•Aria Marino•
I wanted to start sobbing as I placed the file on my desk again. Flora is still upset with me for who knows what reason and now we've been asked to completely drop the mafia case. Apparently Annachiara and the rest of the team have been working on it for about 7 years at this point and have nothing much. It is also not believed that they are tied to the robberies, which I honestly never believed anyways.
My mother called this morning, just to yell at me and complain about my father. Also reminding me that Luca is her favorite person and he's her only reason for living.
"Why do we have to drop it?" I asked Annachiara.
"We have barely any evidence or information, we've already been at it for almost a decade, and we have no other help." She replies, running a hand through her hair.
"What do you mean we have no help?" I ask her.
"All smaller police departments are on the don's payroll so they are on his side. Even the public, he is so rich they are supplied with food banks and schools and things they need, and even though he is still a disgusting criminal and murderer, they are on his side because he still helps the people, But trust me for every good thing he does, there are three dead bodies on someone's doorstep and a few million dollars missing from someone's bank account." She explains angrily before walking away.
I look around to realize we all look very stressed, tired, and in desperate need of caffeine. I grab my car keys and make my way out.
•••••
When I get back with two coffee holders in hand, the girls and Doriano smile while Ermes audibly gasps. "Thank you Aria." Aurora says sweetly as she takes the coffee and gives me a cheek to cheek kiss.
"I could fucking kiss you right now! Holy shit thanks." Ermes exclaims, walking up to us.
"Touch me and die." I reply, glaring at him as I set the rest of the coffee down on the table. He rolls his eyes and mumbles something before walking back towards his desk. Flora comes up and grumpily takes a coffee, quickly walking back away.
I seriously don't know why she's still so upset with me. I understand that she was upset because Annachiara believed I was right with the mafia not being involved in the string of robberies, but it's been days since then, and also I never did anything to her. I've just been ignoring her because if she's just going to be giving me that attitude when I did nothing directly to her then she's not worth my time or energy.
I take my coffee and set it down on the counter, looking at my watch to count down the hours, minutes, and seconds until I get to go home.
•••••
"I'm home!" I sang as I walked through the door of the apartment, setting my bag and coat down on the kitchen counter.
Laura came out of her room in plaid pajama pants and a black t-shirt. "Okay so don't get mad but-"
"What did you do?" I ask quickly, automatically assuming the weirdest shit. Please let it not be that she dyed her hair again and stained the entire bathroom wall.
"Okay! See this is why I have to start with 'Don't get mad' because you just need to remain calm. So just come here and I will show you what I did and explain to you why I did it." She says in a very defense manner, leading me to her room.
I sigh and walk towards her room, as always clothes everywhere, the only source of light in there are her LED lights she's had for five years. In the middle of her messy bed is a small figure that I can't seem to make out.
It moved suddenly, making me flinch and Laura laugh at me. I flipped her off. "I wasn't expecting anything to move." I said as she kept laughing at me. Once again, the figure moved as I walked closer to it. It stood up and walked towards me, rubbing its head against my hand. "You got a cat?" I asked Laura and she nods. "Wha- How? When? Why?" I ask as I pick the cat up and pet its head continuously.
"Okay so now the bad news." She says, smiling. I groan. I knew there had to be a bad side to this. "So mom called today." That was already just a horrible way to start. "So you know how she's allergic to cats?" she asks.
I nod and she gives me a suggestive look, as if I already should have come up with the answer in my head. Then it hits me. "She's coming to Italy?" Laura nods slowly and disappointedly.
"She's psychotic enough to if we had a cat when we lived in the states, she would've kidnapped it so she could show up unannounced whenever she wanted, but since we're here now she will just stay in a hotel and decide it is not worth it to do anything since she does not live here." She explains quickly. My mind just fucking exploded.
"You're a genius." I say.
"I know. I'm fucking amazing." She says, flicking her hair back sarcastically before laying down next to where I was sitting, her head on the other side of the bed and her legs next to mine. My phone started ringing, catching both of our attention. "Is it your boyfriend?" she asked and I rolled my eyes at her, smacking her leg that was right next to me.
"I don't have a boyfriend, Laura." I say as I check the contact only to realize it's my mom and leave it to ring.
"I don't know about that one. You said he wanted you to stay the night, he cooked you food, he gave you privacy when you wanted it, he showered you, he already gave you a nickname, then when we saw him he was fully ready to defend you and keep his arm around you. I mean I think he wanted more than a one night stand, and I think he very much had potential." She says, turning around so that she was now facing the same direction as me while still laying down.
"Ok well whatever. I think if he wants something then he'll do something. He knows what building we live in, he dropped me off. I don't know." Matteo needs to stop getting brought up. At the dealership, there was something so annoyingly arrogant about him. It bothered me a lot, I know he does not know me well but after we spent one night together what makes him think he should just come in and speak that way to an employee and touch me like that in front of my sister. I continue my conversation with Laura. "Anyways, it was mom. When is her flight coming?" I ask.
