Hidden Secret: Hidden ties between rivals.

Isabella Romano's alarm clock blared in her ears. rolled over and slammed her hand down on the snooze button and went back to sleep, but she opened her eyes immediately when the realization dawned on her. It was a school day.

She groaned as she plopped her feet on the floor, she reached for her Bible across the bed and said her morning prayers then went about her morning routine. She got to her wardrobe and brought out her uniform.

Isabella's parents withdrew her and her brother, Leonardo, from Accademia di belle arti school because they were leaving Bologna to Milan, and they currently enrolled her and Leonardo into the British school of Milan. It was going to be her first day at the school and she really hated it.

She loved her life back there in Bologna, the friends she made and her school. But here, she'd have to start her life all over again, making new friends, adapting to the environment and all that.

She peeled her night gown off, grabbed a towel and went into the bathroom. Isabella's features were exquisite, she was an Italian girl with Amber eyes, her hair was black and long, her skin was bright olive, she had high cheekbones, a small roman nose, she was moon-faced with soft pouty pink lips. She also had a curvaceous body.

Isabella was a seventeen year old girl in grade 12 who was ready to explore the world despite the danger signs, her father had been really over protective of her and her brother even if he didn't spend time with them.

Isabella came out of the bathroom after 40 minutes, her hair was damp with water cascading down to her back. She did her hair and body routine then got into her blue and white uniform. She could say, the uniform fitted her perfectly.

Someone burst her door open when she was taking care of her hair and it was no other than her brother Leonardo.

"Mom says you should come down for breakfast" Leo grinned realizing that he just got on her nerves for bursting her door open.

"You could have knocked at least" Isabella spat out angrily as she took in the sight of him.

He looked boyish but handsome in the uniform, he had the same color of eyes as his sister which was friendly and open but his hair color was dark brown gelled to the back and he was also getting muscular, ' Maybe he's finally taking his exercises seriously' Isabella thought.

Leonardo was really attractive which would make many girls drool over him.

"What's there to hide? Aren't you my sister?" he joked

"You punk!" Isabella gasped as she drew closer to him but he was fast enough to jam the door.

"I'll surely get you" Isabella said as she walked over to her mirror and continued packing her hair "These are just too long and full to manage" she groaned.

AT THE DINNER ROOM, Mrs. Romano and Leonardo were setting the table when Isabella came downstairs.

"Buongiorno mamma" she greeted

"Morning Bella" Mrs. Romano looked up with a smile, her hair was a thick swirl of dark brown which Leo inherited from her and she had a wild crystal clear green eyes. No makeup decorated her strong radiant face. She was a fiercely attractive woman in her early forties, her dark complexion unlined.

"Aren't you so pretty in that uniform?" Mrs. Romano asked.

"Yeah, I guess" Bella replied "Where's dad?"

"Dad's left for work" Leo raised his eyebrow at her.

"You shouldn't be asking that question, you know he rarely joins us for breakfast because of work" her mom said with a frown.

"Don't mind her mom" Leo said "I think she woke up with Alzheimer. Her's comes and goes".

Isabella shot her brother a glare, he was really fond of making fun of her which she dislikes.

"What?" he picked a chip and munched on it "I'm just saying the truth" he said and walked into the kitchen to bring the remaining food.

"I wonder when the both of you would stop fighting" her mother sighed

"Sorry if that bothers you" Isabella apologized.

Isabella's parents always fought over her dad not spending time with them, he was always blaming it on work which didn't even make sense when he was the owner of the company with many staffs working under him. These days, she had been suspecting her dad.

He owned a gaming company, he was the head and could take a leave whenever he wanted to but he decided not to. When she'd asked him why?, he told her ' it's business and besides we are rich, what more do you want?'. Yeah, they were rich but money wasn't everything, she needed a father's love.

The annoying part of it all was that she and her brother were under maximum security for a reason she didn't know why. She was ready to explore the world but didn't get the chance to. Her father also assigned them guards that would monitor their every movement.

Isabella dismissed the thought and sat on one of the chairs, she helped herself with Ricotta pancakes and Zeppole Italian donuts.

"Won't you bless the food before eating?" her mom asked stopping her from digging into her pancakes.

"Oh. My bad" she chuckled. She then lead them in prayer and began eating.

After they were done eating, their mom dropped them off at school

"This is going to be really fun" Leo said.

"Fun my foot" Bella rolled her eyes and began walking towards the school. She's been on a tour there before so she knew her way around.

Their mom was trailing behind them just to make sure that they got into their classes safely.

"We're not babies mom" Bella groaned

"I know that" her mom said sternly "I just wanna talk with the principal of your school".

INSIDE THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

Leonardo and Isabella stared at their mother dumbfounded as she made her demands. They won't be able to move around freely without being monitored, they should always attend fellowships, they should be escorted home in the vehicle assigned to them, they should have at least only five friends and they shouldn't be involved in any intimate relationship with the opposite sex.

Truly, that was the end of their freedom.

"I'll make sure of that ma'am" the principal assured her. The principal was a woman in her late 40's with a slender upper body, dull Mediterranean skin, tiny eyes and wrinkles.

"Thank you" Mrs. Romano offered as she stood and went out of the office with Bella and Leo.

"Mom" Leo called

"Yes"

"Was that really necessary?" he asked.

"What's that?" she played dumb to what he asked

"What_"

"What you did back there in the principal's office" Bella cut Leo short, anger evident in her voice.

"Oh that" her mom laughed "It's just for maximum security of you both. You know you're new here and I don't want anything happening to you guys. Any problem with that?" she asked.

Isabella sighed and walked into the elevator, her class was on the fifth floor. She didn't get why her mom kept on lying, she knew it was her dad that ordered it, her mom wasn't the type to take away their freedom.

"Dad, what's your Hidden Secret really?" she asked herself "I'm not even free at home and now you've taken my freedom away from me in school. Ugh why is my life so crazy" she groaned ruffling her hair.

Mrs. Romano was taken aback by Bella's sudden behavior

"When did your sister become so disrespectful?"

"She'll come around soon mamma, don't bother yourself" Leo assured her "Bye for now" he gave her a peck and left.

She stood there for sometime watching Leo disappear from her view until she saw him no more. He had always been the gentle and caring one in the family, she smiled and left the school premises

"I'm sorry Bella, it's not my fault. You'll find out sooner or later" Mrs. Romano apologized as she got into her car.

Isabella opened her class door and what met her view wasn't what she expected to see, they were so noisy and the tables and chairs were disorganized. She had expected to see a peaceful and quiet class where she'd just go and lay her head on the desk until classes begin.

Everyone became quiet once they took notice of her, she walked to an empty desk feeling eyes on her but she didn't want to look.

"This is gonna be a long day" she sighed as she tossed her bag on the chair.

"Hey guys, the teacher's coming" a student announced coming into the class hurriedly.

They quickly arranged their tables and chairs and sat down quietly like nothing ever happened.

What a great class! the teachers would say whenever they entered and saw how neat and peaceful it was not knowing an informant was always ready for them.