CHAPTER 14

"The secret to being happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of everyday." - Unknown

Isla Isabelle POV

As I changed into my cozy clothes after the refreshing hot shower, a sense of disappointment washed over me when Papa and my other older brother left for work without bidding me farewell. My little hands crossed in frustration, and a huff escaped my lips, expressing my annoyance at their sudden departure.

However, Gio, always attuned to my emotions, approached me with a solution to lift my spirits. "Love, let's watch a movie in the theater room," he suggested, a playful glint in his eyes. Excitement coursed through me, knowing that I would have the chance to indulge in the magical world of Disney princesses once again.

Confusion flickered across my face as I responded, "B-but d-don't you h-have w-work, G-gio?" I had assumed that like Papa, he too had obligations that required his attention elsewhere.

Gio chuckled softly, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. "Today, little one, I've decided to take a break from work and spend the day with you," he explained, his voice brimming with tenderness. "You're my priority, and I want to make sure you have a wonderful time."

His words washed away any lingering disappointment, replaced by a surge of joy and gratitude. It was a testament to the love and devotion that Gio and our family shared.

"Can you go and call your brothers? Let them know that we're planning to watch a movie," Gio said. I headed upstairs and decided to wake them up one by one. I chose to start with Emi's room. As I entered, I saw him lying on his bed, engaged in a phone conversation. He seemed quite upset, using curse words while talking.

"Bro, what the hell are you saying? I'm not interested in that girl," Emi exclaimed, frustrated with the person on the other end of the line.

"She's been staring at you ever since we arrived there," the voice on the other end replied.

"H-hey, Emi, G-gio m-mentioned t-that we're a-all g-gathering i-nn t-the t-theatre r-room to w-watch a m-movie," I finally chimed in, as he seemed to be taking forever to notice my presence.

"Oh my God, little bee, you scared the shit out of me!" Emi exclaimed, his eyes widening as I suddenly appeared in his room. His initial shock quickly turned into amusement as he noticed my mischievous grin. He made a comical face in response, causing me to burst into laughter.

As the laughter subsided, a voice came through Emi's phone, interrupting the moment. "Alessandro, who's that girl?" questioned the person on the other end, their tone laced with curiosity.

Emi's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he held the phone closer to his ear. "My sister," he replied simply, his voice carrying a sense of pride.

"What sister? You don't have a sister," the person on the phone countered, their confusion evident.

"I'll explain it to you when we meet at school," Gio responded, ending the call abruptly. He turned his attention back to me, a determined look on his face. "Okay, love, let's head to the theatre room to watch a movie," he suggested, extending his hand towards me.

I smiled, taking his hand in mine. "L-let's g-go t-to Lu-Lu's r-room first," I proposed, referring to our other brother, Adriano. I knew he would be excited about the movie night too.

When we reached Luca's room, Emi and I gently woke him up, knowing that he could be a heavy sleeper. As he stirred awake, his eyes still heavy with sleep, we excitedly informed him about our plans to watch a movie. To our surprise, he grabbed his quilt and sluggishly got out of bed, mumbling something about wanting to sleep in the theatre room.

As we made our way to the theatre room, anticipation bubbled up inside me. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a sight that left me awestruck. The room was spacious, with a large screen mounted on one wall and plush seating arranged perfectly for comfort. Soft pillows were scattered around, inviting us to sink in and relax.

Gio had taken the time to prepare everything in advance, creating a cozy ambiance that promised a delightful movie experience.

Gio turned to me with a warm smile, patting the seat beside him. "Sit beside me, Principessa," he said affectionately, using his endearing nickname for me. "What movie would you like to watch?"

I pondered for a moment, considering my options. "I w-want t-to w-watch a p-princess m-movie," I responded, expressing my love for enchanting tales and whimsical characters.

Emi chimed in immediately, adding his own preference. "Horror, please!" he exclaimed at the same time, showing his love for spine-chilling thrills.

"Emi, i-it's r-really s-scary. I d-don't l-like it," I said, casting a pleading look his way, using my best puppy eyes in an attempt to convince him to watch a princess movie instead.

"Okay, Princess, if that's what you want," Emi relented, unable to resist my persuasive tactics. He playfully pinched my cheek, acknowledging my victory in choosing the movie.

I noticed Luca, still curled up in the corner, fast asleep. Not wanting to disturb his rest, I decided to let him sleep peacefully. He must have been tired from all the running around in the garden earlier.

