THE ENEMY'S DAUGHTER

Florence, Italy.

The rain falls heavily over Florence. Soaking the ground of the old cemetery causing the air to smell of gunpowder and blood..

Avelina Moretti dressed in black kneels before her father's coffin, her umbrella trembling in the wind as her hand could barely hold on to it.

"Eternal rest is granted unto him," the priest murmured. His voice was quiet, swallowed by the storm.

Don Marco Moretti lay still in a box of polished mahogany. The ruthless Mafia Lord who once made men hide in fear now looked so small and helpless.

Her father had made a promise to her that their family would always be protected and no harm would come to them but he had lied. He promised to die and old man surrounded by his entire family but he died young.

The people who came for Don Marco's funeral did not cry, instead they whispered and glanced over their shoulders every few seconds as though expecting bullets instead of sun to calm the rain.

Her throat burned. She wanted to scream at them, scream at the world but she no longer had any strength left so she kept her silence because that is all she had left.

Her world came crashing down two nights ago. Gunfire and broken glasses was the order of the night, Now all that was left for her was a grave, a prayer and a war she had not asked for.

Lighting flashed and the sound of thunder could be heard from miles away. The priest's voice cracked mind sentence as the sound of car engines could be heard rolling through the cemetery gate.

The sound belonged to her father's rivals. It belonged to the predators who took her father away from her.

Tires screeched. Doors slammed. Boots could be heard hitting the gravel path in perfect rhythm as the air thickened with tension.

Avelina's heart froze and even without turning her head she could already tell who it was.

Rossi men.

No... not here. Not today.

She thought in her head as she clenches her rosary.

Rough hands grabbed her as she screams and hits her legs for help but no one dared to help her but instead bowed their heads in fear.

"Let me go!" she shouts, her voice breaking. But her voice was lost in the winds.

A blindfold was soon placed over her eyes as roped bonds her wrist. The scent of leather boots and rainfall fills her nose as the drag her into a car.

The drive feels endless as each turns steals a piece of her courage.

When the car finally stops, the blindfold was ripped from her eyes and cold air slaps her across the face.

The first thing she sees is him.

Allessandro Rossi.

Tall. Sharp. Handsome in his perfectly tailored black suit.

The man her father had called enemy his entire life.

Standing under a streetlamp like he owns the night. Dark hair slicked back, eyes the color of burnt amber- sharp enough to cut glass.

Avelina stares at him with tears in her eyes.

"You have made a mistake," She says, her voice raw from crying. "If you want to kill me," she whispers, "then do it now."

She waits for the bullet meant for her. Maybe it will be quick. Maybe she will join her father and escape this nightmare. She almost welcomes it.

He stands there in silence as he studies her. The corners of his mouth twitch into a mischievous smile

"Kill you?" His voice is low, smooth. "No, Avelina. I'm going to marry you."

Her heart stops beating and her stomach turns.

For a moment, she cannot seem to breathe.

She lets out a sharp laugh. "You murdered my father, and now you want to own me?"

"I do not want to own you," He says quietly, stepping closer. "I want to end this war".

"You end a war by putting a bullet in me" She says to him.

His gaze hardens. "No. By putting a ring on your finger."

"I will never be yours," she spits on his face. The men around them tense, One moves forward, but Allesandro raises his hand and wipes his cheek slowly, eyes never leaving hers.

He steps closer, so close she can feel the warmth of his breath against her ear.

"You already are."

For a long while, neither of them spoke. The rain hit the ground like glass. She could not comprehend what she just heard.

He walks towards her, "Your father killed my brother, so i took my revenge." Now i have peace.

She laughed - a raw, broken sound. "You call this peace?"

"Careful," he said softly into her ears. "You're standing in my house now."

"This isn't a house," she hissed. "It's a graveyard."

Allessandro's eyes darkened. He walked closer until she could feel his breath in her ears.

"You will have to learn,Avelina. You need to learn to make peace with the dead.

"I will never be yours, Allessandro."

He leaned in, his words brushing her skin like the edge of a knife.

"You already are."

