I remained in the car while the driver went to direct the…visitors here. Madre. I had no words for her. None at all.A particular chatter entered my ears. That of a girl on the phone and a guy—but mainly the girl as she wouldn't give her lips a break. A flick to the right showed a blonde dressed in a sweater and miniskirt. There was a guy walking beside her, about two inches shorter. Was that…The driver who hurried behind them with their luggage confirmed my suspicion. Good Lord.I set my emotions aside and came down the car. As soon as her eyes met mine, she gasped."Talk to you later. I just saw him." She killed the line.I shoved my hands into my pockets, bracing for what was to come. My attention was drawn to her laps. Not gonna lie, she'd got shapely legs. But then, I couldn't help but wonder if Madre really knew her? If so, then wow. Wow because I never expected the old-fashioned woman to approve of this dressing. The guy next to her couldn't for the love of anything good, lo
Rina I reached the guest room and knocked. "Come in." I pushed the door and got in. Signore Amato was standing. "You sent for me.""Yes. I really want to apologize earlier. I'm sorry I was clumsy. I should have looked before opening the door." He spoke with the same foreign accent as the girl. "It's okay, sir. I wasn't hurt.""Oh, thank the moon goddess." I didn't get any other response from him. So, I looked up—and there he was staring at that part of me I had begun to hate. My ugly, ugly, very disgusting chest. Yes, just as Piccolo Maestro called it. I shut my eyes and took a while to gather myself together. I didn't want to believe I'd gotten another creep to worry about. "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?" With still no reply from him, I snapped my eyes open. This time, a tight furrow ran across my brow. "Sir, what can I help you with?" It was quite a job keeping a calm tone. "Hm?" He looked at me as though I'd said the unthinkable. "You requested my presence,
VincenzoMadre had done it again. She had played another wild card by asking me to take Liliana on a tour. Begrudgingly, I did so, and just as I'd expected, the blondie never kept shut. We made our way into the garden. Liliana chuckled at one of her childhood experiences as we came upon the bridge. We stopped to look at the stream underneath."Wow. The pack house is such a wonder, but I have to ask. Why so many trees? I mean, look at all the land allotted for greenery. Wait, is the Alpha a fiend?" I leaned against the bridge. "Well, you can go ask him, you know." I hadn't intended to give her a warm smile. Or maybe, she was the one that misinterpreted it. She hid her cheeks under her feathery hair and looked away. I took a while to appreciate her prettiness. Liliana had a clear fair skin, and in this airy evening, it glowed. Her hair was cut in layers, and delicately laid on her shoulders. I'd had the opportunity to look into her eyes. They shined like emeralds. The exact color
VincenzoBarging into her room, I slammed Liliana on the wall. Desire multiplied in such a manner I couldn't think straight. My clutch went to her boobs, and she wailed like the whore she was, denying me the chance to relish their softness. "You know what I've been telling you, Liliana." I couldn't kick her out. Not only because I got to cum, but also, she was Madre's guest. "I don't like it when you moan.""I…oh shit." Her grip on my shoulder tightened. "I can't. I can't hold it in."Squeezing on more, I whispered into her ears, "You can and you will. Keep your mouth shut and I promise you a nice hot fuck.""Okay," she hissed and gripped my shoulder. I undid her buttons and yanked the bluse of her shoulder. In a sleek fashion, I removed her bra and met her nipple with my tongue. She attempted moaning, but caught herself and instead, released pleasure by holding onto my shoulder. I licked, then sucked and returned to grabbing. My modus operandi. Having had my fill, I pulled down
"So, tell me. What's one culture shock you've had since you got to Italy?" Madre asked."Uhm…I'll start with the very first one. Too little ice in drinks," Liliana said."Hmm?""Yes, I mean, oh my God. In the US, we are given a truck pile of ice with just a drop of drink. I can't understand."Madre's throaty laugh irritated me. It was funny that someone who'd set strict rules about table etiquette was the same person breaking it. "I've been to the US once, and I must say, I didn't have such experience.""It depends on where you were, Luna. In local shops, you are fed with ice." "You must be glad to be back home." Madre rose her glass to her lips. "Sure thing, Luna." Liliana placed her hand on mine. "Sure thing."I didn't face her nor did I give her a smile. I was done pretending. So done. "Alpha Moreno?" she piped again. Could this girl not give her mouth some time off? "Yes.""I was talking to Vince the other day, expressing how wowed I am with the trees here. The garden is en
RINA"Calm down, bambina."I turned from the closet. "No, Mama. No. Don't tell me to calm down. Who gave her the right to spill that drink on you?"My anger was lethal. I was in flames. How dare she? How dare she insult Mammà?"It's fine, really. It's my fault. I shouldn't have—""What? What are you talking about?""Rina…" Mama rubbed her forehead. "Keep your voice down, please."Tears brewed in my eyes; I turned the other way, huffing. Mammà drew close and placed her hand on my shoulder. "It's okay. You should be used to these things.""How?" I choked in my sob. "How can you say that? Why…why are some people ass—"Mama covered my lips. "Hey." She frowned. "The walls have ears. Stop this."That was what she would always say. Stop this. Ignore them. Endure. I couldn't deal anymore. Couldn't put up with the hostility life had been throwing at us. The hurt overwhelmed me. I collapsed on her. "I feel useless.""No.""I feel dumb, Mama.""Rina.""I couldn't stand up for you. I stood li
