It Began In Italy | ✔️

Chapter Seventeen

II had skipped dinner last night, due to the resentment I hold towards my mother at this very moment in time, so when I finally made my appearance downstairs the next morning, I was beyond hungry.

"How are you feeling?" Vienna asks when I move to sit next to her. The rest of the house was still asleep, apart from Nancy - she was always the early bird.

"I'm okay... I think it's best if I spend more time out of the house and away from my mother. There's been something off about her recently but I'm not sticking around to figure out what," I admit, and she nods her head.

"What she did... she had no right. Especially when she knew how badly Ambrose had treated you," Vienna folds her arm around me, hugging me from the side. "I know how to get back at her... get yourself knocked up."

I laugh before moving away. "I'm sure there's much better ways to get back at her than following in her footsteps," I admit, and she nods her head.

"All in good fun, escape whilst you can," she nods her head towards the door when sounds of movement can be heard from upstairs. I nod my head before grabbing a piece of French toast and making my way out of the house.

I've always had a close relationship with Vienna, she's the only one that's ever vouched for me and what I want.

I decide on spending some time alone today, feeling that a bit of self-care is needed. Heading towards the beach, I soak in the morning sun. Everyone is still in the midst of cleaning up from the festival, the town feeling depleted and slowed.

However, the jovial spirit is still in full gear.

Grabbing a coffee from the shop, I move down to the docks and dangle my feet over the edge. I will spend the least amount of time possible in that house until Ambrose leaves. There's only so much waiting a man like him can do.

Boats bob along the calming waves, the morning bringing a new day and a new start. This was supposed to be a trip that radiated happiness and togetherness before my inevitable leave but now, it's a complete and utter shit show.

The only person who I can currently rely on for even the slightest of solace is a man that I barely know.

But a man I trust more than most at this moment in time.

I grab a pebble from beside me and toss it into the water, enjoying the small ripple it causes. It reminds me of mine and Maria's antics the other night and, in what feels like forever, a smile forms on my face.

It shouldn't be like this. I should be happy, not trying to find ways to avoid my family.

"Hey," his voice sounds and my aching chest eases slightly. Sitting down beside me, I let the silence brew between us. It's odd... I don't believe we have ever shared an awkward moment.

"Do you think I'm hard to love?" I ask, keeping my eyes trained on the lapping water. There's not a chance I can look him in the eyes.

"Why do you ask that?" Nico fires back another question and I close my eyes.

"My mother and I, we've never been close. She's never made me feel like she truly loves me. It's always been Nancy that has shone brighter than everyone else. And Ambrose... was I too hard to love that he decided to find it in someone else? It just doesn't make sense. What have I done to the world that requires love to be so hard?"

More silence stretches between us, and I regret ever saying anything.

"You're not hard to love at all... I think you'll find that people love you long before they even know it themselves," Nico pauses for a moment. "I think it comes down to whether people deserve your love. They know you're too good for them so they do what they can to sabotage it. Don't blame yourself for the shitty things people do."