Song above for chapter: "Scars"--Boy Epic

ELENORA

"In a bizarre turn of events, we have new information on a story that we first reported at the end of last year regarding Elenora Borelli, daughter of well known, defense attorney, Tiziano Borelli. Videos are still circulating on social media from infamous wedding of Ms. Borelli, a local photographer to business mogul Federico Barone Di Maggio, who has familial ties to the Barone Hotel chains."

"Documents have leaked implicating Barone-Di Maggio being arrested soonafter the well-known wedding in connections to several drug charges including, manufactoring and distribution, money laundering and also alleged involvement with sex trafficking."

"However, Barone-Di Maggion was released due to insufficient evidence, but now it appears he and his estranged wife may have been victims of extortion. In a video that was released, Elenora Borelli is seen being taken by a group of armed men, when Barone-Di Maggio comes in to stop what appears to be an attempted abduction. We do warn you, the images you are about to see are violent and graphic."

They start running a clip of me being dragged away by Elijah with a gun to my head. Soon, loud popping of bullets erupts as we all take cover.

I relive that day as I watch myself trying to get away from Elijah until he pins me down before Rico arrives. The image is blurred out when he shoots Elijah.

"A second video was released of what appears to be a sex tape of Di Maggio and Borelli." A frozen clip of a blurred image of my face and the parts that are exposed of me since I'm on top of Rico is displayed, but my tattoo is clear as day on the TV.

"Records indicate Barone-Di Maggio and Borelli are still married, despite the fallout of the wedding. Efforts in reaching out to both families for comment have not been reciprocated. Coming up next—."

I turn off the TV. Well, it's out there for the world to see.

The story has been running for a couple of days now and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon so I've laid low at my parents home. Reporters are camped outside the gate hoping for an interview with me, my father or anyone in my family, for that matter.

But I'm restless and need to get out. I run into Carlo who's in the kitchen.

"Hey, Carlo, would you mind taking me to the city to run some errands, please?"

"Sure, thing kid, let me just get a few more men to come with us in case the vultures come down on us." He winks at me and heads out to the garage.

A couple of more men join us for extra security and as soon as the gates open to the property, we are surrounded by several cameramen, and reporters. They throw out several comments or questions, tapping on the tinted windows of the car.

"Sorry, Carlo," I mutter as he continues to ease the car out past the gate.

"It doesn't bother me, Nora. I just hope these parasites leave soon for your sake and the family's." He honks his horn when a few brazen reporters stand in the way, but as he keeps creeping forward we break free.

I lean forward in my seat. "Do you mind taking me to my old apartment building? I want to see if Ruben and Mrs. Jones are there."

"You bet."

Unfortunately, when we arrive several news van's are parked outside the building, too.

"I'm going to call the front desk. No point in getting out if they're not here." I tell Carlo. A few reports are starting to eye the SUV now and talking among each other.

The phone rings a few times, before Ruben answers in his thick accent. "Palacio Apartments on 55th, how may I direct your call?"

I smile. "Hey, Ruby Tuesday."

"Norita? Ay dios mio! Is it really you?" His voice is full of emotion. (Oh my god)

"I came to see you but there's a few reporters out here and I don't want to get stopped, once I get out of the car."

"Of course, of course! Girl, they've been here for the past couple of days even though I've told them you don't live here. I'm gonna look like a mentiroso, but I don't care!" He laughs. "I can't believe you're here. It's been so long. How have you been? Are you doing ok?" (Liar)

I chuckle. "Open the door and I'll tell you!"

"Oh, right, right. I'm coming!"

I hang up and wait for the men to step out of the car. Carlo tells me he'll wait in the car to be able to leave quickly when I'm finished. Another guard opens the door while the second gives me his hand to step out and there's a rush of excitement with the reporters murmuring and the cameras shuttering. The guards stand on either side of me, guiding me through the intrusive reporters.

"Elenora Borelli, can you comment on the videos that were released? Were you in fact a victim of extortion?"

"Ms. Borelli, are you pregnant?"

"Is Federico Barone-Di Maggio the father?"

"Is it true you were sold into a human sex trafficking ring?"

Ruben opens the door, smiling wide before his eyes drop to my hand on my belly and he squeals in delight, jumping up and down.

The men push the reporters back before they walk in and stand near the door. "Don't worry, handsome one, handsome two," Ruben addresses the guards. "They can't get in unless I let them." Ruben winks at them before he turns to me and gives me a tight hug.

I look over his shoulder, taking notice of two guards inside the lobby. One stands near the stairwell and the other by the door leading to the garage.

"Girl, you look amazing, you're glowing and look at this pancita!" He gushes, rubbing my stomach. (belly)

"What are you having? If it's a boy, his middle name should be Ruben cause I don't think papi Rico would like it if you name his first born after me and if it's a girl then name her Rubiella. When are you due?"

