3.Homecoming

Aria's POV

It is late in the afternoon when we make our way back to the east of Westwood where Uncle Marcello lives. The sun is already low on the horizon. As we drive, I watch the tall mansions sparkling on the mountainside, one just being bigger and more extravagant than the next. I was hoping to get away from this place, from these people, but the harder I try to get away, the more Westwood pulls me in.

Uncle Marcello’s house is the last one on the street, right at the very top of the mountain. The Tuscan Villa was built into the side of a cliff, over-looking the entire valley. On a clear night, the view stretches all the way to the ocean showing off the most breath-taking sunsets. The house is surrounded by a landscaped garden that houses some of the most beautiful and unique roses imported from every corner of the world. The house is exquisite during the day, but night-time is when the house truly comes alive with hundreds of lanterns lighting up the garden pathways creating a magical glow. This is where I spend most of my time, studying the stars.

It is already dark when we arrive home, the fragrant smell of roses permeates the air and invades my senses like a pleasant balm to the soul, easing away the tension of the day.

Uncle Marcello is the first to break the silence.

“Aria, I am going on a trip tomorrow. I will be out and about for the next couple of days. I want to meet up with some lawyers and friends of mine to discuss the outcome of our meeting with the council” he says.

“I do not want to cause any trouble Uncle Marcello. I will do what the council wants.” I say, thinking of my conversation with Don Giovanni. he scares me. I would not want to do anything to upset him even more.

“I am worried about your safety Aria. Every boss on the west coast will be watching you like a hawk. I have asked Johnny to come home and stay with you while I am away. You will have to go and pick him up from the airport tomorrow.” he says as we make our way into the house.

“The last time Johnny was here he stormed off during dinner and has not been back since. Are you sure this is such a good idea?” I ask.

“Aria, you are like a little sister to him, we both just want you to be safe.” Uncle Marcello reassures me. If only he knew what really happened between Johnny and me. I let out a deep sigh.

“I hope you are right” I say rubbing my temples. I can feel a headache coming on.

“Do not stress yourself Aria. We will sort this mess out with the council” Uncle Marcello says squeezing my shoulder and I can see the love and adoration he has for me shining through his eyes.

After a night of restless sleep, with old ghosts haunting my dreams, I pull myself out of bed. I need to fetch Johnny from the airport this morning. I pull on a pair of skinny jeans matching it with a green sweater and let my curls hang loose down my back. Uncle Marcello would have left by now.

I rush all the way to the airport, trying to dodge the morning traffic, which seems to be moving at a snail’s pace this morning. I make it just in the nick of time and rush to the gate where Johnny will be arriving.

It is not long before I spot Johnny coming down the escalator. Watching him approach me, makes me become restless. I start fidgeting with my bracelet. It has been three years since he last came home. The last time I saw him, he stormed off during dinner and I never saw or heard from him again. In the first weeks after Johnny left, I tried to question Uncle Marcello about his whereabouts, but the answers were always very vague and elusive. Uncle Marcello knew more than what he was letting on, but after a while I gave up asking, knowing that I would not be getting any answers from him.

The closer he gets to me, the bigger the knot in my stomach grows. I keep shifting on my feet and twirling my hair around my fingers as I watch him approach. When he stops in front of me, I have no words.

“No warm welcome for an old friend?” He asks, holding his arms open for a hug.

I release a deep breath I did not even realise I was holding and melt into his embrace.

“Welcome home Johnny” I say on his shoulder.

When he releases me, I cannot help noticing how much he has changed since I last saw him. It looks like he has grown taller if that is even possible. His long, messy blonde hair hangs loose against his face, only adding to the surfer- boy look he has with his tanned athletic build. He is the spitting image of Uncle Marcello. Uncle Marcello is just older and more polished. He looks the same, yet there is a hardness in his features that I cannot define. Something that was not there before.

“You look good, kid” he says draping his arm around my shoulders.

“I am not a kid.” I mumble as we start walking. He draws a lot of attention on the way, and every so often I notice a female stopping to stare at him, not even bothering that I am there.

When we get to the car Johnny takes the driver seat, and I jump in riding shotgun.

“I heard you are getting hitched, and apparently you are loaded. I always knew you were holding back on us” he says with a smirk as we pull onto the highway.

I slap him on the shoulder. He must always joke around.

“This is not a joke Johnny. I do not want to marry this guy” I say crossing my arms over my chest.

“You know dad will never allow it. He will come up with a way to get you out of this marriage” he says.

I want to ask him about what happened before he left, but out of nowhere a black sedan comes from behind and tries to push us off the road. Johnny loses control for a second and swerves into the next lane. We are driving at full speed and the sedan just keeps on coming closer to my door. I let out a scream, my heart is racing so fast I can feel my hands shaking from all the adrenalin being pumped into my system.

“What is this guy’s problem?” Johnny shouts throwing his one hand in the air.

The driver of the sedan comes up to my window and looks directly at me. He looks familiar, but I cannot remember where I have seen his face before. He just stares at me for what feels like an eternity and then slows down and takes the exit off the highway.

Johnny and I look at each other stunned.

“What was that all about?” he finally asks.

I just shrug my shoulders. “I have no idea, but it scared the living daylights out of me” I say, still shaken. Johnny looks deep in thought, a frown forming on his forehead.

“My life is getting more exciting by the day. You should stick around if you want to see more action” I say jokingly.

The frown on Johnny’s forehead just deepens.

We continue the trip back home in silence, both of us still trying to process what just happened.