A warm shoutout to @Adelin_Fox for her immense support in my journey as an Author. Thank you for showing my book love and attention.

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Violetta's POV

Micheal and I moved to the music, my hand on his neck and his on my waist. "You know, my mum likes you", he confided. "Really, why?" I asked curiously.

"She thinks you're a strong woman. Three kids at such a young age and you're working hard to provide for them", he explained and twirled me. I didn't know they knew about my children. "Well, yeah. Although, when people hear three kids associated with a nineteen-year-old. They don't usually smile at that." I thought aloud. "Mhh, true. I guess she relates to you. She had her first child at seventeen." he told. "Oh, wow"

"She was married by then though. Odd huh", he joked. "Yep", I said trying not to make any wrong comment. "So, how old are they? Your kids I mean." he implored. "They're triplets and they're all four years old." I asserted. "Danm. My calculations are leaving me with small numbers", he fooled.

"Yeah, I know. It's a long story", I snickered earning a laugh from him. "Have you ever considered marrying? So they could you know, grow up with a father around.", Micheal consulted. "They have a lot of men around. There's this guy, Paul. Sometimes they call him Pops. Then there's Mateo, my best friend, and my brothers come around sometimes too." I clarified, hoping what I said was reasonable.

"Well, as I said before. My mother white likes you and she would love for you to join the family. So you could always gain a nice dad for your children and an extra one", he offered, leaving me baffled. "What do you mean?" I scrutinized.

"I have a daughter. Her name is Lilian. All I'm saying is you could marry me. I know we just met but I think we would be great friends... With benefits of course. My daughter would have a mother, your children would have a father and my mother would have a daughter-in-law she actually likes. Everyone's problem is solved", he deciphered and then the song ended. He kissed me on my cheek then whispered "think about it" into my ears, and then walked away.

I don't know what I'm meant to say to that. He's just so fucking hot but irrational. How could I marry a stranger, besides my children have enough drama in school already.

I went outside for some fresh air, wondering why I had to be associated with crazy rich people. Mike, his underaged married mum, his lesbian sister who I believe has a crush on me, his other rich sister, his sexy older brother, living the life of a single dad, and the rest.

It began to drizzle but I stayed outside, enjoying the cold air, and was soon joined by Mike. "You should come inside" he warned. "I know", I answered. Things were still awkward after our alcohol fight.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you back then. It was wrong of me to treat you so harshly and very unprofessional." he apologized. "I was the unprofessional one. I got drunk during working hours and still came into the office like that. I'm sorry", I replied. "I thought you said you were tipsy", he taunted, exposing me. "Well, I was... Don't ruin the moment", I said snickering along with him.

"I really am sorry though", I said sincerely apologetic. "It's ok", he assured. "How about we have a nice peace treaty?" I offered. "Doi have a choice" he replied.

Ignoring his remark, I began. "On this very day, I Violetta Rossi take my boss Mike Mariano as my friend". I urged him to say it too after he looked at me laughing. "On this very day, I Mike Mariano take my stressful employee, Violetta Rossi as my friend", he said, repeating my words.

"So with that, you have to be nice to me from tomorrow, ok," I announced. "I'll try", he said with a smile.

He smiled... HE SMILED!

And he looked absolutely stunning. His brother was sexy and all, but Mike was certainly sexy, hot, cute, handsome, and any other word that described beauty. Maybe that's why I tolerated him so much.

We moved back inside for the toast and went over to a table for seven with a card that wrote 'The Mariano's'. I certainly felt uneasy sitting down there after Michael's bizarre request.

"Hello everyone. Thank you all very much for attending. I want to give a toast to life and family and let's not forget about strength. I remember when I was younger, no mother, and no father. From that day, I vowed to be moving to my children, and with strength, I succeeded. Let's celebrate", a young woman recited, raising her cup in the ear and drinking it along with everyone.

I sat in the most awkward position possible, Mike to my right and Micheal to my left. Everyone was seated for their meals at their various tables, and soon after we were all served delicious food.  "So Micheal, have you told Violetta about Lily?", Mrs. Mariano asked. "Yes of course", he responded. "Mother, how about we enjoy our meal", Mike said awkwardly.

"Mike, don't be a party killer. Violetta, tell us about your kids", Micheal requested. "Well, they're triplets and they're all very hyperactive and talkative. Except for Nickolas, he's the eldest. He's more reserved and responsible, but he's still hyper" I explained.

"That's beautiful. Do they look like you or their father?" she conferred. The question brought back many memories, and the moment of my rapist leaving me in the alley flashed in my head. "Violetta?"

"Huh? Well, yes they look like me", I answered, whispering 'I think' to myself. We ate our dinner and talked about families and business. I met Anna's husband and learned that Micheal owned a shelter for orphans. It was very fun but it was time for Mike and I to leave.

"Violetta!" Micheal called, jogging towards me. "Can I have your number, if you don't mind of course", he asked, winning a disapproved look from Mike. "How about we keep things professional" Mike said, eying his older brother. "Last I remember, she works for you and not me. I'm just the guy she met at a party." Micheal said defensively. "Now, the number?" he begged once more.

"As you know she has children to get back to. No time to waste", Mike said, holding my hand and walking off with me. We got outside to find Mike's driver waiting for us and we both instantly got into the car.

"You should avoid Micheal", Mike warned as the driver departed. "He might seem kind and calm but he's a bit of a psycho. He's extremely obsessive and quick to act. I advise you stay away from him", he finished. "Your family is uh... Special. No offense of course." I commented. "None taken. My father wasn't the best so he kinda screwed us up a bit, some more than the others. But despite that, we love each other a lot" he explained.