I chuckle, he obviously doesn't realize how close the girl's name sounds like the virus Rubella.

"I'm having a boy and he'll be here in four and a half weeks."

"How are you doing?" I ask as he guides me over to the desk and makes me sit in his chair.

"You know me, I bounce back quickly." He brushes off his shoulder. "I've lost twenty pounds, been working out, getting buff and shit, see?" He flexes in his suit as I chuckle.

"You look great; I've gained your twenty pounds."

"Pssh! Girl, please."

"Does Mrs. Jones still live here?"

He snorts. "She'll be the first to tell you she's dying here—she ain't leaving! I keep praying that doesn't happen though. Let me call her. She's going to go ballistic!"

He pages her apartment. "Viviene?"

"What?" I smile at the sound of her grumpy voice.

Ruben winks at me. "I have someone here to see you?"

"If it's another damn salesman, I'm going to throw him in the trash chute, and then I'll stuff your ass in after him, Ruben!"

"It's me Mrs. Jones, it's Nora."

"Nora?" Her voice changes to a tone of surprise. "I'm coming!"

Ruben informs me the management company added a new security system and armed guards since the night Leo attacked us. "The residents seem to appreciate it and feel safe; though a few did move out because of what happened."

"That's understandable."

The elevator dings and I stand with Ruben's help. Mrs. Jones rushes out of the elevator heading for the desk.

"Nora, oh, sweet girl! I'm so happy to see you! You look absolutely—" She stops when I come around the corner and sees my belly. Her hands go to either side of her face. "You're having a baby!" She engulfs me in a hug.

"I'm so happy there's some good that's come out of everything that happened. And now the news has your face everywhere. I keep thinking when is this sweet girl going to catch a break!" She cups my face and asks me when I'm due and what I'm having, too.

"That's coming up real quick! Are you home now, with your family? Where's Rico?" She looks around.

"He's traveling." I tell her the truth, sort of.

"So you've reconciled? I knew he wouldn't have done something so awful to you, sweetheart."

"No, we're not together."

I sit back down and explain everything that happened since the wedding night up until now.

"I can't imagine how scared you were, being taken like that," Ruben comments.

"What kind of shit-family does he have?" Viviene further adds.

"They're not all bad." I smile, rubbing my belly and the baby kicks back at me.

"The baby's kicking, do you want to feel?" They both nod and I place Ruben's hand on me first and the baby thumps him once. His eyes light up.

"That's the cutest and creepiest thing ever!"

I laugh, placing Viviene's hand on my belly next and the baby kicks again. "It's the best feeling in the world, if you ask me," She has a thoughtful look on her face. "How are you holding up with everything going on? The news has been showing the photo of your photography business and several of Federico around New York. Give me Federico's number let me shout some sense into that thick skull of his."

"I don't have his new number." I chuckle and then sigh. "And even if I did, I doubt he'd listen to anyone. I had to shut down my website; there were a lot of obscene messages left from all kinds of people regarding the videos, but I have had a lot of old clients asking me how I'm doing and sending thoughtful messages my way."

"I'm glad there's still decent people around. When you move back we'll have to go out and celebrate this little one." She pats my stomach.

"Yes, for sure. I've got a few errands to run, but I wanted to stop by and see you both and I'm so glad I did." They give me their numbers since I've been using burners since I left.

There aren't as many reporters now, but enough of them swarm me and a few bump into me or shove me as they try to get close. Carlo jumps out of the car, helping the other guards pull people away from me.

"Okay, maybe it's too soon to be out. I didn't think it'd be crazy like this," I say, panting inside the car.

"Do you want me to take you back home?"

"Yeah, I'll go out another time."

My breathing is slowing down, but now my stomach feels rock hard; I've read enough pregnancy books to understand I'm having Braxton Hicks contractions. I take some deep breaths and feel relieved when my stomach doesn't feel as tight.

I send a text to Pia asking if there's anything I should be looking out for as we head back to my parents house. She responds quickly.

Pia: Have you had enough water? Lifted anything heavy?

Me: To be honest, I haven't had much water today...And I haven't lifted anything heavy other than myself coming and going.

She sends me rolling eye emoji faces.

Pia: Go home and rest. Drink water, young lady! Keep me posted if you notice any constant leaking or bleeding.

I send her a thumbs up as we pull up to the gate of the property when I notice a sleek white Maserati Levante, with tinted windows parked at the front of the house.

My heart begins to race. Is Rico here?

The house appears empty at first after checking the family room, and the kitchen, not finding anyone. I head to my fathers study when shouting travels through the hallway.

As I step closer to the door, I recognize the accent and the quick, yet concise voice of Rosetta.

