VERNERO
Once again, I was 19 years old. I found myself in the glacial, bitter lands of Japan, one of the bases where I was currently under my “remodeling” phase. According to my father, Lorik Cattanio, I was a weakling. I was not even fit to be his son thus needed to be reconstructed, to be remodeled into something perfect, something he would take pride in. So he took me here, to one of the Turantello bases.
The mountains and the thick heavy forest created a false scenery to the viewers, feigning the beauty of the lands of green, hiding the cruelty of what was at the feet of the mountains and deep within the thick forests.
The whir of the gelid frosty air of winter morning sang along, adding to the fake beauty of white coated lands and swallowing the bitter cries of the distressed, creating a nice but harsh tune that bit the earlobes painfully; also giving a crisp, but cold air to breath. The land under the 4 meter thick snow was inconsolably hard ag
LORENZOIt has been a few days since Verzi’s last seizure attack. And luckily this time, no one was killed because they saw him during his vulnerable time. Seeing him like that, helpless and very vulnerable, that always made my heart clench painfully. But what made me want to yank my hair out of my scalp was the fact that he was steel-headed by keeping everything that has happened to himself.All I wanted to do was share with him his pain. I had no idea of what our father did to him during the time he took him away from me. Before then, my brother and I were inseparables, we were the shadow of the other and shared everything. There were no secrets from us. But after that, Vernero was a whole new person. That was seen through things he did. It was safe to say there was something that happened, something that made him lose his mind.After his last seizure, I had calmed him down by informing him that the Roberts had called. The Roberts turned out to be Leigh&
LEIGH-ARI POVDriving home from the doctor’s appointment felt serene. I was relaxed from head to toe and the usual painful pounding of my head was gone. I was listening to smooth slow music as I swerved and maneuvered through the heavy evening traffic. At long last, I arrived outside my flat and packed the car, then rode the elevator to the first floor where my apartment was.Upon arriving on my floor, I realized a whole new commotion of gazillion boxes stacked and piled outside the flat opposite mine. Curiosity had me walking stealthily and sneaked a peek inside. There were orders barked from the inside as a feminine voice commanded some men to decorate the house however she saw fit. One, I was happy that I had a new neighbor. Two, I was nervous as to what kind of a person she would turn out to be. Right when I was about to leave, a voice called out; telling me I was caught red handed:“You can come in. I might need your help with all these.”
VERNERO POV “Boss, we got him!” Marcelo announced peeking through the slightly opened door. I raised my head and there he was, with that smile that he always wore when we were about to skin someone alive or roast them. The look on his face pulled my own lips in a lopsided smirk, because I knew the shit was about to go down. “Now that's the best news I’ve been waiting for!” I called out getting up from my giant ass chair and rounded the table, exited my office with Marcello by my side. We walked down the stairs with him filling me up with the details of what had transpired during his hunt for the imposter. I was rather disappointed to find out that it was one of my trusted men who just decided to go behind my back. And betrayal was one thing I never knew how to handle or stomach! I never spared anyone who betrayed my trust! If I did, then I would be the weak kid my father despised. I got rid of that child a millennia ago and I wasn’t going to revive him. The o
LEIGH-ARIThree full days passed and my new neighbor and I continued our newly formed routine. I would wake up in the morning and go to work, and then come back at night to have dinner with her. Laura joined us two days back and like I, fell in love with Valerie. She was such an open, easy-going person that made everyone feel comfortable around her. Although she was way too classy and fancier than us, she was really a nice person.Last night we had plans to go out for drinks, only to pull an overnight shift. I had an 8 hour surgery and by the time I left the OR, I was just ready to hit my bed on the bed and get done with the day. I arrived at home to find her preparing to leave.“I am just going to pick my boss from the airport. I will spend the night here and fly over to Italy tomorrow morning.” She explained when I looked at her questionably.“And you dress like that when you go pick your boss? From the airport?” I gestured to he
LORENZO Arriving at O.X Apartments from the airport took approximately 30 minutes. Upon our arrival, we settled the tenant verification process and rode the elevator to where the apartment was. Valerie opened the door for me to enter but I couldn’t help embrace the one across mine and breathe it in: it felt like I was breathing her! Not the door, but her. I closed my eyes and leaned against the door frame with my front, then gently caressed it. Just right beyond this door; she was in there! “Come on in boss. You look like a freak when you do that!” Valerie teased causing me to unglue myself from the door and enter inside my apartment. I was actually gobsmacked and awed by how neat and clean the place looked. The colors were well coordinated, from white, to gray and black! I guess Valerie was highly used to Verzi’s OCDs. I walked around taking in the place, and I was actually in love with it. Compared to the Dark Woods Castle, this seemed rather uncomfortably
LEIGH-ARIThe day rolled by quickly and at some point, I had to drag myself out of bed and begin with the affairs of the day! When I checked the clock, it was well after 3pm and I casually shrugged. So far there have been no calls from work and I was highly thankful! There was nothing that made me want to crawl into the earth than being woken up from a very restful sleep and being told you have to go to OR; then spend yet another 6 or more house on feet sewing someone close.It was good to save lives yes; but good heavens was it tiresome!Laura called in to check up on me and filled me in with what had happened with her boyfriend. She sounded so down and I knew I had to be a knight in a shining armor and cheer her up. I cleaned up quickly and did a few house chores, placed things accordingly and bathed up well. By the time I was done, it was right after 5 and Laura was about to leave work.The plan was to go spoil her at some bar and get a few drinks, and
LEIGH-ARII worked throughout the day getting ready for the annual ceremony and before I knew it, Laura and I were driving back to my apartment. She was staying for the night and I was rather happy to have her. I loved Laura so much; she just got to me without even trying. We joked a lot, cried together, dissed people together! She was my human diary and I appreciated everything about her.“So how do you think the boss neighbour looks like?” She inquired jiggling her eyebrows! I looked at her and then busted out; then focused my attention back to the road!“I don’t know honey! He’s probably a guy in his 40’s, with a head that’s already balding, a very ugly goatee and a pot belly!” I replied causing her to double over with laughter. I joined her and giggled along at the idea of an old guy, with a big belly!“There’s no way Valerie would be involved with such a guy I mean dah! Have you seen her? Sh
LORENZO Once I was behind the safety of closed doors of my apartment; I let loose. I clutched my stomach tightly and laughed! I laughed so hard that I had to crawl to the couch and plant myself face first; then continue laughing! Never, in my wildest dream had I imagined that my very first encounter, after a decade, with Leigh would be that way! Man she was feisty! Holy pregnant cow. I reached for my phone and quickly dialed Verzi, he answered on the third ring and began chuckling as soon as he read my mood! “I am listening!” “You won’t believe what just happened!” I cackled as I heaved out for air. I spent the next 20 minutes explaining to him about what had just happened. How Leigh even had me take off my t-shirt just so she sees that I really wasn’t Verzi. We laughed so hard and I was really happy! I have never laughed like this in my entire life. She had been scared yes, at the same time; she was trying to put the brave facade. Lik