I soon learned that Victor was an actual sweetheart. I have a weak heart for wholesome people so it didn't take long for me to like him. They all left me alone for the first two days but on the morning of day three, Victor knocked on my door.

I was sceptical at first about his intentions. But after breakfast, he took me to the absolutely amazing music room. We sat behind the piano the entire day and played together. He promised to teach me how to play the guitar after I expressed my wish to learn more instruments.

"My mom-" I cut myself off.

She was not my mom. I kept forgetting that though the truth was painfully obvious now.

"I mean Diana would only let me play the piano. When I was younger, I used to beg her to let me play more instruments but she would never bug me. I never knew why."

I don't know why I opened up to him. Maybe it was because it was already late or Greta's lasagna made me emotional.

I asked her to marry me yesterday. She just laughed and called me adorable. She turned me down in the most wholesome way.

I didn't know if I should be depressed or flattered.

"Well, mom is very famous for her musical talents. Perhaps you reminded her too much of her." Victor suggested carefully.

"Did they hate each other that much?" I questioned.

I mean she did steal me away from my actual mom.

"I don't know. Diana was younger and mom was always very caring towards her. At least, that's what I was told. I do know that mom was very upset that she just disappeared after giving birth to Amelia. The family just assumed she didn't want to be confronted with Amelia all too much, but it was just speculation."

She was just busy hiding me in London to prepare me to marry some random dude. I sighed deeply and took a look around the music room. Almost all the instruments that you could think of were here, along with a gigantic shelve filled with awards.

Music awards that my real mom won. It was still so insane to think that Amanda Cassano was my mom. I grew up with her music and I was a fan.

"What instruments do you want to learn?" Victor asked me to try to lighten the mood a bit.

"Honestly?"

He nodded encouragingly.

"A lot. I have a whole list. Guitar, cello, flute, drums, violin, harp, saxophone, and much more." I admitted.

I really loved music. I now know where it comes from.

"Then let's complete the list!" He sounded optimistic.

"I can help you with the guitar and violin. I'm sure Hector wouldn't mind hiring tutors for the other instruments."

"He'll think that I'm insane. Even more than he already thinks I am."

Victor gave me a soft smile.

"He doesn't. Believe me. You're going through a crazy time and you're reacting accordingly. He doesn't think you're insane."

I don't know why that made me feel so emotional. I've been feeling so shitty and here he was validating my feelings. Apparently, that was all I needed.

"Thank you." I cried.

He hugged me closely.

"You're family. In our family, we do everything for each other."

That made me wonder if I'll ever even belong in this family. Most of them didn't even like me.

///////////////////////

After a week, I had to go back to school. I still felt shitty but I had no choice. Leave it to someone like Hector to not understand what I'm going through and force me to attend school. I don't think that we'll ever get along, the same goes for that prick Silas and bitch Amelia. Living in the same house as them is just a very horrifying nightmare. Silas kept glaring at me and acted like a little bitch when I glared right back at him. Amelia couldn't help herself to make dumb comments about everything I did. Apparently, I eat like a pig which is not true. She's lived with Nicolas her entire life, she should know what a pig looks like.

The only ones who I did like were Theodore and Victor. Theodore was just one big cuddle bear that truly wanted the best for me. He always made the twins leave me alone and scold Amelia for being rude to me. Silas was a lost cause, which we both agreed on. Victor was silent and kept to himself, he was usually in the library or his room but he did come in the music room when I played the piano. I didn't want to go at first, but his soft voice and caring eyes convinced me on day three.

"Why can't you come with me?" I grabbed Theodore's wrist desperately.

I had an appointment with the principal and Hector was coming along. I didn't even want to go to school and now I'll be stuck with two persons that I disliked. Theodore smiled apologetically and brushed my hair behind my ear.

"I'm sorry, tesoro, but I have to go to meetings."

This is why I liked him so much. He called me sweetheart in Italian.

"Don't worry. Hector will go with you." He tried to assure me.

I scrunched my nose as I glared at Hector. He sat at the head of the breakfast table sipping his coffee and scrolling through his iPad. When he caught me glaring, he sent me that terrifying look. I can be really bitchy and I've been like that to him, but he scared me. I could be worse, but I did not dare to cross the line. This man was head of the mafia.

Honestly, still felt like a joke to me.

"Stop being a brat." Silas snapped with his usual flare.

"When you take that stick out of your ass, perhaps I will." I snapped right back.

He may be a big muscle man but it was a hoax. I don't believe in that many muscles, I simply don't. I felt like if I would poke him with a needle, he'd burst, all the air and steroids coming right out. I should test this hypothesis very soon.

"Elena."

God, I hated how he said my supposed name. I glared at Hector who had put his iPad back down. He held his cup of coffee in his hand. It was a tiny cup with a shot of Espresso in it. He drank his coffee black, just like his soul.

"Do you need me to remind you that you have to respect your older brothers?" He sounded calm.

It was always so unfair. He never lost his cool, while I seemed to lose mine every two seconds lately.

"Do you need me to remind you that my name is Charlotte?"

"Your parents named you Elena." He shrugged.

I was about to scream at him but Theodore pulled me back. He patted my shoulder softly.

"You'll see your friends again today, focus on that." He advised me.

It was good advice. I had missed my friends and I couldn't wait to see them again. I felt incredibly lonely this past week. I could talk to Victor or Theodore but I couldn't truly talk to them. My problem was with this family, which they were part of.

