eyes have a language
of their own.

Charlotte's P.O.V

I let out a loud sigh as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My eyebrows were slightly frowned and I was brushing my hands over my long black dress, trying to straighten it.

It's been five days since I got the news about Justin claiming me. To say that I was still not completely over the news would be an understatement. I definitely wasn't over it but I didn't have any choice either. It wasn't in my hand, and it was too late for my parents to interfere in this decision either.

I was getting ready because tonight was one of the nights where Mafia families gather to have a party. It is more like a gala or a ball. It's always very classy and pose. Men wear their best, expensive and designed suits while women wear their finest, expensive, designed dresses and gowns and jewelleries.

I had been to many parties like this since I was sixteen but tonight was going to be different.

Tonight, I was going to meet him. I was going to meet his whole family. The one who'll be considered as my family, really soon. I wonder what they were like. Were they going to be mean to me? Or were they going to accept me just like that? What was Justin like? If I was being honest then he hasn't left a good impression of himself on me. He was rude and a complete jerk. But I still couldn't help but think about him. Was he going to be rude? Or a 'sweetheart, a gentleman and a amazing young man' as Mamma said he was?

She even told me that he may or may not propose me, tonight. I still didn't know what my answer was going to be but after the conversation I had with Mamma, I wanted to think and take the decision I won't regret. But then again, I'll have to say 'yes'. But that doesn't mean I wasn't going to confront Justin about this whole 'claim' thing. I definitely was going to. Maybe if not tonight then definitely the next time we'll meet.

*flashback*

I was in the home library we had, busy painting on the canvas. Whether it is reading or painting or anything, I always come here because it is always really quite in here and that helps me think in peace.

And after the news I had received three days ago, I really needed peace and time to think.

I was moving the brush around on the canvas, painting something I still wasn't able to pin point what it really was. If I'm being honest, then I was simply painting what I was feeling. The painting was already looking too chaotic even though it wasn't finished yet.

Suddenly, I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a knock on the door. I stopped my movement and turned around, only to find Mamma standing by the door.

I stared at her soft and beautiful features for a second before putting the brush away, so I could give her my full attention.

"I see, you are painting again." She smiled softly when her gaze fell on the canvas. "You know it keeps me sane." I licked my lips and she looked at me. "Bambino, I know you are mad." She said. "I never tried to hide my anger Mamma." I said and she sighed.

"How about we go for a nice walk?" She said and I slowly nodded. I took off the apron I was wearing to protect my clothes and we both walked outside. "Give me a minute." I said and she nodded, stopping at her spot.

I walked in the closest bathroom I could find to wash my hand. I grabbed the handwash before rubbing the paint off my hand and washing it. I, then, wiped my hand with a hand towel and walked back to Mamma.

She smiled when she saw me and I gave her a small smile in return. "Let's go." She said, holding her hand out for me to take. I slowly held her hand and we started making our way out of the house.

"Where are you both going?" Papá asked making us stop again. "Simon!" Mamma glared at him. "What? You know I get worried." He shrugged and she playfully rolled her eyes. "We are going out for a walk." She said and he nodded and relaxed. "Without bodyguards." She stated and he raised an eyebrow but before he could even say something again, he got another glare.

"No 'buts'. We'll be back soon." She said and he sighed. He knew, she was just as stubborn as him, if not even more than that. She had him wrapped around her fingers and didn't hesitate to take advantage of it for moments like this.

"Let's go, Bambino." She smiled and I nodded and we walked out of the house.

We decide to go to the really nice garden with a lake, we had behind our house. We couldn't really walk anywhere else and both of us too lazy to drive.

There was a nice and peaceful silence in the air as we walked around the garden until Mamma decided to break it.

"I know you are furious with the news. You are mad at us. At Justin." She said and I turned my head to her. "Believe me, I wasn't any different when I got to know about Simon claiming me. The only difference was that I already knew about 'Claim'. I was familiar with the term and how it worked," She continued.

