Stella (Book One of Dark Souls Series)

Torta Barozzi

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tristezza- feeling down or unhappy in response to grief
*~*

"Is that-"

"Stella?"

I looked up to see that the tall figure in the expensive suit was none other than Adonis Veretti.

My heart was begging me to rip it out of my body, so I took deep breaths to make sure I controlled my hyperventilating. A storm of emotions swam within me when our eyes met.

"Mamma?"

I released a shaky breath and clutched my chest. My vision was becoming blurred with tears, and I found myself incapable of suppressing my emotions. It physically hurt my heart to see him here looking as devilishly handsome as he did.

"I think she is experiencing a panic attack," I heard Gaia's voice. It sounded so far away.

"Mamma!" Eva's innocent voice pleaded with me to be okay. My chest rose and fell quickly as my heart pounded from within.

Come on, Estella, I told myself. Concentrate.

When I felt hands on my waist, I looked down to see that they were rather large and familiar hands.

"Breathe for me, baby."

Tears fell from my eyes and I knew it would break my heart, but I had no choice but to look up at him. His stronghold on my waist was the only thing that kept me from falling to the floor.

He was close enough for me to smell his cologne, and I understood that he was trying to shield me from the crowd around us.

"Eva, let's give your mother and Adonis some space," Gaia said softly.

"Are you gonna be okay, mommy?" my daughter asked me with a sad face.

I turned and nodded as I wiped my eyes. "I'll be fine," I responded with a small smile. "Go with Gaia for right now."

"Can I spend the night?" Her tone changed from sorrowful to happiness.

I looked at my friend with pleading eyes until she gave in. "Si," she responded reluctantly.

Eva squealed as a grin took over her face.

"I will pick her up early in the morning," I told Gaia with appreciation in my voice. "Thank you, Gaia."

She smiled and nodded as my daughter hugged me. I squatted and wrapped my arms around her. "Tomorrow, we must celebrate your trophy," I promised her as I tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear.

She nodded her head and hugged me again. "I love you, mamma."

"I love you more. Be good for Gaia."

"I will!"

"Let's go get your rain gear from Jilian," my friend told Eva.

"Bye, mamma," she said to me while waving. Seconds later, they were gone.

To my surprise, she didn't say goodbye to Adonis. I guess she was still angry at him for leaving without saying goodbye because she didn't know about the situation we were in.

"Are you sure you will be okay?" Mr. Veretti asked me.

I nodded. "I will be fine. I only felt a little suffocated."

"Perhaps it is the heat in here," Esperanza said sympathetically. "Do call me tomorrow," she told her son.

He nodded at his parents and we watched them disappear into the crowd of people that were leaving the building.