“Valentina, today is my last day here. I’m leaving,” Ms. Hill says, raising her brow.
“Oh no, I don’t want you to go.”
“I’m sorry, Valentina, my contract is over.”
“Why? Didn’t Zio Elio make a new contract,” I say, sitting still at my desk, staring at her.
“I’m sorry, it’s not possible. I hope you like your new teacher,” Ms. Hill says, gathering her books.
Ms. Hill has been my teacher since first grade, and I don’t want her to stop teaching me. She’s so nice to me and the only person in this house that gives me any attention.
I chew my lower lip to stop from crying because if she leaves, I will be all alone. Yes, Zio and my cousins live here, but they don’t pay any attention to me. They tell me to go and play with my dolls.
The door opens, and Zio Elio walks into the room that we use as a classroom. It has a blackboard and two desks. He looks at Ms. Hill and lifts his chin in greeting.
“Ciao, thank you for your work.”
“You’re welcome,” Ms. Hill says, nods, and walks out of the room.
I blink my eyes, trying hard not to cry because Zio Elio hates it. I have to be a big girl, and big girls don’t cry. I look at him, keeping my hands clasped on my lap.
“Valentina, I see that you’re upset but you will get over that. Now that you’re older, you are ready to attend boarding school along with Mia. You two will live in the dorms and attend classes,” Zio Elio says, looking at me.
“Zio Elio, can’t I get another teacher and stay here?”
“No, you can’t. You’re getting older, and I don’t want you around here. I have too much to worry about, and I don’t need to worry about you.
Your cousins Massimo, Andrea, and Enzo are attending boarding schools, and so will you.
I’m not going to discuss this any longer. I don’t want you to get abused like your Mamma Maria experienced and go through another tragedy.
I want you to be away from here; I don’t want to worry about your safety. Then, when you return, you will be older. By then, you will be ready to marry, and I will find you a husband.Remember that you will marry; it’s your duty for the Conti Famiglia, Cosa Nostra. Valentina, it’s your duty.
I need you to remain pure for your husband, so be careful and stay safe at the boarding school. The school has been highly recommended. It is an all-girl school, so it’s perfect for a Mafia Principessa. You will learn how to cook, any area of the Arts that you would like, and sports. I’m sure that you will like it, and you will grow into an educated Principessa.
I need you to pack your bags because you will be leaving early in the morning with your cousin Mia.”
Hell, hairy balls!
I hate it when Zio Elio talks about my Mamma Maria, especially since I don’t know her. I only have one photo of Mamma before she was attacked and when she was a happy girl.
Zio Elio never located the Mostro that attacked Mamma; well, that’s what he says. Zio Elio’s wife, Orsa, I never knew because the Cosa Nostra enemy killed her.
I do look like Mamma, except for my eyes, they’re crystal blue. I think that my eyes are the color of the rapist. Maybe that’s why Mamma took her life a few months after I was born; it must be after she looked at my eyes.
All I can think about is that she didn’t want me because I reminded her of the rapist. It’s evident that Mamma didn’t care about me because she left me behind in a world full of men, mean, scary men. Zio Elio is a twin, so I have Zio Elmo. So, I have two Zio’s that look alike and it’s awful. Zio Elmo is hardly ever here to talk to me, which is okay with me. One scary Zio is all I can handle.
I blink and nod, looking at Zio Elio. He looks so mean, always so serious, and he never smiles. Maybe he’s right; it’s for the best that I leave this house.
“Okay, Zio Elio.”
Six years later.
Hell, hairy balls.
I watch the tall skinny-ass blonde biatch, Ester, stopping in front of me, smirking, pressing her lips. It’s a fucking condescending, satisfied smug smirk. She tosses her long hair over her shoulder, rests her hand on her hip, and stares at me with her brown eyes full of hate.
Of course, I stare at her; she’s fucking stupid and thinks that her father, a Senator is all that and a bag of chips. She needs me to kick her ass because this constant bullying is getting old. Today is not a good day since I don’t feel full of sunshine and unicorns.
