Am I so hard to love?

The life I never wanted but still living like a happy soul.

They are staring at me like I am a burden on their shoulders. It makes me wanna die and go away from this world but for some reason, I chose to survive.

I got slapped. The pain on my cheek made me touch the part with my palm.

My heart goes numb while tears start to fall from my eyes making their way to my cheeks including that part of the pain.

My aunt Linda stared at me with angry eyes, though I am used to it, and yelled "Didn't I order you not to come downstairs?"

I kept my gaze down. They always beat me when I do something which they order me not to do. But it was Betty who told me that Uncle called for me.

"Can't you hear me? I asked you something, Alora!" She shouted.

"Mom, I think she did that intentionally. You know, she is always jealous of me." Betty tried to give me another slap from her mom. Her smirk is getting bigger and then it becomes a grin.

My parents died when I was 14 and I had to choose to live with my Uncle and Aunt, and their precious daughter, Betty.

As my uncle is the only brother of my father, he had to take responsibility to raise me. I was told that they will love me as if I were their younger daughter, but it was all just fake care. Uncle William is the older brother of my Dad, and also they are stepbrothers.

Mom once told me that Uncle used to get angry because everyone loved my Dad more than my Uncle and that's how he started to hate my Dad. So, he never get along with Dad while Dad loved him unconditionally. Maybe that's why he never liked me either.

Betty, my cousin, just turned 20 a month ago. She hasn't loved me since I came to stay with them in their house.

We studied in the same school, yet she never got higher marks than me. Because she is always busy eying on boys.

I always stay focused when I do something, which makes my work perfect.

So she gets jealous over everything I am good at. Well, now she can get what she wants as I won't be on her way anymore. I completed my school years just a few days ago. My uncle said that it was the last year of my education and as it is completed now, my study ends here.

Although, I am not sad to leave my study because one can get knowledge even from home rather than going outside if she really wants to be educated. And in the case of friends, I don't have any except a pen pal. She is the only one I am friends with for two years.

In the case of Aunt Linda, I don't know why she hates me so much. Not only her but all three of them hate me for their reasons.

I don't know if I ever did something wrong which makes them look at me like I am a criminal.

Suddenly a hard pressure came again with full force and attacked me on my cheeks. There I got slapped again.

"Such a spoiled girl you are. Don't even have any manners to respect your elders."

"I am sorry. I didn't do it on purpose."

"I don't wanna hear anything. When I told you not to come, you should not come. But you did exactly the opposite just to show me that my orders are nothing for you."

"I am sorry."

"Do you know how much I want to send Betty to the Mafia as their daughter-in-law? Even if William doesn't like the idea, I thought the son of the Mafia would like Betty and would offer to marry her."

So, what's my fault in this?

I saw Betty smirking from behind her mom.

"No Aunt Linda. That-"

The door of my room opened with a thud. And we all turned at the same time.

Uncle William came into my room with his right-hand man, who is also my secret friend, Tim.

Tim is of the same age as my Dad. Him and my parents were good friends since they were in college and he has loved me since I was a toddler. Also, he continued loving me even after I stepped into this house. A house that never felt like a home to me.

My uncle glanced at me and said "Alora! Don't ever do that again. It's your last warning."

"Honey, what are you saying? She broke our reputation in front of them. How could you-"

He just gave a stare to her and Aunt Linda went quiet.

"Now listen to me carefully."

We all narrowed our eyes at him in confusion.

Then he spoke again "They want her."

Uncle William pointed a finger towards me and stated. Every eye in the room landed in my direction. I felt fear at the words which made me frozen in my place while I tried to digest what I just heard.

What does it mean by that they want me?

I was too shocked to say anything but still, I managed to ask "Uncle, what are you saying?"

"Yes, honey. What did you just say? They want her? But why would they-"

My uncle cut her off again "I Will explain to you later. For now, just do what I am saying. Take Betty with you and go to your room."

She didn't protest and did what he said.

