seven souls seven sins - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Natasha's pov:
My smile falters in confusion. The girls drop their jaw in shock. "NICO FREAKIN' HARPER?" Cassie asks for me to repeat. "Yeah him. Is there something wrong?" I reply back puzzled. "No wonder your brother's hate him so much." Jasmine puts two and two together and sighs in acknowledgment.
Wait what do they know that I don't?
She elaborates further "Nico Harper is one of the biggest assholes I know, after your dad obviously. This was around 3 years before you came back by the way. He befriended Xander and was close friends with your brothers. He visited often for parties and dinners, and he gained Vincent's trust which was the worst part. Vincent had just inherited the Brazilian mafia after your father passed away and he was naive and new to the mafia world. Somehow, Nico managed to sneak into his office and stole files that could send all your brothers to prison for life."
My hand raises to my mouth in horror.
Cassie starts this time "We don't know what was on those files but when your brothers found out via CCTV they were livid, especially Xander. Even though they were 14 at the time, the twins punched well. Nico told them something which I unfortunately forgot but they left him alone after that incident. He hasn't been in your house since he stole the files from Vincent's computer. "
My jaw drops even further.
"I've heard that Nico couldn't come to school for a few weeks due to how bad the beating that he had received from your brothers was. When he did, he came in with crutches and a broken arm. He couldn't play football for months and when he got better all he did was play. Whether that be with girls or a ball." By the time she finishes her last word a tear has already spilt from my eye.
"You're too pretty to cry Amor." Jasmine wipes a tear from my eye.
Her words only make me sob more. "I trusted him." I wept. Cassie rubs her hand up and down my back. "We all did." Jasmine murmurs. "Do you know what he stole from Vincent's office?" I curiously query. "I'm pretty sure that it was something mafia related. Thank god Mama isn't associated with that."
"What do you mean that?" My eyes bounce back and forth between the two of them.
When I don't receive an answer, I wipe my eyes dry and ask a question that I've been meaning to know the answer to for quite some time now. "How are we related anyways?" Cassie brings her hand to her heart and closes her eyes in pain. "You really don't remember anything, do you?" Jasmine rhetorically asks.
I look down and murmur "No, not really."
They flick a cautious glance at each other before their eyes return back to me. Jasmine starts "Well for starters, our mother is your father's older sister. She loved him very much but she was unfortunately raised in a traditional household. Growing up, she was treated unfairly compared to your father. She was supposed to inherit the mafia from Grandfather but then your father came into her life."
"Grandfather turned against her." Cassie adds.
"Do you remember Grandfather?" Jasmine asks me out of the blue. I shake my head negatively. "He was an asshole. He always believed in traditional ruling as a mafia Don and when it came to the case of who was inheriting the mafia, the decision was practically already made for him."
"My father was chosen to inherit the mafia." I fill in the gaps in realisation.
"Smart girl. Mama was furious at Grandfather and at your father because for the majority of her life, she was trained to be a mafia Donna but because of Grandfather's sexist ruling style, she was dethroned. Your father was soon caught up in mafia training with Grandfather and Mama was just forgotten." Jasmine continues.
"Her opportunity was stolen out of her hands, all due to a stupid birthright rule." Cassie's memories replay in her mind.
Jasmine informs me "When Grandfather passed, Mama was free from his grasp and she could marry whoever she wanted, particularly our dad Joe. She was glad that she escaped from the Brazilian mafia even though she wanted to rule it. She lost hope after your father gained power. Unfortunately though, your father picked up on Grandfather's misogynistic behaviour."
"Mama hasn't spoken to your father since Grandfather's funeral." Cassie mentions.
"Mama was busy with her husband and us whilst your father was forced into an arranged marriage. Fortunately for him, he fell in love with your mother and she ruled by his side. They loved each other dearly. She also blessed him with seven beautiful children. He on the other hand, was not so happy with the last born." Jasmine slowly mutters out.
I know where this conversation is headed.
Jasmine explains "Their marriage held up until you were born. Your father was delighted with the six boys but when you came along, his whole world flipped. Since he carried that idiotic misogynistic mentality from Grandfather, he despised you since that day. His relationship with your mother deteriorated drastically."