She sucks in a breath then groans "More bad news. That was probably her calling that she just landed." She replies.
My face scrunches up and I let my head drop. Goddamnit. "Why would she just- not even telling us before I mean we could've made plans. I have work- I can't leave because she's here." I kept rambling on about my mothers sudden arrival. Just showing up without warning.
"Okay calm down. She told me she just wants us to go straight to the hotel when she lands. I don't know where she is staying but it can't be within 10 minutes of here." she explains in a hopeful tone. I call my mother again hoping she is in a petty mood and will not answer until I call her the third time but to my disappointment, she answers on the first ring.
"Hey I just landed can you come get me please?" she says as soon as she answered. At least she said please.
"I'll be on my way now." I said dryly and she hung up.
How did the last two minutes happen to completely drain me of energy?
•••••
"I need to talk to you girls." mamma says as she sits down on the bed of her hotel room. She had us go with her, having me bring up her bag and Laura endure all her complaining about the flight, eventually ranting about Laura's hair and how the dye looks. "I have delayed this information but there is no point in holding it off anymore. Your father and I are separated."
Okay but why did she say it like Emily Gilmore. Like you are a normal regular civilian. And it was not even a shock to us at all. We've seen it coming and if anything it should have happened over 20 years ago. Like before I was conceived. My father at this point is so tired of my mother and her shit that after she had an affair with some guy, he cheated on her too and it just became their life. Both of them cheating on each other all the time and in the back of my mind I always thought it was like a competition to them.
"Oh my goodness. I am completely shocked. I cannot imagine what lead to that incredible decision. Why-" I said in a robotic voice, meaning to make it seem like I do not care. Because I don't. My mother smacks my arm to cut me off and I laugh a little bit.
She glares at me, but that makes me enjoy it more. "It's not funny Aria. I have spent the last 30 years of my life with him." She says, but I know her well enough to know that she's not actually upset. I know right about now my father is probably relieved.
"Is that all the news mom?" Laura asks. My mother looks shocked and almost offended.
"Are you serious? I just tell you that your father and I are getting separated and all you do is make fun of it and ask if that's all? I suppose you want me to reveal I have some sort of chronic illness for you to care. Are you seriously not shocked at all?" She asks, eyebrows furrowed in full confusion. I sighed and yawned before leaning on the wall behind me.
"Of course we were shocked mother, do you not remember my amazing robotic impersonation I did a few seconds ago?" I ask, surprised she has already forgotten it. She rolls her eyes and begins to unpack her suitcase.
She said she was only staying for a little longer than a week but she brought a huge suitcase which is almost completely filled.
She sighs before speaking. "It's still early, do you girls have any plans or do you feel like joining me for dinner?"
"Well I'm free but Aria has a date tonight." Laura blurts out, making me glare at her. She gives me a look that is screaming 'get out while you still can.' But it's just dinner and I'd rather be with mamma and Laura than at the apartment alone and bored.
Mom gasps and then quickly smiles "With who? Is it the guy you said the other day that you were at a club?" She asks, referring to the time when she called me while I was at work and I told her I was at a club meeting a guy.
"No mamma, Laura is being dramatic. I do not have a date tonight I will go with you two to dinner, and that was a joke I was at work that day." I explain and mamma rolls her eyes.
"No seriously Aria I thought you said you had somewhere to be tonight." Laura says again. This bitch.
"Aria if you have plans tonight do not cancel them on my account." Mom says. Why is she suddenly being so nice? Something is wrong here.
I sigh "I do not have plans. I will go to dinner with you two." I look over at Laura and glare at her "I'll throw peanut butter at you bitch don't play with me." I whisper to her before turning back to mom. Laura's peanut allergy is something so fun to call out especially in moments like these.
She sticks her tongue out at me and I flip her off. "Both of you calm down. Aria you should be setting an example for Laura not encouraging this behavior." She scolds me and we're back to how it was before.
We decide on a restaurant and begin to walk our way over there. It's only a five to ten minute walk from the hotel but it turns out that with my mother, five to ten minutes can feel like five to ten hours. She's been complaining nonstop since we started the walk.
Complaining about Laura's clothes, saying they needed to be more mature and professional, complaining about my hair color even though it is my natural hair color. That I got from her. My dad is a blonde, my mom is a brunette, as are Laura and I. The only blonde is Luca.
When we get there, we get seated at our table right away and we are given menus. My mom gets wine, and Laura gets some other alcoholic beverage, but I have to drive back to the apartment so I just order some lemonade.
A while passes and as we are receiving the food we ordered, there is a sudden change in the energy of all staff in the restaurant. They all become timid, their pace quicker and their hands shakier.
There is a large group of people entering the restaurant, among them was a recognizable face. Matteo. This cannot be happening right now. I look down at my plate, ignoring the conversation between my mother and sister.