Avelina's heart pounded. The rain felt colder now and she shivers. The ropes around her wrists bit deeper.

The guards waited for his command.

Allessandro turned away first. "Take her inside. Make sure she's treated well and fed."

"Sir-she fought us-"

His voice sharpened. "Well."

The men nodded, dragging her toward the doors of the mansion.

Avelina stumbles and looked helpless nut she decided not to let them know her weakness. If she was going to be a prisoner of the Rossi household she vowed not to be a silent one.

Immediately she stepped into the mansion, the smell of cologne mixed with blood filled her nose. The mansion swallowed her whole with the large marble foyer and expensive chandeliers.

As the doors shut behind her, the echo felt final, like a cell door locking.

Somewhere above the staircase, a clock chimed once. The sound was deep, slow, and hollow.

In that moment, Avelina knew two things:

Her father was gone.

And her enemy had just made her his wife.

Morning light falls on Avelina's face as she lays on the bed. The rain has since stopped but the sky outside was still grey.

The door opens as a maid walks in without knocking. She wore a black and white uniform and it was spotless. She walks closer to Avelina and whispers in her ears. "Signorina, You must prepare"

"Prepare for what?"

She does not say a word but instead lays a dress on the bed and slips out of the room before Avelina could say another word.

She soon gets up and took a bath, got dressed and came out of the room.

The Rossi mansion echo as guards stood at every turn. No one dares to meet her eyes.

The maid who brought her the dress leads her down a flight of stairs and into the dining room. Immediately she steps into the room all eyes falls on her.

Allesandro stands up to address his family.

"I have an announcement," he says, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "The feud between the Rossi and Moretti families is over. I am marrying Avelina Moretti."

Gasps. Mutters. Avelina feels every stare like a knife in her back. She doesn't flinch, but her fists clench so tightly she feels her nails bite her palms.

"This is not a negotiation," Allessandro continues. "I have made my decision already."

She forces herself to meet his gaze across the room. She sees the danger there, but also something else she can't name.

It doesn't matter. She will find a way out. Even if it kills her.

She goes back to her room and slips into a white dress. This represents purity but to her it felt like a death sentence.

The church smells of lilies and candle smoke, but Avelina feels none of its sanctity. She stands in a white dress heavy with lace, the veil framing a face set in stone. Her heart is steady, not from calm, but from determination - she will survive this, and then she will escape.

Allessandro stands opposite her, an image of control. His black suit fits like it was made to intimidate. As if he was mourning. He turn his face and his gaze meets hers and she somehow forgets to breathe.

Father Tomas clears his throat. "Let us begin."

Everywhere was silent. No extra guests and no music. Only the Rossi men lining the chapel in tailored suits, the other half of the pew with what's left of the Moretti loyalists, their eyes sharp, their mouths tight. No one smiles and a priest who was ready to flee. His eyes rest on her with unnerving steadiness, a dangerous fascination that feels more like a challenge than affection.

Avelina stands beside Allesandro. Her knees feels weak but she forces herself to stand. The priest begins to read the words from his journal.

Avelina does not hear most of it as her mind drifts back to her father and his broken promises.

His eyes rest on her with unnerving steadiness, a dangerous fascination that feels more like a challenge than affection.

The priest speaks words she doesn't hear.

"Do you, Allessandro Rossi, take Avelina Moretti..."

His answer is immediate. "I do."

Her throat tightens as the question comes to her. "Do you, Avelina Moretti..."

Her lips barely move. "I do."

The kiss is quick, mechanical, nothing more than a seal on a contract. Applause is muted, hesitant.

That evening, in the master bedroom of his estate, she stands by the window, still in the wedding dress, watching rain streak the glass. She refuses to look at the bed.

"You can relax," his voice says from behind her.

She turns, expecting to see him undressing. Instead, he is pouring himself a drink, not even glancing at her.

"I won't touch you tonight," he says.

Her breath catches - not from relief, but from confusion. "Afraid I'll stab you in your sleep?"

"Possibly," he says, sipping his whiskey. "But also because I don't take what isn't freely given."

