Chapter 33 (Aliyana)


    Today is supposed to be glorious, and magical. I’m supposed to get up and walk downstairs and


    everyone is supposed to scream ‘Happy Birthday Aliyana.’


    Only here I am downstairs, eating breakfast, alone at my kitchen counter. I look at my phone, hoping it


    would ring or I would get a message, but nothinges through.


    Frustration and anger ring its ugly head as I spoon the oats cereal into my mouth. I put my phone on


    silent, for a few minutes. Then I go into my chats and silence my father’s name.


    Then I change the silent ringtone and add something not too loud. Once my cereal is done, I take my


    phone and start scrolling to see my Facebook messages. Nothing


    Nobody remembers it’s my birthday. I wish summer could be here so I could swim my troubles away


    but it is a cold day.


    And since my father decided to leave for New York and not return, and my brother decided to drop off


    the Aliyana wagon with him there is no borate day today.


    Unhappy father, broke ass daughter.


    Guilia was still on her honeymoon, trying to get a baby I’m sure and since Kylie decided to surprise her


    hot biker boyfriend, I’m guessing my birthday is not anything to celebrate after all.


    Mero would have done something, except he is hiding out in the middle of nowhere, trying to stay alive.


    My phone rings and I almost fall off the chair swiping right.


    “Hello?”


    “I’m freezing outside, mind opening?” Salvatore.


    “Yes,” The thought of torturing him a bites to mind but I bite my tongue, as he bangs on the door


    and a thrill at just having somepany brightens my mood.


    I swing open the door, and look at the tall man before I beckon him inside, where he starts taking out


    his jacket and boots.


    “Your ce is like entering a different atmosphere it’s so warm.”


    “Thanks.” I smile as his scar face changes from mild amusement to a full blown smile when he hands


    me a box.


    “You remembered?” I squeal as I throw my short body into his chest, happier he remembered my


    birthday than the actual present.


    “How could I forget Miss Capello, it is all you ever talking about these days.”


    “Well, yes, true, but no one else has even called.” I tell him, but he says nothing to that as he hands me


    my present.


    I open the ck wrapper and open the box, revealing a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings. The gift


    is extravagant, and personal.


    “Do you like it?” He asks, and I lift my toes and kiss him on the cheek.


    “It’s perfect Salvatore. Thank you.”


    “You are wee Miss Capello.”


    “You should go get something to drink, I’ll just go put this in my room.” His knowing gaze says nothing


    as he leaves me and heads to the kitchen.


    I rush up the stairs, my room door is pushed open, and I frown knowing I left it closed so the heat could


    circte better.


    Checking around to see if anything is misced, I almost don’t see it, but in between my pillow is a


    green envelope. I put the box down on my night stand and sit as I take the envelope. It has my name


    on it, written in a familiar hand writing. I would recognize it anywhere.


    “Mom.” I say as my fingers trace the letters.


    I tear it open and a single letter written in white paper sits inside with a key. I get up and close my door,


    in case Salvatore decides toe upstairs.


    My body feels so tingly everywhere as I prepare myself for whatever is in the letter.


    Dear Aliyana


    Happy Birthday my beautiful precious girl. Today sees a new year, that will bring a lot of beginnings as


    it will endings.


    If you are reading this, then as you know I am gone from the earth and you have lived to see 20 years.


    If you have found love, hold on to it for as long as you can, nurture it, and never stray because love is


    magic all on its own.


    And if you have experienced heartbreak, let it be known that the world is a ball, and the people on it,


    are held by its gravity. Without heartbreak, we can not love, for how does one love with all the pieces


    when you have not experienced its losses.


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I’m sure you have grown into a wonderful life because I know your father, he is a hard man, but where


    he is hard, he is a fierce protector. He would have made sure you knew you were loved by him. But if


    you weren’t, or if he too has fallen, then I have made sure of it now. I know a simple letter cannot make


    up for the loss of a parent. I too have experienced the loss of both.


    But like my mother, and her mother before me, I leave you with all my possessions. My wealth, so you


    never have to answer to anyone but yourself. My house, so you never know what it is to be homeless,


    and my love, so you know without a doubt that you are loved without any reasoning.


    Aliyana, there is something else I must leave you with, but the answers you seek will be waiting for you


    at the address behind this letter. The key will open it for you.


    Good luck my darling daughter


    Love forever and eternally


    Your mother