VINCENZOSilence bore down on the room. It'd been ages since Madre burst in here, yet, not a word had come out of her. Her venomous eyes rested on me while she wished she'd never fucked Padre that fateful night. Or, she was praying fervently that the moon goodness sucked me to oblivion. I couldn't care less; I busied myself by surfing the net. "Can you tell me what your problem is?"I knew Madre hated being ignored. I should have at least spared her a glance or given an indifferent shrug. But I didn't. And it was too late to regret.She snatched my phone and tossed it away. Or rather, slapped it against the wall. "Now that that's out of the way, you can talk to me." "You should have simply tossed it on the couch or something," I said, my gaze still fixed on my empty hand. "You haven't answered my question. What's all this about? Why didn't you come down for dinner?"Anger set my eyes on fire. I raised my gaze to meet Madre's stoic face. Her chin was high and her arms crossed.I
VINCENZOI slipped into my PJ jacket, about to button up when a knock came through. "Yes?""Vince, it's me." I shut my eyes. I couldn't believe I was about to endure this again. I walked to the door and yanked it open. "What…"Before me was an almost naked Liliana. Her chest was bare except for the black patches that covered her nipples and pussy. Hanging from her shoulder was a tiny jacket. "Hey—" her fingers swept across her boobs, attempting to peel off the patches— "can I come in?" I snapped my eyes back to her, hating my tongue for growing dry. "No. Get lost."A little frown puckered her brow, but it disappeared almost immediately. She took a step forward, slipping the jacket an inch off her shoulders. "Come on. I want—""Do you know what they call someone who leaves her room naked to seduce someone? Puttana. Or as your American friends would say, a half-cent prostitute." Her eyes popped. "What?""Get the fuck out of here. You don't want to push me."She scoffed. "You
EPILOGUE Vincezo Moreno They were removing her off life support today. Jaw clenched, straight went my gaze. At infinity. Thunder droned at a distance. Clouds, gray, were laden with rain. It'd fallen all night. I'd taken an early morning flight, fortunately, and so, had been able to make it here. I didn't know if I should be comforted that nature empathized with me. Mourning along with me. Or I should break more, knowing that Rina had been to be next Luna, the reason why the skies mourned her imminent exit. I gave out heavy, fervent sobs, fishing out some tissue from the armrest. I wept into it. No. Grief hadn't left. It never would. As long as I lived, this was what I'd be: a grieving man. Wiping my nose, I set out to the pearl white walls of Andrea Filemone International Hospital. My fingers curved around the tiny velvety box. I held back the tears till I got to ICU: Room 4 and shut the door behind. The heart monitor beeped. My Rina still laid like a corpse on the bed, not d
Vincenzo MorenoDay 3: post operation. White stark walls moved behind as I was wheeled into ICU: room 4. My system was asleep, with just my ears acknowledging the clomp of feet on the floor, muddled chatters and the squeal the wheelchair had as it rolled on along the tiled floor.The nurse pushed in the door. My heart throbbed the instant I spotted her. It wasn't good for my recovery, as the doctor had said; I didn't care. I couldn't, not when she was involved. Something washed over me. Hurt that clawed at my core. The nurse placed me next to her and left. I lifted a hand, then placed it on Rina's. My cloudy eyes moved to her face.It was unbelievable, so much, because I'd thought I'd lost her. Almost pushed to tears, I kissed her hand—my eyes shut tight as I communicated using my mind. We'd converse this way until she recovered.I cannot believe it: I'm holding you. You are here with me, life and direct. There's so much that's to be said. So much I should let out that I have th
Vincenzo Moreno When I'd gotten a text from Alessio, I hadn't done the expected. Rather than steam with rage, I shut my eyes in relief, for it was all over. I would get Rina at long last and eliminate that son of a bitch.I'd gone straight to Padre and stood my ground. I'd venture into the jungle of Valle del Teschio. It'd been clear Padre was too interested in the whereabouts of the moon statue to see the emergency at hand. He'd been too distracted to think clearly. And not only that. This was my fight. My mess. And only I could clean it up. Nearly twenty-four hours down the line, I was marching into the unwelcoming forest, accompanied by an army of soldiers. The only thing I saw good about my pack was the level of organization it showed. The soldiers who were armed to the teeth were proof. They made up the emergency tactical unit. Always on their feet at the snap of the finger. The undergrowth impeded our movement; our determination was the driving force that kept us going. The
