Chapter 52

Benjamin's POV.

I knew when I entered the room, Annette was inside with Elijah but I still asked him who it was.

"No one father, I was just practicing singing." Elijah gave me a fake smile.

"Elijah I told you, you going to take over my companies one day and you should forget singing. You know very well everyone will be reminded of your grandmother, you got that voice from her and I don't want you using it as a career but as a memory of her. I told you, you can sing whenever you want but please don't misuse your voice." I told him and left his room. I didn't close the door probably so I waited for Annette to come out but instead she jumped from the roof and before I could do anything someone patted my shoulders.

"Are you spying on my son?" She questioned and I smiled at her. "Answer me." She added and pulled my ear.

"Sofia, I'm your husband, not your child." I said following her to our room. "And by the way I told you a million times they trained Annette but you never believe me. Do you know she always wears those type of shoes where you can't buy from a shop because they are design just for her. Sofia those shoes has something on it that she presses because—"

"I know everything Benjamin. Anna told me everything but I didn't want to tell you because you are always so dramatic. Benjamin, Annette was trained to look after herself just like Elijah." She replied interrupting me.

"But Sofia, mark my words. One day, they will fight because of him. You know what happened at Annette's tenth birthday, he promised me that his first granddaughter will be the cause our family falling apart. He also said that Elijah will die because of her and right now I think if Elijah and she ever fight, one of them will die. That's why I want Elijah to go with Damien on the mission, I promise he will be fine."

"Are you also planning on going with?" She asked and I nodded my head. "If you and Elijah ever decides to go with Adrian and Damien than I'll leave with Oliver and Emily. This Mafia thing is the reason why you fear Annette might kill Elijah. Benjamin we left that life years ago and it's not our problem if Damien doesn't want to leave it so please don't create trouble for us Benjamin." Sofia said and Emily entered our room. "Are you having trouble sleeping again?" She shook her head.

"Mommy, I met this boy after I came out of school today. We bumped into each other mommy and then he asked me my name before he helped me up and when I said I'm Emily Carson Valentines Black he made me fall again. Mommy, why does he hate me when he doesn't even know me?" Emily started talking a lot and before Sofia or I could speak she added. "Dad you know I heard his father call him Luca Russo and there was a big girl with him, Alison. She is the one that helped me out and told me I'm beautiful. Dad why are boys always so rude especially Luca?" My heart stopped beating as she said Alison's name, this is exactly what I was afraid of. I just hope she doesn't ever meet them again.

"Em, did anything else happen after that?" I questioned making her sit next to me.

"Yes Daddy, This other uncle told me to leave quickly before Alison's father saw me." Emily replied. "Now daddy, why do you want to know? Do you know them?"

"Go sleep honey. It's late and you have school tomorrow." I told her and she gave Sofia and I a kiss before leaving. "Don't think too much of this Sofia, I know Theo would never hurt a child."

"Daddy, I forgot to see say, uncle also gave me this keys and a letter to give to mommy." Emily quickly gave me car keys and a letter to Sofia. "Goodnight." She ran out of the room and I grabbed the letter out of Sofia hand.

'Hi there Benjamin, I knew you wouldn't let Sofia read the page and I'm glad you reading it. Anyways the car is for Emily, I told Sofia ten years ago that I would get a car for Emily after all her first word was nana. But anyways this doesn't mean we friends again, the wound is still fresh like it happened yesterday. Benjamin the hole you left in our hearts will forever be there, We'll never forgive you so tell your children to stay away from us because today Emily might've fell in the street but next time she might get bumped by a car and my son or niece might not help her. Take care of your children, bye!

—Nicolas Carter Russo I threw the page on the floor angry. I know they aren't capable of hurting anyone but he shouldn't have said that.

"Benjamin please calm down, it's Annette's sixteen birthday the day after tomorrow and you getting worked up over nothing." Sofia gave me a kiss. "Now let's go to bed, we have a lot of planning to do for Annette and then there's prom night for them and my wish is for Elijah and Annette to be partners."

"It's like you planning their wedding already. Sofia you know I like Annette but there is no way I'll allow them to get married. Elijah will never like his grandfather in law just like I won't."

****

Annette's POV.

The next morning my mother kept hitting me to wake up but I refused to go to school because it's the other Annette's birthday and Elijah will just make me do everything for him. I don't want to plan her party when I hate her so much.

"Annette, Elijah is waiting outside." My mother said but still I refused to get up, so she left the room.

A few minutes later someone jumped on my bed and I opened my eyes and Elijah was right in front of me, smiling.

