Mrs Matteo Rocco

•AURORA’S POV•

The room in which I stood stared emptily back at me. This is where I spent most of my 21 years of life. The huge mirror which was attached to the vanity my mother had given to me before she passed away stood at the very corner of the room. Sweet mother, I really wished she was here with me at this moment, only she would understand the pain that I was feeling.

All my life I have been raised by the notion, “A woman’s place is behind her husband.” I was raised to obey the wordings of a man, which of course only made me dislike them and disobey them in any way I could.

But this marriage…….. I couldn’t do that, my father would rip out my tongue if I ever said a word about it.

My mother never birthed a male child, two girls down and still no male child till she died years ago shortly after my junior sister, Lucia was born. The only way to keep our already fallen empire alive was by a marriage merger with the Roccoss. One which I never wanted.

From age 4 I was forced to learn everything I needed to know to be a mafia’s wife. From knowing his favorite color to his favorite food, the first time he shot a gun and even killed his first enemy. It sounds untrue but it was true. I was groomed as the perfect wife without any flaws, not even a speck of flaws!

“AURORA, YOU NEED TO GET DOWN HERE.”

The voice of my Aunt Lia brought me back to reality as I took one last glance at my room because I knew this would be the last time I’d ever get to see it. It was my safe place.

“I’ll be down in a minute.” I screamed back at her closing the doors and opening the adjoining door that led to my baby sister’s room. She was the only person who I ever truly loved aside from my mom and I’ll miss her a whole lot. I don’t want to leave her here alone but I don’t have a choice. I’m only agreeing to this marriage just so she can live a free life away from the Mafia life and be a happy girl, unlike the life I had to live growing up.

“Lucia, are you done?” I asked and walked in without Lucia in sight. That's weird, she was definitely in her room dressing up moments ago. I walked into her dressing room, looking through the bathroom and the little studio room that was behind her dressing room yet couldn’t find her. I walk down the stairs as I start to panic wondering what may have happened to her or caused her disappearance.

Reached down the stairs to where Aunt Lia was standing with her twin daughters, Isabella and Francesca.

“Has anyone seen Lucia? She’s nowhere in her room or studio.”

Aunt Lia stares back at me as tho I am crazy, her daughters mutter inaudible replies and I sigh. Walking past them I head to the study where my mom left us countless books which I and my sister loved to read so much that we would lose track of time whilst in there.

I hear a sob come in and I knew at once it could only be Lucia who would come here and bawl her eyes out cause I’ll be leaving. I walked in the direction of the sound till I found her crouched down by the bookshelf all by herself and wiping off tears that streamed down her face.

“Lucia…..” I whispered as I brought my down to the same position as she. She looks up and doesn’t say a word but that’s fine because I know, and she knows. WE BOTH KNOW. And I can’t help it because I have to go.

I raise her and wrap my arms around her holding back the tears that threaten to leave my eyes, I can’t cry, not when she’s here and also bawling out her eyes. We break our hug after she’s stopped her tears and she looks up at me with big moist eyes.

“Will we ever see when you leave?” she asked as she sniffled and stared at me.

“Yes baby girl, I will always be your big sister and we will always see no matter what. Don’t worry sorella, I’ll talk to my fiancé when all is stable so you can move in with us okay?” I kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes which stared back at me with eyes gleaming with hope with the words I said.

(Sorrella: Sister in Italian)

“Now let’s go and join the others downstairs so we won’t miss out on the evening’s fun. I heard the Roccos own a library bigger than this with amazing collections of books which you would love.”

“Yes yes yes.” she squealed as she rushed out of the room with so much excitement that she almost tripped at the end of the stairs, but thanks to the quick response of the guard who was standing by the stairs she caught her right on time.

She looked back at me and laughed it off, her laughter and smile were so contagious that I couldn’t help but laugh back at her alongside my cousins who joined in the laughter just because they found the situation funny. “Kids will always be kids.” I thought to myself.

I join them and we walk down to the limousine which was parked outside waiting to take us to the Roccos' castle. Yes a literal castle, the house was huge and looked like a castle from the outside. I have only seen it in the picture that my dad showed to me when I was age 8, telling me I’d be a princess who would be living in the Roccos' castle.

Talking about pictures, I don’t know what my soon-to-be husband looks like. I was never allowed to see him or even get a glimpse of him. You might ask me why I didn’t look I’m up on the internet or social media. I don’t own a phone or have ever been allowed to own one. If ever needed to look up anything on the internet I used the iPad in the library which of course my aunt kept a tab of my browsing history restricting my access to many things happening outside my home and of course…….what my fiancé looked like. I just hope he’s handsome as I heard Aunt Lia say he is…..

