Odessa

chapter 5 - bellissima

I stick my head into the reception and see Cal hunched over his new phone on one of the sofas.

"You having fun with that?" I ask with a playful smile, leaning against the door frame. He quickly looks up at me with the biggest smile I've ever seen. This clearly meant a lot to him.

"You know it! This phone is so much better than all my other friends phone. Thank you so much Layla" he says, jumping up, giving me another one of his big hugs. I hug him back, and I honestly can't help but feel bad for the kid.

More than that, I feel guilty. I was getting my third pair of diamonds earrings at his age, and he's just gotten his first ever phone. I've only known this kid for 24 hours, and I'm closer to him than I've been to anyone in years. Making friends in this city was never a part of the plan. Caring about anyone besides myself was never part of the plan. But I guess the plan is falling apart anyway. I pull away from the hug, trying to get the feeling of unrequited guilt off my chest.

"I'm glad you like it. I'm going to head out for a bit, going to try see if anyone's hiring. I'll be back in about an hour."

"Okay Lala. Stay safe. See you later!" he replies giving me another smile.

"Lala?" I ask.

"You call me Cal, I call you Lala." He shrugs, smirking.

I laugh, tilting my head on the door, "I've heard worse." He laughs. "Cya Cal." I say, closing the door behind me.

"Bye Lala!" He calls out after me, waving me off.

Once I take a couple steps away from the reception, I lean against a wall and take a deep breath. In and out. In and out. A rouge tear slipping down my cheek. This is not part of the plan. He is too sweet for this world.

"He's never going to get off that damn phone now." It's Dina. She's saved me from my thoughts. Like the angel she is. Walking towards me, out of one of the rooms with her cleaning trolly.

I laugh, wiping away my fallen tear quickly, "Sorry about that. Thought it might be good just to have on him. Just in-case he needs to contact someone"

"I know. Thank you very much my dear." She gives me a friendly smile. Her smile quickly fades when she notices my teary eyes, her expression turning sympathetic. I think she can tell I don't feel comfortable talking about it. Changing the subject, "Speaking of things to have 'just in-case', I thought you might need this". She says, reaching into her trolly and grabbing something before extending her arm and handing me a paper bag.

"What is it?" I ask curiously, opening the paper bag and taking out something wrapped in a towel. Before she can answer, I feel the cold, dangerous metal. I already know what it is. I close my eyes, covering it back over with the towel and placing it back in the bag.

"Dina..." I whisper, scrunching up the top of the bag and extending my arm to hand it back to her. I do not need any more guns. Guns weren't apart of the plan either.

"It's just for safety. You don't have to use it, ever. But it's dangerous out here sweets. Just..." She sighs, pushing the bag gently back into my arms. "Keep it on you. Just in-case." She says.

"If it will make you feel better, I will." I sigh, putting the weapon in my bag. "Thank you" I say in a whisper as I pull her into a hug.

"Where are you off to?" She asks, holding my hands after pulling away from the hug.

"I'm going out for a bit, I'm going to see if I can find a job. I'll be back before we leave." I give Dina a quick peck on the cheek.

As I walk, I glance behind me and see her watching me, smiling gently as she pulls out her phone.