"Along with yours." Cassie buts in.
"He managed to put up with your presence around the house for seven years, but one day he just snapped entirely. Your mother and him got into a really bad argument due to the fact that your father gave her an ultimatum which stated: She was to either shoot you dead, or leave South America with you." Jasmine elucidates.
My eyes shake frantically at her words.
"It was completely unfair. In the end she made her decision, she was forced to leave her other six children in order to save your life." Jasmine finalises. "Sh-She sacrificed her life for mine?" My eyes water. Cassie nods her head quietly. "She couldn't bare to witness the death of her child. No mother would be able to live with themselves if faced with that same circumstance." Jasmine concludes.
By the time she finishes there are streams falling down my face.
My hands shake and Cassie encloses my hands with hers to help calm me down. I want to finish the story of mother's legacy for them. "When mother and I ar-arrived to London she was a heartbroken mess. She retorted to alcoholism and drug use. She neglected me as she couldn't deal with the choice that she had made." I cover my face with my hands.
"She did all of that for nothing." I wept into my palms.
"She left everything for me. She left her kids, her husband, HER LIFE all for me. I'm the reason she did this. It's all my fault." I sob in realisation. I can't control my emotions as they just flow right out of me. "I've spent majority of my life hating her for not trying enough but she did everything she could've."
Immense regret washes over me.
The guilt lingers in my stomach. The twin's eyes widen in shock as I break down. They come closer to me and wrap their arms around my small frame. "Shh shh it's okay Amor. None of this is your fault. None of it, I promise. It may seem like that at times but we're always here love." Jasmine assures me.
My heart feels heavy as their presence comforts me.
I bask in their warm presence when I hear a knock on the door. "Come in!" Cassie shouts at the wooden oak. The door swings open and in comes Xavier. His gaze reaches mine and his cherry smile falters. His eyes wander towards my tears stained cheeks. His forehead furrows.
"Home time." He calls out, his expression unreadable.
"Whatt? That's not fair. She's been gone for nine years and she can't spend one day with us?" Cassie pleads with him. "Vincent's orders." He replies with his hands up in the air. The girls groan in protest whilst I feel numb. I want to stay with the twins but with the day that I had,
all I want to do is be alone right now.
I need time to process everything. I hug Cassie and Jasmine goodbye and make my way downstairs to join Auntie Anne and Uncle Joe. "Leaving so soon?" Uncle Joe shuffles my displaced hair. "Unfortunately." My groggy voice croaks out. Auntie Anna dives in for one last hug. "Next time you come over, I'll have your favourite food on the table." She promises me as her hand rubs up and down my back.
I try to smile but the corners of my mouth don't tilt.
"Bye bye Amor." Auntie Anne waves me off as I hop into the car. I don't feel like sitting upfront anymore. "It's all yours." I mention to Xander so he can sit where he wants. "On second thought, I'd prefer to sit on the back too." He replies back solemnly.
"C'mon guys, Vincent is going to be mad if you all miss dinner." Chase warns in a hurry.
"You heard him." Xavier repeats and hops in the car first, then me in the middle, and finally Xander to my left. The car engine roars to life and in a blink of an eye, we're already on the motorway. That was quick, or maybe I'm just mentally behind. My eyes start tearing up after replaying Jasmine's words in my head.
It's all I can think about. A thousand thoughts rushing through my head.
I feel my eyes getting glossy and Xavier's eyes peering into mine. "Tash?" He calls out but my mind is too busy pondering about Father so I ignore him. My gaze stays on the road ahead of me. "Nat?" Xander repeats my name again but louder this time.
His beckoning voice snaps me out of my daze.
"Pardon?" I sniffle out whilst my tears threaten to fall if I speak another word. "Are you okay?" Xander asks me in a gentle tone. I hate that question. I hate it. If anything, it makes me want to bawl my eyes out. A tear slips from my eyelid as I reply with a shaky voice. "Yeah, I'm fine." I close my eyes trying to not let any other tear fall.
"Oh baby.." Xavier murmurs softly in pity.
"I'm fine." I wipe my cheeks dry. If I look at either one of them I know I won't be able to control my emotions. My eyes stay focused on my shoes. "You're not fine Nat." Xander places his huge hand on mine. His concerned voice makes me sob into my hands. Why do they have to care so much about me?
