"𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕚𝕤, 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖." 

-𝔹𝕦𝕕𝕕𝕙𝕒

  ⇝ 

Ｍａｓｏｎ

"Mason." Mrs. Bunsenetti whispered causing me to look up from my textbook.

"Yes?"

"The principal would like to see you." She spoke quietly, she was slightly hunched over to make sure that no one else was able to hear. My eyebrows furrowed at her words. I had never been called down by the principle. My mind began to race with every possible thought of what I could've done wrong. My palms began to sweat as I gathered my things and placed them into my bag, my hands were shaking slightly which caused me to drop a few things. I did my best to ignore the looks that I was getting as I made my way out of the classroom. My heart was hammering in my chest as I rounded the corner, the office coming into view. Hesitantly, I turned the handle and stepped inside the office; a soft hint of vanilla wafting into my face.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, the receptionist gave me a sad smile, odd, before picking up the phone and letting Principle Jones know that I was here. A wooden door opened to my left, drawing my attention. Principle Jones stood in the doorway, a slight grimace enveloping his face. What the hell was with the sympathetic looks? "Come on in, Mason." He stepped aside to let me through.

My stomach churned the second I stepped into his office, noticing the two officers standing beside his desk. The door shutting, loudly, caused me to jump. My mind continued to swirl with possible scenarios that could've brought me to here. What were the police doing here anyway? I was too young to go to jail. I couldn't even think of what I possibly did to earn myself a conversation with two police officers.

"Ms. Miller?" The taller of the two spoke up, his voice seeming louder in the silence of the room.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry but," He paused, glancing at his partner for a moment before clearing his throat. "But your father," Pausing yet again, he heaved out a quiet breath, remorse covering his face. "your father has passed away."

I stared at him blankly, my eyes blinking while the rest of my body stayed frozen. Did he just say my father died? No, He couldn't have. "I'm sorry, what?" My forehead scrunched, my mind not fully comprehending what was being said.

"Your father was shot."

"What?" I choked, grabbing ahold of the chair beside me to keep me from collapsing.

"There was a robbery at Joel's Garage and your father, he tried to stop them and he got hit. They tried everything they possibly could to save him."

"No."

"Ms. Miller, I'm sorry for your loss."

"No. No. He's not dead. You're lying. He's not dead. My dad's not dead."

"Mason." Mr. Jones spoke up but all I could do was continually shake my head. He wasn't dead. He couldn't be.

"I know this is hard.,"

"No! He's not. He's not dead. I just saw him this morning." My breathing began to increase, my chest rising and falling rapidly. " We, we ate breakfast together. He made me bacon and eggs with chocolate chip pancakes because they're my favorite. He gave me a ride to school, he kissed my forehead. He, he said he loved me and he'd see me after school and we'd go out to eat. We always go out to eat on Fridays." I sobbed. "He's not dead, no. He can't be. He's my dad. He can't be. He's all I've got." My body began to shake with each sob ripped through my throat. "He's all I've got. He's my dad."

Next thing I knew, my legs gave out from beneath me, one of the police officers stepped forward to catch me just before I hit the floor. My mind felt like it was caving in on itself as I was placed in the back a car and buckled up. Before I knew it, I was sitting in a room on an uncomfortable chair that was placed around a large oval table. There were a few other people in the room, talking to one another. I think they tried asking me questions as well but I couldn't be too sure. I felt numb. My mind was blank from thoughts as I stared at the white, plastered wall in front of me. I wasn't sure how long I had been sitting there when the door suddenly opened causing everyone to stop speaking.

"You must be Mr. De Luca." One of the women that had been sitting in the room the entire time stood up, reaching out to shake whomever it was that had just walked in.

"Please, call me Alessandro." His voice was deep, I noted. 

"Mason." The lady spoke up again, I didn't answer. Not because I was trying to be rude. Really, I wasn't. My mind couldn't form a word let alone a sentence. "Mason dear." My eyes flicked to where she and the man that has just come in, stood. "Mason this is Alessandro De Luca. He was good friends with your father."