"But I never saw it coming that early. I always thought I would never get claimed by anyone." She let out a small chuckle and I frowned. She thought she wasn't going to get claimed? But why? She was so beautiful. Not only that, she had an amazing personality. Why would she think that of her?

"Our relationship wasn't always like this. When we first met, I would always try to get up on Simon's nerves on purpose. I would really annoy him all the time mainly because of two reasons. One, I thought he would reconsider his decision and second I wanted to see if he really loved me as he said he did. Even when I annoyed him, he would shower me with love. He won't leave a chance to spoil me. After a while, I came to my conclusion, he deserved a chance. And that's what I did. I gave him a chance and now here we are. Happily married." She smiled while I just kept staring at her.

She turned and stood in front of me making me stop and look at her. Her other hand found mine and she gave both of them a squeeze. "What I'm trying to say is... give him a chance honey. At least, he deserves a chance. Try to get to know him, Bambino. Not the ruthless Mafia but as Justin. The one who loves his family, the one who loves you." She said, one of her hand leaving mine to caress my cheek.

"I have met him. He is a really charming and amazing young man. Behind the tough mask he wear, there is a really sweet man. You don't even know how many times he had asked me about you. Whenever he speaks about you, there a shine in his eyes. He's madly in love with you. He really is. And he has always protected you. He always made sure you were safe and sound. He always made sure our family was safe and sound." She said and my eyes softened a little. "If you choose to give him a chance and if I am being honest then I know, I would be able to sleep peacefully at nights knowing he's keeping you safe. He always will. Heck, he will even kill himself if you want him to. That's how his love is for you," She smiled softly.

"And all he wants in return is your love. That's all he's asking for." She added.

"Give him a chance, Bambino." She said and I sighed softly. "Can you tell me more about him?" I asked and a smile took over her face.

"Of course. Let's sit down by the lake and I'll tell you more about him." She said eagerly and we walked a little further and sat down by the lake. I took off my slippers and dipped my legs into the water, sighing in relief as I did so. Mamma did the same and looked at me.

"So what do you want to know about him?" She asked. "How old is he?" I asked. "Twenty-six years old." She said and a gasp left my mouth. I thought he was twenty-one if not, maybe close.

"He is seven years older than me." I said, a little shocked and she giggled. That means he was twenty-three when he claimed me while I was sixteen. "Do you care about the age difference?" She raised an eyebrow and I frowned. "No. Yes. Ugh, I don't know." I bite my bottom lip and she giggled again.

"I guess not?" I said after few seconds but it sounded more like a question. "Good. He doesn't either." That's all she said and looked ahead at the water.

There was a silence for few seconds until Mamma decided to break it. "You know, he said and I quote, "Fuck, I would had married her the day I claimed her if there weren't these fucking traditions to stop me."" She said, trying to imitate his voice and my eyes widened a little.

"He's crazy." I chuckled and shook my head. "That he is, but only for you." She said and I looked at her again, only to find her looking down at the water.

"What about his family?" I asked after a while. "What are they like?" I added. "Hmm, his family. His father is Jeremy Bieber. You must have heard of him." She said and I nodded. "I had heard that he is just as ruthless as Justin." I said truthfully. "That he is but for others. But around his family, he is a really nice guy. Justin's mother is Pattie. She is a complete sweetheart you'll surely love her. She will be just another mother figure for you. And then there are his siblings." She said and I looked at her with curiousity.

"How many siblings does he has?" I couldn't help but ask. "He has four siblings. Three brothers and one little sister." She said and turned to me. A giggle escaped her throat and she started speaking again, already knowing I wanted to know about them.

"His oldest brother is Andrew. He is twenty-nine and is married. His wife is Alea. Just like Justin, he knows how to be cruel but is actually really funny once you get to know him and Alea is really good, too. She is really nice and she is kind of blunt and always speaks the truth, no matter how bad it is," She said and there was silence for a second and then she started speaking again.

