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"Hate. A feeling appropriate to confronting the superiority of others." -Ambrose Bierce

POV SERENA ALVAREZ

July 17, 8:05 a.m., Aiden Costello's car, Trapani, Sicily, Italy.

I got into the limousine, the interior was superb, more luxury on top of luxury, always more luxury. I sat in the back seat farthest from Aiden Kid and buckled my seatbelt.

- We're going to my parents, you're going to stay there with my mother and my sister, until the wedding, I have to go to the United States to join my father for business.

- All right.

Honestly I didn't really care, I knew the next few years I would have to spend with him so the fact that he's gone away for a while doesn't bother me in the least.

I would stay with his mother and sister and just hope they speak my language.

~~~ Path Ellipse ~~~

We had just got out of the car, we arrived in front of a huge house, it was magnificent. It reminded me of the old Roman palace, I had seen them in my history textbook, but more modern.

We walk towards the front door. In front of it were tall men, probably there to ensure security.

When they saw Aiden, they opened the front door before stepping away from it, like he was a prince.

- Buon lap Signore Costello.

Aiden replied with a simple nod and entered the house. I followed him inside while lowering my head. We arrive in front of a huge entrance hall, the floor was entirely covered in marble, and the walls with magnificent tiling. It was really luxurious and very pretty.

- Wait for me here. He ordered me as he walked towards the stairs.

I didn't grumble, today I didn't have the strength to face him.

I was sad that I had to leave like that at all. I know I had to leave sooner or later but I wasn't ready to leave now. Now apart from assuming the consequences of my actions I can do nothing.

A few minutes later I saw Aiden accompanied by a woman, she was very beautiful, she was quite small in size, she had blonde hair, it came to her shoulders, and had very pretty blue eyes. Apart from the different eye and hair color, I thought she had the same features as Aiden. I doubted it had to be his mother.

- Serena? I am delighted to see you, I introduce myself Martina Cotello. I am Aiden's mother. She said with a smile on her face.

I smile at him. A good point, she speaks Spanish as well as her son.

- Nice to meet you. I tell him smiling.

She took me directly in her arms, at first I was quite surprised but I took her in my arms. A few seconds later she ended our embrace.

- For so long, I've been waiting for this day.

I smile at him. She looked me up and down with a big smile.

- You're really beautiful, I didn't expect better for my son.

His remark made me very happy, but bothered me all the same.

- Leave her for a bit mamá. He paused. I'm going to have to go there soon.

- So much the better, I could take advantage of my future daughter-in-law, she said smiling at me.

It all felt so real, for the space of a few minutes I had imagined that it was not just an agreement between my father and his family.

But I quickly came back to reality, all of this was never what I wanted it was just what was chosen for me. I mustn't get too caught up in the game. I had to learn to get used to this future life. I didn't really have a choice.

A phone rang. It was Martina's. She went a bit further to answer. I turned to Aiden

- Before you leave, could you give me my cell phone?

He rummaged in his pockets for a few seconds to pull out my cell phone and hand it to me.

- Here. He said handing me over.

I retrieved my cell phone, but kept my attention on him. He moved closer to me, more specifically his lips to my ear.

- It is time for me to leave. I'll be back soon, don't mess up too much in my absence. He said as he left.

I had not moved. His words bothered me. His words disturbed me. His gaze unsettled me. This man did not leave me indifferent. He knew it. He was playing it. But it wasn't for as long as I was going to be behind expecting any attention from him. Quite the contrary.

- Where did Aiden go? She asked me.

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

- He just left.

- That's really him, he leaves and doesn't warn. She paused. Follow me, I'll show you the room you'll be staying in during Aiden's trip. Lorenzo must have already brought your luggage to the room.

She headed for the stairs. I followed her ready until I reached a room.

- There is a bathroom at the back of the room if you ever look for it. She marked a pause. As for me, I'm downstairs if you need anything! She said leaving.

I went into the bedroom, it was large, in the middle of the room there was a large bed surrounded by two bedside tables. The room was in shades of gray and white. She was simple but very pretty. My suitcases were in a corner of the room. Amen. But good for now what I wanted was to take a good shower.

Before I went to one of the suitcases to take underwear and clothes. I opened a suitcase at random and found some underwear there as well as a white T-shirt and gray jogging. I wanted to be comfortable. I headed for the bathroom. I'll spare you the details of the shower.

I had just finished getting dressed, and I was getting tired since yesterday I hadn't swallowed anything. But before I wanted to send a message to Rosa, I would call her later.

To Rosa:

Rosa, I had to leave for Italy earlier, I couldn't tell you earlier, I'll call you as soon as possible. I love you kiss.

Failed to send / No sim card

Motherfucker it was too good to be true that he gave me my cell phone so easily. He's really screwed up. I put my drink on the nightstand. I would find a way to contact her.

I was getting hungrier and hungrier, so I left the room heading downstairs, looking for the kitchen or Martina. In this huge house it's going to be hard. I was tempted to shout Martina's name but I held back. So I went downstairs looking for Martina.

Arriving at the bottom I heard two people talking. It was women's voices. I approached this one. I saw Martina talking to a young woman. She was beautiful. She had long brown hair and beautiful blue eyes. The kind of girl who makes you lose your self-confidence. She really looked a lot like Martina.

- Serena! Approach, what I did I present to you my daughter Mia!

- Delighted, I'm Ser... She cut me off

- I already know who you are, she said laughing, delighted to meet you Serena, she approached me and took me in her arms when she ended our embrace, she looked at me, you're very pretty! And I love your hair she said touching it.

She also knew how to speak Spanish, I think that in this family he all spoke the language. But I still had to learn Italian, they weren't the only people I would talk to.

- THANKS. I tell him smiling. You are very pretty as well !

She didn't have time to answer me when Martina spoke

- Did you need something honey?

- Yes, in fact, I was starting to get hungry and... she wouldn't let me finish.

- It should have been said earlier! I'm going to go and even the cook to prepare something for you!

I felt good, I knew that all of this was wrong and that I shouldn't get caught up in the game. But it was stronger than me. My naivety will ruin me.

