Viola

Chapter 19

It's been a few days. I found out that my cousins and aunts were all away at the moment and we're going to rush home as soon as they could. 

Mom and Ana decide that today would be a good day to go shopping. So, I am now in the car with the two of them and 4 guards on the way to the mall. It was a struggle to escape all of those guys but they eventually gave in and agreed to let us go alone. 

I haven't been to a mall... in a while. 

As Roni drives there, Ana sits in the passenger seat and I sit in the back with the guards. I love the guards, they're all just big teddy bears.

At the moment, Joey (who was one of the guards at the front door when I came home), Roy, Lenny, and Shaun are the guards sitting with me. We're laughing about a story they told me about how Lorenzo had come home one night drunk and Roni washed him down with a hose as we pull up outside.

I look up at the mall in awe. 

I hear chuckles all around me. 

Joey helps me out of the car and I give him a hug. He tenses for a second but returns it, he's actually a really muscular guy so I was pretty much encased. I chuck;e

We start walking in and the guards each take a post and start to separate.

When we started walking into the first store they backed up a bit, seeming to want to give us privacy and standing where they can see. I ignore it for the time being assuming they're supposed to.

After walking around for an hour or two and exhausting all my energy with these shopping addicts I am slouched and wiped as they drag me by the arm.

I 'hmph' as I hear mom squeal something about a bikini.

She turns around to look at me

"Come on come on," I let out a sigh but oblige with a tiny nod, trying not to seem ungrateful

As I do, my stomach growls loudly. Mom and Ana both turn back letting out giggles. I blush deeply

"Alright," Mom says. "How about food first then bikini?" she asks, I nod eagerly suddenly feeling a burst of energy

We walk over to the food court and when we arrive we begin to talk about what we want. Mom and Ana decide on Chinese and I decide on Shake Shack. 

After getting our meals, we find a table and sit down. Looking around me I make a realization and jump out of my chair. 

Mom and Ana look at me, shock and confusion etched into their feature.

It looks like Ana's about to say something but I hold a finger up, turning around and walking towards the entrance to the food court. 

Joey, Roy, Lenny, and Shaun are all standing around keeping watch and are startled as they see me walking towards them.

I give them all a pointed look and signal them to come over to me. 

They look confused and make eye contact with one another questioningly. Ultimately, obliging, they walk towards me. 

 "Yes, Miss?" Shaun asks as they reach me

"Shaun, how many times have I told you that you don't have to call me that?" I ask him

"Sorry mi-Viola," he says 

I give him a playful smile, "No worries,"

"So Principessa," Joey draws out signaling me.

I furrow my eyebrows before realizing he's asking why I called them over.