"The next is Zayn. His is twenty-seven and is married too. Her name is Isabella. She isn't a daughter of any Mafia but she is well aware about this lifestyle. She's really sweet and is always sarcastic and Zayn is really a good man too. He is takes care of his family really well and I can tell that he'll protect you as he protects his sister. And then, the next sibling is Justin and after that Sloan. Sloan is twenty-two and he's married as well. In fact every Bieber brother is married except for Justin because he was waiting for you." She said and I bite my bottom lip when I heard her say that Justin was waiting for me and a blush took over my cheeks.

"Sloan's wife, Maya is the sweetest girl you'll know. Let's say, Sloan has a soft side. He isn't like his other brothers but won't mind being cruel if he feels like something is threating him or his family. And then there is little Bieber, Faith. She is sixteen and let's just say she is just like you. A badass in her own way." She giggled and I let out a soft laugh.

"All of them are really nice once you get to know them. I can already say you'll develope a good and close friendship with Pattie, Ashley, Bella and Maya. Even Faith. She's really excited to meet you. In fact, all of them are." She said excitedly and I smiled at her.

"I'm going to meet them?" I asked dumbfounded. What type of question was I even asking? Of course I was going to meet them. But I didn't know when. "Uh huh, you will meet them at the party we have to attend on this Friday." She said and I suddenly could feel myself getting nervous.

This Friday? That's just two days away! Even though Mamma said they'll love me, what if I don't make a good impression? What if I say something wrong or do something wrong? How was I even going to face Justin after that night?

"Oh I forgot to tell you..." Mamma said, snapping me out of my thoughts when she noticed I was growing nervous. I turned to look at her again. "... Bella is pregnant." She said excitedly and I found myself smiling at the news. "She is? How far along is she?" I smiled.

"Uh huh, she is about 32 weeks pregnant which means eight months." She said and I smiled wider, "Wow."

"Do you want something else too?" She asked after few minutes. "Um, did you know about him claiming me back when he did?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, I knew. In fact, he talked to us and his parents before claiming you." She said and I nodded.

"As I said, he deserves a chance. At least give it to him, Bambino." She said and gave my hand a squeeze.

"But that doesn't mean you should give in easily. Play hard to get." She winked and I let out a small giggle.

*flashback over*

So here I was, getting ready to meet Justin and his family. I was wearing a black, long dress with my hair down. My makeup wasn't heavy, in fact, it looked like I wasn't wearing any. I had only applied mascara, eyeliner and some cherry lipgloss. I was also wearing a really beautiful diamond necklace, diamond earrings and diamond bracelets in my right hand. And of course, my pendant. It was designed as the letter 'J'. I had never taken it off since I had got it which was three years ago. It was always secured around my neck.

I flipped my hair behind my shoulder and sighed again. "Hey gorgeous." Elle winked as she walked in the room.

I snapped out of my thoughts and smiled at her. "Damn girl, you look so gorgeous." She smiled and I blushed and thanked her.

But as the most dramatic person she was, she wasn't done yet, instead she grabbed my hand in hers and started dancing. "You're so gorgeous, I can't say anything to your face, 'cause look at your face, and I'm so furious, at you for making me feel this way, but, what can I say? You're gorgeous." She sang as she twirled me around and I giggled. "Elle stop." I giggled and pulled away from her.

"You are always so...you." I chuckled and she nodded proudly. "You're just jealous because you wanna be me!" She dramatically flipped her hair and I started laughing again.

"Well, I know I'm amazing and....if I was you, I'd wanna be me too, I'd wanna be me too, I'd wanna be- " She started singing again and I put my hand over her mouth but she still was singing but her voice was muffled. "Enough! Let's go now!" I chuckled and she nodded and pulled my hand away from her mouth.

"Ragazze, è ora di andare!" We heard Papá say. "In arrivo!" We yelled back before grabbing our clutches and putting on our heels. After I was done, I looked at myself in the mirror one last time and then walked downstairs with Elle.

"Girls, it's time to go!"

"Coming!"

When we reached downstairs, I found my parents and Sarah already waiting for us. They smiled when their gaze fell on me. I made my way to Mamma who immediately put her arms around me and hugged me.

"You look beautiful, Bambino." She said softly and I smiled, "Thank you, Mamma."

