"Emilia."
I turned back around and my eyes finally landed on the man who was sitting at the head seat of the dining table.
And it didn't take me more than a second to realize that he was one of my brothers and the authority in his every word and the serious look told me that he was definitely the eldest of the Alessandro Brothers, the boss of the Alessandro Empire and my legal guardian, Domenic Alessandro.
He was as handsome and well built as the rest of my brothers. His black suit, perfectly styled hair, expensive watch, and the elegance that was sticking to his every move like a magnet, shouted his status and reputation aloud.
His dark green eyes were looking directly at me. He didn't appear to be judging me but his empty expressions were not helping me to find out exactly what he was thinking.
"I'm Domenic Alessandro. Your eldest brother and also your legal guardian," he said after a minute of silence. His voice was much softer than before but there was still a firm edge into it.
I had already guessed that much about him but I still nodded my head and muttered a weak 'hello' remembering that I was supposed to answer verbally as much as possible.
I actually appreciated his effort of introducing himself to me, something that the rest of the brothers had completely neglected.
Of course, Daniel had introduced himself too after I reminded him but that didn't mean I would go around asking each of my brothers their name. If they wanted they would tell on their own.
"I'm sorry for Mark's behavior. He's just in shock to suddenly see his younger sister and doesn't know how to react," Domenic continued as he apologized for his brother's attitude or maybe defended him.
"Now, I want all of you to introduce yourself to her and be polite. Remember that she's our little sister." This time his words were directed at the men present inside the dining room.
I praised all my brothers in my mind for not quivering under Domenic's authority. But they would probably be used to his personality unlike me.
The dining table was completely set and both Mark and Daniel had taken their seats. Once again my angry bird of a brother was sitting beside me.
I started to get nervous as everyone's attention turned towards me. I hated it, the feeling that several pairs of eyes were watching my every move and judging me, I hated it. Even though I knew that none of them were actually trying to judge me.
But I relaxed as I saw a smile blooming on Daniel's face as he started introducing himself.
"Welcome home Sorellina. I'm Daniel, your second eldest brother and I'm looking forward to once again learn more about your likes and dislikes." He finished with that signature warm smile of his that almost melted my heart if I wasn't too focused on the part where he talked about learning about me once again.
But before I could ask any questions, the next brother started with his introduction, silencing my questions.
"Hi Em. I'm Crist. I and that jerk beside you are twins. Welcome to the family little one." His voice was welcoming and so were his eyes that looked at me with happiness.
Leo chuckled at Crist's chosen word for Mark and Daniel just shook his head with a sigh.
When no one spoke next for several seconds which appeared like hours due to the deafening silence and Domenic's hard glare that were drilling holes in Mark, I was once starting to fidget.
"Oh for fuck's sake she already knows that I'm Mark and that I'm Crist's Twin. Can you now stop glaring at me?" Mark suddenly let out in a frustrated tone as he first gave me an irritated look and then turned towards Domenic.
"Language Mark." Domenic's calm and deep voice silenced Mark immediately.
"I'm Simon." Someone muttered from my left side and when I turned towards that person I came across the only brother whom I had not seen yet.
I was so busy in staring at my shoes and avoiding everyone that I didn't even realize that he was sitting right beside me. He looked exactly like the rest of the brothers, of course, Mark was an exception.
But hearing his stiff words of introduction that barely held any warmth, he appeared more like Mark to me at that moment.
Before my mind could ponder on the fact that one of my brothers outright disliked me, another looked not too happy to see me and one was too hard to even read, my youngest brother disturbed with his booming voice.
"And I'm your youngest brother Leo. Whenever you feel like you want to take your revenge on any of them, remember to come to me. I'll help you out," He said with a chuckle and sent a quick wink towards me.
I smiled softly at his words which gifted him a few chuckles and a glare from Mark, but he shrugged the latter off.
As the introduction was over everyone's attention had shifted towards the mouth-watering food that was placed on the table.
I wasn't sure what to pick. It's been ages since I last saw this much tasty food at a single time. I wasn't used to eating too much, therefore I needed to select accordingly.
But before my mind could decide, Daniel placed a plate in front of me. The smell of Chicken-fried-steak and the gravy entered into my nose immediately making my mouth water.
I turned around to thank him, in return of which he softly patted my head and went back to his chair to eat his own dinner.
I didn't waste any more time and immediately launched into my food, all the while making sure not to appear like a starved wolf and somehow I succeeded, looking at the fact that no one pointed out my table manners.
