Viola

Chapter 22

George's POV

As we're about to turn the corner into the kitchen I hear footsteps approaching behind us. I turn around and see Viola in the arms of the boy from the car.

Benedetto spins around as well, sending a small, warm smile their way.

The boy seems to whisper something to Viola. She nods and lowers herself out of his arms, instead, grabbing his hand tightly. He smiles softly at her before turning to me.

The regret etched into his face confuses me.

"Hey man, I'm sorry about the way I reacted earlier. Thank you for helping her." He says, reaching his hand out.

I accept the hand shake, waving it off. "It's alright, I understand where you were coming from," I tell him.

He nods before turning back to Vi.

I turn to Benedetto who seems as though he's turning 50 different shades of purple at the moment.

I frown wondering whether it's fair to force him into this before he's ready.

Just as I'm about to tell him that it's alright, that I can wait, I watch as Viola simply places a comforting hand on his shoulder and he seems to immediately calm down, his breathing, once again, evening out.

Smiling softly at the encounter, I put out my hand which Ben gladly accepts.

He lightly pulls me by my hand into the kitchen where I'm met with a clamoring room filled to the brim with life and conversation. No one seems to notice us so I'm able to observe the scene.

I look around and from Ben's descriptions, I'm able to identify most of the people in the room from his brothers to his uncles, the only ones left being those with a striking resemblance to the boy Viola is standing with which forces me to assume that they're his family.

A few moments pass before anyone even takes a glance towards us but just as Benedetto is about to announce our presence, the little boy, who I can only assume is Lucas, turns around. Catching the slightest glimpse of us smiles widely and charges at us, giggling loudly. I smile lightly as he slams into and latches onto the legs of both Viola and the boy.

"Vi-Vi! приятель!" (Buddy!) He shouts out.

Just as he lets go of them, Viola is pulled into a hug by a very tattooed guy.

I look over to Ben, mouthing, 'Antonio?'

He nods his head lightly. I whip my head back as I hear an annoyed growl only to find another guy attempting to pull Viola out of Antonio's arms.

"You always hog her Ant, I want Viola time too!" The boy whines. Antonio only rolls his eyes. Niccolo! I think to myself noting that he looks like he must be the youngest of the five.

The rest of the family has begun to gather around seemingly not noticing me.

I turn my attention back to the conversation

"I get to hog her because I'm her favorite brother," Antonio says, obviously teasing him.

"You are not!" Niccolo frowns before tackling Antonio.

Niccolo gets up, a triumphant look on his face looking at Antonio on the floor. I watch as that look melts right off when Antonio stands up with a very pissed-off look etched into his features.

I blink for a second and find a, now apparently extremely apologetic, Niccolo, running around the kitchen table in an attempt to escape Antonio's wrath.

The whole room erupts in chuckles as they play fight.

"Make sure you don't hurt my daughter or I'll have your heads, idioti." An older, but very fit, a man shouts out at the boys as Niccolo runs behind Viola to use her as a shield from Antonio.