"My beautiful little girl." Papá said and kissed my forehead when I pulled away from the hug. "I'm sorry again, princess." He said apologetically and I shook my head at him. "It's okay." I smiled making him grin.

"Let's go now." He said after few seconds and we nodded and made our way to the cars.

The elders were going to drive to the venue via other car while us, girls, were going in a different car.

"So, are you nervous?" Sarah asked after the driver pulled the car out of our main gate. "Very." I kept my answer short but that gave away everything. "I hope you know that you can tell me if anything happens. I'm not afraid to throw fists." She said and I let out a soft giggle. "And I'm not afraid to throw kicks." Elle jumped in and I started laughing even more.

"Sure, I'll keep that in mind." I giggled and looked out of the window. The girls were able to put a smile on face but I still couldn't help but feel nervous and anxious. Tonight was going to be different but was I ready for it? What if something goes wrong? What if I do or say something wrong? I let out a sigh at my thoughts.

The ride to the gala was about thirty minutes long and as the seconds passed, I found myself getting even more nervous and anxious. I was sure, my hands were sweating and my cheeks were flushed.

Soon enough, I found myself walking inside the venue when we finally reached there.

I couldn't help but let my eyes wander around as I continued to walk inside further until they locked with a pair of hazel ones. My cheeks immediately turned scarlet color when I saw him smirking and walking towards me.

He was wearing black shirt with a pair of black pants and a white blazer over it to complete the suit. His hair was slicked back and I could smell his fresh cologne in the air as he was walking towards me. I wasn't going to lie because he was looking really charming tonight.

All of the sudden, I felt as if we were the only one in the big hall. My heartbeat picked up as he continued to get closer and closer to me with every step he took. My hands started to feel sweaty and I faught the urge to wipe them on the material of my dress.

"Tu es vraiment magnifique ce soir." Those words left his mouth so smoothly as if they'd break if I even tried to breathe as he held out a beautiful bouquet of red flowers for me to take. I kind of forgot what these were called. My stomach fluttered with butterflies when I heard him speak in French, the language of love.

"You look really gorgeous tonight."

My eyes moved from his face and I looked down at the flowers before gently taking them from him.

"Merci." I said softly. I don't know what took over me but I thanked him in French. I hope he doesn't take it as a wrong message, I still wasn't okay with him claiming me.

"Thank you."

He smiled and I looked down at the flowers while blushing, even though I would glare at him every now and then through my eyelashes.

All of the sudden, I felt a hand on my back which made me flinch slightly. I turned to look only to find that it was Papá and sighed in relief. "Good evening Justin." He nodded his head at him, earning a nod from Justin in return, "Good evening."

"Hello Grace. You look lovely tonight." He grinned at Mamma who blushed and thanked him. "Hello to you too, girls. Nice to see you both tonight." He greeted Sarah and Elle and they waved at him.

"So I assume, you had already met him." Papá said to me and I slowly nodded my head. "Yeah she already did." Justin smirked making me look at him.

I blushed again and looked away making him let out a small and husky chuckle. "Where is your family Justin? I'm dying to meet Pattie." Mamma said and he turned to her. "They all are in the private room, waiting for you all," He said before clearing his throat. "We should go there now." He added and she nodded. Both of my parents' started walking with the girls following behind them.

I licked my bottom lip and started walking too, just then I felt Justin's hand on my back. Even though I was wearing a dress, I could tell that his hands were big and were rough yet somehow soft. "The flowers are called Carnation, in case you were wondering." He said softly and I turned to him. "You can search them up." He said handing me his phone and I raised an eyebrow. "Right now?" I said and he hummed, staring at my face with a small grin on his face. I licked my lips again and slowly grabbed his phone before opening Google and searching up the flowers.

"Carnations, like roses and some other flowers, have slightly different symbolism for the different colors. As a whole, they are said to symbolize pride and beauty. A red carnation symbolizes love, pride and admiration, while a pink carnation symbolizes the love of a woman or a mother."

