It Began In Italy | ✔️

Chapter Four

The morning that followed was one that consisted of a terrible headache and my mother ranting to me about my recklessness. "You could have been killed, Heidi, we were worried, and you were out getting drunk!" she shouts, and I massage my temples, trying to soothe the pounding that her overly loud voice is only multiplying.

"I wasn't getting drunk; I had a few glasses of wine and that was it. I'm here now and I'm not dead so everything is fine!" I retort and she rolls her eyes before pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger.

"That's not the point!" she continues shouting and I want to be swallowed up into the nothingness where her incessant voice isn't attacking me.

"Then, what is the point?" I throw up my arms in protest as my father walks into the kitchen. He moves towards my mother, his hand rubbing her back and I force myself to not roll my eyes.

It's always them both against me, that's it.

As soon as my father is added to the conversation, I know that I'm done for, that's there's no way of me getting my point across.

"Honey," my father says to me in warning, and I want to rip my own hair out in frustration. "All that your mother is saying is that you could have told us that you were planning on drinking instead of us having to find out through the ruckus you made this morning."

"I made a ruckus because no one answered the door and I was forced to climb through a window," I counter and my mother sighs.

"This is not how I wanted this morning to go. The Emiliano's were supposed to be visiting and it was going to be a relaxed day... but no. You have to go and ruin it by drinking yourself silly," my mother's voice is much lower now and I can tell she is barely containing her anger.

Vienna and Terrone walk into the kitchen as soon as I match the dots. Ignoring everything else that came out of her mouth I follow up with, "The Emiliano's?"

"Yes, they're old friends of ours. We haven't seen them in years, and we thought it would be good for a reunion. They have a son..." Vienna says suggestively, and I want to shrivel up into a ball and die. I know exactly who that son is... Niccolo.

"We thought we'd invite them over and chat by the pool," my mother says, and it only gets worse and worse. This cannot be happening. The doorbell rings. "Oh, that will be them," she moves towards the door and before I can take another breath, I make my way quickly up the stairs and towards my bedroom.

Okay, what do I wear? How am I supposed to act? Am I supposed to act like I know him or are we supposed to pretend like this is our first meeting? I didn't tell my mother about the fact that he walked me home and I most certainly didn't tell her about the soft way he touched me before he left. I didn't say anything. I can't tell if that is a good thing or not.

Taking a brisk shower to wash the remnants from last night away, I grab a plain black bikini and take out a small dress to wear as a cover-up. Moving towards my dresser, I grab a pair of sunglasses, to shield my hungover eyes from the too bright sun and tie my hair up in a knot.

Grabbing a book to distract myself, I finally take a deep breath before leaving my room and walking down the stairs. As I pass the kitchen, I grab a glass of water and head out into the garden. My nerves grow when I see Nico laughing with my mother. My eyes then flicker to his parents.

Willing myself to walk outside, I give everyone a bright smile. "Ah, here is my daughter, Heidi. You finally decided to make an appearance," my mother gives a small dig, but I don't let my smile falter.

"It's nice to meet you, I've heard lots about you," I smile towards Nico's parents and then turn to face him. Nico throws a smirk my way before holding out his hand. I take it hesitantly, his palm rough against mine.