Speranza

The car drove smoothly down the highway. The sun was just barely starting to set, allowing a tinge of pink to slowly snake its way across the cloudless sky. Any other day, Alix would have said it was a beautiful night. That she wouldn't of minded having a glass of lemon water and a nice book with her as she relaxed outside and soaked in the last few rays of light. Not tonight though, not as the car that she was in was taking her and her uncle to some garden party where she's to meet her betrothed. A man from some other rich family. 'Gotta keep the wealth with the wealthy.' Her father would always tell her and her sister.

"Don't slouch like that, Alixandria. It's bad posture, and it's not attractive." Her uncle said, not even allowing for his eyes to stray from his phone. He was probably texting some girl he met at the hotel they were staying at. Trying to talk her into going out with him later or something. Who knows. "Sorry uncle," Alix mumbled quietly as she sat up in her seat. Then adjusted the bottom of her dress so that it didn't ride up so much. Tonight, Alix wore a beautiful navy blue dress that she was in love with. Her mother had picked it out for her on their last shopping trip to Paris, and tonight, it will act as a first impression as she meets her future husband.

A slight bump from the car brought Alix's attention to the window as the car drove up to the driveway of some lavish mansion. The architecture of the place screamed modern and wealthy. She could probably bet and win that the place was filled with the latest things as well. As she liked to write in her diary, rich people liked shiny things. She would know, she does as well, especially when they were video game related.

"Evening Mister Chatel." A man with grey-white hair said as he stood off to the side slightly as the valet opened his door. Another did the same for her. "Thank you," Alix mumbled quietly as she accepted the help out of the car before walking towards her uncle. "Come Alix." Her uncle said, placing a hand on her back gently. "The party is being held in the back." He told her as they were lead through the house and to the back garden. Her bright green eyes glanced around the place for a moment as she followed before looking ahead. The place was nice, but it was far from feeling like home to her. A daughter her father didn't want.

As Alix and her uncle exited the mansion and into the back garden, Alix's bright green eyes couldn't help but sweep over the area. The large patio was filled with people dressed in the latest fashion. Which was to be expected of a family that runs one of the largest modeling agencies in the world. Then, her gaze shifted once more and took in the beautiful garden that stretched out beyond what she could see. The pool to the right of the house reflected the garden and the fountain that was situated a little way out ahead looked incredible. The Santarelli household really seemed to know how to show off their money.

--

Some sort of rock song played over the stereo, filling the silence. Elias' gaze was focused on the parts and pieces that were scattered on the coffee table in front of him. He was completely quiet as he silently rubbed down each piece of the gun, making it look as nice as when he had first purchased it many years ago. Back when he was just becoming a man, back when his father had deemed him an official member of the family and started to see him as the true heir of the Kraus family. That he was a killer, just like the rest of his family. That the darkness did run deep in the young man's veins.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" A voice cut through the silence, breaking Elias' attention for a brief second. "Are you blind or just stupid? I am ready." Elias replied casually as he focused once more on the Glock. He set down the cleaning cloth he had been using and then proceeded to put the weapon back together. Being as gentle with it as if it was a newborn infant. Taking as much care with it as if it was his own child. "You know your dad's going to be pissed if you're late to your own engagement party." The man in the doorway spoke once more. Which earned a sigh from Elias. "He can fuck off, I agreed to his little plan. Haven't I?" Elias set down the weapon that he had just assembled and stood up from his seat on a well-plushed chair.

Acting quickly, Elias turned and aimed the gun at the man in the doorway. A man with pitch black hair with a tinge of red dye in the front. Dressed in dark washed pants, a white shirt, and a black leather shirt. "Don't you think that dad's going to be more pissed that you look like a street rat?" Elias fired back as he closed one eye and looked at the top of the gun. Acting like he was aiming the weapon at the man who was actually his half brother. Born from a woman who was not his own mother. "Probably." Was all the black haired guy said, offering a shrug before crossing his arms over his chest. "Wouldn't be the first time, and wouldn't be the last either." Elias snorted, amusement flashing across the man's face before he slowly lowered his gun. Revealing the smirk that played along his lips.

"Stefan," Elias said simply before he turned towards the wall to his right and walked over to it. He opened the cabinet that revealed at least eight other guns. "You should stop provoking him." Elias put the Glock back in its rightful place and closed the cabinet. Then locked it as a precaution. One could never know when someone would sneak into his secret stash and try and kill him in his sleep. The Kraus family was known for doubling crossing each other. It wasn't super common anymore, but Elias had heard enough things from his fathers years, that he didn't want to take chances. Especially now that his father was trying to expand the families political and financial reach.