My eyes instantly began to burn at the mention of my father. I recognized the name. I'd never met him in person but my father had mentioned him quite a bit. Nevertheless, I still had no idea why he was here. Maybe for my father's funeral. "Mason, your father had made it clear that if anything were to happen to him, you were to go live with Mr. De Luca and his family."

"I'm sorry. What?" I spoke up, my voice hoarse from not having talked in a few hours.

"Your father's will states that in the case of his death, he ensured that you would be taken care of by Mr. and Mrs. De Luca."

"They live in America," I stated simply. I may not have ever met the man but I knew of him and where he lived, my father talked quite fondly of him. 

"Um, yes they do. In Ithaca, New York to be exact."

"I, I can't move to New York. I grew up here, all my friends are here." I panicked, my eyes burning once again.

No name lady stepped forward, patting my hand. "I know this is a lot to take in, especially after everything but I promise you that you'll be taken care of. I've spoken to Mr. De Luca and although the circumstances are exceedingly unfortunate, they are looking forward to having you in their home and I have no doubt in my mind that you'll come to love being there as well. Okay?"

I nodded, not saying anything. Not that there was really anything I could say. I was seventeen and although I'd be eighteen in six months, I was still a minor and needed a guardian. Not to mention, this is what my dad wanted. We spent another hour or so in the same room while everyone discussed the legalities and whatnot before we were given the okay to go back home so that I could pack. Before I knew it, we were parked in the driveway. I swallowed harshly as I stared at my house, though I guess it really wasn't my house anymore. After today, I'd be in a new country and this house would soon be occupied by a new family. I hadn't realized that Mr. De Luca had already gotten out of the car until I heard the door shut. I stepped out of the car and stepped forward, leading the way into the house. Everything was eerily silent as I stepped through the threshold only further reminding me that my father was gone. Never again would I hear him yelling at a football game on the telly. Never would I hear him cursing as he burnt yet another meal whilst attempting to cook dinner. I would never hear him call out my name as I entered the house after hanging out with my friends. I wouldn't get to hear any more of his stupid dad jokes that he thought were the funniest thing known to man. I'd never get to hear him tell me that he loves me or be able to tell him that I love him back. I wouldn't get to breathe in his comforting scent while he hugged me when I was crying over something stupid that had happened. Never would I just be able to sit with him and enjoy his company. He was gone, forever and I wasn't sure how I was going to manage to live.

It had been just me and him ever since I could remember. He'd raised me on his own after my mother had left the hospital, leaving only a note saying that she couldn't do this. That she was too young and not ready to be a mother. He chose to keep me and love me. He did whatever it took to make sure that I always had what I needed and more. Never once did he fail me. He was caring and loving, the type of person would that would give you the shirt off his back even if it was the only one he had. He was the most genuine and sincere person I'd ever known and now he was just, gone.

A throat clearing pulled me from my thoughts, only now making me realize that I had once again begun crying. I turned to where Mr. De Luca stood, concern etched into his features. "I'm sorry," I mumbled, hastily trying to wipe the tears from my face only to have more follow.

"Don't you apologize for a thing, sweetheart. You cry as much as you want," he assured, giving me a sad smile. "I know you don't know me and although we've never met in person, your father talked about you constantly. He loved you more than anything in this world and I just want you to know that if you need anything, just let me know. Okay?" I nodded, appreciating his kind words.

After a minute or two of silence, I shuffled towards the stairs. "I'm going to go pack. What time do we leave tomorrow?"

"Our flight leaves at five in the morning, so we'll probably need to leave here around three."

I nodded, "Okay. I'll uh, I'll set my alarm."

"Okay. You can just pack your most important things as well as some clothing in your luggage for on the plane and I've already scheduled movers to come in and pack the rest of your room to have it shipped over. If you need any help packing, let me know."

