Episode 1

"Aaaahhhhhhhh! I wake up screaming. I put on my robe and run downstairs."

I find my family in the living room and my brother Luigi kneeling in the middle of the room. There's a man in a black suit pointing a gun at his head. And with him are four other men.

My whole family is crying, especially Luigi.

"I'll pay. He says, crying."

"Your time is up. Says the man with the gun."

I froze at the scene. He notices my arrival and points the gun at me.

"What a beautiful young woman. Come and sit down. Says the man with the gun."

I sit down and hug my little sister.

The man picks up the phone and talks to someone else. But we can't understand what he's saying.

"The boss has given you another week. But if you don't pay, I won't kill you. But I will kill your whole family. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir, says Luigi."

"Oh, don't even think about leaving town. Or you'll all die. The man says and hits Luigi in the face with his gun and they leave."

"Damn you! Shout my Daddy"

"Pah"

My father slaps Luigi across the face.

"What have you done? He shouts."

"I went to make a delivery and lost the drug from one of the Mafia's right-hand men. I was actually robbed. He says, crying."

"Miserable. You idiot! Dad shouts in rage."

"And how much is the debt? Dad asks"

"1.3 million. Luigi says."

"What? Not even if I sell the house and the grocery store can I get that kind of money."

"My God, what are we going to do? Mama asks, crying."

Luigi looks at me.

"Valentina. Do you need to help me?"

"Me? How? I ask."

"There's a rumor going around that Mr. Salvatore is hiring a wife. And the prize is 2 million."

"What are you talking about? Have you gone mad? I say"

"Is that true, Luigi? Papa asks."

"Yes. That's right. The selection will take place this weekend at his mansion. They say that a woman only has to show up at 7pm to take part in a selection."

"You've gone mad! Marrying a stranger without love. I think you've been hit on the head too."

"Daughter, you could help us. You get married and then split up. Just to save your family. Mom says."

"Wait. She's right, what do we know about this man? No one has ever even seen him. We're talking about the safety and well-being of my princess. Says Papa."

"What I know is that he's the Mafia boss. They say he's an old man, but I've heard he's a crown. He's untouchable, nobody gets close to him. Says Luigi"

"No, Papa. I don't want to marry that old man. He's the most dangerous man in Italy and no one has ever seen him. Don't hurt me. I cry."

"Isn't there a way to keep our daughter safe? Mom asks."

"I know it's a selection and the woman he chooses will sign a contract. Tina could go and if she realizes she's at risk, she'll come back. You don't have to sign. Luigi says."

"What if I can't go back? I ask"

"What I do know is that Mr. Salvatore values his promises. And they say the selection is free. So you can certainly come back if you don't want to. Luigi says."

"Dad, I don't want to go. I beg him, hugging him."

Dad kisses my head and hugs me tighter.

"Tina, we have no choice. And it's an attempt. If it doesn't work, we'll all die. Would you rather die? Luigi asks."

"I prefer it. I say crying."

"Daughter, I wouldn't ask you to do something like this if it wasn't the only way out. We need to pay this debt and save our family. If I could, I would die for all of you. But you see, it doesn't work like that. Dad says with tears rolling down his cheeks."

I look at my mother and sister and they're both crying with their heads down.

"Okay, I'll go to this selection, I say and run up to my room."

This is a nightmare. I don't want to marry some rich, disgusting old man.

I want peace, to go to college. Make my dreams come true.

But there seems to be no alternative.

I spend the whole day in my room and don't even go downstairs to eat.

The next day someone knocks on the bedroom door.

"Toc, Toc"

I don't answer.

"Tina? Tina? It's me, Gio"

"Come in!"

Giovanna (Gio) is my younger sister, a sweet 10-year-old girl. Very intelligent, cheerful and attached to me.

Mom and Dad are traders and work all day at the little market. So I always took care of Gio, since she was little. We share the same room and the same bed.

I am 20 years old, and Luigi my older brother and Dad's favorite is 26 years old.

Dad expected him to take on responsibilities at the market for him and Mom to rest. But he chose another life.

It all started with the wrong friendships. Then he got into crime and easy money, expensive cars, and women attracted him even more.

Dad did everything to get him out of that life. But he never wanted to.

And now I have to save the family.

But I have plans, I will be the worst wife in the world.

I will not allow that disgusting old man to come near me.

And as soon as possible, I will ask for my divorce and with the rest of the money, I will start my life far away from here.

"Tina, are you okay?" Soso asks.

"No. I don't want to go," I say.

"Sister, I don't want to go either. But if we don't try, you and I will die. And we're not guilty of anything. Please sister, marry him and when you separate, we can live together far away from here."

"Do I have any other option? I will, now we wait and see if I will be chosen. There must be many other crazy or self-loathing women wanting to be with that disgusting old man. He must be 100 years old. Ew, I feel sick just thinking about it."

The week quickly passed and it was Saturday, the day I will go to the selection of a future wife.

My mother bought me a tight red strapless dress and high-heeled shoes in the same color. I put it on, and the dress clung to my body, I thought it was too vulgar.

"Mom, I look like a prostitute," I roll my eyes.

"Then you are perfect. That's how I wanted it. He won't resist," she says.

"Are you serious about this?" I ask indignantly.

"Very serious. Just missing the red lipstick," she says and applies the lipstick.

I grab a bag, put on my plaid sleeve dress and flats, along with a handkerchief, personal documents, money for the taxi, and my cell phone.

When the taxi arrives, they take me to the door.

I say goodbye to everyone. Hug my mom tightly.

"Daughter, may God protect you and help you. Thank you for what you are doing. Forgive me for putting you in this situation. And when you can, call me, I'll be worried waiting for news from you," says Dad.

"Daughter, let us know if there are any problems. We will run to you," says Mom.

"Yes, Mom, you can count on it."

"Daughter, we love you a lot," Dad says, hugging me as tears roll down his face.

"I love you too."

I get into the taxi and head towards my destination. In the taxi, I put on my other dress. I take off the red dress underneath, take off the heels, put on the flats and throw everything out the car window.

I tie my loose hair into a messy bun. And now, I am myself.

I know it's my worst outfit... But screw it, it's not fair for me to marry that old man because of my brother.

I love him. But he got himself into this mess, he can get himself out.

And if I can do something to make that old man not like me, I will do it.

About 1.5 hours later, we leave the highway and turn into a street lined with trees. We start to climb, and when we reach the top, we see the huge and luxurious mansion.

The car enters through the gate and drives towards the front door and parks.

I pay the driver, and a man in a black suit opens the door for me.

"Welcome, Miss. This way," he says, pointing with his hand.

He walks towards the side of the mansion. In the corner, there is a small staircase, and I see a wooden door that probably leads to the basement.

"You can go in," the man says.

I reach for the handle and think, "Whatever God wants," and open the door.

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