She laughs coldly. "You married me without asking. Freely given doesn't exist between us."

His jaw tightens, but he doesn't look away. "Believe what you want. But there's more to your father's death than you think."

Her eyes flash. "You killed him in cold blood. That's all I need to know."

He sets the glass down. "One day, you'll see the truth."

"Don't count on it." She turns her back to him, vowing that if she can't kill him, she'll at least find a way to make him bleed inside like she does.

She sinks into the only chair in the room as the white dress flows down, her hand shaking. The ring shines bright on her finger, mocking her.

The rain has stopped and a thin ray of light comes through the window hitting the marble floor while avoiding Outside, the clouds begin to break.

A thin ray of light slips through the stained glass, landing on the marble floor beside me.

It doesn't reach my face.

She thinks of her father again, of the night he died, of the promise he made: No Rossi will ever touch my daughter.

He was wrong.

The Rossi's touch everything.

She presses her fingers against the ring until her finger hurts.

"I won't cry. Not in this house, Not in his presence." Avelina says under her breathe.

She stood up and walks towards the window. Watches as the light stretches over the city of Florence. Somewhere in between people lived freely. They loved and laughed how they wished but that was not the case for Avelina.

She presses her hand against the cold glass window. Her life was not ordinary anymore. Maybe it was never ordinary.

She turns toward her hand as her gaze falls on the ring again. glance down at the ring again.

It shines beautifully, cruelly-like the man who placed it there.

A marriage built on revenge, sealed with silence.

A cage disguised as peace.

I whisper to the empty room, "You may have won today, Allessandro Rossi. But this war isn't over."

The light fades. The first shadows of evening crawl across the walls.

And I know the truth I didn't want to face:

The only way to survive him is to learn his world...

and one day, make it mine.

It was the morning after the wedding and the mansion is so quiet. Avelina wakes up from sleep to find herself on the bed still dressed and untouched.

"He didn't touch my last night, Good". She muttered under her breathe.

For a while she stares at the ceiling wondering why Allessandro had not put a bullet through her head to end her father's name. Before she could come to a conclusion a knock on the door broke her thoughts.

"Signora Rossi" The maid from yesterday calls.

"You can come in" She says flatly hating her new title.

The maid walks in holding a beautiful sage green dress. "The Don asked prepare and bring you down for breakfast." The maid says.

Avelina couldn't help but laugh. "The Don cares now?"

The maid's eyes darts towards the door nervously. "He... he says says you will need your strength later."

"For what?" Avelina asks.

She sighs and responds. "He'll explain at breakfast."

She was about to tell the made she was not going down for breakfast but the small of freshly baked bread and coffee drags her out of the bed. Her stomach begs for food even when she does not feel for it.

When she is done taking a shower and dressing up, she was led down the staircase again. The guards stands at each turn like statues without blinking their eyes. The world outside shines bright and looks too alive for the Rossi mansion.

The dining room looks different this morning.

Allessandro sits alone.

He sits at the end of the table sipping coffee and reading his papers and his phone placed besides his cup. He doesn't look up from his breakfast when Avelina walks in.

"Sit," he says simply.

Avelina takes her seat beside him trying to stay calm.

He finally lifts his head from his papers. "Hope you slept well?"

"I didn't have a good night." Avelina responds

"Good. It is not a big deal and you will get used to it."

He pours coffee in a cup and slides it towards Avelina. His movement seemed calculated and measured. As if he still anticipate war.

"I can't drink anything you offer me." Avelina says pushing the coffee back to him.

He smirks. "You really think i will kill my wife with poison?"

"You seem to forget you have done worse." Avelina fires back at him.

He pushed his chair closer to Avelina. "You seem to misunderstand my intentions , Avelina. If i really wanted you dead you would not be here but instead sharing a coffin with your father

Avelina clenches her jaws. "So what is it you want from me Allessandro?"

"I just need your cooperation."

"What for exactly?. You think marrying me will bring peace? Or this is just a show for your public image." Avelina asked.