"Tim, make sure she gets ready and comes downstairs when I tell you to." As by saying that he walked out of the room without any second glance.

Tim nodded while closing the door behind him.

"What have I done? And who were all those men? Why would they want me?"

Tim sighed and replied, "They were Mafia men and the one seated across from your uncle was the mafia boss."

What? The boss? The deadly mafia boss?

I was shocked. In searching for the right words.

"Did... Uncle sell me to them?" The words came out like a stutter from my mouth.

"Not like that..." Tim's eyes got sadness overflowing into them.

"Then please tell me, Tim," I asked while my voice almost cracking.

"They came to have some work with your uncle. But..."

"But what? Tim... Please explain everything to me."

I will survive. Somehow I always do.

Tim explained everything that happened downstairs, and I agreed to do whatever they say because I don't have any other choice.

After a few minutes, I got ready. But I am scared... what if they do something wrong with me?

What if they.....? I can't say the word.

The feeling of anxiety is increasing on a high level causing my heart to beat so fast.

"Tim, I don't wanna go with them. Please do something." I weep at him.

He is also sad and tense about me.

"Don't worry princess. I will always keep an eye on them. I am sure they won't hurt you. And if they do something... you know the things I taught you. Just apply it to them. Okay?"

I nodded in agreement. Right. If I have been here for four years then I can survive there also for God knows how long.

With a smile on my face and courage in mind, I got out of my room. Tim is taking me downstairs.

I packed up some of my clothes and some of my things, which I will need when it happens in time.

As when Tim opened the door to Uncle William's office room, my eyes met his.

The first time I saw him, there was nothing in my mind as my aunt just held me upstairs instantly. But now I can't ignore it. He is a lot more scary than I thought he would be. And beautiful too.

He smirked at me and I didn't like it. Because I was already scared about what would happen to me and all, and here he is already giving me a dead vibe.

"Okay then...from now on Alora is in your hand." Uncle William said with a smile on his face as if a burden was released of him.

If that's what makes them happy, I will go for sure.

The Mafia boss and his men got up from their seats and took a few steps towards me. The first place his eyes led on was on my cheeks where I got slapped earlier. I placed my palm on that part and tried to cover it. Then his gaze shifted down to the floor next to me.

"You don't have to take anything from here. You will get everything there that you need. So, don't take this with you." The Mafia boss said with a serious face, pointing to my suitcase.

"I will take my backpack with me," I stated.

"For what?" He raised an eyebrow to me.

Even though he just tried to be good, I don't know why it makes me furious. Is that because he demanded that he want me? Like am I an object for them?

Instead of replying to him, I turned to face Tim and hugged him. He patted my head and told me something which only I could hear.

He said "Don't worry princess. If they cause you any trouble, just call me and I will come there immediately. Your uncle won't find anything about that. Alright?"

I nodded with a smile that said 'Yes I know you will'.

"Thank you." It came out of my mouth as if I am going on a dead trip, and won't come back from there.

I came closer to the Mafia boss to be on eye level with him, leaving only a few distances between us when I heard the crackling sounds of heels from behind.

As I turned, I saw Aunt Linda and Betty coming towards me. Their faces were screwed up. And I am sure they blame me for that.

It isn't my fault that they chose me over Betty. And I don't even want to go with them either. Who knows what they will do to me?

But I was happy about Betty that she doesn't have to go through hell in the Mafia.

I always loved her but she only did the opposite to me. I don't hate her. I hate the things she did to me in the past, leaving some invisible scars inside me.

There is no way they will hug me and cry while saying goodbye, take care, I will miss you. No.

So, instead of doing anything, I just waved at them with a bright smile and eyes full of tears, dropping like raindrops.

I didn't wait for their reaction. I turned to Uncle William and saw his head bowed. There wasn't anything to say to him.

For the last time, I glanced at Tim and waved goodbye to him with a smile showing happiness while inside I was only afraid.

Their part ends here. In my story.

I hope they will live like a happy family now.

*****