Sofia.Our frames engulfed in yet another embrace, strong arms surrounding us with protectiveness. I pulled away from my mom regaining my composure enough to say something. Anything. But then my eyes met his. My throat bobbed harshly pricking at how parched and thirsty I was feeling. Emotions tightening their hold on my racing but anxious heart.I never knew how much a single look could convey. How many feelings it can hold. How much grief was different than sadness. How much admiration and love differed. This man- this stranger however made me see them.Made me see myself in him.His longing. His desperation. His love. The fire in his onyx eyes seems to hold a fathomless amount of wisdom and care.He didn't really know me but I was his daughter. A daughter he never knew existed and here I was being stared at like I held the moon in my hands and handed it to him.I was supposed to say something by now but how could I? What was the appropriate thing to say in this situation?What wa
Nadei."Look, all I-I'm saying is t-that the a-amount of cousins, nieces and nephews we have is enough to inhabitant a whole c-continent." Lorenzo sniggered across from Nikolai, his words coming out a slurred mess. Eyes drowsily drifting away. His flushed face but contorted in a board sleepy dopey grin.And I knew that the идиот was gone for, the second he got rid of his glasses.(Idiot)Luca chuckled shaking his head amusedly, "The hell did you expect? We're Italians for fuck's sake. We don't do families of three. Plus, big families are awesome, it doesn't help with the fact that we fuck like rabbits too."Vale laughed at Luca's wording, obviously making what he said a sexually odd joke in his corrupted head but he soon shut his mouth as his father sent him a pointed glare, sparing us the displeasure of hearing whatever he wanted to say.God knows what went on in that brain of his.Rolling my eyes at the easily intoxicated male, that barely drank three glasses of wine. "So," I clappe
Nadei.I harshly exhaled cutting my ominous reverie short."Bello, you okay?" A small soft palm stroked my cheek, her soft pale blue eyes glinting with mild concern as mine settled on them. I struggled to answer her, my head automatically clearing out of those horrid memories."I'm fine, Lyubov." I was fine and with her, by my side, everything just fell into place. She was my life guard. Someone that help me stay up when I felt like drowning in my thoughts. Her voice, a song that calmed my restless mind and aching heart. Fuck. I'd be lost without her."Baby, are you sure?" I nodded giving her what I hoped to be a reassuring smile.She hummed back, her cute dress leaving little to the imagination as I looked down at her cleavage. The vantage point from my height made her plush tits look so damn distracting as she looked up at me with those innocent crystalline eyes.I was that it should be illegal to be as sweet and kind as she was but so entici
Sofia."- Sofia! Sofia wake up. I don't like this! Sissy wake up-- AH! NO. MAMA, HELP!" The shrill voice of my older brother, Aurelio mimicking Eddie from Stranger Things in his own way, didn't fail to wake me up or Nadei and Nikolai as they immediately shifted on the bed. Nial was out of sight for some reason.Brown eyes and Nikolai were the ones I was used to having with me in bed at this kind of time. We liked sleeping in. I stole a glance at my phone noting that it was almost eleven am confirming my doubts.But before I opened my mouth to voice my question, Lorenzo and Valentino's shouts resonated outside. Luca followed as he yelled in Italian. "Il secondo ti metterò le mani sul culo. Sei fottutamente morto!" (The second I'll get my hands on your ass. You're fucking dead!)I held back a laugh at their antics rubbing my eyes slowly. That wasn't the morning greeting I expected for sure but it was refreshing to wake up to. It only
Sofia.At breakfast, I conversed with my mother deciding to spend the day together to which practically every one of the men agreed. The exception was Lio that was insisting on rewatching a bunch of nineties' movies and playing board games.I was tempted to agree but thought that spending quality time with Mama was what I truly needed.Iva nor Cami were around to have another girls' night, Gods, I really missed them. it would have been great to have them here so that we'd go to a spa with my mom and have some fun of our own since the men had their own business to deal with.Adding in how the testosterone levels in the room were making my head spin and my stomach roll as I tried to keep up with how energetic and lively my siblings were. It was a great but handful start of a day, to say the least."I'm starting to think that you're adopted. Papà, Mama are you sure he's your child?" The blue eyed, dark haired male, Renzo, tittered.