Laura noticed my change in behavior, and taps my arm. I look at her and she gives me an all knowing look. "Just pretend he's not there. Unless he addresses you but be nice." She whispers and warns and I just nod. I do not know why I act like this when his name comes up or when I'm around him, but I feel kind of weird about him. He's a bit inexplicably out there. He exudes confidence and power. As well as always seeming in command of things.
His energy is something I have never been around before and it tends to overwhelm me. I am used to being the one in charge of what I'm doing. I lead everyone to their path and what they are supposed to be doing. Having someone else around me that seems like he does the same thing feels different. And because I know that he's at least a little rich makes me think he's somewhat arrogant. I'm definitely not rich, or anywhere near his level.
He's different from anyone I've met and not necessarily in a bad way. More of a I'm not used to people like you kind of way.
"Aria pay attention to the conversation please." My mother pleads, snapping me out of my thoughts. I nodded and looked up once more. I took exactly one bite of my food before I heard someone behind me.
"Aria?" I heard Matteo say. I turned to see him right behind me, staring at me. Everyone from his group had been staring at him, looking confused.
I stood up, trying to quickly chew and swallow the food before he noticed. I turned to face him and before I could process anything, he had been pulling me into a hug, both arms going around my waist. I relished the warmth of the hug, the stress from the last few weeks seeming to disappear.
I feel something weird on his arm which is on my back and when we pull away, I notice he has a cast on. "How are you doing melodia?" He asks sweetly, bending down to press a kiss onto the back of my hand which he had grabbed
"It seems like I'm the one that should be asking you that. How did this happen?" I ask, grabbing his arm which is contained in a cast and lifting it up.
He chuckles a bit, his dimples showing off in his cheeks. "It's a long story. I'll text you sometime and tell you all about it." He says, a small smirk on his face.
"You don't have my number." I reply, my eyebrows furrowed.
"Well, I have my ways, melodia. Don't let my innocent face fool you." He jokes, making me roll my eyes.
"Last time we were together you weren't so innocent."
He grips my chin between his index finger and thumb, tilting my head up even more. "I am when I choose to be. Now if you'll excuse me, I am attending a business dinner so maybe we can continue this conversation another day." He places a kiss on my cheek before parting. He looks back at me and winks before sitting down at a table with about ten men, one of them being his brother that I met before, and then one woman with blue hair.
The woman and his brother both had been staring at me, and just as I was about to sit they both smiled widely and waved at me. I waved back and sat down, both my mother and sister looking at me in shock.
"You're blushing." Laura blurts out before I can even say anything.
"I am not!" I try to defend myself but it's too late. I quickly cover my cheeks with my hands and I can feel they are warm.
My mother looks at me suspiciously. "Was that him? she asks.
"So the time I said I was at a club, I was joking I was actually at work." I clarify once more. "But yes I have been out with him before." I explain, not sharing anything else about that eventful night.
I don't like admitting it but I think about it a lot. Neither of us were drunk but what the fuck was I doing. I let him finger me while he was driving a car, probably breaking the speed limit. I went to his apartment not knowing who the hell he was. I still don't know who the hell he is! And we had sex like at least three times. He was a fucking stranger! What the hell was I doing!
Do I regret it? Absolutely not. But I like thinking things through before I do them. And that entire night was the complete opposite of that. I'm just glad he isn't a fucking monster and actually made me feel safe and he was sweet.
"Dude that girl right there is fine as hell!" Laura says, pointing towards Matteo's table. The only girl there is the blue haired girl.
"I'll do some investigating for you. AKA I'll ask Matteo." She looks at me and smiles. "But not right now, it's a business dinner for them." She nods and we continue eating.
My mother was suspiciously quiet for a few minutes before she said "He seems nice". She said it quietly, almost as if she didn't want anyone to hear her.
"He is." I replied simply.
"I just want you to be careful, Aria. He is a business man and a lot of them are known for cheating. They have a mistress, they leave town with her and say it's a business trip. I just don't want that to happen to you." She said. I mentally rolled my eyes and swallowed before replying to her.
"I can take care of myself." I responded dryly and she just nodded at me.
After finishing our meal and then eating dessert, I asked the waiter for the check but he shook his head indicating no. "Your meal has already been taken care of by Mr. Rossi." He replied, pointing over to Matteo's table. I look over to him only to see him already staring at me.
He blows a kiss, making me smile I can't help but roll my eyes. I stick my tongue out at him and he chuckles, followed by a wide smile. I roll my eyes again before turning my attention back to my mother and sister.
"Ready to go?" I ask and they nod. We gather our things before exiting the restaurant.
•••••
screaming, crying, throwing up. so apparently when i see someone i don't want to fucking see i forget how to walk?? 😭
i start walking hella fast to get away from them and then my legs feel weird then one of my knees does a weird thing bc i'm walking so fast and my brain can't keep up and idk what the hell is wrong with me.
but yeah i'm just like being held together by tape glue and staples right now.
bye bye
~ elle 🌸