Chapter 1

Arielle

•SECRET•

I poured myself a glass of water, drinking it I watch my trembling hands. I felt a tachycardia through my body, those dangerous things always shakes every hell out of me. Being a Tacone is not enjoyable-not at all.

"Another murder?" My mom scoff, joining me in the kitchen she take a seat near the island bar.

I nod, "they were responsible for it, our men shot for self-defence." I keep the glass on the granite table which dragged mum attention toward the table.

"Self defense!" She mumble with a smirk, "you freaked out as if it were the first murder you've witnessed." She says with a sharp gaze.

"This is not my cup of tea! Anyway it happens." I half smile, she is right it's not the first time for me to witness a murder. But somehow it does not feel right-maybe I was not meant to be in this family.

"You don't belong to this world, darling," Mom added, I drag my attention toward her. "Do you think I deserve better than this..."

"A lot more, maybe better than this or worse than this. It depends."

"What do you mean?" I threw a glance at her.

"Big things doesn't come in small packages" she smirks at me and left from the kitchen.

After having dinner I walk to my father's study room. He told me to join him, he said there is something important to discuss with me.

"Hey dad, what's the matter?"

He glances at me with the same rough expression he always had. "Today's murder, wasn't self defence?" He snapped. My eyes widened, I shook my head "it was!"

"Never unveil this secret, no matter what happens!" He warned me, I felt a deep pain on my head-I need to forget this.

"Nothing happened on eleventh of August, dad!" I assure him instead of knowing he knows everything.

"Good! We'll be celebrating your birthday tomorrow and I have a deal with the Giordano's." This name sends chills down my spine. I don't think I will be able to forget this name ever again.

"WHY?" I snapped with a bewildered face meanwhile I try hard to forget what happened during the day. Now the Giordano! Why so much trouble...

"They are our rival, right!"

"It's your birthday, let's welcome them nicely. We have a deal to discuss, I choose your birthday because they'll not be able to attack.

"Is it about drug or something?" I snapped.

"Our business is legitimate! Be ready for tomorrow." He stated. There was a knock at the door, then a bold figure walked inside, dark hair, hazel eyes, he is wearing a navy blue suit. His fists are closed tightly even his jaws are clenched. He looks serious, furious and broken at the same time, and he is not anybody else but Alexander Tebaldi-Tebaldi doesn't suit him, my father's right-hand man, most trusted one.

He threw a sharp gaze at me, his eyes raped my body briefly.

"Xander!" Dad exclaimed.

"I need to leave!" His voice made me shiver for a moment. There is something about him which makes me feel different. I can't control myself when I face him, his presence makes me feel ten feet tall and I don't know where I gain so much courage and confidence in front of him.

"Why?" It escaped from my mouth, both stared at me blankly.

"Arielle? Don't interfere!" My father warned me with a sharp gaze, I know my sudden action was wired. But I want to know why he's leaving.

"I mean-tomorrow is my birthday, and I wanted every staff to be there." I mumble with a half smile.

"We'll celebrate it later!" He said with a coarse voice.

Later! Does he mean it. He wants to celebrate my birthday again. I blushed, "if you say so." He turned back to face my father and I didn't bother to take an inch of step away from them, I wanted to be a part of their conversation.

"Why you want to leave, all of a sudden?" Dad asked Alexander.

"My mother is not well and I got things to sort out. It's urgent and I need to be there." His voice is serious.

"Okay, you can leave. But you know we'll need you especially for tomorrow, the Giordano will be here." Dad stated.

"Yeah I know..." dad cut him "family first, Xander. I'll manage for tomorrow." My eyes landed on my father when he said 'family first' he doesn't give a fuck about us! Family is weakness for him.

"I will leave tomorrow morning." He turn his head toward me, he has a smirk on his lips which tells me he will wait for my birthday.

"Why not now!"

"I got something to do after dusk." He steal a glance from me. A smile appeared on my face.

"I'll take your leave, dad!" I left from his study room. I was walking by the corridor, I heard footsteps behind me. Turning to the back. I saw the dashing figure, "Alexander!"