Chapter 2 Not Friends, Just Enemies

In the Massimo mansion, father and son sat down for dinner. Scipio twirled his spaghetti around his fork while resting his head on his hand. The table was far to long for just 2 people, but he liked staying as far from his father s possible. His father set down his cutlery and glared at his son, his eyes filled with hate.

"Scipio, I have news to tell you." Spat Dottore at his son.

"Yes, father?" It took all his self-restraint to hold back his sarcastic voice.

"Lord Corsing is holding his annual ball which is made in dedication to all the girls and boys of high status who will be turning 16." Scipio remained silent.

"Well, he has graciously decided to invite you even though you don't deserve it." Scipio still kept his silence, but his father's insults still burned him.

"Well, my good friend Dottore Larigne's daughter has been invited. He cannot make it, but his wife will come with her daughter. They will be staying with us for 2 months." Scipio looked up at this. Damn he thought.

"But why?"

"That is none of your concern." Replied Dottore Massimo harshly. "Just bear in mind that you must be like the gentleman to his daughter. Because you are such a nuisance, you will be given lessons to ensure that you stay like a gentleman."

Scipio looked down to hide his face. How he hated that despicable man who he was forced to call 'father'.

"They will arrive in 2 days."

Scipio looked up to see that his father was leaving the table.

X

Scipio was unable to get away to the Stella for his 'gentleman lessons' were from dawn to dusk. He was always too tired to escape. He'd make it up to the other guys by stealing lots of stuff. The days passed and soon came the day of their arrival.

Dottore Massimo sat in the drawing room beside the fire and waited impatiently for his son to arrive. He heard a knock at the door.

"About time you ungrateful brat," he called.

Scipio sidled into the room; he was wearing a white-collared shirt with a green jumper on top.

"Quickly, put on that blazer, I need you to look presentable." He gestured towards a sofa with a black blazer on it. Scipio put it on, his face expressionless.

"That will have to do for now," scowled his father. In his head, Scipio was calling his father every swear word he could think of.

Ding Dong.

"They're here. Now I expect you to act like a gentleman even though you aren't."

Scipio followed his father out of the room silently and stood a little apart from him as one of their slaves opened the door.

"Oh Dottore! What a delight it is to have you here! Your house is truly divine!" a rather annoying voice called through the doorway. It was a thin woman, too thin, wearing a too large dress and the most fake smile Scipio had ever seen. She held out a gloved hand to Dottore and he kissed it quickly and introduced Scipio to her. He bowed and said 'pleased to meet you Madam Larigne'.

She frowned at him and leant towards his father and whispered loud enough that Scipio could hear, "I understand now what you mean about him when you wrote to me."

"Indeed. Well, where is your daughter?" Madam Larigne scowled at this and waved vaguely over her shoulder.

"Lagging behind as usual. Lazy brat."

Looks like we both have some thing in common. Scipio thought, both of our parents hate us.

An ugly lady stepped up behind Madam Largne. Scipio moved back half a step. Was this her daughter?! Madam Larigne looked at Dottore.

"I hope you don't mind, but she is my personal slave, I couldn't leave without her."

"Not at all, not at all. Come to the drawing room and make yourself comfortable." Scipio sighed with relief, Thank Goodness! But, if that is her slave, where is her daughter………?

Scipio turned toward the doorway standing there was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. His breath caught in his throat.

She had tanned skin and soft pink shell like lips. Her hair was a dark mahogany colour which was curly and tied up. She was wearing a pale blue dress that was tight at the top, but was loose at the waist. Her eyes were a hazel honey colour.

Scipio bowed and she bent her head slightly and did a small curtsy. She held out an ungloved hand. He took it and kissed it, he held on for a fraction of a second too long. She pulled her hand out. He looked into her eyes and saw them shine with a moment of recognition. He blinked: it had gone. She walked towards the drawing room and Scipio followed in her wake.

"Ah," said Madam Larigne, "I see that you have met my daughter."

She returned to her conversation with his father. Her daughter sat down away from her mother and their slave handed her a sketchbook and box. She opened the box, took out a pencil and began to draw; her eyebrows slightly furrowed in concentrated. Scipio sat down by the fire and stared into its depths. He began to think of his next heist, but his thoughts kept turning to her, he didn't even know her name……

"Scipio!" barked his father, stopping his thoughts, "Madam Larigne and I have important issues to discuss. You must leave and take this charming young lady with you to another room. What are you waiting for? Go!!!"

Scipio jumped up and led Madam Larigne's daughter to another room. Her slave followed. He opened a door and showed her into the room.

"I'll come and get you when your mother wants you miss," said the slave and then she left. Madam Larigne's daughter quickly fumbled at the side of her dress. The lower half of it came off. Scipio blushed. What the hell…………?

Beneath it she was wearing dark blue jeans and black trainers.

"So, you are Scipio then, huh?" Scipio froze, this was the first time she had talked. Her voice was soft, like a harp, but she had put an unpleasant sarcastic tone on his name.

"What……" he began.

"Still haven't recognized me yet Thief Lord?" She said smiling triumphantly.

"How……" Scipio began. She sighed in frustration and sat on a chair. She opened her sketchbook to show him a picture. It showed some one perching on a rooftop. The person had wings……

"It was you!?!? Three days ago in the allyway!?!?"

"About time, it took you long enough!"

"But how did you know it was me?"

"I cut your hand remember?"

He looked at his roughly bandaged wrist.

"But, what about the wings……."

"Questions later. But first, I'll fix your hand, but that is the only thing I am going to do for you, understand?" Scipio nodded stubbornly, but he was still confused. She opened that box and lifted up the top tray. Inside were several herbs, vials, bottles and a pestle and mortar.

"What are you waiting for? Sit." And she pointed at the chair just opposite her. He sat down obediently.

"Lets see now, cut by a silver dagger at a full moon; that means some rosemary, yes, some lemongrass and some sweet grass water." He watched her soft hand add these into the pestle and mortar and crushed them.

"Hold out your wrist," he gave her his hand. "Now, this is gonna sting a bit, okay?" Without waiting for an answer, she scooped up the mix and rubbed it into the wound. It burned him, but he said nothing.

"Almost done……" she continued to rub it in until there was no trace of the wound left. He gaped at it.

"How……" but he was cut short again.

"What did I say, no questions." She realized that she was still holding onto his hand, and she quickly pulled it out. Scipio quickly brought back his mysterious Thief Lord attitude.

"What about one; what is your name?" She hesitated but answered.

"Ariana."