"You have five minutes to use the bathroom and get dress or else I'll drag you to school and trust me the way you looking right now, you can go audition in those horror movies." He told me and I left for the bathroom. I don't know why he always says I look so bad.

The whole day at school was boring, Elijah was caught playing on his phone and he blamed me like always. The teacher forced us to be partners for tomorrows oral and I'm actually happy even though Elijah was complaining the whole day about me making him fail his grades.

I stayed in my room the whole night. I didn't sleep once, I just kept waiting for the clock to strike twelve after all it will be my birthday as soon as that clock strikes twelve and I'll be sixteen.

I kept holding my phone waiting for Elijah's message. The clock strike twelve and my mom came in the room with my father and baby sister.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Annette. Happy birthday to you." They all sang together and I blow my cake making a wish. "Annette, you will get your real cake tomorrow, this one was just to start your day well." My mother added giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Happy birthday big sister." Meghan said giving me a kiss. "I'll always be here to annoy you, so I hope your wish is for me to have a long life and not Elijah." She whispered in my ear and I hit her.

"May you live long princess." My dad gave me a kiss on the forehead. "And I hope I don't have to beat up so many boys because of you." He added and they all left my room.

"Goodnight." I shouted and took my phone out again but there was no message from Elijah. There was only a few from my friend.

Miss Nice: Happy birthday little girl. You finally sixteen, I hope you get older so you will visit me in Paris and have a drink with me. Anyways I wish you all the best and may your life be colorful. I'm never good with words so happy birthday, sleep well. Goodnight.

I read her message and it touched my heart. I have known this stranger for almost two years and she understands me better than anyone. She tells me everything about herself but I never once told her I love Elijah in case she knows him.

Me: Thank you.

I went to Elijah's chat and he was online. I don't understand why he just can't wish me when he is already awake this time.

Me: Eli, do you know what day it is?

I waited a couple of minutes before he reply to my message.

My love: It's sleeping time for me and that stupid oral. I hope you prepared Annette because if I fail I'll hit you sister. Now sleep, it's not appropriate for a girl like you to be awake this time.

Me: Goodnight and sleep well.

****

Elijah's POV.

I entered my room and checked the time. It was already past midnight so I took my other phone out and saw Annette's message. She really loves being so important. I did wish her a happy birthday already and now she wants another one.

I closed my eyes. I just love her so much after all she is my sister but somehow I can't shake off the bad feeling I have whenever she is with me. My father keeps telling me she will be the one to shoot me one day under her grandfather's instructions but I know my Annette would never do anything to me although her mother told me she does everything her grandfather says.

The next morning I woke up late and quickly got ready before running to the kitchen.

"Mother why didn't you wake me up?" I asked as I kissed her on the cheek.

"I was getting your cupcakes ready after all you said you want two dozen." My mother replied. "By the way your father left for a business trip for a business deal but before he left he took Emily and Oliver to school so don't come home late tonight." I knew my mother only said that so I can say it's Annette's birthday but there is no way I'll let her win.

"Of course mother, today isn't a special day and plus I partied till late last night. I'm tired so let me go to school before I change my mind." I replied taking the cupcakes. "I love you." I quickly kissed her on the cheek and went to the sitting room to take my car keys.

"Mommy where is my car keys." I shouted after looking for them everywhere.

"I'll go look upstairs." My mother replied and went upstairs. I took the remote from the couch and next to it was car keys. I saw my mother coming downstairs and quickly put the new car keys in my pocket. "Here's your car keys Elijah." She handed me the keys and looked at me confused. "Why do you look like you did something?"

"Mother, I must still pick up Annette. Bye." I ran out of the house before she noticed the new car keys were missing. I swear if these new car keys are for my new car than I wouldn't want anything else for my birthday. This is the car keys of the car I always wanted and dad got it for me. I knew he couldn't refuse me.

I kept touching the car keys and kissing it when I accidentally touched a button and it open the locker on the side. I didn't even notice the locker, all I cared was about was the car keys.

"What?" I shouted when I saw my mother, my baby picture, Emily's baby picture and another man, in the locker. The same man I asked my parents about but they said I just imagine things. And I know my parents would never lie about it but there is no way I'm also imagining that he is part of this picture. It feels like he was part of my family but why did they brainwash me to think I never met a man called Nick or Aiden. I'll have to find this out soon.

I looked everywhere for some clues and finally saw Emily's name printed on the side. This car keys might be for Emily, but why? Why would this man get an expensive car for a ten year old. She just turned ten a few weeks ago and I'll be sixteen soon but he didn't get anything for me so that means he is only related to my baby sister. Oh my, I just hope he isn't her father.