My cheeks heat up as I read what the red flowers symbolised. I found myself biting my bottom lips nervously as I handed him his phone back without even looking at him. He let out a chuckle again when he caught me blushing and put his phone back in his pants pocket.

"We should go." I said after few seconds, and started walking again. Justin's hand never left my back as he lead me to the room where his family was.

"Bieber!" We were almost there when we were stopped by a man as he, out of nowhere, appeared in front of us. Justin immediately pulled me towards his side and wrapped his arms around my waist making the guy glare down at it before he looked at Justin again with smirk on his face. "Mateo." Justin gave a death glare to the man, who apparantly was named Mateo. "Long time no see." Mateo said in his thick Italian accent while smirking and turned to me.

"And who is the gorgeous lady with you?" He eyed me up and down which made me extremely uncomfortable. Justin must had noticed because he pulled me closer to him. "That's none of your business." He spat making Mateo turn to him again.

"Awe, don't be such a hater now." He said, faking a pout and Justin rolled his eyes. "I don't bite. Much." He winked at me and my eyes widened in shock. Did he just-? The next thing I knew was Justin throwing Mateo against the wall. I gasped loudly and took a step back.

Justin grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall again so Mateo was trapped between the wall and the Mafia Alpha, himself.
"You really think this is funny, huh?" Justin spat and punched him in the jaw. Mateo groaned loudly and fell down on the ground when he realised he was already bleeding from the deadly punch he had just recieved.

"Stai lontano dalla mia ragazza se sai cosa è bene per te." Justin threatened, and I let out a shaky breath.

"Stay the fuck away from my girl if you know what's good for you."

He turned and his eyes softened when he realised that I had witnessed the scene in front of me and was scared and slowly walked towards me. "It's okay. He won't try to hurt you." He said, slowly and cautiously sliding his hand behind my back again. My eyes met his and I slowly nodded my head and exhaled shakily.

"C'mon let's go." He said after few seconds and I nodded again before walking away from the bleeding Mateo.

It didn't even take two minutes until we were standing in front of black door. "After you." He smiled and opened the door. "Thank you." I said lowly and walked inside, feeling Justin standing behind me almost instantly after he closed the door behind him.

"There they are!" I heard a female's voice and looked into the direction from where it came from, only to find many people staring back at me with a smile on their faces. I couldn't really tell who was who but when I saw a lady with pregnant belly, I instantly knew it was Bella.

Justin's hand that had still managed to rest against my back slowly lead me further inside and I gave everybody a toothless smile.

"That was Maya." Justin whispered in my ear. He must had noticed the confusion I had written on all over my face.

"Come here, Bambino." Mamma smiled and I sat down beside her and another lady.

"Let's just introduced ourselves already because poor girl is looking really confused here." One of the man chuckled making me smile at him nervously while Justin rolled his eyes again.

"Hey I'm Zayn. And this is my wife, Bella." The guy smiled putting his arms around a very pregnant Bella and I slightly nodded and smiled back at them. "You do know I can introduced myself, right?" She playfully rolled her eyes and Zayn chuckled and kissed her cheek making her lips curve up into a cute smile.

"Anyways, it's good to finally meet you, Charlotte." She smiled at me and I grinned, "Same here."

"I'm Andrew, the oldest Bieber brother." Another guy smiled. "Alea, Andrew's wife." The woman who was sitting beside him, smiled at me too. I smiled back and licked my bottom lips. "The name is Sloan but you can call me the coolest Bieber." Sloan smirked proudly and a small chuckle escaped my throat. "Honey, please don't." Maya slowly shook her head while grinning and he playfully rolled his eyes. "I'm Maya." She turned to me and gave me the sweetest and cutest smile I had ever seen. "That's my Dad, Jeremy." Justin said and Jeremy gave me a welcoming smile. "And that's my Mom, Pattie." He added and the lady who was sitting beside me immediately pulled me into a hug.

"I'm so glad to meet you, dear. It's been so long." She smiled when she pulled away and I frowned my eyebrows in confusion. What did she mean by "it's been so long"? "It's been long? But I had never met you before this." I said confused. "What she mean is that she had seen you at parties before." Jeremy said and I nodded. "Oh okay." I smiled softly.