"Even Micheal?" I asked. "Even Micheal... As well as the other five", he answered. "I thought it was just four of you" I mumbled, counting the siblings with my fingers. "We're not all from the same mother, but we're nine in total. I never met some of my siblings and some just...", he trailed off.

"Micheal, Anna, and I are from my mother though," Mike said, with a straight face. Their father must have screwed them up. I guess we have something similar now.

The driver dropped me at the apartment and offered to take me in but I refused. I said goodbye to Mike and the driver then went up into the building. I decided to get some food to-go from the cafeteria so I went there and ordered 2 portions of fries, 2 burgers, a slice of Pepperoni Pizza, a 4 piece chicken pack, water, and Sprite. I ordered for five, so it was all doubled and I had a heavy mountain to carry upstairs.

I don't know what's up with me and burgers. I eat them like every day. I went upstairs, put in my pin and entered the apartment. I walked in looking for everyone then I spotted Paul, sleeping peacefully on the sofa. I checked Nickolas' room to find him awake, playing with his toy box. "Nickolas, shouldn't you be asleep?" I asked, getting his attention.

"I was waiting for you", he replied as he got up and hugged me. I picked him up, and put him on my waist, then went to check Naomi and Nora in the opposite room. They were on the mat with their Barbie dolls out, fast asleep. "Did you eat dinner?" I asked. "We were waiting for you but Pops made us eat cereal" he confessed cutely.

"Thank you love, but next time, you shouldn't wait for me. I'll be ok", I said. "I bought food for us to eat. How about you wake Paul up and I'll wake up your sisters", I suggested as I dropped him on the floor. "Ok"

I woke Nora up and told her to come eat, then picked Naomi from her bed and placed her on the floor with her legs, so she would stand and wake up. That was my new method. Everyone was finally awake, so I brought out all the food, arranged it on the table, and prayed, then we all began to eat.

"Mommy, where did you go?" Nora asked as she picked up a fry and put it in her mouth. "I went to a small party" I responded truthfully. "Did you have fun?" Paul asked, staring at me. "Yes, it was fun," I admitted.

We finished our food and I ended up having a bunch of leftovers. I gave some to Paul and kept some in the fridge. After, I put the kids to bed and proceeded to see Paul off. "Do you mind if I stay over?" he asked.

Before, Paul would sometimes stay in the house with us when there was news of dangers around the area, just for safety reasons. I don't think there's any danger, especially not here with all the guards scattered around the estate. "Uhh, well, ok", I said, to avoid being rude. I didn't mind Paul's company anyway, it was calming.

"I don't have a guest room though, so I don't know where you'll sleep" I disclosed. "I could always stay with you, like when we were younger", he said, making me smile at the good memories. I went into my large bathroom and had a shower when Paul was done with his. I washed my long hair, untangling the curls from one another and massaging my scalp, then I washed my body and stayed under the running cold water, remembering past events.

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FLASHBACK

"I think I have a small crush on you", Paul said smirking. The stars were many in the sky and refused to stop shining brightly, and the weather was cool, making our moods delighted. "I know that", I said. "Youre very bad at hiding it"

Paul smiled, then leaned in and kissed me, placing his hand on my lower back. I kissed him back and one thing led to another.

We had sex.

Paul was the first person I slept with after the whole raping incident. It happened seven months after I gave birth to my triplets. His parents finally divorced and threw an extravagant party for it. We ditched the party and went back to his room balcony, where we stayed and watched the stars.

After everything, his father caught us in bed together and kicked me out of the house. I remember his words clearly, 'I won't let you ruin my sons' life as you did yours'. Paul had a massive fight with his father and eventually, moved in with his mum. He hasn't spoken to his dad since then.

I was always the cause of downfall in everyone's life. My father started drinking eight months after I was born, Paul cut off with his father about two years after I came, Jack broke up with Rebbeca five months after he met me and Mateo's sister died from overdose a year after we became friends.

My brothers told me my parents started having marital issues even before my mum got pregnant with me, Paul always said he planned to cut ties with his dad before the whole incident, Mateo claimed it wasn't my fault his sister died and she had always been an addict, and Jack said he planned on breaking up with Rebbeca because he knew she was using him.

It all made sense and the excuses could've been true, but my brain always told me it was my fault. That I was the cause of all the trouble.

I was the problem.

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"Violetta! You've been in there for a while." Paul shouted through the door. "Sorry! Almost slept off", I laughed. I got out of the shower, squeezed the water out of my hair, dried my body with my towel, and wrapped myself up. I walked out of the bathroom to meet Paul lying on my massive bed, with his caring eyes fixed on me.

"Hey, let me show you something cool", I said, picking up the remove from the table. I pressed the button that opened the staircase from the roof, leaving Paul impressed. "Sick right?" I asked gleaming. "Cool", he admitted starting at the white staircase.

I went up to the closet and picked out a baggy shirt and Pajama shorts, then went back down and closed up the staircase using the remote. I climbed into bed with Paul and put off the night light, leaving the glow-in-the-dark stars drawn on my wall to lighten the room. "Your room is cool", Paul said, looking down at me. "Yep"

Paul embraced me tightly, keeping me warm. His presence made me feel safe and helped me stay calm, almost like an angel and soon, my eyelids fell to meet its other half, taking me to the darkness as it united.

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To everyone who's made it this far. Thank you. I can assure you from the bottom of my heart that things will get much more interesting, so don't miss the next chapter of Hidden Truths

                                                                          To remember...