Ella's POV.

I was staring in the thin air as my fingers tapping on the desk. The teacher was constantly blabbing about something but my mind was too numb to make it out what she was saying. My mind was busy and tangled up.

By him...

His question...

And his lie...

I don't understand how he knew my born name? And how he knew I was studying in this school. Ellen Austin was my real name. A name that was given to me by birth. The moment I was born, my father gave me that name.

Ellen Austin! Princess of Mafia's greatest empire. The Austin empire.

My name was a hidden truth, a hidden mystery, a dark truth, and my dark reality. A reality hidden from the entire world. When I first entered the school life, a cover name was given to me. Dad taught me that from now on I would be called Ella Anderson. He made me vow that I won't tell anyone about my own reality, my name or from where I belong. I was not allowed to tell anyone who I was and what dark reality I had. I wasn't allowed to utter a single word about what my father does, about my family, where I live or from where I belong to the outside world but at home, it was all about training me to become a better ruler for my empire.

For me this all was strange...

I was confused at all these restrictions but my father would just shut me up saying it was for my own safety and he loved me very much. I got bitter answers when I turned fifteen. I then understood what he meant by safety. The enemies, the beasts that are after him are after me too. That day on my birthday I was told that I was a Mafia princess and the empire which I have to rule was a Mafia empire.

It was a shock to me finally knowing what my father does and just thinking how much murders he had done. I got all of my answers on that day but I remained tough for my family. They had great expectations from me and I didn't want to ruin it.

I never told it to anyone not even to my friends, my best friends. Then how he knew? And what he said later made me more suspicious about him.

Cousins?

I don't remember anyone named Xaiden Emiliano in our family. And I don't have a cousin around my age in my family. They were mostly younger. And above all, our family was called Austin, not Emiliano.

Then who was he? Who was this man whom I had given my heart so easily?

Who was this Xaiden Emiliano exactly?

"Miss Anderson? Will you tell me the answer to the question?"

I came out of my daze and brought my attention to Miss Angeline standing in front of me. Her glasses on the bridge of her nose as her eyes looking in mine from above it. Her eyebrows furrowed as she was waiting for the answer to an unknown question. All class eyes were own me as I was silent not even knowing the question.

Damn! It's all his fault!

He made me lost!

Curse you, Xaiden!

"Miss?" The teacher inquired again.

I bit my lower lip and averted my gaze to my hands linked together.

Please, God! Save me...

Please ring the bell! Please make this lecture over!!!

"I guess you weren't paying attention. Then tell us what had your mind occupied? Tell us what's important than my lecture?"

My life... My life is more important than your history lecture.

I don't get it why we have to read history. Ok, I get it! Thanks to past people we are here now or thanks to that Columbus guy who discovered our land but what's the point of reading that story again. Come on! Do they want us to discover a land of our own?

History just sucks. It's boring...

"Miss Ella! I have asked the question for the second time. Where's your mind at?"

"Uh....cupcakes and rainbows?" I blurted out without even knowing.

The whole class roared to laughter as the teacher glared at me.

"Grow up, Miss Anderson! You are not a kid anymore."

I wish I was... I wish I hadn't grown up...

Then I would be the same old kid without knowing my reality. Without meeting Xaiden...

I guess it would be easier then...

The bell finally rang and getting my stuff I went out. The moment I stepped out, a hand caught mine. I knew very well to whose that touch belonged too.

Xaiden!

My heart accelerated as my body itching to turn around and looked at him, to smile at him, to be enveloped in his strong muscular arms.

"Ella! Please I can't take this anymore," he whispered as I bit my quivering lips.

"Ella! Please! Don't do this to me. Please! I beg you..." His voice filled with hurt and pain making my heart torn apart.

"Ella! Don't hurt me... I can't take it..."

Xaiden! You are the one hurting me.

It's you who did this to me, to us.

But I stayed silent...

"Damn it! Ella! Listen to me. I apologized to you then why you are ignoring me for the past three days? Why are acting so cold?"

Yes! Three days since he questioned me and still it won't just leave me. This question had me up three nights wondering and thinking how he knew about it?

Wondering who exactly was he...

What was his reality?

"Ella! Say something... It's killing me! Dammit! I told you she is my cousin. There's nothing between us. Come on! At least look at me... Please!"

Cousin?

Again a lie?

Was his love for me also a big lie?

Was he playing with me?

Was he even real? Or was he himself a lie?

He was begging but my body wasn't giving in. My heart was melted by his words but my mind screaming not to turn around or else... I'd lose my control and I didn't want that to happen. Not again.

"El-"

"Sorry, Xaiden! I don't know you." I bit my lip and said those harsh words.

"Please... Just leave... Leave me alone." My heart constricted and my chest felt tight as my lungs gasping for air.

It hurts...

Sorry, Xaiden...

I don't know you... I don't know who exactly are you...

Now, I am afraid...

"Ella-"

"Just leave..." I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip to muffle a cry. Saying my last words, I left him without a glance and this time he didn't come after me or stopped me. This time he let me go...

It hurts more...

Ella! He let you go...

I don't know whether I should be happy or sad...

Why did it feel like my life has taken that something special from me? And why it felt like it was my own fault?

Life? Such a cruel word...

I entered my car and as I reached home, I went straight to my room. Throwing myself on my bed I let out the heaviness that I had in my chest. I allowed my tears to take control of me.

I hated my life...

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Is Ella right?

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Poor Xaiden!!!

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