Ariana's POV:
I gave them their gifts. They took it with curiosity and opened the gift bags. They took the boxes out of it and opened them. They were surprised to see the watches in it.
"Princess, where did you get the money to buy these expensive watches from? I mean don't get me wrong but these watches are expensive." Dad asked.
I facepalmed myself mentally. I forgot that they think that I am a normal girl. "Actually, I saved some money. I work in a restaurant here and I get a decent amount. So I saved some money. You don't have to worry, father, I have saved a little bit of money."
I was sweating that they believed me otherwise I don't know how I will make them believe it. I don't have any other explanation other than this and I just can't tell them the truth.
It's my secret that I have to keep it safe. They looked at me for some time. I was completely relaxed. As I know how to keep the expressions neutral. It was very important.
After looking at me, father believed it and said, "ok princess. But you didn't have to spend your pocket money."
I relaxed. "It's ok father. I wanted to give gifts to you guys. Now tell me please, do you like it?"
After that they looked at the watch carefully and, "Wow. I like it so much. Thank you Ari." said Alfonso. Then father, Antonio, Leonardo, Rafael and Matteo also said their thank yous. They said that they liked it very much.
Only Benjamin was left. He didn't say anything. I looked at him and asked, "fratello Benjamin, do you like it?"
He looked at me and replied rudely, "it's ok. You didn't have to give me anything." I looked at him with moisture in my eyes.
"But I wanted to give each of you something." He looked stunned to see tears in my eyes. He started panicking and tried to comfort me awkwardly.
"Don't cry. You look more ugly so don't cry. I will take it, ok?" I blinked and a tear escaped my eyes and said, "but I am not crying. And you don't have to take it if you don't like it. I am not forcing you. It's ok."
Now everyone was looking at him angrily. "Benjamin, what's this behaviour? Why did you make her cry? She is just giving you a gift. If you don't like it then don't take it. You shouldn't make her cry." Father said.
He looked guilty. "Ariana, I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. I like it. I will keep it. Ok. Don't cry." He said, panicking. Everyone was looking at him in shock. Probably because he never apologizes.
I looked at him with bright eyes, "really? Ok then. You should wear it all the time." I looked at him happily. He looked speechless. Probably thinking I was acting. He shook his head, "you were acting. Right?"
"What? No. I am not acting." I said looking at him innocently. He sighed. Father looked at me with pride and said, "Ariana, I like your gift very much and I will wear it all the time."
I smiled at him brightly and said, "thank you dad. I am glad that you all liked my gift so much."
"But twinnie, when did you buy the gifts for us?" "I bought it when I went to Victoria secret. I wanted to buy the gifts for you all. So I said that I am going there as I know that you will not follow me there."
Matteo nodded, understanding it.
"Ok everyone. Let's order the food. Ariana, order whatever you like. Ok?"
I nodded. Then we ordered our food. I don't like non-vegs so I only ordered vegetarian dishes. Alfonso noticed it, "sorellina, you don't like meat?"
"No brother. I don't like it." He nodded. Then I saw that everyone else also cancelled their meat dishes. I was very touched. Then after that we ate dinner. It was very delicious.
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After dinner we went to our car. We drove towards my house. I can see that they don't want me to go but I have to. I have my parents also. I can't just abandon them.
We reached my home. I got off the car and said, "buonanotte padre e fratelli"
(Goodnight father and brothers in Italian)
"Buonanotte Arianna" they said.
(Goodnight Ariana in Italian)
I got in my house after waving to them. I went in and saw that my parents were awake and waiting for me.
"Dad, mom, why didn't you sleep yet?" "Ariana, we were waiting for you. Come sit with us." I went and sat with them.
"Ariana how was your day? Did they treat you well?" Dad asked me worriedly.
"Dad, my day was great. We had fun and my brothers and father treated me well. You don't have to worry about it. They are sincere in their feelings. Now tell me what is your real concern now?" They were surprised to see that I knew that they were worried about something else.
How can I not know? I am their daughter. Of course I will know.
"Ari, we wanted to talk to you about the moving part. We know that you want to live with all of us together but how can we leave all of this behind and move to another unknown place."
"We also don't want to take any favours from them. We don't want to burden them. So we have decided that we will apply for the job there. If we get it then we will move there. So what do you think?"