When dinner was over Daniel took out ice creams for everyone, which I of course declined. And once again I watched the shock and confusion that appeared on all my brother's faces.
Even Domenic had a slight frown on his face. Though I didn't see any difference in Mark's expression.
Finally, the dinner ended and everyone retired to their rooms for the night. I was leaving the kitchen after getting a water bottle from the fridge when Domenic stopped me.
"Emilia, I would like to talk about a few important things with you. Please follow me."
----
I somehow ended up sitting on one of the living room sofas with a cup of hot milk in my hands.
Domenic was sitting beside me and for the past five minutes, he had been completely silent, not saying a single word even though it was him who wanted to talk.
Due to some unknown reason, Domenic intimidated me the most. There was something about him that told me it would be a challenge for me to keep my past hidden from his deep dark green eyes.
"Emilia, I know that all of this is so new and sudden for you. Take your time to adjust to this new life of yours and I want you to give this same chance to your brothers. It's also new for them," he started without any emotions in his voice.
I nodded my head and he continued, "Your school record is good and so are your grades. I want that to stay the same here too. There are still three weeks left before the new term will start. I hope in these three weeks you will be a little bit more settled down."
I once again nodded my head.
"Emilia, I want you to look at me while answering and use words to answer my questions. Understood?"
"Yes," I said or more like whispered as I looked up at him. Still, he had no emotions in his eyes.
"Good. Also, you are not supposed to talk back to any of your brothers. No bad language, no impoliteness would be tolerated. If you need any kind of help tell one of your brothers. If they don't listen or ignore it, then inform me, but don't worry they will not ignore your demands until or unless they are not good for you."
"Okay."
"Don't leave the mansion without permission or without any of your brothers accompanying you. There's no place for lies in this house. And I want you to follow all these rules without questioning them."
"Okay."
I waited for him to continue with his list of rules but even after waiting for an entire minute, he didn't speak. Probably these were the only rules that I needed to follow.
I wasn't surprised actually. I already knew that it was coming at some point. A house full of wealthy people who loved rules and regulations, won't let a girl like me destroy it.
I didn't have any problems with the rules. Talking back to any of them was not even in my plans. If everything went according to my plans then I would make sure that we didn't even need to talk much.
I didn't bad mouth or curse. Nor I needed anything from any of them.
I had no interest in wandering around a completely new city and neither I loved to stay up till late at night.
"Good. Now finish your milk and go to bed."
And with that, he stood up and left the living room.
No good night, nothing. Just an order to finish the milk and go to bed. Actually, none of my brothers wished me a good night.
But it was nothing new for me. It wasn't like I had lots of people wishing me good morning or night before this. And I wasn't expecting that to change even now.
Due to some reason, I felt a sadness taking over my heart. I knew that I won't be welcomed with flowers and sweets in this new family but I didn't expect it to be so cold and dry.
Though Daniel, Crist, and Leo were sweet and kind of welcoming but who knew if they were only trying to pity me.
Truth was, the warmth that I felt from three of my brothers got defeated in front of the coldness that the other three greeted me with.
And the person who popped the bubble of my misunderstandings was Domenic. Deep down I was expecting that the brother who had found me, who did so much to bring me back to this family and became my legal guardian would be happy to see me here.
But nothing prepared me for the dryness that greeted me through Domenic. Happiness was probably the last thing he felt after seeing me.
I sighed and stood up from the sofa after finishing the milk. I washed the glass and placed it in the cabinet after drying it up.
I had no idea what the coming days would bring for me but for now, I had to deal with the dark night that was going to challenge my sanity once again just like it always did.
I had barely gotten into my bed after changing into my pajamas when there was a knock on my door and it opened.
I wasn't expecting three of my polite brothers to suddenly enter into my room.
I was about to sit up when Daniel stopped me and tucked me under the blanket.
"We are here to just wish you a good night Sorellina. Have sweet dreams little one," Daniel softly said as he lightly patted my head.
Crist and Leo too wished me good night and then they all left the room, which turned silent and dark.
So, looked like I finally had people in my life to wish me good nights. For the first time in a very long time, I slept with a small smile plastered on my face.
************
A\N:
"Letting go sounds easy, but as human beings, it's probably one of the hardest things we'll ever have to do. It takes an immense amount of courage to be able to say goodbye to something or someone who meant a lot to you."
"But, my love, you can't keep holding on to things that make you sad. If you do, the misery will build up in your heart and start running through your veins until it consumes you. Don't let that happen. Have the strength to say goodbye to who or what you used to love."