Sofia.It had been almost a week since we talked. A whole goddamn week of not talking to them made me feel like I was going crazy. Scratch that, I was on the brink of mania at this point.Restlessness and grimness stuck to me like an ugly dark shadow constantly hovering over and deflecting every happy thought I had into a million broken ones.The trio and I weren't on good terms. And with what you might ask? Well, I was going home. Temporarily, of course, but according to Nikolai and Nadei that wasn't happening because it was too dangerous. Nial didn't even bat an eye and left the second I agreed to go which hurt more than it should've and hasn't talked to me since.And when I said home, I meant Italy. Milan to be specific. My parents and brothers asked me to spend a few weeks with them to introduce me to the family and I was no idiot to refuse.My family meant everything to me, now.I wanted to learn more about them and as far as I could tell, they did too, want to get to know me a
Sofia.Lio, immediately, stood reaching a hand out for me to take. His eyes gleamed mischievously. "So, Dress up? It's a pretty fancy club and your SpongeBob PJs are probably- no. Definitely are against the dress code."Well, I thought that my pajamas were iconic because what the hell could ever go wrong with a classic long-sleeved, silky shirt with a yellow sponge that brought my inner child out. And let's not forget my amazing matching pants that were absolutely slaying.I eyed my pajama set with a frown. "What's wrong with what I have on? It's not like we're staying longer than we'll need to and a dress code? How fancy we talkin'?" my brows knitted in surprise. Nik and Vale sure went all in but to be honest I didn't expect any less from them. Valentino and Nikolai were the loudest, most extroverted duo I had ever seen.It was cute but so damn stressful when they acted like toddlers high on sugar."Mega fancy. So, Whaddya say?" Jazz hands in check with his killer smile, Aurelio twi
Author's POV.Her eyes landed on him. And Sofia, instantly, felt like absolute and utter shit. Guilt made her heart sink and tightened its clutches over her making her wish that the ground would swallow her whole and never let go. What a damn relief it would be. She thought to herself.Brown eyes looked like a mess. He felt like it too, a total mess. His chin in an unruly scruff, his eyes empty and tired. Mouth uplifted in a drunken smile as he saw her. Nial was the definition of a hollow shell in that exact moment.He downed the whole content of the glass in one gulp feeling the after burn of said alcoholic beverage trickle down his throat, not daring to break the eye contact as he clenched his teeth. "What the hell is she doing here?"Cerulean eyes met his angry jade ones and softened despite his harshly thrown question."Nikolai, please." Sofia kissed the blond haired man's cheek making his heart flutter but tighten his corded strong arms around her. "Just hear me out. All of you.
Sofia.My eyes began to water. My mouth felt too dry and my throat felt parched but not from emotion. But because of who was sitting right in front of me. Being him. Fucking Arsen.There was one great thing about me that I took pride in. My ability to remember every single person that I meet's name. Be it days, months or years, I always remember. It was a talent at this point. For me to not forget this man from six years ago.The same idiot that tried to slyly swerve his way into my life.Clenching my jaw, I plastered a smile on my face as I faced him, grinning at me without a care taking sips of his latte. "What the fuck is this?" I almost growled. "Couldn't bother telling me that I actually know you?""Oh, do you, now?" He looked smug.I rolled my eyes and asked. Genuinely curious. Slightly vindictive. Overly caffeinated. "What's your endgame?" I felt my fingers twitch as looked at me like a curious puppy. "What do you mean?" His confusion made it even worse for me to keep my comp
Sofia.Accepting the call, I held my breath, not wishing to let it go as if it was my last. Waiting for him to commence and say something... anything. But only silence greeted me. Not a single word from his side, only shallow breathing and prolonged sighs.As if he was preparing himself.I was too, in a way."Do you know how many times I have waited for you to s-show up?" I willed myself to whisper, clutching my phone tighter. Emotions hogging my airway. "You promised me, you know. I thought that you-" I heaved a harsh breath, plopping to the cold marble floor."Bella.... Please," he started, "Listen to me for a second.""No, you listen to me, Sir." I whisper- shouted through with this hide and seek game that he was pulling me into. "You can't just disappear for years on end and then fucking show up. And you absolutely, cannot and will not ever approach my son or I swear to whatever that is holy..."I let my threat hang in the air as I brush my hair back. The simmering anger I felt ju
Sofia.Flashback..."Here!" A hand grasped onto a lilly, holding it to my face, blocking my vision of the sweet brown haired boy as he looked at my reaction. "This is for you, Sof!"Awestruck, I blushed, shakily grabbing the beautiful flower. Giving him a blinding smile, my eyes glistened in the warm sun energizing my gloomy self. "It's so pretty. Thanks!""It's no biggie," his lips stretched into a full blown grin, giggling as I caught his warm eyes. I felt myself turn beet red, fidgeting with my hands as he uttered, shyly. "Pretty people deserve getting pretty things!""Y-you think.. that I'm p-pretty?" I stuttered, rocking on my heels, back and forth. Not used to the adorable and effortless way he complimented me in. And in the state that I was in, I couldn't believe that he really thought that I was anything close to being... pretty.The word seemed so foreign.Because I was no match to the flower he had compared me with."Mhm, really cute too.""T-thanks," I stammered, turning my