"I'm glad to meet you all too." I said softly.

"Don't you all think you are forgetting someone?" A girl who looked no older than fifteen or sixteen spoke up as she crossed her arms around her chest. "How can we even forget our little monster?" Zayn smirked and she playfully rolled her eyes at him while smiling softly, "I'm not a little monster, Z."

"Of course you are." Justin jumped in the conversation and ruffled her hair while I couldn't help but smile at the scene unfolding in front of me. "Not the hair, Jay." She grumbled, slapping his hand away and he let out a small chuckle.

He will be a great father. My subconscious said.

"Babe that's our little monster, Faith." He smirked as he looked at me while my cheeks immediately heat up when I heard him call me 'babe'. He must had noticed it because his smirk widened. "Don't believe their lies, please." Faith said making me look at her and giggle softly, "I won't."

Even when I was against this whole 'claim' thing and wasn't okay with it, I couldn't deny the fact that Justin's family was really nice. That was a nice thing, I guess.

For a while, everybody was busy talking among themselves while I was sitting quietly, lost in my own thoughts. I didn't know what to say. I was feeling really awkward because I didn't know much about this family.

"Feeling awkward?" I was snapped out my train of thought when I heard a sweet voice. I looked over in the direction from where it came from to find Maya, Bella and Alea staring back at me. "Kinda." I let out a nervous chuckle and gave them a small smile. "I know we just met but we are family so you can always talk to us." Alea said smiling. "Thank you." I smiled back and took another sip of my apple juice. Let's just say Justin kinda flipped when I got served with wine and got it replaced with Apple Juice. Alea called him dramatic for doing that and also said that I should at least be able to drink wine at which he immediately disagreed.

"I just have one thing to say." Bella said and I turned to her. "Good luck because once you are in this family, there is no going back." She said and I smirked slightly. "I grew up in this lifestyle so I think I will be able to handle it well." I smirked making her smirk proudly. "I can already see us being best friends." She said, hugging me and I giggled as I hugged her back.

"Alright everybody, we'll have to attend the gala now." Papá said making everyone nod.

_________________

Many Mafia families had attended the gala. When I came back to the venue, it looked more packed. I even met few daughter's from different families who I called my friends. We weren't really close but they were nice to me. Some girls, who were unknown to me, were even trying to throw themselves at Justin and he was trying his best to get rid of them which I found hilarious. He looked really annoyed when they'll try to seduce him which again was a massive failure. To be honest, they looked nothing but desperate. I even saw Mateo again but he turned away as soon as he saw Justin beside me which clearly showed he feared him.

"Can I have this dance with you?" Justin asked, holding his hand for me to take when slow music started playing. "Um...sure." I said softly and licked my bottom lip before putting my hand over his big one and he immediately interlaced our fingers together.

We both walked in the middle of the dance floor and I put my hands around his shoulders while he put his around my waist and pulled me closer.

We slowly swayed around with the rhythm and I sighed softly after few seconds. "Why did you claim me?" I finally asked the question I had been dying to ask for days. "Because I love you." He answered. I looked into his eyes, trying to find even a little ounce of lie but his eyes were filled with nothing but honesty. "But you don't even know me." I stated. "That is what you think." He said as he twirled me around before pulling me back closer towards his body.

"I know you think of me as some ruthless Mafia who doesn't even care about anyone but I can promise you, I'm actually not what everybody else claim. I mean I am but I'll never be that to you or with you." He said and I playfully rolled my eyes at him when I heard him said the word 'claim'. "Don't even use that word with me right now." I said making him chuckle and interlace one of our hands together. "I didn't know you were that mad at me." He said and I looked at him. "You know nothing." I stated and he shook his head while chuckling again, "That's where you are wrong."

