Chapter One
Chiara
M y flat is a mess; cardboard boxes are piled high in every corner, and a suitcase sits half-unzipped on the sofa with its contents threatening to spill out. The air smells like paint, and new carpet too, and I can’t help but grin widely.
“I think I might have overpacked.”
I say with a small laugh, glancing over at my brother who’s carrying in another box into my new place.
“Understatement of the year.” Dario says under his breath, setting the heavy box down on the coffee table with a slight huff. “Why does one person need so many things, Chiara?”
I bite down on my lips, trying to stop myself from laughing any further.
Papa, as he stands by the hallway, shakes his head as he adjusts his suit jacket.
He’s dressed impeccably as always, even though it's a moving day for me, and this is just another one of our casual days together.
His shirt is crisp, his tie is perfectly knotted, but his eyes carry a hint of weariness that never seems to leave him these days.
“I cannot believe this.” Papa mutters in a deep, rumbling voice. “My one and only daughter, living all alone in a flat. What kind of father allows this?”
I breathe out a laugh as I cross the room to wrap my arms around him, leaning into his hold.
“I’m only ten minutes away from you both, Papa. You’re acting like I’ve moved halfway across the world.”
He grumbles something in Italian which I don’t understand.
After moving here, Papa rarely spoke to us in Italian, and Dario and I didn’t know enough to continue speaking the language between ourselves.
I look up at Papa, noticing the way his expression softens as he hugs me back, his embrace warm and strong as I press my body against his, taking comfort in his hold.
“Ten minutes is still too far.” Papa says as he pulls away to press a kiss to my forehead. “If anything happens, you will call me immediately. No excuses.”
I smile, still looking up at him.
“I promise, Papa.”
He presses another kiss to my forehead, holding onto me a little bit longer.
“You better, Chiara.”
Papa says quietly, his words laced with a hint of warning, though his tone is gentle.
Dario’s voice rings out from somewhere in my new place.
“Chiara! Maybe you can come and help out, considering the fact that this is your new place?”
I roll my eyes as I pull away from Papa with a playful sigh.
“Your son is as dramatic as ever, Papa.”
He chuckles, giving me a small nudge in the direction of Dario’s voice.
“Go, Chiara, before your brother starts crying about me playing favourites again.”
I smile at Papa as I leave him, walking through my place before I find Dario in my kitchen, whistling a tune as he opens one box after another.
He’s surrounded by a mountain of mismatched mugs, plates, and utensils when I step inside.
“About time.” He says without even turning around. “I was starting to think that you lost the ability to move.”
I breathe out a laugh, shaking my head at my brother.
“I was too busy being the favourite child.” I retort as I step closer to him. “It’s not my fault that you can’t multitask.”
That makes him turn around.
Mouth wide, he stares at me like I’ve just slapped him across the face.
I swallow the bubble of laughter which threatens to move up my throat, and I step forward, opening up another box beside him.
Since Dario doesn’t know how to respond, he goes for another approach, one which makes me blush furiously.
“Since you’re bringing absolutely everything here, it’s only fair that I ask if you’re also planning to get married, pop out two babies, and move your new family in this place, Chiara?”
I turn on my heel, this time my mouth dropping open.
He. Did. Not.
Dario leans against the kitchen counter, a grin stretched along his lips as he folds his arms over his broad chest.
“You’re so annoying, Dario!”
I shout, smacking his arm as I feel my face beginning to turn red.
Dario’s laughter booms around the kitchen as I shake my head, bringing my hair forward to cover my face.
I turn back around so my brother won’t see my flushed face as I start tidying up.
Even though Papa was the underboss back when we were in Italy, he drifted away from that part of his life after we moved to England. There are still the occasional phone calls here and there, but for the most part, Papa is no longer heavily involved.
Though, there are some duties both Dario and I are expected to uphold.
In my case, there are two main ones; to remain a virgin until I am married, and to marry a Made man.
It’s tradition.
Though Papa has never outright said anything, Dario has to me, and he’s always teased me with it ever since.
Just the thought of being back in that life makes my stomach feel weird—not with butterflies or even with dread—but with something in between.
It’s an odd feeling, that’s for sure.
“Come on, let’s finish up.”
Side by side, Dario and I continue tidying up, putting things in their places before we open some more boxes, repeating the entire process again.