Sofia.-Hope that this would give you the justice that you deserve, too.A.H-Ripping the yellow envelope, I pulled a flashdrive, a stack of pictures and a note. I read the messy cursive writing on the folded piece of paper a second time. Unsure of what to feel..I was... relieved but confused. I obviously still didn't know who the stranger was nor did I know how he knew anything this personal about me.However, it didn't matter, now.All what mattered was the slight feel of satisfaction that coursed through my heart. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little happy that they got what they deserved. Honestly, It was long overdue. Revenge felt good. Not great.And it had me questioning everything. The thought itself of Adrian's death, his dark eyes staring into nothingness as his equally dark, sick and twisted soul left his body was... satisfactory but it was still missing something.Closure was something that people took for granted, thinking that that they can just move on
Six years later..Sofia."Momma! Miss Ania gave me this! It's so fluffy!" Throwing his hands up, I break a smile at the sight of his big blue eyes gleaming as he shook a new stuffed toy. It was his birthday today and his friends and his preschool teacher wanted to throw him a little party at the park. It was a win win situation, whereas the kids got out of class to play and have some fun and I had my little boy distracted while I planned his party at home and I thankfully managed to finish everything up in time to pick him up."Look, look, loooook! Lydie gave me this," he blushed at the mention of the cute red head. She was Layla's daughter and Camille's four year old niece."Wow, those are amazing," I gushed matching his enthusiasm, "You know, you can open the rest of them at home. I'll help you. Now, stay with your friends while I go say hi to your teacher, okay?" I kissed his temple, brushing away his dirty blond curls "Okay!" He agreed, jumping up as skidded over to his classmat
Sofia.I could feel the boys turning white as the look of absolute rage took over his wrinkly face. The way that he clenched his jaw and squinted his eyes made me slightly cower into my seat, the look in his eyes almost looked like...his...Like.. Adrian's and I gulp, wishing that I haven't talked back as the old bastard yelled causing me to flinch back."WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?!"Luca jumped out of his seat gripping the old hag by the shoulders as he hurried over to my side, in an attempt to attack me. And during the chaos of his rage fit, we don't hear the front door unlocking. "Let me teach her a fucking lesson! The whore!" He flailed his arms around wanting to get out of the strong grip that my brother has on him.Mama hurried to interrupt his hatefulness filled words but failed to make him stop. "Father, don't -""Shut up! You're the one that caused this in the first place. You wouldn't listen to me! And look what it got you. A whore of a daughter, marrying three men
Sofia."Yep, I'm definitely gonna be the cool uncle, cause you three can't, for oblivious reasons," Aurelio mocked, boasting himself in the process of roasting Renzo, Luca and Vale. "You're naming your kid after me, right, sorellina?"Holding back a gurgled laugh, I shook my head at him. "You know I'm not doing that.""Meh," he shrugged making me laugh, "Worth a shot."Bombarded with questions after the trio and I returned from the hospital. It was almost an hour since we came back from Delia's office, she was my mother's close friend and co- owned a private clinic with her husband that was also friends with my mom.It was almost ten in the morning now, Nikolai had rushed us to her office at eight AM and I for a moment believed that he didn't get a wink of sleep as he kept dozing off on the car ride, snuggled up to me. His excitement the night before, literally made him lose sleep."What's going on here?" The thick accented voice made the hyped up atmosphere in the dining room, deflate
Sofia."No, wait!" I squeaked out, breaking through their warm embrace in a haste. "I have something to tell you.""Right now?" Nikolai whined trying to pull me to him.Giving him a stern look, I crossed my arms over my chest for emphasis and stood still. The other two laughed as he looked sheepish, muttered a 'sorry, love' and surprisedly kept his hands to himself.My nerves glided as I looked around the empty hall, our room a few doors away. "Let's just..." taking the liberty of guiding them to our room, the click of door being locked broke my resolve. The need to just blurt it out and get it out of my system was suffocating me the longer I kept my lips sealed. "I don't know how to s-say this.""It's okay," Nial smiled, caressing my hand in soft strokes. Pressing a kiss to my knuckles, he reassured, "Take your time, darling. We're not going anywhere."Forcing out a harsh exhale, I looked down, then, up and met their different coloured eyes. The green comforting depths in Nadei's. The
Sofia.“I thought that loving you was all the space my heart had. I had no idea that it'd expand. I didn't think I had any room left in my chest, it feels so full,” he smiled, the soft tug of his lips making his whole features brighten as he griped her hands.Tears brimmed at the corners of my lids, I shuddered and snuggled closer to Layla our arms linked as I sniffled. Needing the emotional and physical support she provided."You have given me everything that I need and want. I promise you that I will cherish and love you until my very last breath," Dimitri concluded his vows, an affectionate look in his eyes as he gazed at Camille who was already tearing up. The happiness radiating from them was unfathomably pure and heartfelt."That was beautiful." The officiant said, a soft smile on his face. "I now, announce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."The sight of the two of my friends declaring their love and special bond in front of so many people made my heart clench at th