I sat there pondering and felt that what dad said was right. We don't even know my family for more than one day. How can they take the favours from them? My parents don't want to take the shortcut. They always want to move forward with their hard work, not some favours.
"Ok dad, mom, I can understand what you are saying. You are right, we can't take any advantage of them. So I will support you. Let's go look for the best universities for you guys and apply there. I am sure they will hire you as you are the best professors I know."
Dad and mom smiled that I understood their concerns and then we started searching for the universities that they can apply to.
We searched for some time and then applied to the university that meets the requirements. I bid them goodnight and went to my room. I took a shower and was getting ready to sleep when my mobile rang.
It was a call from my best friends.
"Hello Ariana. Why didn't you talk with us? Tell us what happened?"
"Hello Noah and Jessy. Calm down and let me talk. So when I reached my home yesterday my parents told me that I am adopted."
I started telling them the whole story about me, my family and everything. After that they were silent for some time. Probably processing what I told them.
"Ariana are you alright?"
And that was it. I poured my heart out with them. They are my best friends and they know me the best.
"Now what are you going to do?"
"I will do as I said. I won't leave any of them. I want to live with all of them. My parents have applied for the job in NYC. Let's see what happens."
"Ari, we are going to miss you. We will come tomorrow to your house and spend some time with you. Ok?"
"Ok guys. See you tomorrow. Good night."
"Good night Ariana."
They replied. We will meet tomorrow. Our school is off for two days for some maintenance. That's why I didn't have to go to school today.
I was lying on my bed thinking about everything that has happened till now. And my mobile rang again. This time it was another mobile phone that no-one knows about.
"Hello Riana. How are you?"
"Hello Levi. I am fine. How about you?"
"I am fine too. So I have a job for you. You have to come here to get the details."
"Levi, I want to talk about something really important. So can you please tell the boss and everyone to be present there? I will come tomorrow morning. As I have to be here at noon."
"Ok. But is it something serious? Is everything alright?"
"Yes everything's alright. But it is serious so I will meet you tomorrow at 8 a.m. ok?"
"Ok Riana. Good night."
I then hung up the mobile. So you all would be thinking what is it all about, right? So I will then explain everything properly tomorrow morning because I am very tired and sleepy now. So goodnight.
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Next morning:
I woke up at 6 a.m. I have to meet them at 8 a.m. I got up and got ready fast. I went downstairs to see that my parents are still sleeping because we slept late last night and they have the day off today.
I went into the kitchen and made breakfast. I cooked pancakes, french toast and orange juice. I ate some. I took a sticky note and wrote that I am going outside for some work. I pasted it on the fridge.
I went outside and took out my motorcycle. Then I went to my destination. I bought this motorcycle with my first salary. It's my baby.
I arrived at my location and looked at the time. It's 7.30 a.m. now. I went into the building. It is the headquarters of our organisation.
So you will be thinking what is it about and why didn't I tell you about it till now. So I will explain.
I am in the Garcia mafia. It is the biggest mafia in Texas. It is owned by the Garcia family. Its head is Damian Garcia. He inherited it from his father and now is an excellent leader. This mafia doesn't deal in illegal ways like kidnapping, trafficking. It only deals in weapons and techs. Otherwise I wouldn't have joined it.
Its mafia leaders have a pact with the police that they will try their best to stop the crimes in Texas. They help whenever there is any need like kidnapping and all.
So the police and the mafia work in their own ways. They don't interfere unnecessarily.
I joined it when I was 16 years old. When I joined it I was going through some things and the second in arms Levi took me in. First I was very afraid thinking that it was the typical mafia criminals but I was proven wrong by them.
I then accepted it and began my training. Now I am a skilled fighter and shooter. I don't go for the missions yet as I am the youngest member in it. But I am one of the best members. I do only small missions that don't do any harm to me. Sigh! They think that I am a baby. *Eye roll*
My parents don't know about me working in the mafia. They only know that I am working in a restaurant. As that restaurant is under the mafia, I can have easy access to it.
Now we have become a family. We are a big mafia family. They all treat me like their daughter/sister. So it will be hard for them and me to go away from here. Sigh!
Now let's see how they will react to my news. I know that it is not going to be good.
*******
Hello guys!
Here's another chapter. Hope you like it.
Guys please comment and let me know so that I can know how you are liking it.
Happy reading.
Love, Stella.