CHAPTER 8

"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we'll ever do." - Brené Brown

Isla Isabelle POV

As Mister opened the door, I peeked inside and saw a big, scary man passionately arguing about something with someone on the couch. The intensity of their voices made me feel a little nervous, but I couldn't help but giggle when Mister cleared his throat to get their attention. It sounded funny to me, like a comical attempt to interrupt their heated discussion.

Suddenly, the big, scary man's attention turned towards us, and his face displayed a mixture of confusion and shock. I wondered why he was looking at us like that. Was it because I had something on my face or because I was covered in dirt? It made me self-conscious, and I instinctively sought shelter behind Mister's legs.

Mister's legs seemed like a safe haven, tall and sturdy, providing a shield between me and the intimidating scene unfolding before us. I clung to them, hoping to blend into the background and avoid drawing any further attention.

Mister's voice cut through the tension, trying to explain the situation to the big, scary man and the other guy. He said something about me being Isla Isabelle, their sister, but I couldn't comprehend what he meant. Confusion filled the room as the big guy responded with disbelief, his words laced with an intimidating tone.

"What sister? What do you mean?" The big guy's harsh words sent shivers down my spine, making me retreat further into the safety of Mister's legs.

Suddenly, the other guy, with his brown hair and handsome appearance, chimed in with a comment that was meant to lighten the atmosphere but only added to my unease. "You must have kidnapped her somewhere because of her cuteness," he exclaimed, his voice loud and boisterous.

Their loud voices and the tense exchange frightened me even more, causing me to bury myself deeper within the security of Mister's legs

As the ma'am name mentioned, the atmosphere grew even scarier. Mister asserted his authority, instructing the boys to introduce themselves. He gently pushed me forward, positioning me in front of him so I could see them clearly.

The man with the cute smile took my hand and introduced himself, "Hi, piccolo fiore, my name is Adriano Lucas Caruso. I'm 20 years old, your fifth older brother." His warm demeanor put me at ease, even amidst the tense situation.

The guy who resembled Adriano, presumably his twin, introduced himself next, "My little bee, I'm Allesandro Emilio Caruso. I'm also 20 years old, your fourth older brother, and we are twins." Their striking similarity confused me, and I turned to Mister for an explanation.

As I replied with a faux-mad expression, "Me no bee!" Their reaction surprised me, as instead of taking offense or dismissing my response, they all cooed at me. It was as if they found my mock anger endearing, and their collective response dissolved any lingering tension in the room.

"M-mister, w-why do t-they l-look alike?" I asked, seeking clarity.

"Because, vita mia, they are twins, and twins often look very similar," Mister calmly explained, his soothing voice helping me understand.

Suddenly, the man with the cute dimples and curly hair made an amusing remark, "Oh my god, have you seen that! Dad speaking in a calm and sweet tone. Am I dreaming, or did aliens abduct Dad and replace this man?" His words caused laughter to erupt in the room, and I couldn't help but smile at the light-hearted moment.

"Anyways, I'm Elio Giovani Caruso, your princely third older brother," he announced with a cheery voice that instantly brought a smile to my face. His joyful tone conveyed a sense of optimism and warmth, making it hard not to be captivated by his contagious enthusiasm.

Next in line was Salvatore Angelo Caruso, the second older brother at 27 years old. As he spoke, his voice carried a hint of a cold tone, but his eyes betrayed a deeper sense of care and concern. It was as if he were trying to shield his emotions behind a facade of detachment, yet his eyes revealed his genuine affection for his siblings.

Finally, there was Fabiano Davide Caruso, the first older brother at 28 years old. His deep voice resonated with an intimidating edge, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension as he looked at me with an intense gaze, as if he could devour me whole. The air seemed to crackle with a mix of fear and anticipation, leaving me momentarily frozen.

In a moment of lightheartedness, I blurted out, "D-don't e-eat me, p-please. I'm n-not t-tasty." The unexpected comment broke the tension in the room, eliciting laughter from everyone present. Even Fabiano, who had initially projected an intimidating aura, couldn't help but show a hint of amusement in his eyes. It was a rare glimpse into his softer side, as if the humor had managed to chip away at his tough exterior, if only for a moment.

As Mister prompted me to speak and introduce myself to my older brothers, I mustered up the courage to speak, albeit shyly. "I'm Isla Isabelle Caruso, twee years old," I said softly, hiding behind Misters legs for a moment. Sensing my hesitation, I reached out with my grabby hand, silently asking Mister to pick me up. He gently scooped me up into his arms, holding me securely against his chest.

With a sense of security nestled against Mister, I leaned in closer to whisper in his ear. "T-they're n-not b-babies," I expressed my disappointment, expecting my older brothers to be younger or closer to my age. Mister couldn't help but smile at my innocent observation, understanding my expectation.

"Oh, vita mia, they're not babies anymore. I'm sorry to disappoint you," Mister replied, chuckling softly. He then proceeded to explain our earlier conversation in the car, where I had expressed my anticipation of meeting my "older brothers," imagining them to be much younger than they actually were.

Listening to Mister's explanation, my disappointment subsided, and a newfound curiosity sparked within me. I peered out from behind Misters embrace, studying my older brothers with newfound interest. While they may not be babies, there was still so much to learn and discover about them.

