𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄, damiano david

━━𝟓𝟒.𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

In the following days, I phoned my lawyer at least twice a day, more often than Damiano, who only called me once a day because the band was totally stressed out.

The many concerts were getting to their heads, besides, they often gave interviews or had other press appointments during the day, Sophia called me more and more often because she was bored waiting for the others to finish with some appointment.

I could tell Damiano was tired and stressed, every night he was with the others at parties they were invited to and we had often talked on the phone while a raging crowd sang songs in the background or the music was turned up so loud that I couldn't understand a word he was saying. It sucked, but I hadn't imagined it any other way.

I didn't go out of the house much, except to walk Chili and occasionally help Rosa with the shopping.

My life felt much more monotonous than before and that was not good. I liked security and consistency better than adventure, but by now even I was getting bored.

That's why I was all the more excited a few days before Damiano was due to come home to testify for me in court. I tried to call him for the fourth time that day to arrange when I should pick him up at the airport tomorrow, but he didn't answer his phone, probably busy with interviews or screaming fans again.

I had seen the many videos on the internet of him being mobbed by dozens of teenage girls, all coming to see him in particular, but also the others, it was as if they were already superstars. I didn't mind the teenage girls, I knew Damiano would never get involved with any of them, he was faithful and our love was too strong anyway to let either of us even think of cheating on the other.

Of course, some of them had certainly tried to make a pass at him, but he wasn't like that, that he would go for it even though he had a girlfriend, besides, the others would probably let him hear a few things.

The worst thing for me was that he had so little time, so little time for me, even if it was selfish because he was living his dream and I should be able to get by without constant phone calls for a few days, it made me sad. It was even worse when I heard on the phone how exhausted and tired he was, because then I felt guilty that he stayed up longer than necessary to call me because of me, instead of sleeping and resting, but I missed him terribly, so I was happy about every call.

When I offered him to go to bed earlier and we could also talk on the phone at another time, he always refused, I didn't know if it was out of a sense of duty and not to disappoint me or because he missed me just as much, probably all a bit.

I was sitting at the dining table propping my face up in my hands, my eyelids were heavy and almost falling shut when the front door banged loudly and I startled, immediately the panic set in that I always had at unexpected loud noises, but Rosa's voice reassured me, "Oh damn, stupid thing," she cursed at the front door and I smiled weakly. She came into the dining room and when she saw me the little laugh lines formed on her face, "Coraline, I didn't know you were downstairs," she said setting two large bags down on the table.

"Yes, I just tried to call Damiano to ask when I should pick him up tomorrow, but he didn't answer," she didn't need to know that it was already the fourth attempt.

"He's probably busy again, try again in a few minutes," Rosa said and I nodded, I'd been trying again and again for half an hour.

"I'm sure he'll call back in a minute anyway, my son is besotted with you, he can't keep you waiting for long," I sighed when she said that, not knowing what to say in reply.
"Is something wrong sweetheart?" Rosa asked me suddenly, tilting her head, her voice softer as she said it.

"No- yes, I don't know either-" I murmured softly, but she understood me anyway, "It's the whole situation, isn't it?" she asked, "You're here in Italy but without him, the court case with your father is getting you down and you'd rather just lie in bed all day, wouldn't you?" as I looked up tears shimmered in my eyes and I couldn't help them suddenly rolling down my cheeks, I was ashamed but it was exhaustion, I was sure of it.