Page 4 of Vengeful Ties

“I didn’t need to.”

He scoffed, huffing out a chuckle as he pulled on the sleeves of his suit jacket like it was his nervous tick. “Wise, kid. Very wise.”

1

Alessia

- Sixteen Years Old-

“King” - Niykee Heaton

Tranquil and lost in my thoughts, I stood in front of my opulent mirror inside my closet. It covered one wall, one massive wall that left me a little place to hide as it reflected back at me every imperfection. Not that anyone would see it beyond the armor that I’d learn to wear with expertise.

My flat palms smoothed over the crimson silk gown that adorned my slender body before they traveled up to caress my chest, where my necklace lay flush against my skin—shining with an array of beautiful diamonds that twinkled brighter than the stars. The perfect picture stood before me, yet I could see what so many others would miss. The darkness in my gaze. My eyes were already brown, dark, and large, like black pools, but what also dwelled there was my lack of… well, anything really, nothing but numb emotion stared back at me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen joy sparkle in their depths. That part of me able to experience such a thing died a long time ago and all that was left was this perfect little vessel.

The perfect little princess.

Soulless.

“Miss Black, the guests have begun to arrive,” Serafina, our housemaid informed me as she poked her head around the corner into my closet. Gentle brown eyes, so light they almost appeared amber, settled on mine. “Oh, wow, aren’t you just spectacular?” she breathed in genuine awe.

I gave her a soft smile that didn’t meet my eyes and turned to face her. “I’ll appease then?”

“More than ever, Miss Black. You’re… well, you’re perfection. Not many hold traits such as yourself.”

“What traits would those be?” I asked, not really interested, but wanting to delay stepping downstairs.

“Miss Black, you’re a regal grace. An utter beauty.” She paused for a moment as she stepped toward me. Head tilted back just a fraction and she studied me with narrowed eyes. “But these high cheekbones,” she caressed my makeup-covered cheek, “these devious eyes,” her soft touch feathered under my smokey eye, “and this wicked tongue.” Gently, she flicked her thumb across my bottom lip, plump and painted a deep burgundy, “are going to create wars. Many will try to use you, Miss Black. Be deceitful, tell lies and underestimate you greatly. But you’ll always win. Because you have more than just beauty.”

I swallowed thickly, lost in the truth that was thick in her gaze. “Which is?”

“Smarts. You have genius inside of you, girl, and that, above all else, is what wins the war.”

As I cleared my throat, I dropped my eyes to the ground to center myself again. Serafina has always been insightful. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’d sensed the turmoil which had tormented my soul for longer than I cared to remember. “I best get downstairs. It’s improper to keep our guests waiting.”

I’d already made them wait. Because she was right, I did have smarts and my smarts told me that today was the day everything would change for me. I needed to make these people understand just who and what I was and that first lesson would be that I wait on no man nor woman and I’d arrive at the party when I damn well pleased.

I walked out of my closet and made it to the door when Serafina called after me, “Oh, and Miss? Happy Birthday.”

* * *

- Alessia -

“Young And Beautiful” – Lana Del Rey

“Today, we celebrate my baby girl turning sixteen. I am honored to have the family here, witnessing this great moment. The moment my pride and joy, slowly becomes the young woman I’d always dreamed she’d be,” my father addressed the crowd that had gathered in our personal ballroom inside the manor. I stood beside him with my mother, who had her hands clasped around my shoulders with pride. Luigi looked back at me, a massive smile on his face as I stared on impassively. “I’m proud of you, baby girl. Happy Birthday.”

The crowd cheered and champagne glasses clanked together. The sound a low chime that rang out louder than their lowly muttered words. A boy who stood off to the side caught my attention. He looked to be my age, his shoulders were broad as were the tops of his arms. He looked like he was packing muscle under his black turtle neck. One hand nestled in the pocket of his slacks.

The other, tattooed and scarred, sat against his thigh. His large black watch perched over the fabric of his sweater. He stared at me intently. Dark blues eyes bore a hole into my flesh and I had to look away.

Once the toasts had been made, I made my way across the dance floor. It didn’t matter that I was alone, or that I danced as if I was dancing with a ghost, because it wasn’t far from the truth.

Lana Del Rey’s “Young And Beautiful” played and the soft melody drifted through the crowd like a narcotic. Couples swayed around me, dancing to the beautiful tune as I closed my eyes and moved like I was the only one here. I twirled and spun out wide, allowing the wind from my movements to gather under my arms before I brought them close to my body and caressed myself. It was as if I’d been transported to a place of the in-between. A place beyond time or space where I could feel this beautiful song as viscerally as I felt my touch against my skin.

“You should be here, Rían ,”I whispered to the phantom that danced with me inside my mind.

He responded, so easily as if he was truly here,“I’ll always be with you, Lessie.”I could still hear his voice, but he remained faceless.

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