Page 7 of Always Meant To Be
"Your father would like to see you miss," Colin, my father's butler, says from the library door, making me look up from my math book.
I furrow my brows but give him a nod, and close my book.
The library is the one place everyone knows where to find me. Apart from my room, it's the only place in the mansion where I feel warmth.
Sighing, I leave my sanctuary, and head to the second floor, where Papa's office is. The house has four wings: one for my parents, one for Liliya, one for me, and the other for the servants and the men who guard the house.
Being a Pakhan means my father has many enemies, but thankfully, no one knows where his residence is for our safety, or well, that's what he tells us, anyway.
Getting to his big brown door, I take a deep breath, and knock.
I'm nervous. He never calls me to his office unless Liliya has made up some crap about me, and today, well, she was angry. After screwing the wide receiver in the bathroom, she waited another ten minutes for whoever she was waiting for, something I wasn't privy to, and then she stormed out of the café.
God, I hope she hasn't blamed me for today. I don't want Papa to take my school from me; it's all I have.
"Enter," my father says loudly, and I swallow hard, opening the door only to freeze at seeing a man sitting in front of my father's desk, along with another man, who is sitting next to him, neither turning when I enter the room. My mother is perched on the arm of my father's chair, glaring at me.
Ah crap, what didIdo?
Clearing my throat, I say softly, "You called for me, Papa?"
Papa gives me a gentle smile. "I did,printsessa. Come closer, please."
I swallow hard and do as he asks, my mother's glare searing through me. I don't look at the men, and they don't speak to me. I keep my eyes on Papa as I stand in front of them.
His eyes show sorrow and apologies, and I stiffen.
I swear, if he's about to take school from me, then I'm packing my bags; he'll have to lock me up to keep me here.
"Elena, it has been decided that you'll wed after your nineteenth birthday," he states firmly, and nausea hits. He continues, "You will wed Romeo Russo."
My body trembles.
Romeo Russo, the heir to the Italian mafia.
A ruthless man….
A man who made a traitor swallow his own….
"With, uh, all due respect, Papa, I-I don't understand." My father’s eyes soften. "I-I thought Liliya would marry someone of that level. I-I uh, I'm just the second born…."
Mama's eyes burn with rage when we make eye contact, before my father speaks up again, causing me to look his way.
"Your sister was originally supposed to be betrothed to Romeo. Your outing today was for him to vet your sister." I wince, knowing exactly what she was doing in that cafe. Papa nods. "He's aware of her activities." He looks at Mama with ahard look, who flinches. He admits, "It came to my attention that your sister had an abortion last week." My eyes widen in shock, my mouth opens a little. "And it's not the first time. As you can imagine, a wedding cannot happen between your sister and Romeo; it's like a kick in the teeth for the Italian mafia, with your sister's blatant disregard." Papa tilts his head to the men, but I don't look at them, especially now I know who they are.
The Italian mafia.
"The Russo men were at the café when you and your sister arrived, and a few stayed behind after Romeo and his brother left. Your sister fucked the barista, even knowing she was there to meet her betrothed."
I grimace and remember. "She was two hours late…."
Papa nods. "She was, all while you sat in the car waiting for her, and you didn't even want to go." Papa sighs. "We’ve agreed that you'll finish high school." My heart pounds, fear filling me as my father looks at me with such sorrow. "And you'll complete a few semesters of college before your wedding."
Tears burn my eyes.
My sister is a whore, and now I'm being punished for her actions.
Papa stands. "I understand this is something you don't want, printsessa, but it's something you must do for our family. You will only go to college if you sign the contract."