ERIKA'S P.O.V.
The night seems to drag on forever, as though never-ending, as though it wanted to haunt me, keep me in the day when I made the cursed deal...selling my soul to a devil. I knew of devils, never encountered one, but I knew of their names, although I feared I had just encountered the first devil. Don Stefano Vitale. I shuffled between sitting on my bed, staring out the window into the night, and then watching the clock tick so painfully slow before lying on my bed simply thinking...wondering. Wondering if I had made the right decision, if it was worth it. Would there have been a second option? Another way out? I guess I wouldn't know, as it's far too late to go back on my decision. I had a week to finish up whatever I needed to do and inform who I needed to before I'd begin living at the Vitale manor for a year. My mind kept replaying the look in Don Stefano's expression as we spoke-cold and calculated, yet final. Dawn finally breaks as I rise to the chirping sounds of birds dulled by a quiet tension that now looms around my room like a dark cloud.
Reluctantly, I dragged myself to the bathroom so I could freshen up and meet my parents downstairs before my mother came up to my room to find out why I wasn't down for breakfast. I wasn't ready to tell them just yet. A familiar aroma fills my nose as I walk down the stairs before Nana comes into my line of vision, brewing her tea with practiced calm, but I could sense the storm beneath her serene façade.
"Good morning, Nana." I walk up to her, pecking her cheek before making myself a cup of coffee and then sliding into a seat at the dining table.
"Good morning, Nipotina, sleep well?" I sipped my coffee, watching her as she looked at me with a knowing expression. She knew I wouldn't have been able to sleep.
"Uh, I didn't get much sleep, Nana." I confessed softly, looking at the mug in my hand, which I caressed softly, welcoming the heat.
"Mmm." She hummed, not saying anything before she began making breakfast. Just as breakfast was ready, I heard footsteps before my parents stepped into the room.
"Morning, sweetheart." Papa smiled warmly at me, placing a kiss atop my head. I managed a small smile in return.
"Morning, Papa, morning, Mother." I greeted her, and Mama murmured a response of some sort before diverting her attention to breakfast, serving herself. The room fell silent as we ate-well, they ate; I had no appetite.
"Erika darling, would there happen to be a reason as to why you're not eating?" Mother asked, raising a questioning brow at me, making everyone else look at me; Father looked at me in curiosity, while Nana looked at me expectantly.
"Uh, I-" I looked between my parents and Nana. "I'm not hungry."
"I see." She nodded slowly, bringing a piece of egg up to her mouth and chewing softly...very ladylike. "Would there happen to be a reason why? Which reminds me, you weren't home for dinner last night; where were you?" I tensed up momentarily before forcing myself to calm down.
"I was out, taking fresh air, and I lost track of time." This time, it was Dad who spoke.
"For that long? Is everything alright, darling? Did anything happen? You can talk to us." He enunciated softly.
Exhaling softly, I hesitated, debating on whether or not to tell them. Blowing out a breath, I answered, "I'm okay, Papa, honestly. Nothing happened, and I'm sorry for coming home late last night. It'll never happen again." All the while we had been talking, Nana never uttered a word, which wasn't a usual occurrence. I wondered how my parents hadn't picked up on it yet.
"What about you, Mother? Is there a reason as to why you're being awfully quiet?" Mother asked if perhaps I had spoken too soon.
Nana had a solemn expression on her face; wiping the corners of her mouth, she pushed her plate away. "Actually yes, there is." Casting a glance at me, she asked, "Will you tell them, Erika, or should I?" I tensed up once more; Nana never called me by my name unless it was serious.
"What's going on, Erika?" My mouth opened and closed, unable to utter the words. "Can someone please say something?" Mother snapped in irritation.
"Erika here made an agreement with Don Stefano yesterday, which is why she was out late." Nana blurted, eliciting a gasp from Mother while Father exclaimed.
"Lord no, Erika, tell me that isn't true." Dad? I asked, horrified, the atmosphere now tense as tears welled up in my eyes. I lowered my head, willing myself not to cry even though I so desperately wanted to, my throat burning.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
I heard a chair shuffling; looking up, I watched Mother stand as she kissed her teeth, fisting her palms as she brought them up to her lips, her eyes shutting only momentarily, "You're sorry? You're sorry? We had a plan, Erika; you were supposed to marry Liam Chapwood. He was supposed to free us from our debts; he'd have made a good husband, and you had to ruin it." Mother scolded, pacing back and forth in annoyance. I sniffled.
"Enough, Adele, I didn't tell you so you could yell at the poor thing. Can't you see how defeated she looks? Show some sympathy, please." Nana rebuked, and I felt her palm cover mine, trying to comfort me as she rubbed my skin with her thumb. I couldn't get mad at her; I knew she meant no harm.
Mother huffed, sitting back down with her arms crossed, "Fine, so what do you suggest we do?"
Nana breathed deeply. "Perhaps we could move forward with the marriage to Liam Chapwood. Erika will have to meet up with him as soon as possible so the arrangements will be finalized." My jaw dropped slightly as I looked at Nana in disbelief.
"So now you agree with me? What happened to you being against my decision?" Mother snarked, causing Father to throw her a glare.
"For Christ's sake, Adele, enough with your bantering. This is serious."
"Oh please, Peter."
Nana took my hands in hers, reverting my attention back to her. "I know you might not agree with this, Nipotina, but I can't watch you sell yourself to that monster." Her voice cracked with despair. I felt overwhelmed; I didn't know what to say. Do I consider this option, risking incurring Don Stefano's wrath?
Rising from my seat, I rushed out, "I need a minute; excuse me."
