Playing The Game - Book Four in The WSU Series

- Chapter Thirty-Two -

Two and a half years ago

"If you could go anywhere, where would you go?"

"Definitely somewhere hot," Gio replies, he's sat on the floor, his back up against the end of his bed. I lie on my stomach as I watch him type away on his laptop. "But like, where?" I push as I try to read the words he's typed. "Where would you go?" He questions instead, he glances to his left to see me hovering over his shoulder. I pause to think for a moment.

Gios green eyes find mine, searching for my answer. "Switzerland," I reply, it's everything in the winter. Plus, no one would think that's where I'd go. I'd travel to Norway first, and then from Norway, I'd head on a train to Switzerland— the Sierre district. "See, opposites," Gio states with a smile, if my father knew I was currently lying on Giovanni Pazis bed in his house— I'd be nine feet under. He'd kill me, I wouldn't complain, I'd be away from him. But part of me knows, that even in death I'd still be haunted by him. The memories are scarred into my brain, along with my skin.

Scars don't disappear, they stay as a reminder of the pain you've gone through— and now you've overcome it.

"Giovanni!" I hear the yell from outside his room, "and it's satin herself," he mutters as he closes his laptop. Before I could run out of sight the bedroom door opens. A redhead girl stands in the doorway, her face filled with freckles. The first thing I notice is her eyes, a shade of emerald— a smilies color to Gio. "What do you want, Aria?" Gio asks as he stands before handing me his closed laptop. "A loving brother for starters," she states and I notice how the two looks so alike they could be twins.

Twins.

I do a double-take between the two, yep— definitely twins.

"Where's my credit card?" She questions before her gaze goes to mine. Her hard expression softens and then she smiles. "Where're my manors?" It's a rhetorical question as she crosses the room to extend her hand, "Aria Pazi, Giovanni's twin," she explains as I accept her hand to shake. "Lizzie," I say, I spot Gio nod in agreement as I leave out my last name. Aria lets my hand drop as she turns to face Gio again, "my card," she says as she extends her palm facing up. All Gio does is shrug, he crosses his arms against his chest, "ask dad," he comments. "Dad is the one who took it," Aria explains with a roll of eyes. "What did you do this time?" Gio asks with a smile, I watch in silence as the two exchange what I'd assume is sibling banter. I've always wanted a sister or even a brother. Someone to keep me company when I'm home.

"Rebelling," Aria dryly responds, she glances at me and smiles before looking back at her brother. Gio doesn't look impressed with her answer as Aria sighs before speaking again, "he caught me sneaking out liquor from his cabinet."

"And there it is," he hums as her truthful answer. "So, credit card," she opens and closes her hand to indicate to Gio to place it in her palm. "What do I get out of it?" He asks as him and Aria hold their gaze. "You get the satisfaction of knowing you helped your sister," she says with a smile.

"Stop flirting with my friends and you can have it," Gio states, and Aria sets out a sigh. "If that's what it takes," she says with a smile as he pulls his wallet out of his pants pocket to give her his credit card. "Don't spend too much," he tells her, and with a wink in my direction, she leaves his room, once the door closes Gio turns his attention back to me.

"So," he says, "you met Aria." In all my time knowing Gio, I've never seen him so on edge. He stays silent as I sit watching him in awe, "your sister seems, nice," I comment and I know Gio doesn't believe me as he laughs. "She reminds me of you," I say. From that five-minute conversation between Aria and Gio, they seem alike. Aria appears as a more outgoing version of Gio— I almost wonder why I never knew he had a twin before. Surely I would have seen her at the parties, and balls that I attend. Surely, right?

"Aria is a spitfire," Gio states with a laugh as he joins me on his bed. I turn over to face him as he sits against his headboard. As I lie on my back staring at Gio I realize just how lucky I am to have him. He's never judged me because of my father. "A spitfire?" I question with a genuine smile. "Aria isn't afraid of anyone, and my dad loves her for it— my mom," he cringes before continuing, "she loves her, but the two would kill each other if they were alone."

"And you're not?" I question as I sit up, "I'm not, what?" He asks as he crosses his arms against his chest, "you're not a spitfire?" Gio laughs at my assumption, "definitely not."

"What are you then?" I smile as I wait for his answer, "your best friend," he simply states and we both know he's telling the truth. "Best friend," I repeat as we sit in silence and I realize this is the happiest I've been in a long while.

This is how I'd imagined Gio and Lizzie meeting again.

"We were so close."

"If it's your future, I'm interested."

"I felt her drifting away."

~

I really hoped you enjoyed the chapter, Gio is so pure it hurts. What is everyone's thoughts? Id love to hear them, message me— I always answer.

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