Taken By The Mafia Lord



Ten years later….. 

___________

"Mummy? Daddy?" Penelope walked into her parent's room only to realize that it was as dead as a graveyard. Her parents were nowhere to be seen and she went into a panic. 

Penelope was four years old and the third child to be born to Marcel and Arianna. It was obvious that the girl was conceived with love and named after Marcel's mother whom she bore a bit of resemblance as well. 

The young girl had Marcel's blonde hair and her late grandmother's blue eyes marking her different from her siblings who had the signature gray eyes of the Luciano family. With Penelope taking up the role of their last child - although that position was likely to change in the future - she was spoiled and treated like a princess and it was not surprising that she burst into tears when she was unable to find her parents. 

"Mummy," She climbed into the bed and began to cry at the top of her lungs knowing that somebody was going to find her anytime soon. Penelope was used to the attention and wanted that right now. She wanted her mummy and daddy. 

Just as she expected, a maid heard her cries and came to her rescue. 

"Penelope, what are you doing here all by yourself?" 

"I want mummy and daddy," She cried out, the snot in her nose forming a bubble each time she expelled a heavy breath. 

The maid first found a tissue and wiped her nose before answering, "I'm so sorry but your mommy and daddy left early this morning while you were fast asleep. They knew you would give them a hard time and prevent them from leaving if you knew what they are up to. But don't worry, they promised to call a lot and would be back before you know it."

The maid attempted to coax her but the girl cried out, "No, leave me, I don't want you!" And then, without warning, she pushed the woman hard. 

Because the maid had not anticipated that aggressive move from the young child, she staggered from the force and nearly slipped in the process, her eyes widening from the shock. 

"Penelope!" 

Someone else shouted before the maid had the chance to scold her for her ill manner. The both of them turned in the direction of the entrance only to discover that it was Honor, her younger brother. 

Honor was the second child to Marcel and Arianna and the first male child in the family. He bore an uncanny resemblance to Marcel with his blonde hair and gray eyes unlike his sister Aricel who had taken her mother's red hair. Honor was hailed as his "father's true son" due to their close resemblance, not that he thought much about it. 

While he might look like his father and equally talented as well, he was so sweet and humble that eveyone around always took an instantaneous liking to him. It was obvious that he took after Arianna's kind heart and right now, he couldn't stand his sister's attitude. 

"Honor…." Penelope pouted her lips, tears filling her eyes as she attempted to manipulate him to her side. 

However, the young boy had already seen through the act and came over to her side. He said firmly, "Apologize." 

"Nuuh…." Penelope wailed. She was not going to do that. Never! 

"Apologize now!" He demanded with his eyes flashing and Penelope flinched from the anger in his tone. 

The maid saw that and was uncomfortable with the tension in the room and attempted to convince him that it was not a big deal, "It's nothing, Honor. Penelope is just a kid and would -" 

"Apologize to Mary now or I would not play with you anymore." He threatened her. 

Penelope's eyes widened and her lips trembled at the thought that her brother would stop playing with her. It terrified her greatly. Her brother was the only one that made out time for her, Aricel was always busy training and too grown up for her. In one word, Honor was the closest to her. 

So she reluctantly said to Mary, the maid, "I'm sorry." 

"Say it like you mean it, Penelope." He was not having that shit. 

Mary opened up her mouth again to tell him that it was okay but Penelope had already lowered her head in shame and apologized to her, "I'm so sorry, Mary." 

"Shh, it's okay, Penelope. It's okay. Everyone makes mistakes." Mary said, wiping the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. She would have carried her off the bed and comforted her but it was obvious that her brother wanted to do that. 

So Mary gave them the space that they needed but not without giving the boy one last sweet smile. While Marcel and Arianna had been lax with Penelope's upbringing, they definitely made a man out of Honor. But with the boy around, she had no doubt Penelope would be well-behaved soon. 

The maid left and it was just the siblings in the room. Penelope was nervously fidgeting with her hands and wouldn't look her brother in the eyes, still feeling guilty over what she had done. 

But a smile crossed his lips at the last minute and he stretched his arms towards her, "Come here." 

Without hesitation, the girl went close enough for Honor to carry her off the bed and into his arms. 

"You wouldn't stop playing with me, right?" She asked, looking into his beautiful gray eyes unsure. 

"Of course! Who else would I play with if not you?" He beamed at her, crinkles forming around his eyes. 

But she was downcast the next minute, asking, "What about mommy and daddy?" 

"Oh." He said, "Don't worry about them, they have gone to fool around again." 

"Fool around?" She asked out of curiosity. 

"Its nothing, just know that they are fine wherever they are." He grinned, keeping the knowledge all to himself. 

Honor had been five years old when their parents vanished like today and then, Aricel told him the same thing. When they eventually returned, they came with the news that they were expecting a baby. He had no idea where they went in their mysterious travels but one thing was for sure, a sibling was about to make a debut in the family once they returned. 

Honor said to Penelope, "Don't worry, they would have a surprise for us when they're back. Now, come, let's go find our sister," 

He was sure their serious and grumpy sister, Aricel, with their father's temper was not going to appreciate their company. But who cares, he just liked pushing her button, Honor grinned mischievously.