The car stayed silent as my weeps echoed throughout the vehicle.
Xavier and Xander flick a worried glance at each other whilst Chase has his eyebrows furrowed "Tash please confide with us. We want to be here for you." Xavier tries to persuade me to open up. "If you want to be so-called here for me, then why am I the only one that didn't know that our dad died!" I snap.
Xavier's pov:
My eyes widen as Nat's words repeat in my mind. "WHAT?" Chase slams down on the breaks. Nat's head whips back but Xander's quick reflexes soften the hit. His athletic skills are unmatched compared to mine, although he doesn't show it often. My mind wanders away from Nat's safety and onto WHAT THE FUCK SHE JUST SAID.
THERES NO WAY.
SHE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT HIM. SHE ISN'T SUPPOSED TO KNOW. HE WAS MEANT TO BE A SECRET, HE WAS MEANT TO BE UNSPOKEN OF. HOW DOES SHE KNOW ABOUT HIS DEATH? I BET IT WAS THE GIRLS. WHY DID SHE CALL HIM DAD INSTEAD OF FATHER? A thousand thoughts flood my mind.
"Who." Chase pulls over to the side of the motorway.
"Who what?" Nat's lip quivers. "Who told you that." Chase clenched the steering wheel with his veiny hands. Nat's bloodshot eyes shake at his harsh words. "The girls." She replies, her voice barely over a whisper. "Fuck. FUCK." Chase frustratingly slams his fists against the wheel.
She flinches at his actions.
I make eye contact with Xander, his eyes laced with concern. My gaze wanders to Nat's tear stained cheeks. It breaks my heart knowing that she cried over Father. She tilts her head back and closes her puffed up eyelids to stop any more spillage. "Why did none of you tell me that Dad died?" Her hurt voice echos throughout the vehicle.
Another quiet moment passes before Xander speaks up in a rough tone."He doesn't deserve the title of Dad."
"How did he die?" She sniffled out while wanting answers. "You aren't meant to know." Chase tilts his head back in annoyance. "Cut it out." I bite back at him. I know he's frustrated, we all are, but that doesn't give him the right to lash out at Nat. She just found out that her parent died. Fuck, both of them are dead, and she's only realised that now.
No wonder she's emotional about Father's death.
"Look, not a word of this until I say so alright?" Chase clarifies. Nat nods not wanting to speak anymore. "Especially, not to Vincent, Adrien or Leo." He adds as he drives back onto the motorway. Xander leans his head back onto the leather seat. I bring Nat's shaking hands into my palm.
"It's okay. You're okay love." I assure her as I suppress my irritation.
I lean in and brush her hair out of her beautiful face. I caress her face as I wipe away her dried up tears from her cheeks. She yawns and tilts her head back like Xander. "It's been a long day, want to take a nap Tash?" I try to cheer her up by calming her down. "That would be nice." She replies emotionless.
I'm longing for her usual chirpy voice but that doesn't come out of her mouth.
She leans into my side and I drape one arm over her. She flicks her legs onto Xander's lap. She holds onto my bicep and snuggles into my side. Her signature scent of berries and vanilla flood the car's usual smell of cologne. My heartbeat slows down and shortly after, her eyes shut. Her lips part as she sleeps.
She's an angel.
I turn to face Xander but he's already knocked out like a light. My eyes focus on the road until a Chase's voice beams throughout the atmosphere. "Sorry." He peers into the horizon. "It's not me you should be apologising to." I clarify and tilt my head towards my sleeping beauty.
"I was too harsh on her, wasn't I?" His usual stern look softens.
"Got that right. She's only just clocked that she's an orphan and you fucking yell at her." I confront him. "I didn't mean to." He blurts out and his jaw softens. "I know you didn't. It was in the spur of the moment. You were angry, we all were. It's okay Chase, don't beat yourself over it." I try to comfort my older brother.
"Just make sure you apologise to her later alright?" I refer back to the main point.
"Will do." His gaze continues on the horizon. "Get some rest kiddo. Like you said, it's been a rough day." His gentle tone urges me to sleep. My eyes struggle to open and by the time I know it, I have dozed off.