Chapter 25

Aliyana Today is supposed to be glorious, and magical. I'm supposed to get up and walk downstairs and everyone is supposed to scream ‘Happy Birthday Aliyana.' Only here I am downstairs, eating breakfast, alone at my kitchen counter. I look at my phone, hoping it would ring or I would get a message, but nothing comes through. Frustration and anger ring its ugly head as I spoon the oats cereal into my mouth. I put my phone on silent, for a few minutes. Then I go into my chats and silence my father's name. Then I change the silent ringtone and add something not too loud. Once my cereal is done, I take my phone and start scrolling to see my Facebook messages. Nothing Nobody remembers it's my birthday. I wish summer could be here so I could swim my troubles away but it is a cold day. And since my father decided to leave for New York and not return, and my brother decided to drop off the Aliyana wagon with him there is no elaborate day today. Unhappy father, broke ass daughter. Guilia was still on her honeymoon, trying to get a baby I'm sure and since Kylie decided to surprise her hot biker boyfriend, I'm guessing my birthday is not anything to celebrate after all. Mero would have done something, except he is hiding out in the middle of nowhere, trying to stay alive. My phone rings and I almost fall off the chair swiping right. "Hello?" "I'm freezing outside, mind opening?" Salvatore. "Yes," The thought of torturing him a bit comes to mind but I bite my tongue, as he bangs on the door and a thrill at just having some company brightens my mood. I swing open the door, and look at the tall man before I beckon him inside, where he starts taking out his jacket and boots. "Your place is like entering a different atmosphere it's so warm." "Thanks." I smile as his scar face changes from mild amusement to a full blown smile when he hands me a box. "You remembered?" I squeal as I throw my short body into his chest, happier he remembered my birthday than the actual present. "How could I forget Miss Capello, it is all you ever talking about these days." "Well, yes, true, but no one else has even called." I tell him, but he says nothing to that as he hands me my present. I open the black wrapper and open the box, revealing a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings. The gift is extravagant, and personal. "Do you like it?" He asks, and I lift my toes and kiss him on the cheek. "It's perfect Salvatore. Thank you." "You are welcome Miss Capello." "You should go get something to drink, I'll just go put this in my room." His knowing gaze says nothing as he leaves me and heads to the kitchen. I rush up the stairs, my room door is pushed open, and I frown knowing I left it closed so the heat could circulate better. Checking around to see if anything is misplaced, I almost don't see it, but in between my pillow is a green envelope. I put the box down on my night stand and sit as I take the envelope. It has my name on it, written in a familiar hand writing. I would recognize it anywhere. "Mom." I say as my fingers trace the letters. I tear it open and a single letter written in white paper sits inside with a key. I get up and close my door, in case Salvatore decides to come upstairs. My body feels so tingly everywhere as I prepare myself for whatever is in the letter. Dear Aliyana Happy Birthday my beautiful precious girl. Today sees a new year, that will bring a lot of beginnings as it will endings. If you are reading this, then as you know I am gone from the earth and you have lived to see 20 years. If you have found love, hold on to it for as long as you can, nurture it and never stray because love is a magic all on its own. And if you have experienced heartbreak, let it be known that the world is a ball, and the people on it, is held by its gravity. Without heartbreak we can not love, for how does one love with all the pieces when you have not experienced its losses. I'm sure you have grown into a wonderful life, because I know your father, he is a hard man, but where he is hard, he is a fierce protector. He would have made sure you knew you were loved by him. But if you weren't, or if he too has fallen, then I have made sure of it now. I know a simple letter cannot make up for the loss of a parent. I too have experienced the loss of both. But like my mother, and her mother before me, I leave you with all my possessions. My wealth, so you never have to answer to anyone but yourself. My house, so you never know what it is to be homeless, and my love, so you know without a doubt that you are loved without any reasoning. Aliyana, there is something else I must leave you with, but the answers you seek will be waiting for you at the address behind this letter. The key will open it for you. Good luck my darling daughter Love forever and eternally Your mother At the bottom of the letter is a co-ordinate. I punch the numbers into my phone and a few seconds later I get a pin drop. It is 10 minutes from my house. That is creeping close to not being a coincidence. After all this house is the one my parents chose to raise us in. Now the question is, how to get out of here. "Salvatore." I yell from upstairs and it is barely a minute when he comes to my room, "Yes Miss Capello?" "I'm thinking about doing my hair, it isn't too far, I'll take Matteo." He frowns as his lips thin. "Certainly, if that is what you want." The truth crosses my mind but I simply nod and say nothing at all. If it is a trap, I rather have Matteo with me, that way if he gets shot, one less Di Salvo is not going to keep me up at night. When he leaves, I change my clothes in to something more casual, jeans and white and purple cardigan, with boots and a black coat. I tie my hair into a high ponytail, and slip on my hat, scarf and gloves. I grab the Glock I keep hidden under my night stand. Matteo is waiting for me by the car with a bored expression on his face. "Happy Birthday Aliyana." He says all smiling and arrogant as usual. "Thank you." "Now, you planning to tell me where we are going little flower?" Matteo asks just as he jumps into the driver's seat. "Yes, to this location here. And I told you to stop calling me that." I show him the pin drop. "Why do I get the feeling this is something you want no one but your father to know." "Because I told you and you are his loyal servant." Matteo scowls but shuts up and drives. My mind is reeling with the letter burning fire in my back pocket. My mother didn't forget me, she loved me. She left me everything. I am so eager to know what this key unlocks; I want to scream at Matteo to drive faster. We get to the place, but it is an old, dilapidated house, that looks a few days away from falling down. But it has promise. Is this what she left me? I jump out of the car and the slight nip in the air seeps through my chest, and kisses the column of my neck. Matteo jumps out, "Matteo you need to stay here. This is personal." "No can do, I'm not letting you go in there without me." "There is no need, she is safe with me." The voice has me spinning around as I come face to face with my brother. "Filippo, I thought you were..." He smiles, "I'll explain soon, come with me." Matteo stares at me for a second but shrugs his shoulders and gets back into the car.