"I married you for your survival." He responds quietly.

His words made her freeze in her chair.

Before she could respond Allessandro stands up and walks towards the glass window. He stares outside as the morning light shines across his face.

"Your father still has enemies. They will find ways to bring the Moretti name down. You are next in line and if you do not listen to me they will destroy us both without a second thought," He says calmly.

"Are you trying to say i am your partner in crime now...Is that why you killed my father so you can marry me? Avelina asked in tears.

Allessandro turns to face her with cold eyes. "This is not a partnership Avelina, this is our reality now. The sooner you accept it the better for everyone."

He moves closer to her. "My family has organized dinner for tonight and you are expected to be in attendance."

"I would not be in attendance to what ever party you or your family has planned." She spits back at him.

"This is not a negotiation. You are my wife and wives do as they are told and stand beside their husbands. So you must do so tonight.

She lifts her head to meet his eyes. "You can chain my up, Allessandro, but i know where my loyalty lies and it is definitely not with the Rossi clan.

He smiles at her. "Fortunately for me i do not require your loyalty tonight. Just your body."

Night soon came and the mansion glows with bright light.

Music cold be heard from the ballroom where the party was hosted.

The dress she was given was pretty. Suits her perfectly like gloves. It is a mauve coloured dress. It is too beautiful for someone in the state of mourning. She lifts her head and stares at her reflection in the mirror. She could not recognize herself anymore. She looks so slim and pale and had sacks under her eyes from too much crying.

Suddenly the knocks came.

"May i come in?" It is Allessandro.

"It is your house, You do not need my permission."

"Well tonight i need your permission." He says.

He opens the door slightly and steps inside. The scent of his perfume fills the room. Tailored in a black suit, his hair slicked back, he stood so tall and handsome. For a moment none of them speaks.

"You really do clean up well." he says breaking the silence.

"I was brought up properly. I need to always look presentable no matter the circumstance i find myself."

He could not help but twitch his jaws. "Well try not to act as a victim tonight. You are not in captivity."

"I am in captivity, and i am also a victim."

His eyes falls to the floor and back at Avelina. "You better stop acting like one."

He offers her his hands when they walk our of the room.

She hesitates but then takes it.

The ballroom is filled with unfamiliar faces when they arrive. The chatter stops and people murmur.

"Smile at them and play your part." Allessandro whispers into her ear

"I am doing just that." She says to him.

Allessandro walks towards the direction of his business partners with Avelina in his hands. He greets them, his voice calm and composed. He moves with so much composure that his associates fear him. Avelina stands by him, she is silent until they were approached by an older man.

"So this is your wife now?" The man says staring at her. "A Moretti bloodline in the Rossi clan." He says as he chuckles.

After a forceful conversation with the old man, he finally leaves. She turns her gaze at Allessandro and notices a smile on his face but before she can say a word the smile vanishes as quickly as it came.

The dinner drags until midnight. By the time it ends her cheeks aches with pain from forceful smiles.

Immediately the last guest leaves she feels a sense of relive. She walks towards the balcony, the cool night air falls on her skin. The streets of Florence shines below, more alive in ways the Rossi Mansion would ever be.

This voice calls behind her. "You did great today."

She doesn't turn. "I know this was a test too". I don't turn. "Did I pass your test?"

"It was not a test, i assure you." He speaks calmly.

"Everything with you is a test Allessandro." She replies.

"You did well and nobody suspected you were in bondage. That is progress" He says standing beside her.

"Even a blind man can see i am a victim here. Nothing is going to stop me from hating you." She says almost laughing.

"Hate is a good thing. It can be useful." He says with a smirk on his face

For a moment their eyes meet. Allessandro breaks first.

"It is late, You need rest."

"I will go to bed when i want." Avelina shoots at him.

He nods and leave without saying a word.

Avelina stands at the balcony alone. The cold night being her blanket of comfort.

The ring still shines bright on her finger.

She takes a deep breathe, closes her eyes to feel the wind on her face.

"This cage wouldn't hold me forever." She says below her breathe as the wind carries her words into the night.