"In fact, you don't about the love I have for you. You don't know how much I love you and I always will. You don't know how angry I get when I see some other guy making you smile and laugh when it should be me. You don't know how I felt when that guy was about to kiss you. You don't know how much I wanted to take you away to my home while I was driving you to yours. You don't know how much it hurts to watch the love of your life yet not have her know about you. You don't know how much it hurt me to watch you for three years yet not have you in my arms. You don't know how you had managed to make the Mafia King turn head over heels for you. You don't know how you had managed to turn the Mafia Alpha to turn soft for you. You don't know how I would do anything to just have you in my arms. I never thought I would fall in love with anyone, but then you came along. I still remember the first time I saw you, you were looking like an angel. So innocent. So pure." His hand reached up to caress my cheek making me close my eyes at his touch.

"I never knew I was going to fall for you but I knew I needed you in my life. You were the only thing that kept me sane." His hand slipped away from my cheek and interlaced with my hand again and I opened my eyes making him smile.

"I really love you, Charlotte. I really do. I am sorry if you are mad at me for claiming you but I don't regret it because you are mine. You are the love of my life, my world, my queen, my everything. You are mine... and I want to be yours. But for that, I want you to give me a chance. I want you let me love you. I want you to become my luna. I want you to call me yours. I want you in my life. Scratch that, I need you in my life." He said before closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. I couldn't help but watch his every single move as he opened his eyes once again after few seconds.

"Will you do this for me? Will you give me a chance? Will you make me yours? Will you let me love you? Will you be my luna?" He asked and I stared into his eyes, trying to form my words. All of the sudden, he got down on his knee and pulled out a small box out of nowhere while my eyes widened in surprise. "What do you think you are doing?" I whisper-yelled, feeling myself growing even more nervous and anxious. Was he going to do what I think he's going to do?

"Will you marry me?" The question rolled off his tongue so smoothly that I felt like they'll break if I even move a inch.

Suddenly, I felt as if everything had stopped. I felt as if the time had stopped. As if it had been paused. It felt as if we were the only people in the hall while everybody have just disappeared. Was this really happening to me? Or was it just a illusion? A dream? Did Justin really just proposed me? My mind was telling me to say no and run away but my heart...I wasn't sure of what my my heart really wanted. My hands grew sweaty as I kept staring at the man down on his knees for me.

"Yes." The answer rolled out of my tongue before I could even think over it. Justin's lips, immediately, curved up into a big smile and he pulled the diamond ring out of its box and slide it on my left ring finger. His hand never left mine as he stood back up straight. His lips touched the flesh of my hand and my stomach fluttered with butterflies while my heart flushed. He, then, embraced me into a tight hug and I found myself wrapping my arms around his neck and closing my eyes for a brief second.

I hope I had made the right decision. I thought.

"I love you so much." He said softly and pulled away to kiss my forehead. I was so lost that I didn't even realise that everybody was applauding and congratulating us. Well not everybody, because I did see some girls looks at me with envy and rolling their eyes while some men too, didn't look much pleased.

"Oh my God, I can't believe this!" Bella screamed in happiness as she ran towards towards us as fast as she could with her pregnant belly. "MY BROTHER-IN-LAW IS GETTING MARRIED!" She squealed before hugging both of us tightly. I couldn't help but chuckle at her excitement and hugged her back. "Okay Bels, quit it now! You are suffocating me!" Justin groaned pulling away only to earn a slap on his arm from her.

Everyone was by our sides within few seconds and started congratulating us. Papá hugged and kissed my forehead and I could tell that he wanted to cry because his little girl was getting married but was holding back his tears. While Mamma was already shedding tears. She pulled me in her embrace and I hugged her back. "You won't regret your decision." She whispered in my ear and pulled away. I looked at her and gave her a small smile. I hope so.

My eyes travelled down at the engagement ring that Justin had slipped in my ring finger few minutes ago. The ring was gold while the diamond on it was big and oval in shape. It was really beautiful, there was no doubt in that. And I couldn't believe that Justin had given this to me. It was mine. It was going to tie me with Justin for life.