~~~ 10 Day Elipse ~~~

Serena Alvarez POV:

July 27, 2016, 2 p.m., Costello House, Trapani, Sicily, Italy.

Its been quite a while since I was here. I had gotten very close to Mia, I really liked this girl, I had learned that she had already been married for 2 years. We weren't the same age but that didn't prevent me from getting on well with her. She was 21, she was 3 years younger than Aiden.

I had not had the opportunity to contact Rosa. These last few days were quite busy, I had to take Italian lessons every day. It was boring but I can assure you that the results are there. I don't speak the language perfectly but enough to manage on my own, the rest will come with time.

I hadn't heard from Aiden, I just knew he was really busy with his "work".

My birthday was in 4 days so the wedding in 5 days.

But today was a special day, I was going to go dress shopping with Martina and Mia.

Well here is Mia coming towards me.

- My mother is waiting for us in the car, are you coming?

- I follow you !

I followed her. We headed for the car waiting for us in front. So we went inside. The trip went by quickly, we talked about everything and nothing Martina had told me that she had already put a few dresses aside, I'm waiting to see her.

We arrived in front of a store, the exterior was completely painted white which gave a very classy look. A few dresses were on display in the windows. They were very pretty models which made me want to go inside even more.

~~~ 1 hour ellipse ~~~

- No, it's not going at all! Want her to look like a clown on her wedding day?! Martina shouted.

She goes a little hard, even if she defends me, she's been bullying the saleswoman for an hour, and me, by the way, this must be the 6th dress I've tried on. To tell the truth, I hadn't had a crush on it yet either, so it didn't bother me.

The saleswoman came back with another dress, she looked beautiful. I was in a hurry to go try it.

I withdrew the other with difficulty but ended up removing it. I put on the dress that the saleswoman had just brought me. I had a hard time getting it past my buttocks, in fact from the thighs the dress was rather tight. I don't brag about having Kim K.'s butt far from it. I was just well trained, much more trained than my breasts, that's for sure. I finally managed to put it on. I walked out of the cabin and looked at myself in the mirror. I find her beautiful. (Media).

- She's beautiful, they say in unison.

- I don't think there's any, it's her that I want.

- Of course she looks great on you! Said Martina

I looked at myself for a few more minutes in the mirror. She was really pretty. It was a backless dress with long sleeves. It was tight at the pelvis, which put me in value without being vulgar. Meanwhile another lady had come to take my measurements without doubts to settle the last details.

I went to the cabin and got dressed. I left the cabin to join Martina and Mia.

- We will adjust the last finishes and we will have it delivered to you within 2 days. (Editor's note: she speaks Italian but since Serena now understands Italian, I translate the lyrics directly)

- GOOD.

- Can you follow me to checkout to pay for your purchases?

- There won't be any need, I already went 1 week ago. Just tell Carmen to blame it on Martina Costello.

So we left the store. And that's it dress is chosen, it only remains for me to buy the rest of the accessories that will make up my outfit and it's over. Only a few more days before the wedding. I would officially become Mrs. Costello.

I think I'm going to cry.