Three years earlier
- Happy Birthday Lu!
After Dad died victim of an attempt against the Albertini's, we didn't have many happy moments but when we did we enjoyed a lot, like today when I'm 15, most of the time we managed to celebrate our birthdays but after Dad died Mom avoided celebrations maybe because she thought it would be a disrespect to his memory.
But today she made an exception and even made a cake and some sweets for me, Thomas after my father's death had to be started very young which distanced us a little, but I know he loves me, he just doesn't have time for me like he used to.
- Thank you, Mama! Will Tomás think it's bad if I bring him a piece of cake?
- But of course not, baby! Take advantage of the fact that at this time the soldiers are changing posts to go, but don't be late, I'll be in the kitchen of the mansion preparing dinner for the Albertini family!
I was happy to see my brother, as I go to school at the time he returns from guard duty and when I'm returning he's on some mission I almost never see him, I miss him so much but I know it's necessary, we have to be grateful for what the Albertini have done for us and the best way to do this, is to serve his cause.
It was already getting dark when I went to where Tomas was standing guard, but he wasn't there and I was sad not to find him. When I was leaving I felt a strong pull on my arm, it was a tall man, dark and with a smile that caused me fear.
- Are you lost, blondie?
- No, sir! I'm looking for Tomas Vitorino, he's my brother. I'm the daughter of the housekeeper of the Albertini mansion. I'm leaving now, I'm sorry!
He smiled as if he already knew this information, I was already becoming afraid of him.
- I know who you are, blondie! It's your 15th birthday today isn't it?
I shook my head in response being even more afraid of that man who kept holding my arm tightly.
- Good girl, I want to give you a birthday present, something you will never forget!
I wanted to deny it and run away but the man was much stronger than I was. I tried to scream for help but it was useless, there was no one around when he left dragging me to a dark place far away from the mansion. I was so scared and terrified so I screamed but no one heard me, that man tore my clothes and threw me to the ground I must have hit my head somewhere because I just woke up feeling a strong pain in my intimacy was when I saw the man on top of me, I could not believe what was happening to me at that moment, I was being raped by a stranger, I tried to scream but he put his hand over my mouth to muffle my cries for help.
- I know it hurts, blondie, but soon it will pass, and I know you will like it, don't scream!
The tears wet my face in a mixture of fear, dread, guilt and despair. Why was this happening to me? What had I done to deserve that a monster hurt me like this? It was hurting, yes, but not only my body but also my soul for such evil done to me. When he finally finished, I was in a state of shock, not believing until that moment that this had happened to me.
- Blondie, you are as delicious as I imagined you would be, happy birthday Luana!
He started stroking my face as if he wanted to pet me, I turned my face away in disgust at that disgusting being who was trying to be affectionate to me after such evil things had been done to me.
- Don't run away from me, blondie! You have no idea how the other soldiers look at Tomas Vitorino's young sister, but you've always been mine since the day my eyes first saw you. You can't tell anyone, otherwise unfortunately your brother and your beloved mama will suffer the consequences. Do you understand, Blondie?
I got up from that cold and humid ground totally disoriented and aimless, I just wanted to die to forget this horrible day. But before I could try to run, the man pulled my hair very tightly, sniffing my neck like an animal.
- You are now my property, Luana. You live and breathe because of me, always remember that, by the way, before you forget, I guess you don't know who I am and inside your little head you think about telling someone, but you better know who you're dealing with, blondie. I am Caetano Pacino, now that you know who I am and you also understand what I can do to your family so just be very quiet about what happened today. Nobody needs to know what happened, right Blondie?
Caetano Pacino is Mr. Dario's most trusted man, no one will believe me before him, I'm nothing, and besides being dishonorable, everyone will say that I'm a liar. The best thing to do is to keep quiet because no one will believe the maid's daughter.
- I know you won't tell, my blondie, when I want to be with you, you can be sure that I will come looking for you in the meantime, Luana!
I took the torn clothes and put them on my body and ran like crazy to my house, thank God my mother wasn't there and ran into the bathroom getting the sponge and rubbing it very hard on my body, I felt dirty for that monster touching me. I didn't know Caetano Pacino well, but what he did to me ruined any chance of ever being happy.
Two Years Later
- What does Nathaniel want with your sister, Thomas?
Luana is mine, no one can have her, she knows this, and yet she lets another man approach her, court her and even ask my blondie to marry me.
- He and my sister are together, but what has that got to do with it? Nathaniel is a good soldier, there's nothing to worry about!
I couldn't ask too much, it might arouse suspicion about my real interest in Luana, so I need to keep it quiet.
- It is really none of my business, but Nathanael is a young soldier, wouldn't it be better to get an older soldier in our cause to look after his sister?