Rina ZanteFire crackled in the background. It was one marker that showed the girl on the floor, whose legs laid sprawled and eyes closed, was alive. That, together with the occasional forcing of air into her nostrils. I hadn't seen my period in months; so the growing pain around my belly felt strange. It'd started yesterday with just a dull throbbing. Now, it came more frequently, resembling my period with its undulating intensity. A low and a high. At the onset, I'd worried something was wrong with the babies. And even as I'd figured what could be amiss, dread sank deep into my bones—chilling my blood. It wasn't supposed to happen now. I pressed my teeth into my upper lip as the painful wave waltzed across. It wasn't supposed to happen now. A tear of heartbreak escaped. I couldn't have the babies here. Not now. My heart wept out of disappointment. I'd had faith the moon goddess would come through for me. I'd been in Central Temple, in my dream, happy like never before as I ca
Leonardo (Alessio)Everywhere was soaked in green. Even the air. It oozed of the scent of herbs. I got out of the car, which was something I'd looked forward to since the journey began. Not just because my bones ached, but also the car had been suffocating in the figurative sense of it, and till now, I couldn't explain how or why I was subject to guilt. Leaves rustled and twigs snapped from the weight of my feet as I trudged ahead, stopping in front of a beastly truck. This was our new home for the meantime. Until we got to the endgame. The hood bore dust and leaves laid strewn over its surface extending to the bottom rim of the windshield, bringing to my notice a poster of Mario Domenico—a well-known survivalist. A wooden wall was mounted at the tail region of the car. The wall formed a convex hood above the windshield. I went to the side of the truck for further inspection. There was a door, a pigeonhole notched close to the back tyre, a large window towards the back. And a ch
Vincenzo MorenoI forced open the door, cutting Dr. Yolanda short. "See it now? They've fucking succeeded."Initially taken aback, Dr. Yolanda sent her gaze to the receptionist standing beside me, eliciting an explanation for why I had barged in from the dumb girl. Dr. Yolanda didn't show she was mad. Rather, she waved the receptionist away, turning to me. "I'm currently having a session, Vincenzo.""This is a matter of life and death. Definitely it's worth looking into with immediate effect." She paused, eyes fixed at me, and pressed back against her swivel chair. "What is it?"I frowned. "Yes. What is it?""You don't expect me to talk…now." I looked at the client seated across from her. "So, it's private. Surely, it isn't something too pressing you can't spare some minutes." I glared at her, the intensity almost lethal. Yet, she held my gaze, not at all intimidated. "Go on, Vincenzo. The longer you stand there, the less your chances of meeting with me." After several seco
UnknownA four lettered bitch. Something cruel and unfair. A tyrant who everyone feared. None questioned it. None could challenge it to a fight. That was what life was. Life wanted me to be like everyone. Accepting the shit it threw my way with open arms. It was an absolute impossibility for me to succumb because none of it made sense. How was it that one was favored, and the other person disposed of like garbage? Alessio Salvatore wasn't better than me. He hadn't been taller nor with more powers. In actual fact, we both—like other babies—had been born with zero abilities. He hadn't been more facially endowed, nor blessed with an angelic cry. We'd both had the potential to keep our parents up at night with our wails. Yet, he'd been chosen over me simply because he'd been the first to arrive. I had been seen as the lazy one. Belief had it that I still was attached to the other world, and so would have a negative impact on the true born and everyone around me.They hadn't blinked be
Rina ZanteBit by bit, the wardrobe came into view. I fixed my eyes at it for a while before finally heaving up. My arms bore the under of my belly. A huge yawn left my mouth. I was tired, even though the sleep had been long and peaceful. Then again, I didn't see myself fancying the idea of taking another nap. My gaze moved to the curtains. It was well lit. A clock hanging next to it stated the morning had long started. Some minutes to nine. Off to the bathroom, I couldn't say what would become of today. One thing was sure, however, I'd be out of town in a short while. As I brushed, a thought materialized. It was one that widened the soft spot that'd been attached to my heart ever since my belly became visible. The bathroom sink had inspired the thought. It looked just as cozy as the tub in my dream. Clean in its pale blue color and adorned with cloud patterns around. The dream had been lucid; I could remember details of it. The babies had been having their bath. Just me with the
Vincenzo MorenoHer room was a brown monochrome. Fairly furnished and with large panel windows. I couldn't stop myself from wondering if every therapist's office was this way. Depressing. Dr. Yolanda edged close and handed me a cup of coffee. "I'm going to be honest with you," she said while lowering to her seat. "I'm glad you called."Her gaze spoke volumes. She expected me to lay my worries bare—my greatest pet peeve. However I had no choice. I wanted none of these anymore: torn away from Rina, waking up miserable, and being in exile. "Do you want to talk about it?" I stroked my thumb over the handle of the cup, then sent the hot beverage sliding down my throat. "How much time do I have?" I asked. "Forty five minutes, but I'm willing to make it an hour."Why? Because I'd make an interesting study?My focus laid on the coffee as I mentally prepped myself to talk."I want all this to end. I just want to wake up and see this as part of the past." A short pause followed. "I don'