•AURORA’S POV•

The car came to a halt in front of the huge black gate which was guarded by four sturdy men draped in black suits who wore black sunglasses that covered their eyes from view.

One of them walked to the limousine and spoke to the driver, but didn’t get to hear them cause we were seats away from the driver's seat. Soon after that, the big black gate was opened and we went through it.

I won’t even lie the house looked amazing and exactly what Papa showed me. The car parked close to the entrance of the house and we all stepped out of the car. The girls were all so excited about the house. Our house was huge as well don’t get me wrong, but this house was only what I got to see when I read the books Mama left behind. In one word, MAGNIFICENT. Befitting to the Roccos.

“Welcome to the Rocco estate.” a young man who looked just my age with a thick Italian accent said.

“Thank you.” I flashed him the best of my best smiles.

We all went into the house and I was almost gaping! It was beautiful and the decorations and everything were literally out of this world. Red curtains draped the pastel-colored walls with white marble tables which I could see my reflection and a huge chandelier that had lit candles hooked in the spaces made for it in the chandelier. The young who was our guide led us through the rooms while telling us about the house.

The house had a living room do each floor, with the ground floor having two rooms that currently weren’t in use and a kitchen where food was made separately for the workers who lived in the house. The second and third floors had a kitchen and 4 rooms each on both floors. The third floor had office space too where my fiancé was when I and my family came in.

We were having dinner downstairs at the big family dinner table which was laid out with clean silverware and plain white plates that shone like it was polished out to perfection.

“Miss Marco please be seated, the rest of the family will join you shortly.” he told me with his hands in front of me motioning me to my seat which was the first seat next in my row, next to the seat at the head of the table which I guessed was for my soon to be. We took our seats with Lucia sitting right next to me.

“What do you think he looks like?” Lucia asked.

“Lucia I wouldn’t know, if I did I’m sure you would also know what he looked like as well. But I hope he’s as good-looking as Aunt Lia says, I wouldn’t want to be married to an ugly Person.” I said with a chuckle.

Lucia turned to join in the conversation Aunt Lia’s twin daughters were having. The three girls were of the same age, age 13, and they had been playmates since they were toddlers. Seeing them play chatter away at that moment gave me a bit of peace about leaving her alone. At least she has her cousins to give her a bit of comfort and company.

My mind drifted to last night in Papa’s office when he called me in for a light prep talk. “Remember, you are doing this for the family and our empire. Your place is behind your husband, you are to submit to him and care for his every need. Most importantly, GIVE HIM AN HEIR! A son in this marriage will seal off this marriage agreement and give our empire a second chance in society.” he had given me all of these instructions like I was just an item to him which he was using to get what he wanted and not a daughter he treasures.

“Miss Marco.” the young man who led us in rang behind me taking out of my train of thought and he was in front of me within a second.”Sir Rocco wishes to speak to you in his office.”

I nodded back at him and glanced at my sister and cousins who didn’t notice I was leaving briefly.

I stood up to join him up the stairs leading to the third floor of the house where his office was situated. The butler knocked twice and waited for a few seconds before knocking thrice.

“Venire.” (Come in) a low husky voice said in Italian.

The butler opened the door and let me in before stepping in and closing the door behind him.

“È qui Signor Rocco.” (she is here Sir Rocco) the butler said standing in front of me facing the large table that demarcated us from the sturdy-looking figure who stood facing the window in the large office holding a glass of what seemed like rum. He raised his right hand as a signal to the butler to leave and he did almost immediately.

He turned to face me and I was left speechless, I could swear I was drooling at that very moment. Blue eyes met my emerald green ones with a daring expression that made me wonder what he thought of me at that very moment. This man was like a Roman god and I was swooning. 6’3 fts with a very broad shoulder that outstretched his shirt which was rolled up to reveal his bulky arms. Wow! I thought, no wonder Dad never showed me his pictures, would have married him sooner just his looks.

“I believe your family is comfortable downstairs Miss.” he said as he took a few steps from behind the table in my direction. I nodded in response to his question wiping off the swoon-worthy expression I had on my face before he caught on to it.

“Nice meeting you Aurora, my name is Matteo Rocco and I believe you can speak, I preferred being responded to not a NOD.” His condescending tone took me off guard and I was then again reminded of why I would have to hate this man and this marriage.

“A minute ago I would have introduced myself as well but your condescending attitude doesn’t warrant a warm introduction. May I know why you want to see me, Mr Rocco?”