ARIANA'S POV~

"My father is a beast, yes I said it, a beast and a terrorist, a rapist and every other evil and vile thing the criminals do in Italy! I hate him" I said, holding the paper in my hands and shaking with anger as I ruffled it and threw it to the floor.

"I hate home, and I never want to go back, my life since moving to Malta has been nothing short of beautiful, the handsome waiter I met last week, finally wants to take me on a nice date, somewhere fancy but instead I've been summoned home by my father," I said as I threw my handbag to the couch and slumped into it.

"TONIGHT!" I screamed, "And that ASSHOLE will also be there"

My cousin and best friend in the world, Fiona sat beside me as I cried continuously.

"If you refuse this, I'm sure you will be dragged to the plane" she said, sounding sorry for me as she picked up the paper to read its content.

"I thought when my father said 'Do whatever you want, I don't want to see your pathetic face around.' He meant it, what could this man need me for, I'm done with that life, I want to be done Fiona" I cried into the couch pillow.

"Look on the bright side, at least he will unfreeze the account now, and we can pay for the apartment we wanted, just go to the party, and come back, it's just tonight right, it doesn't say you have to sleep over," she said rubbing my shoulder lightly before lying on it.

"I know it's hard girl, but you will get through it, c'mon let's help you get a dress, you are still the beautiful eccentric Ariana Rinaldi, you have to stick it to your stepsisters, you know they will be there, with their gawking eyes," she said ruffling my hair and pulling me to stand on my feet,

Which I did reluctantly.

"I don't want to go, I wish I could tell them a train hit me or something" I said, shaking my head in protest.

"Not a chance, come on, let's go to La Perla Maltese boutique" she said, coming to pull me to the door.

3 hours later I was heading home to Italy to attend this party my father had decided to throw for my asshole adopted brother Matteo.

His name sent waves of pure irritation down my spine as I shrugged the thought of him from my mind. I hate him, with every fibre of my being, he is an asshole and I'm glad everyone sees it now.

A rotten bastard, my father would call him in secret, so why is he throwing this elaborate party for him and why should I be in the midst of all these old vile men?

I picked the invitation that had visibly been crumbled badly, and straightened it again, I read its content again, this time more clearly

You are cordially invited to an evening of intrigue and indulgence at the estate of the esteemed Don Vincenzo Rinaldi.

date: 30th of January 2023

Time: midnight until dawn

Location: Villa Rinaldi, nestled away amidst the shadows of Marina Verde.

Dress code: black for men, women are free to choose what enthrals them, with a hint of mystery.

Join us under the shield of the night, as we celebrate loyalty, life and the bonds of our fraternity. Revel in the finest cuisine, exquisite wines Sicily has to offer, and the temptations of forbidden pleasures.

But remember, within these walls, restraint is paramount, and the currency of the night is secrets, trust only those you know, for treachery carries severe consequences

The Rinaldi Family.

I looked at it with annoyance, these fake parties these men throw just to show who is more powerful, I was immediately disgusted.

It used to be my father, but now it seems Mateo is the new hotshot Don in town, calling all the shots, and my father didn't like it.

That must have cut deep into my papa, so why would he throw this party in his honour? And why do I have to be there?

Not after the last time he and my stepmother tricked me into offending Papa so much that I had to decide to leave Italy.

My father is like a vulture, he waits for you and then strikes.

Long after, I stepped out of the plane that I'd finished the process and I was home free.

All I could imagine was how I'd react to meeting that lying asshole again, and how fast I can't wait to get out of there.

My dad just picked the wrongest day to do this to me!

Just when Enzo finally asked me to be his girl, something I'd been hoping for.

I walked past the baggage claim and headed for the airport door.

As the door opened I took a deep breath, let out all the negative thoughts in my head and embraced a positive aura.

I smiled and as I did, a man carrying a fan passed me blowing the invitation from my hand.

I shrieked and leapt for it, I caught it before it could fly off and I steadied myself to land.

As I did I landed in the firm grip of a male airport police officer, his grip was much too tight to be friendly.

"Let go of me! what is this?" I inquired, my heart suddenly beating out of my chest.

"Are you Ariana Rinaldi?" he asked, looking intently at me, I looked at him in fright.

Do I deny my name right now or is this one of Papa's men?

I decided to go with the daunting hope that it was the former.

"Yes, I am, what the hell is this?" I asked, jerking my arm from his grip, I watched as two female officers joined him, the blond one reached into her pocket to bring out what I hoped she was not!

"You are under Arrest for conspiring with Italian criminal and mafia don, Mateo Donatelli, to intentionally distribute hard drugs, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" the male officer announced, gesturing to the blond officer to place the handcuff.

"What! He is just my adopted brother! I don't know anything about this!"

But they didn't care, I was already getting hurled out and tossed into the police car.

I haven't even properly landed, Mateo, you slimy piece of shit, and I already want to murder you!