"It's hard to when he makes it so damn easy," Stefan said as he turned his back to his older half brother. With a roll of his eyes and a sigh, Elias moved to follow his brother out of the room. Making sure to grab his suit jacket on his way out. The family crest glistening in the light as it hit the wrist button on the jacket. Pulling his lips into a thin line, Elias made sure to hold himself in a manner that would intimidate even the most deadly of killers. Voices filled Elias' ears as he moved towards the living room. His father, mother and half brother were waiting for him. All dressed to impress. "Ah, the man of the hour is here." His father said, grinning like a chasire cat. Elias in return just offered the man an arch of an eyebrow. "Ah, my baby looks so handsome." His mother, a woman who must have been a stunner in her younger years said as she walked towards her only son and places her hands on his cheeks as she admired how mature he's become. "Mom," Elias said, scowling as he gently grasped her hands and pulled her hands from his face. "Stop." He told her, ignoring how she was gushing about how her baby was becoming an adult in front of her eyes. He was twenty-seven, he's been a man for a while. That fact caused his right eye to twitch before he looked up towards his father.

"Come, dinner will be served soon and I'm sure I just heard a car pulling up the drive." Elias' father said as he went to the door. His mother ushered his brother into the dining room to help make sure the staff had set the table correctly. Which left Elias alone. Releasing a sigh, the young man walked towards the scotch that was on the coffee table in the living room and poured himself a small glass. He needed something to help him deal with his parents and get through the night.

Camille sighed, pulling a hand through her long, dark hair. She was sitting in the back of her bodyguard's car-- a black Tesla Model X, with the windows blacked out for her security, with her bodyguard as the driver and her older brother in the passenger seat. It was really just like her father to leave send her off to meet a man that she was supposed to be getting married to, without so much as a goodbye. Of course, he was 'busy,' like always-- as though she had any idea what that was supposed to mean.

Regardless, at least she looked good, she thought, spotting her reflection in the rear-view mirror at the front of the car. She was dressed in a low-cutblack dress that she knew her father would have never approved of, anyway-- so it was all the best that he hadn't seen her before she left. It was all about the small rebellions for her, and she figured if she was going to be pawned off to the Kraus family, she might as well do it in style. As much as she wanted no part of her father's business, she knew what she had to do. It was part of being in the family, and even though she wanted out, it wasn't safe for her. People knew who she was, so she wouldn't be safe without the protection and respect of the other European mafia families. That had to happen through marriage. So, she reapplied chapstick to her lips and tried not to worry too much.

The sound of her bodyguard's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "Are you ready, Camille? We're here," he told her, gesturing to the sprawling home in front of them. Even though Camille had been surrounded by houses like that for her entire life, the Kraus home was still jarring. It was a gorgeous feat of German architecture, and Camille couldn't help it-- she was curious. This would be interesting, she thought.

"Yes," she said, a small smirk curving at the edge of her lips. She stepped out of the car carefully, tall heels clacking on the pavement, and smiled genuinely as she was greeted with a kiss on her hand by one of the assumedly many Kraus butlers.

"It's incredibly nice to meet you, Miss Chatel," said the Butler, ushering her into the home. "The Kraus family is waiting for you in the left wing parlor." Camille nodded, and followed his lead into the insanely lavish living room, where the Kraus family stood. She'd never met any of them in person, but had seen pictures of them many, many times before from her father as a safety precaution. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, her father had always said. He tended to treat everyone as their enemies, too, unless proven otherwise.

It still surprised her, though how handsome Elias Kraus was. She'd heard almost nothing but bad things about him; had consistently been told that there were things in his past that she wouldn't want to imagine. She wondered what he'd heard about her. Her father went to long lengths to hide her from the public-- in fact, it was a big reason why she had gone to college in the United States-- but that didn't stop the gossip train of many of the high-powered families of Europe. Instead of mentioning any of that, she just smiled, and held out her hand to Elias. "Camille Chatel," she drawled. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

--

As Luciano watched the many wealthy people of Italy mill around his family's patio, it was all he could do not to roll his eyes. While these sorts of parties were certainly his mother and father's scene, they were the last place he would rather be. They were always full of the most vapid, tedious rich people, who he was certain couldn't care less about his family-- they just didn't want to cross them. Not that they didn't have good reason. His family had few qualms about ruthless violence when their so-called "allies" decided to betray them.

And now, as he neared thirty years old-- his 28th birthday just around the corner-- it was time for his father to transfer the family business to him, officially. To do it, he needed a wife, and his father had wanted to make amends with the Chatel family once and for all. Tonight, then, he was to meet Alixandria: his new fiancé. He grabbed one of the glasses of champagne off of the platter a butler was carrying around, and withdrew from the main action of the party. He was around gorgeous women constantly, and it was hardly exciting to flirt with women who were clearly just looking to launch a modeling career, or attempt to get in on his family's money. After a while in the business, it'd gotten old.

