To Love in Full

Chapter 6: Peripeteia

Peripeteia (n.) A sudden or unexpected reversal of circumstances; the point of no return.

Arabella's P.O.V.

"Come, Arabella. Have a seat," Nicolo said as the rim of his glass cup departed from his lips.

In my best attempt to look as calm as I could be, I took a deep breath and seated myself in the chair across from him, crossing my legs and lacing my hands together in my lap. Like predators stalking their weak prey, the men had now surrounded me, with Leone sitting by my side and Manuele leaning against the wall, all watching my every move.

"What is your name?" Nicolo asked while narrowing those formidable eyes at me.

"Arabella," I answered with a gulp.

"Your full name." He glared irately.

"Arabella Rhea Aetos," I sighed as memories of my family came flooding back, especially my grandmother, who was the inspiration for my middle name.

"Where are you from?" he then asked abruptly.

"The United States," I said and looked away as I could not stand his attentiveness any longer.

"How old are you?" he questioned immediately while my last word was still rolling off of my tongue in a hiss.

"I am twenty-three," I replied, and for a change of view, I glanced towards Leone, but found that he had already been studying me carefully.

"What are you doing in Italy?" He rapidly investigated further, almost interrupting my previous answer.

"I have been studying and living here for five years," I said as I turned to look at Manuele, and even found, that he too, was squinting his eyes at me.

Are these men testing me right now? I wondered indignantly. It came as a surprise that they would think that it was necessary to interrogate a woman like me. I thought that it was plainly clear that I was a victim in their issues; a formal discussion is all that is needed, but I suppose a group of criminals aren't always the brightest.

"What are--" Nicolo began the nonsense of asking his next question, but I instantly cut him off.

"Look, Nicolo..." I said as I narrowed my eyes in return.

"I do not have the answers that you are looking for," I said disdainfully and leaned back into the chair with my arms crossed over my chest.

"I beg to differ, Ms. Aetos. You were with Alexander tonight and you hold the Aetos name, so, I do not trust you; I believe that you do have the answers we are looking for."

I rolled my eyes at him and tilted my head to the side, now coming to the conclusion that this man's crippling brain cells, which help form his moronic thoughts, are gradually dwindling in numbers as we speak.

"You don't trust me?" I scoffed at him.

"You have not gained my trust," he shrugged.

"So, why would I?" he asked and picked up his glass to gulp down the remaining drops of liquor.

I frowned and shook my head at the sound of his answer. It was clear to me that his issues are between him and Alexander, but I remained stuck in this never-ending loop of false claims and life-threatening accusations, which I feared that I would never escape.

"Is there a problem, Ms. Aetos?" he questioned my display of annoyance.

"I believe that it is better to trust someone until they give you a reason not to," I said, carefully eyeing him.