Elio, Salvatore, and Fabiano, in turn, looked at me with gentle smiles and warmth in their eyes. Though I was young, they understood the significance of this moment and the introduction of a new family member. They approached with careful steps, recognizing my shyness.

Elio knelt down, extending his hand with a friendly smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Isla," he said kindly. Salvatore followed suit, crouching down to my level and offering a warm smile. "Welcome to the family, angel," he said softly. Fabiano, ever the gentle giant, approached cautiously, his stern expression softening. He reached out to gently touch my shoulder. "We're glad to have you as part of our family, little nymph," he said in a warm tone.

when everyone is done introducing themselves and welcoming me with smile a loud growling sound from someone's tummy erupted and make everyone turn there heads to me which make me red of embarrassment.

As Gio asked if I wanted to eat, his loving gaze caught my attention, and I nodded in response. He carefully picked me up, cradling me in his arms, and we made our way to the kitchen. The enticing aroma of food filled the air as we entered, and my stomach grumbled with anticipation.

As we reached the dining table, everyone took their seats, and Gio settled me on his lap. He lovingly began feeding me, ensuring each bite was just right. The flavors danced on my tongue, and after a few mouthfuls, I could feel my tummy growing full. I closed my mouth, signaling that I had eaten enough.

As Gio asked if I wanted to eat, his loving gaze caught my attention, and I nodded in response. He carefully picked me up, cradling me in his arms, and we made our way to the kitchen. The enticing aroma of food filled the air as we entered, and my stomach grumbled with anticipation.

Concern crossed Gio's face as he noticed my lack of interest in the remaining food. "What's wrong, principessa? Don't you like the food?" he asked, worry evident in his voice.

"I-i'm full, G-gio," I replied, indicating that I couldn't eat anymore. His expression shifted from concern to disbelief, as if he couldn't fathom that I had reached my limit.

"Oh my God, did you just call me Gio, principessa?" he exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy and surprise.

I nodded, confirming his assumption, and a delighted smile spread across Gio's face. He glanced at his brothers, a playful spark in his eyes, as if reveling in the fact that I had bestowed upon him a special nickname.

"Ha! I'm her favorite, suffer, losers!" he taunted his brothers, teasing them good-naturedly.

After we finished eating, mister gently lifted me onto Gio's lap, and together we made our way to the living room. He carefully set me down on the couch, facing the big bright box that emanated the sound of people talking. Curiosity piqued, I couldn't help but ask, "What is that?"

"That, piccolo fiore, is a television. You can watch entertaining shows on there," Emi explained, eager to show me how it worked. With a few swift motions, he set the channel to a program featuring a princess.

Engrossed in the enchanting world on the screen, I focused solely on watching the princess sing and perform, barely aware of my surroundings. The show captivated me, transporting me to a realm of imagination and wonder. The voices of my brothers and mister melded into the background as I allowed myself to be lost in the magical tale unfolding before my eyes.

As the show came to an end, mister approached me with a gentle smile. He asked if I wanted to take a bath, and I nodded in agreement, excited for the next adventure. However, I expressed my desire to walk on my own, despite the aching in my feet and tiredness in my body.

Understanding my wish for independence, mister gently set me down, ensuring I had the support I needed. With his guidance, he led me through the house, showing me the way to his room upstairs. I took small, determined steps, embracing the minor discomfort as a testament to my growing independence.

Reaching mister's room, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. The room was warm and cozy, filled with comforting scents and soft lighting. mister guided me toward the bathroom, ensuring my safety every step of the way.

As mister prepared for my bath, he left me in the bathroom with a gentle instruction to wait. Emi and Lu-Lu entered the room, bringing with them their cellphones and a sense of excitement. They showed me funny videos, their laughter filling the space and contagious joy spreading through the room.

Soon, mister returned and noticed the laughter echoing from the bathroom. With a smile, he asked, "Alright, love, are you ready to take a bath? Do you want me to help take your clothes off, or would you like to do it yourself?"

His question struck a chord within me, causing me to freeze in fear. Memories of past experiences with someone referred to as "sir friend" flooded my mind. I couldn't help but associate the act of having my clothes taken off with those haunting moments. Overwhelmed by fear, I started crying and shook my head vigorously, indicating my refusal.

mister's face immediately softened, and he rushed to my side, kneeling down to my level. His voice was filled with concern and tenderness as he reassured me, "It's okay, vita mia. You don't have to be scared. I would never hurt you. I'm here to protect you."

With tears streaming down my face, I mustered the courage to express my fear, barely managing to speak through my sobs. "N-no, p-please... s-scared..."

Understanding the gravity of my fear, mister enveloped me in a comforting embrace, holding me tightly against his chest. He whispered soothing words, assuring me that he would never allow anyone to harm me. His voice was filled with a fierce determination to protect and keep me safe.

After a few moments, my sobs began to subside, and a glimmer of trust flickered within me. Through his unwavering care and compassion, mister was gradually mending the shattered pieces of my past trauma. I felt a sliver of hope that I could overcome my fear and learn to trust him.

Gently wiping away my tears, mister spoke with an unwavering resolve, "You're safe with me, my dear. I won't force you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable."

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hi my loves thank you for supporting my and reading my book.

please comment what do you think about what will happen in the next chapter.