Sadly, Theodore left soon. Luckily, he took grumpy ass Silas with him. I was relieved that Victor drove with us, but stupid Amelia came along. I sat in the back seat next to Victor and wanted to put on my earbuds. Then I remembered.

That bitch of a Hector still had my phone in his custody. He planned on never giving it back.

We arrived at the school and it was like the president was visiting. Everybody stopped and stared when Hector parked the car. I quickly put up my hoodie, trying to hideaway. Victor gave me a soft smile but I hated this too much. Everybody was staring and I felt like I was about to throw up. Was this going to be my life now?

Amelia hugged Hector tightly. I've noticed that she tries very hard to be liked by him. I was not even going to try with the guy, he doesn't seem like the type to like people. I haven't even seen him smile one time. While he was caught up with Amelia, I tried to use my skilful karate moves that I learned for Karate Kid to sneak away. But they've gotten quite rusty. Hector grabbed my hand and walked beside me inside the school. I could feel my cheeks go red as I took in all the students around us. They were whispering and gaping as if they just saw fucking aliens.

"Do you have to hold my hand? I'm not a child!" I hissed at hand.

We walked up the stairs. I scanned the crowd for my friends but I haven't spotted them. I did see Victor who threw me an encouraging smile while Amelia, who stood beside him, glared me down.

"You are a child."

I rolled my eyes at him, which made him tug me along. We walked through the familiar school corridors until we reached the office. Everybody got up from their seats as if the President just walked in. It was just some rich dude that was also head of the mafia.

Calm your titties.

What really embarrassed me was the fact that Hector didn't even knock before entering the principal's office. This man had serious dominance issues. He had to always show off his dominance.

The principal gaped shortly before he got up from his chair to shake Hector's hand. His eyes fell on me and he gave me an excited smile.

He still scares me.

"Please sit down, Mr Cassano." He urged us to sit down.

We did. Hector pulled my hoodie down from my head and I sent him a glare but he turned to the principal.

"These are the documents you asked for to officially enrol my sister." He handed him some documents.

A few days ago, Theodore took me to the mall to buy some stuff for me. I didn't need anything new but he insisted. He was very smart to buy me ice cream before hurrying me into a photo booth to take new pictures for a new id.

I got bribed with fucking ice cream.

I hated how well he already knew me.

"Ah, yes. I'll make sure to note to all the teachers to refer to her as Elena now." He nodded.

The name thing was never going to die down. They were irritatedly consistent with it and didn't back down.

"What I really wanted to discuss with you, Mr Cassano, was Elena's entree's exam."

I recognised the paper in his hand. It was my result. The one my 'mom' didn't give a damn about. Hector took it from him and glanced at me after reading it. I hated myself for blushing.

"Why isn't she in the gifted courses?" He questioned.

"Ms Jones refused to enrol her for the gifted courses."

I slightly flinched at the mention of her name.

"I highly recommend enrolling Elena in the gifted courses. She's obviously very talented. She's the first student that managed to rank first without attending gifted courses. I think she has a lot of potentials."

He was being kind but the way he looked at me just made me feel uncomfortable. August once told me that the principal was obsessed with intelligent kids and sending them to compete in competitions to represent our school.

He has the wrong idea if he thinks I'll ever do that.

"Then I want you to enrol Elena in those classes." Hector nodded.

"I'll join next semester." I waved it off.

I didn't want to change all too sudden. I enjoyed my classes with my friends. I didn't want to be separated from them. Not now when I needed them.

"I want her to start as soon as possible."

Of course, Hector went to ignore my wishes once again.

"I'm happy that you now have a responsible adult in your life that prioritises your education." The principal commented.

Perhaps he meant well but it was just another punch to the stomach. I was fighting back tears. I'm not ready yet to go out. I'm-

"Please refrain from referring to her former legal guardian from on," Hector warned him.

The principal nodded as he paled slightly. He chuckled awkwardly and pointed between Hector and me.

"Now that you're sitting next to each other, the resemblance is absolutely striking."

Was everybody going to say that? Hector nodded like it meant nothing to him while I truly hated it when people said that.

"Classes are about to start." He got up from his seat.

"Of course. Elena can start today with her gifted courses. She can follow along with her sister." The principal suggested.

"That's great."

No, it wasn't. Classes with Amelia sounded like hell. At least, I'd have Daniel. I would just stick with him to avoid Amelia and definitely now because I had a fat crush on him.

Wink. Wink.

"Then we'll take our leave."

Hector grabbed my hand again and pulled me along. I grunted annoyed. We walked out of the office and I wanted to walk to my locker but he stopped me.

"Take those classes seriously. I expect to see you ranked first every month."

I rolled my eyes.

"Is that what you tell the rest as well?"

The faint of a grin played on his lips and it completely caught me off guard. His face changed expression?!

"It's only what I tell you, Elena. It's quite clear that you never had any academic expectations or pressure. It'll be healthy for you."

"Most students have depression and other mental issues. You know that, right?"

That's why I didn't like the competitiveness of school.

"No one scores 100 procent on that entrance exam, Elena. Don't waste your potential because that woman never nurtured it."

I closed my eyes. The wound was still very fresh. I understand why they speak so hateful about her. I felt hate for her as well for what she did to me. But I still couldn't get all the good memories out of my head.

"First place, Elena. Cassano's don't go for anything less."