As the movie started, I immersed myself in the enchanting world on the screen. The captivating tale of "Frozen" unfolded, capturing my attention entirely. I was engrossed in the story, forgetting about everything else around me.

However, after about an hour into the movie, I began to sneeze uncontrollably. My nose started to drip, and I felt a slight discomfort. Gio, being observant, noticed my predicament. He quickly grabbed a tissue and handed it to me, offering relief for my sniffles.

"Here, use this to wipe your nose," Gio said kindly, his concern evident in his eyes. I gratefully accepted the tissue, grateful for his thoughtfulness. I wiped my nose and sniffled, determined not to let a little cold ruin our movie night.

The movie continued, and despite my occasional sneezing, I remained fully engrossed, enchanted by the magical world unfolding before my eyes. The comfort of the room, the presence of my brothers, and Gio's caring gesture made the movie night even more memorable, reminding me of the love and bond we shared as siblings.

"Love, are you okay?" Gio asked, genuine concern etched on his face. He placed his hand on my forehead, checking for any signs of illness.

"Princepessa, you have a slight fever," he observed, his voice filled with gentle admonishment. "Next time, don't run in the rain, okay?" I nodded in agreement, understanding that my impulsive decision to play in the rain had led to my current state.

"I'll get some medicine for you," Gio said, determined to alleviate my discomfort. He turned to Emi and instructed him to check on Adrian, making sure he didn't have a fever as well.

Emi approached Luca, checking his temperature, but Luca assured him that he didn't have a fever.

"Alright, put Isa in my room," Gio suggested, referring to me by my nickname. "I'll be there in a few minutes. I need to call Dad and update him on her condition." With that, Emi scooped me up in his arms, cradling me gently as we made our way to Gio's room.

Gio's room exuded an air of cleanliness and tidiness, with everything meticulously organized. The refreshing scent that filled the room added to the overall pleasant ambiance. Emi gently placed me down on the bed, his worry evident in his voice.

"Go ahead and lay down, little bee. You need to rest so you can get well," Emi said, his concern for my well-being palpable.

"I'm f-fine, E-emi. D-don't w-worry," I reassured him, trying to put his mind at ease. Memories of being forced to work even when I was sick in the past resurfaced, and I felt compelled to share. "B-back at M-ma'am and S-sir's p-place, whenever I h-had a f-fever, t-they w-would m-make me w-work m-more, s-saying that i-tt would h-help m-me g-get b-better. It w-was t-tough."

I saw a flicker of anger in Emi's eyes, but it quickly dissipated, replaced by a determined expression. He took my hand in his, looking directly into my eyes. "Oh, little bee, you won't have to go through that again. I promise you, we will take care of you here," he reassured me, his voice filled with sincerity.

Gio entered the room, carrying a small bottle of medicine in his hand. I wrinkled my nose in distaste as I caught a whiff of its unusual scent. I hesitated, unsure about taking it, but Gio approached me with a reassuring smile.

"Trust me, Princepessa. This medicine might taste weird, but it will help you get better soon," he said, his voice gentle yet persuasive. I reluctantly agreed, deciding to trust his judgment. I took a deep breath and swallowed the yucky medicine, hoping it would indeed speed up my recovery.

After a few minutes of Gio observing me, Emi excused himself from the room, mentioning that he had homework to attend to. As he left, I couldn't help but wonder about school and making friends. It had been on my mind lately, and I resolved to ask Papa about it when he returned home.

Gio, sensing my thoughts, sat beside me and gently caressed my back. "Love, you should try to get some sleep. It will help you heal and get well soon," he advised, his touch soothing and comforting. His words resonated with me, and I allowed myself to succumb to the drowsiness that enveloped me.

As I slipped into a deep sleep, my mind carried me into a vivid dream, one that brought back haunting memories of the maltreatment I had endured in the past. In this unsettling dream, I found myself transported back to Ma'am and Sir's place, the environment filled with gloom and despair.

I was once again subjected to their harsh treatment, forced to work tirelessly despite my weakened state. Their voices echoed in my ears, berating me for any perceived mistakes or shortcomings. The weight of their expectations and demands bore down on me, crushing my spirit.

As I toiled away, the dream twisted into a nightmare, amplifying the torment I had endured. Every movement felt heavy and painful, as if invisible chains bound me to the grueling tasks set before me. Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to find solace amidst the relentless mistreatment.