[5] No shame

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Bella's POV:

The taxi stops at the bottom of my driveway in front of my gate and I pull some cash from my clutch. "How much do I owe you?"

"All sorted; it's already been paid for in the app," he shrugs.

"Oh, thank-you," I smile softly and step out of the Taxi, closing the door behind me.

I can't believe Jex paid for my taxi home ...

I make my way to the side gate and punch in the pin, the gate unlocks and I walk in, making sure it locks behind me once again. I make the long walk up the footpath, toward the front doors of my family home. I share this home with my parents and my brother Abel who is twenty-one and next in line for the Cobra throne.

By now I guess I should be looking into finding a place of my own, I'm twenty-four years old and still living at home; but if I'm truthful I don't see any point in moving out and living on my own, when I'm free to come and go as I please from here.

As for Abel, he's another one that should've moved out already, his bedroom is a revolving door of girls in and out on the daily, sometimes more than one girl a day. But he's living the good life, he doesn't pay bills, never helps around the house and lives like a king. He uses his good looks to get any woman he wants into bed, so good luck ever getting him to move out.

I've told him a million times, one day soon Papa is going to step down as leader and he's going to take over, but for him to do that he's going to need a stable woman in his life, someone to hold him down and keep everything together. He assures me he knows all of this (of course) and tells me he's just living the dream while he can.

Finally reaching the front door, I enter the house quietly and once inside I lock the door behind me. The only car in the driveway is Abel's, so I'm assuming Papa is at work and Mom is probably with Aunt Mia (Papa's sister and Amelia, Armani, and Aria's mother).

Phew, I don't have to do the walk of shame, not that I'm ashamed.

I make my way up to my room and remove my clothing from the night before, I change into some clean panties and sweats; not having any intention of leaving the house again today.

As I make my way back down the stairs, headed for the kitchen, I hear obnoxious moaning coming from one of the rooms. One guess where it's coming from? Abel's room.

"Uhh yes; harder. Oh Abel, you're so fucking big," the female moans.

I screw my face up in disgust and decide to stick to the downstairs area of the house, now that I'm down here. I turn some music on and turn it up, drowning out the moaning and the screaming of my brother's name. I head into the kitchen, washing the dishes left behind from everyone this morning.

Ten minutes later a pretty redhead appears at the bottom of the stairs, now dressed once more; followed by Abel in some sweat pants, no shirt, his full body of tattoos on display, and his dark hair a mess.

"See you soon?" The redhead smiles up at him.

"Of course Doll, I'll call you," he leans down and presses a kiss to her lips.

"It's one thing to use them, but to lie to them as well?" I raise a brow to Abel, as his girl of the day exits the house.

"It's what they want to hear sis," he shrugs and makes his way into the kitchen.

"I can assure you it's not," I screw my face up. "Even if it's a one night stand, no girl wants you to act like you have feelings for her if you don't."

"Like you'd know anything about a one night stand, you're too prim and proper," he smirks and brushes past me to get to the fridge, his sweaty body touching mine.

Ha, that's what you think.

"Ew," I move away from him quickly. "Get your sweaty self away from me."

He chuckles softly. "Aw sis, you're the only female in this world who doesn't think I'm hot."

"Uh, hello. Mum?"

"Mum thinks I'm handsome," he rebuts.

"Our cousins?"

"Probably wish we weren't my cousins," he winks.

"You're so fucking gross," I roll my eyes and fight the urge to laugh at his massive ego.

"Again, big sis, you're the only one who thinks that," he smirks and drinks the last of the milk from the carton, then places it down on the bench beside me. "Anyway, I'm going to shower and hit the gym, I have to keep this body in a perfect state."

"If you love yourself any harder you'd explode."

"We can't both be the best looking Ricci sibling of 2020; better luck next year, but don't hold your breath," he calls, as he heads up the stairs.

I roll my eyes as I watch him walk up the stairs, then turn my attention back to the empty milk carton he'd left on the bench. "I guess I'll put that in the bin," I say to myself, as I place it in the bin.

"Hello sweetheart," Papa smiles, as he makes his way into the kitchen.

"Hi Papa, how was work?"

"Busy, there's always something going on," he sighs softly. "You uh, didn't come home last night."

"Yeah, I went out for a few drinks and stayed with a friend," I lie with a shrug.

"Right," he nods, not really believing me but taking my word for it. "And do you want to talk about what went down with Ruby yesterday? She seemed pretty upset with you."

"Ruby overheard the tail end of a conversation I was having with Millie. She'd come in just in time to hear the part where it sounded like I was being an asshole and she ran with it," I sigh softly. "I tried to explain, I tried to talk to her, but she wouldn't hear anything I had to say; she just told me I'm a horrible person and always have been."

"I'm sure she'll come around sweetheart, yesterday was a hard day for her and Logan, give her some time."

"Do you think she's right? Do you think I'm a horrible person? That I always get what I want and my life is all glitter and rainbows?" I ask sadly.

"Honey I don't think you're a horrible person, I think you're a wonderful person; I think you're kind, loving and giving; and yes, maybe a little bit spoilt," he chuckles softly. "But not in a bad way. I mean yes, your mother and I supply you with whatever you want and need, whenever you want it and need it, but you're not the kind of person to just take and take and not give back. Take last Christmas for example; you skipped out on us because you were volunteering at the homeless shelter and told us not to buy you anything, rather for us to buy for those at the shelter," he sighs. "As I said, she'll come around, we're the closest thing she has to family."

"And the glitter and rainbows?" I pout.

He laughs loudly and shakes his head. "Nobody's life is glitter and rainbows, not even those people on Instagram, who make out like it is," he makes his way over and pulls me into his arms, giving me a much needed hug. "You're an amazing young woman Isabella, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"Thanks Papa," I snuggle into his arms.

"You're welcome," he kisses the top of my head and pulls back from the hug. "Well then, I need to hit the gym."

"Let me guess? You need to keep your body in its perfect state?" I giggle softly.

"Exactly," he grins and leaves the kitchen.

Like father, like son. My Papa and Abel are so alike, not only in personality, but in looks as well. Both my Papa and Abel have dark hair and are covered in tattoos; they also share the same green eyes and face shape. When you look at them there's no mistaking they're father and son.

As for me, I'm the only one in the family that has blonde hair. Naturally, my mother is blonde but she dyes her hair black, and has done so since she was around sixteen; she suits it though, it really makes her blue eyes pop. As for my eye color, I took after my grandfather Dom and Aunt Mia, sharing the same brown eyes as them.

...

I spent the rest of my day tiding the house, so Mum doesn't have to do it later, reading in the garden and now I find myself watching Netflix in my large, king size bed.

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

I pick up my buzzing phone from my bedside table, check the screen to find it's my cousin Amelia calling.

"Hey Mills."

"Hey, I'm just calling to see if you're free tomorrow? I have lunch booked for all us girls; Marni and I have something to tell you all."

"Well, that sounds exciting," I say with a smile; then it hits me. "Wait, did you say all us girls?"

"Yes, all of us; you and Ruby will both be there."

"And you really think that's a good idea?Whatever your news is, I don't want to ruin it."

"Please just come, maybe it'll give you and Ruby a chance to talk things out," she says sadly.

"Okay, I'll be there," I assure her, not wanting to let her down. "Text me the address and I'll see you there."

"You're the best, see you tomorrow," she says cheerfully and hangs up the phone.

I sigh softly and place my phone down next to me. The last thing I want is to have another run in with Ruby; but I have to be there for Amelia, she seems really excited about her news.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.