"My sister-in-law is going to be my best friend. Oof, I don't wanna cry right now, why am I crying right now? Damn this hormones!" I was again snapped out of my thoughts when Bella sniffled and I smiled softly and put my arms around her, pulling her into a hug. She hugged me back before pulling away after few seconds and wiping her tears. "I am so happy." She awe'ed.

Zayn grinned before hugging her from behind. "Awe babe don't cry." He chuckled as he rocked her back and forth while rubbing her belly and I couldn't help but smile at the scene that was unfolding in front of me. Just by looking at them, you could tell that they were deeply in love with each other.

"Welcome in the family, Sweetie. You don't know how happy I am." Pattie smiled and hugged me. I smiled and hugged her back. "Take care of her Justin." She said after she pulled away from the hug. "You know I will, Ma." He said hugging her before kissing her temple.

After everybody congratulated us properly, I felt Justin's hand sneaking around my back until it found its way to waist and pulled me towards him. I looked at him only to find him looking at our parents. "I'm sorry for ruining the moment but we'll have to do this now." Jeremy said and I frowned my eyebrows in confusion. "Do what?" I asked softly.

"Blood Oath." That's all he said and my eyes widened a little in shock and surprise and confusion took over me. "Blood Oath?" I repeated and he slowly nodded.

"Let's go somewhere private, I'll explain everything." He said and I found my hands already getting sweaty.

Both of our families started walking towards the direction where the private room was. I licked my lips nervously and took in a deep breath. Justin must had sensed my nervousness because he intertwined our fingers together and gave my hand a squeeze. "You don't have to nervous. I'll be by your side the whole time." He said and I slowly nodded before we started following everybody, his hand never leaving mine.

"What is this all about?" I asked when we all were in the room. There was a pot kind of container on the table, but it wasn't made of clay. Jeremy was standing in front of me, on the other side of the table while I was standing on the other side with Justin, by my side. Everyone else was standing around the table, forming a circle around it.

"Blood Oath are used to solidify a tie to a family. As in this case, us. And as you are going to marry Justin now, you will honor this oath." He explained and I swallowed. "Does it happen in every family?" I asked slowly. "Yes, it happens in every Mafia family. Everyone in this room, except for you, your sister, Eliza and Faith had honored the oath." He said and I slowly nodded.

He gave me a small encouraging grin before pulling out piece of a old, very sharp, pearly handled knife. It was very long, about seven or eight inches, not very wide but just by looking at it I could tell that the point was deadly.

"Are you scared?" He grinned slightly, trying to test me and I looked at him. "No." I said truthfully and a approving smirk took over his face.

"The experience is perfect." Alea mumbled sarcastically and I faught the urge to look at her facial expression.

"May I have your hand please?" He said and I gave him my hand, palm up, already knowing what was about to come.

The knife swiped across the centre of my hand and I could feel Justin's hand squeezing my other one, trying to comfort me. Surprisingly, I didn't whimper or said anything. I just shuddered a little bit, but that was it.

Jeremy grabbed a handkerchief and pressed it to my palm, staining the fabric with my red blood.

He, then, recited a prayer in both French and Italian and lit the piece of cloth before letting it fall into the pot. Everybody watched the cloth with my blood stain on it burn until it turned into ashes.

"The oath had been honored. It's official now." Jeremy announced.

"Welcome to the family, Charlotte."

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Tbh, I thought it would take me more days to complete this chapter if someone *cough* Bella *cough* hasn't blackmailed me.

Anyways,

Did you all like the ring? My friend helped me choose that one.

I don't know what to say lol. Justin proposed Charlotte and she said yes. She also honored Blood Oath but does that mean they'll end up getting married?🤔

If you have any questions, then feel free to ask me, I'd answer.

P.s- I did a mistake in last chapter, I forgot that Harry's character was named Sloan in this book and accidentally used his real name in the last chapter 💀 I'm so sorry if that created any confusion to those who had read this when I had published that chapter, I had corrected it lol

Also, I wanna thank my wifey mccannonbieber for making that amazing couple gif for me, thank you so much baby, I love them! You are so talented please give me some too 🥺🤍

Anyways,

Hope you all liked this chapter 🤍