I nodded once more before trudging up the stairs catching a glimpse of my father's door. I looked away quickly, willing myself to hold back the tears. Even if just for a few hours. My cheeks and nose were already raw from all of the rubbing. I slowly began grabbing what was most important to me and throwing it in my suitcase. By the time I had finished it was already almost two, meaning if I went to sleep now I'd get maybe an hour of sleep and that's if I could even fall asleep quickly enough, which I doubt would happen seeing as my mind seemed to be going a million miles a minute, a stark comparison to it's earlier state. So I decided, it'd just be best to not even make an attempt and stay up for the extra hour, which I spent yet again, staring at a wall; my mind replaying over and over what happened today. Before I knew it there was a soft knock of my door causing me to jump. I got up slowly, my muscles aching from having sat still for so long and pulled open the door to find Mr. De Luca standing outside, ready to go.

"Are you ready?"

I nodded, turning back to grab my suitcase along with my carry on. Though before I was able to grab it, he spoke up. "I'll get it.", he quickly grabbed the two items off the floor as if they weighed nothing. I nodded and followed him out as we made our way to the car.

The ride was silent sans for the quiet hum of the radio in the back. As we boarded the plane, I was shocked to see that we were in first class. I slid into the window seat, strapping the seatbelt over my waist immediately and looking out the window. It was still quite dark out but you could see people moving about around the plane, making sure everything was ready for take-off. Once again, I remained silent the entire thirteen-hour plane ride. The sun was shining brightly as we made our way to the parking garage where Mr. De Luca had left his car. As soon as we pulled onto the motorway, he spoke up.

"So, we only have about forty-five minutes until we arrive and I'd like to at least prepare you for what you're about to walk in to."

My face scrunched in confusion. "What I'm about to walk in to?" I questioned, confused.

"Yes. My wife, whose name is Isabella, by the way, but feel free to call her Bella, and I have twelve children."

I choked on my spit. "Twelve?"

He chuckled at my reaction, though he didn't seem too fazed. He probably got that a lot. Twelve kids? That poor woman. "Yes. Twelve boys to be exact."

Did he just? "They're all boys?"

"Yes."

"Not even one girl?"

He laughed again. "Nope, no girls. Much to my wife's dismay."

"Uh, I, Uh, Okay." I stuttered, not really sure what to say. Twelve boys. I was going to be living with twelve boys. Hell, I thought it was hard enough living with my father when he left the toilet seat up or had forgotten to clean off the sink after he shaved but twelve? Not to mention, I didn't do well around boys. I usually stuttered like a complete moron. "H, How old are they?"

"Well let's see, we have Xander whose twenty-four, though he doesn't live at home. There's Beau whose twenty-three and he doesn't live at home anymore either. Then we have Parker whose 21. Alex whose eighteen, Milo and Nico are twins and eighteen as well, then Sutton whose seventeen and Kai whose sixteen, Miles is fifteen, Oliver is fourteen, Henry's ten and Sebastian is eight."

By the time he had finished rattling off everyone's names and ages, I had forgotten everyone aside from the last two, Henry and Sebastian and that's only because they were the last two.

"Don't worry about remembering them all. I know it's a lot to take in. They're a lot to take in. I just want you to know to not let them intimidate you. Don't let them walk all over you either. If any of them are giving you any problems, you come to me and I'll fix it right away. Okay?"

I nodded, once again as my brain attempted to absorb all of the information I was just given. Suddenly, we had pulled up to a massive, black iron gate. I watched, confused, as Mr. De Luca rolled down his window and punched in a code to a keypad. The gates opened as soon as he was finished and we began pulling forward, up a long driveway. I gasped as an insanely large house came into view. This couldn't be there home. Could it? I stepped out quickly, following Mr. De Luca as he trailed up to the door, opening it with ease.

My eyes grew to an abnormal size as I took in the interior before me. These people had to be fucking loaded.

Shit.

  »  »   »

authors note, 

And the first chapter is finished. I'm sorry it was kind of slow but I promise as the book goes on it will pick up. I want to thank you again for taking your time to check out 'De Luca' and I truly hope you enjoy it.

That's all for now, I think.

please don't forget to comment & vote!! Thank you!!

Oh, also there are pictures below showing what The De Luca's house looks like.

Until next time.

  m

 | Exterior |

| Backyard/Pool|

|Dining Room|

|Kitchen|

|Living Room|

|Foyer|

|Movie Room|