It does take us some time to finish it all, but we do manage, and once we’re done in the kitchen, Dario slumps over, groaning when he spots a box that was hiding beneath the dining table all this time.
I stifle a laugh.
Papa steps into the kitchen from the hallway, his eyebrows furrowing as he looks at the kitchen.
“Good. I like that it is clean here.” He says as he surveys the space. “What about the hallway? There are many boxes left there.”
Again, Dario groans, almost ready to accept defeat.
Papa shakes his head, and I put both my hands on my hips.
“Hey! You were the ones who told me to buy all of this.”
I point out, my eyes darting between my father and my brother.
“They told you to buy everything but a mover.”
Tamana chimes in, stepping into the kitchen with a grin on her face.
She’s been helping me tidy up my bedroom before my family came over, so she hasn’t seen them until now. As she steps forward, she wraps her arms around Papa before pulling back, looking up at him.
“Papa F! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you!”
Papa smiles at her, replying to her as she laughs.
Dario glances from her to me, raising an eyebrow.
“Is this the infamous Tamana you always speak of?”
I roll my eyes at him as I step forward, introducing them both.
“Mana, this is my very crazy, overprotective big brother, Dario. Dario, this is one of my closest friends from uni, Tamana.”
Tamana steps closer to Dario, extending her hand as her grin only widens across her pretty face.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, crazy, overprotective big brother, Dario.”
Dario reaches out to shake her hand, keeping his smile polite.
“Likewise. I’m sure I can count on you to keep an eye on my sister, yeah?”
Tamana’s eyes flicker to mine, and we both share a small, secret smile.
“Of course.” Tamana says for the sake of it. Then, with a wink in my direction, she adds, “But something tells me that your sister doesn’t need much looking after.”
Dario breathes out a laugh, then they both take a step back from each other.
Papa clears his throat, his deep voice cutting through the banter.
“Let us finish unloading, va bene? We should finish before it gets dark.”
I smile at him, grateful for his steady presence.
He’s changed in many ways, but he’s still my Papa; so strong, so protective, and he’s always there to keep me safe.
“I’ll finish up here.” Dario says. “You both can finish elsewhere.”
And with that, Tamana and I decide to hit the bathroom first, getting everything in order there.
It takes us almost another two hours, but finally, we’re done.
My new flat is already beginning to feel a lot like a home now.
Though it’s a little smaller than what I’m used to, it’s enough for me.
It’s perfect.
Papa takes another look around, his usual stern expression in place on his face, though I do see the faintest hint of pride in his eyes.
“This is beautiful.” He says as he moves to be closer to me. “You should be proud of yourself, Chiara. I know your mother would be.”
Just the thought of Mama being proud of me makes my throat feel tight.
I nod my head as I wrap my arms around his body, resting my head against his chest.
“Thank you, Papa.”
I say after a beat has passed.
He brushes a hand over my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“Of course.” He says, and as his arms tighten around me again, he adds, “Be careful, Chiara. Promise me that you will be careful, va bene?”
My breathing turns shaky at the emotion in his voice as I pull away, looking up at him.
“I promise, Papa.”
Dario takes a step forward, throwing his arm around my shoulder as he tugs me to his side.
“Don’t forget to update us.” My brother says, his tone light, but his expression serious. “Wherever you go, at whatever time, you let us know. Okay?”
I smile up at him.
“I know, Dario. You’ve only told me this about a million times now.”
The corners of his lips twitch.
“I’ll tell you the same thing a million more times.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “And if you think you’ll get away with not telling us, I’m going to turn up unannounced, haul you over my shoulder, and take you back home myself.”
I nudge him with my elbow, making him laugh, then I fold myself against his body.
“Thank you, Dario.” I say softly as I throw my arms around him. “I’m lucky to have you.”
He hugs me back, squeezing me so tightly that my memories take me back to the day of my mother’s funeral, when my brother had taken on the role of protector too.
“You don’t need to thank me, sorellina. Just please promise me that you’ll call if you ever need anything, no matter how big or small it may be.”
Dario tells me softly, pulling away to look down at me.
He holds my face between both of his hands, looking down at me like I’m the most precious thing he has.
I smile at my brother.
“Of course, Dario. You’re the best big brother, even if you are a little bit crazy, and majorly overprotective too.”
He smirks at me.
“Obviously.”
Papa breathes out a laugh behind us.