- Caetano, I have a great appreciation for you but I have taken care of my family, Luana is a good girl, that's why I let her decide who she wants to be with!
Tomas is a good soldier but now he's making me very angry, nobody contradicts what I say so I'll have to deal with the situation on my own. I leave in the direction of Nathaniel's post, he is with Luana in a very close and intimate way. Damned bastard!
- What do you say we set a date for when you finish your studies? I have a little house outside the city, it is simple but a very cozy place to start our family. We are going to have about three children just to start, my love, but I want a big family!
He couldn't be planning a life that belongs only to me, so I decide to put an end to the little couple and their plans for a happy family.
- I thought you were on duty, soldier? Go away, woman, you're in the way!
Luana lowered his head going away I went behind her pulling her arm, she tried to get out of my grip but without success.
- You will not marry that shit, blondie! Does he know you're not a virgin anymore? Maybe it would be interesting to tell him about it, what do you think? Will I have to be the bearer of bad news?
- Nathaniel already knows! Guess what? He doesn't care, because he loves me, respects me and unlike you is not a cowardly rapist! Caetano, accept that you can no longer do me harm, now I have someone who will protect me and love me unlike you who only did me harm during all this time that I was alone. You always said while you were raping me that you have love for me, so if your feelings are really true, please let me be happy.
What Luana doesn't understand is that I can't lose her, she is the best that life has given me. I never had anything, I am an orphan thanks to the damn Tolentinos who killed all my family, thanks to the Albertini's I had a chance in life. I am grateful for everything they have done for me, since Dario's initiation I have been by his side to protect him and show how grateful I am for everything he has given me.
- Luana, I can't let go of what I feel for you like it's nothing, I know what I'm going to do about it.
I let go of his arm and head towards the Albertini mansion, there is only one person who can help me. When I see him, he is smoking his usual cigar when I enter the office.
- Tell me what you need, Caetano!
- I need to tell you something very important so that you can understand what I want!
I have told you about me and Luana from the beginning when I first saw her and what I did to her two years ago as well as my plan to have her all to myself.
- You know if you tell my father about this, he will have you killed! Olimpo Vitorino died to protect my father so he has great esteem for the entire family of the deceased, I'm not given to cheap sentimentality but if you really want this girl, do what you can to get her, you have my endorsement but be aware that for all intents and purposes Nathanael is a traitor and died for this not because you are eliminating the competition.
- Thank you for your support, sir! I have a request to make, since I am not a soldier of your father's protection and will probably receive his refusal to marry Luana, I would like to have your blessing as the next Don of the Albertini Mafia to marry Luana.
Dario got up from his armchair smiling, he held my shoulders and patted me lightly on the cheek.
- I am not the Don yet, but when that happens or is close to happening, you will have my blessing, but you must remain faithful only to me as you have always been.
- You don't have to worry about that, you will always have my unconditional support, Mr. Dario!
Having my Don's approval, I planned everything very carefully and lured Nathaniel into an ambush on a deserted road, where I shot him right in the forehead, but I needed to show Luana that there is no other option but to belong to me. I wait for everyone to leave her house, after smoking my joint and snorting a bunch of cocaine I go to my blonde, she looked beautiful while reading a book. Luana is so dedicated and intelligent, I always enjoyed watching her while she studied or helped her mother in the kitchen of the mansion.
- If there is a more beautiful woman than you I certainly don't know, my blondie!
- Caetano, what are you doing here? Go away! Nathaniel will be here soon, I don't want him to see you here.
I start laughing while Luana goes towards the door, opening it, I take my cell phone and show her the pictures of the dead shit in the middle of the road, she puts her hand over her mouth to stifle her crying and screaming while I am elated to know that now she knows not to mess with me.
- Blondie, did you think I would let him steal you from me? No! You are mine, my love no one will ever take away what is mine. But since I know you have trouble understanding this, I have to make you understand even if you suffer.
I take Luana by the arm and take her to my house inside the mansion grounds, she is still in a state of shock but as soon as she sees the red-hot iron with the initials of my name she becomes alert.
- Take off your blouse now, blondie!
She was already acting on automatic when I turned her back and placed the marker with the letter C on her back. Luana gave a cry mixed with despair as she felt her skin burn, but she had to be taught a lesson to never again consider the possibility of putting someone else in my place.
- Blondie, you must understand that your life is mine! If you hadn't approached Nathaniel, he wouldn't have died and I wouldn't have had to mark your back, I hope that you will now learn your lesson, and understand once and for all that you belong to me until you die.
I kissed her cheek and dried her tears, reading in her beautiful clear eyes that she finally understood that her place is with me and that there is nothing I can do to prevent it.