the mansion, desperate to find my friends and tell them all that has happened. And thankfully I don't have to search for long...

I walk into the upstairs living room and find two people standing opposite each other, engaged in casual conversation. Judging from the short brown pixie cut and the full afro of brown curls I see, I can tell I've found them.

They each turn their heads in my direction, frowns now appearing on their faces once they see that tears are rolling down my face.

Cat's bright green eyes reflect concern as she takes a step towards me.

"Izzy... what's wrong?" She asks, genuinely worried, just as Alessio's hazel eyes meet my own. I shake my head at them and begin to walk over to them just as Cat opens her arms for me to embrace her.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" Alessio questions, placing a hand on my back, ever so protective of both Cat and I.

Through shuddering breaths, I finally muster up the courage and tell them...

"My parents want to force me into an arranged marriage," I confess, pulling away from Cat slightly just so I can see their reactions. They both raise their eyebrows in shock and glance at each other, their gazes eventually finding their way back to me.

"What? Are they serious?" Cat, empathetic as ever, responds in disbelief, just as I nod my head at her I'm response.

"To who, Izzy?" Alessio shakes his head at me, not being able to stomach what I've just told him. My heart pounds as my mind returns to the person I am meant to marry, more tears well in my eyes but yet, my body has begun to feel completely numb...

"Angelo Verossi..." My voice comes out monotonous as I reveal the truth to them. Cat's eyes widen with shock, her mouth opening to say something but she is completely at a loss for words. Alessio's frowns deeply at me, as if he's just heard the most outrageous thing on earth... and unfortunately, that's exactly what it is... outrageous.

"You're kidding me... Angelo Verossi?!" Cat whispers yells, coming closer to me as if she's afraid someone might overhear our conversation.

Alessio's usual jovial demeanour fades into seriousness, "How can they make such a cruel decision for you? They know the history between our families..."

"They say this is a way for us to stop the bloodshed... for us to have peace between our two families. But why? Why do they have to do this at the cost of my happiness? I don't understand!" I exclaim, frustration and vulnerability evident in my voice and at this point, I don't really care who hears me in the house.

"I won't do it... I won't..." I shake my head profusely; my body continuing to tremble and instantly feel like I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown. The two of them notice how fragile state and both step closer to me, their arms going around me and wrapping me in a powerful embrace.

"It's okay, Izz... it's okay..." I first hear Cat's voice against my shoulder just as I squeeze my eyes shut.

"Yeah, we got you... always..." Alessio adds, his voice sounding at the top of my head as they continue to embrace me.

Crying into their arms, I find solace. Their support and understanding have always meant everything to me and I'm glad I'm not going through this alone. But their comfort can only last for some long, and I know sooner rather than later, I will have to face my parents and give them an answer...

. . . . .

A few hours later...

After Cat and Alessio helped me calm down, I retreated to my room to try and calm myself down on my own. My head had been searing from all my crying and I eventually fell asleep in my bed. I find myself waking up, surrounded by a sea of white pillows and duvets. The soft glow of the bedside lamp casts a warm ambience in my room, while the scent of vanilla from the scented candles on my dresser lingers in the air.

As I sit up in bed, a groan escapes my lips and instantly bring my fingers to my temple where I'd feel my pulse ringing slightly. I then sit up and reach about my headboard, tapping on the digital switch and changing the lighting setting of my room, making the centre light switch on. I then bring it to a slightly dim setting, one that matches the lamp and sigh heavily to myself as ready myself to climb out of bed.

Soon after I manage to get me feet into my fluffy slippers, I hear a few gentle knocks on my door, making me glance in that direction and frown to myself, throwing myself back onto my bed and shutting my eyes again.

"Go away." I grumble, not bothering to ask who is on the other side since I clearly don’t feel like being distrurbed.

"Isabella, mi amore... it's me," my mom calls out, her tone a mix of concern and love and it instantly warms my heart, making mee sigh heavily against the pillow my face is pressed against. I force myself to sit up and glance back in the direction of the door.

"Come in." I resign with a deep exhale, struggling to keep my eyes open. They must be swollen…

I then watch as the door creaks open, revealing my mother, her face etched with worry as she gracefully walks toward me, taking a seat beside me on the bed, the mattress sinks slightly under the added weight.

"Oh, my sweet angel..." she coos softly, her arms immediately wrapping around me just as I sigh softly against her shoulders.

“I’m so sorry…” I hear her tell me just as she pulls away from me and places her hands on my face, her eyes glancing between my own. Yeah, they’re definitely swollen, especially if she is looking at me like this.

"Mamma, how could he agree to something like this? How could you let him?" I mumble quietly, no longer having the strength to cry as I simply look back at her, my entire face numb

“I tried to stop him... but you know how your father is. Once he's set his mind on something, nothing can change it." She sighs, a mixture of empathy and sorrow evident in her voice.

I stare back at her silently, looking into her eyes as I search for answers… and I can clearly see that is not at all what she wanted for me.

She still holds onto my face, attempting to explain, "This is the only way to stop the bloodshed... you know how it has been for our two families." She tries to tell me.

"Your union is the only way for peace... and as the future Donna of this family... it's important that you understand when you have to make sacrifices for your family," she explains softly, her voice a mix of conviction and sorrow as she tries to make me understand my father’s actions, and eventually… I am able to…