Out of the corner of his eye, though, he spotted one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen. She was wearing a beautiful dark blue dress that brought out her brilliant blue eyes, and her honey blonde hair fell softly down her shoulders. He nudged the butler Lorenzo next to him, and gestured towards the woman. If there was anyone who knew the gossip, it was always the workers. "Who is she?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at the woman.

The butler raised an eyebrow and quirked a smile, and then his eyes widened in shock. "You really don't know?"

"Why would I?" Luciano shrugged, taking a long sip of his champagne. He was going to need it to get through the night his parents had in store for him. "I don't know everyone in Italy-- just the important people," he added with a smirk.

"That's because she's not from Italy," Lorenzo said slowly. "That's Alixandria Chatel."

Luciano went silent. He hadn't seen a picture of her before-- her father had always gone to great lengths to protect his daughters from the public eye. He was not unpleasantly surprised. Before he could say anything, though, his mother came to tug on the sleeve of his expensive dark grey suit. "Miss Chatel is here!" she said excitedly, guiding Luciano across the garden over to her. "Pleased to present introduce you to my son, Miss Chatel," said Mrs. Santarelli.

Luciano smirked. This, he thought, could be fun. "Charmed to make your acquaintance, beautiful," he said, turning on his most charming voice. The one he'd used to win over dozens of women over the years. He assumed Alixandria wouldn't be any different-- especially since she didn't have much of a choice.

@ FallenHope95

@ jenny holzer.
The sound of heels clacking caught Alix's attention and caused her to turn her head. Just as she did, she noticed an older woman and a younger man approaching her. The older woman seemed excited about something. Then, as she opened her mouth, Alix understood why. She was excited to finally meet her son's betrothed.

A small smile slowly appeared on Alix's lips. She really wasn't sure how else she was supposed to reach. She's never been around many men outside of her family before. She wasn't even able to date as her father wanted her to stay as pure to the world as a fresh flower. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well," Alix said quietly, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink as she looked up at the taller man.

Just standing near him, Alix could feel the waves of confidence this man had. She could tell he'd be someone she wouldn't want to anger. Just seeing how he held himself told her that she'd be a fool to mess with someone like him. Or anyone in his family from the looks of it.

Feeling a nudge in her side, Alix looked up and noticed her uncle leaning over to whisper in her ear. 'Ask him to give you a tour, woo him Alixandria.' Her uncle's voice was quiet so that only she could hear. Reminding her of her purpose for this arrangement. She was to win over this mans heart, even though they were already engaged.

Turning her gaze back towards Luciano, Alix did her best to offer a small smile. Even though her cheeks still told everyone that she was feeling shy and embarrassed. "Care to show me around?" She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly and batting her eyelashes like she's seen other women do in movies to get what they wanted.

--

Shifting his body towards the entryway, Elias allowed for his eyes to focus on the young woman his eyes landed on. His blue eyes took in the appearance of the girl. Beautiful dark hair, a nice slender body, and curves he couldn't wait to lay his hands on. Camille Chatel looked like a model in his eyes. Gorgeous, just gorgeous. He couldn't have expected less from his father to pick someone like her to help carry his families genes.

A small snort escaped from Elias as he used his free hand to gently grab Camille's. "I know." He told her as he raised her hand and placed a small kiss to the back of it. Then, he lowered it as he took another sip of his scotch. "I'm sure you already know, but I'm Elias Kraus," Elias said, offering a slight smirk at the woman he's to marry before releasing his hold on her hand and motioning for her to follow him.

"Dinner will be served and then we can go to the foyer to speak," Elias informed her as he noticed his nosy mother peaking her head around the corner. The woman was so excited that her eldest was getting married. To someone who was so good looking as well.

With a tired sigh, Elias offered Camille his elbow to hold onto. He could just sense his mother's chiding tone, telling him that he needed to be more of a gentleman to his soon to be wife. Not that his father was to her or anything like that. Still, though, she wanted her son to have a better marriage then she does. Not that it's a bad marriage or anything. It's just strained a lot of the time.

As Elias led Camille into the dining room, he could instantly feel his mothers gushing eyes. "Ah, you're so pretty!" His mother rushed forward to get a closer look at his son's fiance. "An you both look so nice together." Out of the corner of his eye, Elias could see Stefan rolling his eyes at his stepmother, while his father took his seat at the head of the table. "Mother, please calm down," Elias said, as he looked to the older woman before leading his betrothed to an empty seat and pulled out a chair for her.