"You will not destroy what I've built for over twenty two years, Tiziano!"

"You underestimated me and my daughter, if you thought you could keep us under your thumb, Rosetta. Now the world knows what you were using against us."

"You're daughter?" Rosetta's cold laugh causes a shiver to run through me. "If you think this will get Rico to take her back you are dead wrong. He rejected her already and wants nothing to do with her regardless if she's having his child or not!"

"Because you turned him against her!" My mother shouts. "Even though his mind is clouded with your sick need for this vengeance against our family; he still loves her. He's hurt, he's angry and he feels betrayed. You think he's forgotten what you did to him, too?" A short laugh erupts from my mom.

"He may not want to see Nora, because of how she left, but I know he's taking his time to deal with how you broke him, too, Rosetta. And soon he will have everything he needs to take you down."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You thought no one would find out? You thought no one would know what you did twenty two years ago?" My father's confident and powerful voice fills me with pride.

There's a long pause before Rosetta responds, but she doesn't sound like herself.

"Wh-where did you get these?"

"That's of no consequence. What matters is that Rico is looking at the originals right now, too." My father replies. "All these years, it didn't sit well with me how Alessio died. Hits in the mafia come from anywhere and happen anywhere, so like most of the world no one thought twice when he was murdered."

"But what no one knew until now is that you ordered the hit on both Alessio and on your own sister, Mariella."

My hand comes over my mouth in shock to keep my gasp quiet.

"An old housemaid who served for the Di Maggio family died recently and entrusted a safety deposit box to one of her family members with instructions to get these into the hands of one of the prosecutors who handled Alessio's case."

"I know you're also behind most, if not all of the deaths, of those involved in the case. There weren't many options for her family members to track down and the information arrived to my legal assistant who has since left law."

"The box contains several letters, printed emails between you and Alessio confirming your affair with him. He rejected you after he realized it was a mistake and would never leave Mariella for you, Rosetta. But that's not the only thing it contained, there are photos of your meetups with the Gallos and with the Mendoza family. They were all in on it from the beginning."

"The housemaid wrote a letter regarding everything she saw and heard. Mariella confided in her, especially when she found you and Alessio in a secluded room in the house you all lived in, but she suffered in silence for the sake of Rico."

Tears fall down my face thinking of Rico. This whole time, he's been with his Zia. The mastermind behind the murders of his parents, her own sister.

"You're not going to do this to me!" Rosetta shrieks so loud it makes me jump.

"It's too late," My father states.

"You're going to find out what it's like to have something you love ripped away from you from your own sins, Tiziano and Teresa Borelli. What will Elenora do or say when I tell her the truth you've been keeping from her, her whole life?"

"We've kept nothing from her," My mother responds.

"Is that so?" Rosetta comments, the confidence dripping in her voice again. "While I felt indifferent to the harsh treatment from Borelli Sr. it kept eating at me why he singled her out at the few gatherings they were found together. So I did some digging and it all makes sense now." She draws out, dragging the anticipation.

"There is nothing we were ashamed of, I have loved her since the moment I held her in my arms as a baby," My father states.

"I don't doubt the fatherly love you have for her, Tiziano, but your father lacks that...what's the right word...ah yes, paternal instinct, yes?" Rosetta chuckles. "Orsino treats the other siblings like royalty; it's obvious the more I paid attention."

She sighs. "Yes, sometimes it's hard to accept those who are not of our blood."

"Elenora is my daughter!" My father bellows.

"Sure, in every way except blood."

"Please don't do this!" My mother cries. "My baby has been through enough. I was young and my father was dealing with my sick mother, but would have disowned me if Tiziano didn't accept the marriage arrangement. In the end it was the best thing that could have happened to me, to us."

Rosetta cold laughter unsettles me as I absorb everything. My dad isn't my real dad?

"I gave Rico a hard time about going after the wrong sister. And it turns out I was right. Elenora's not even a damn Borelli!" She chortles. "Her reputation, her life got turned upside down—ruined because of your lies."

I back pedal and bump into a vase on the small table behind me, catching it before it topples over. My heart is in my ears and my legs feel numb as I move towards the front of the house.

"Miss Nora, I've been looking for you. You have several missed calls from Federico. He sounds desperate to speak with you, cara." One of our house staff tells me as I walk past her. (dear)

My vision blurs as I reach the door.

"Miss? Miss Nora, are you alright?"

I step outside and hurry down the walkway to one of my father's cars. Carlo calls out to me as I get in and speed down the long driveway, honking to let the gate guard know to open the gate. It opens just in time as I speed past him and nearly plow through a few reporters but I don't care.

The tears keep falling and after some time, I pull over and let out a long, painful scream, sobbing relentlessly.

My whole life was a lie.

***