The Perfect Lie

11

𝗡 𝗜 𝗖 𝗢

I adjust the ear defenders over my ears as the loud ring of gunshots echo through the air. The gun range isn't somewhere that I tend to visit often, but every now and then I'll try to make a point of coming here to fire a few rounds.

Although, I probably shouldn't be doing this while running on roughly three hours of sleep. I just couldn't fall asleep last night, even after driving around for two hours in an attempt to calm myself down. It seemed that nothing worked.

I wouldn't consider myself an anxious person, but I do overthink a lot of things and I suppose sometimes it takes it's toll on my body. I've often struggled with sleep, but over the last few days I've hardly had any at all.

It probably doesn't help that I have my mother in my ear constantly going on about her birthday party. I know she's excited about it and turning sixty is a huge milestone, but I have so much going on right now and to be honest, a party is the last thing I want to go to.

I don't want to take this day away from her but at the same time, I'm in no position to assist with party planning. So I've left it in the wonderful hands of Michael. I'm surprised he's agreed to do it to be honest. Hopefully he doesn't fuck it up.

Out of the four of us, I'd say Michael has the most strained relationship with my mother. Luca and Dante are the youngest, so it's safe to say they can often be blindsided by things that go on. Although we all had the exact same upbringing, we all experienced growing up differently.

Luca and Dante spend the majority of their time in Seattle with our mother, whereas Michael and I do the travelling back and forth to the city.

I felt a little off since my last visit to the Antonelli's house. Whether it's just from the outcome of our meeting, or from the fact that I had a long and very unexpected talk with Sofia, I'm not so sure.

Finding out about her diabetes wasn't really a shock, although I could see that she was clearly uncomfortable by the situation. Which she shouldn't be, at all.

Her drawings are amazing too. She's incredibly talented. It's a shame that she doesn't know just how great she actually is.

It was strange, her opening up to me. I guess I didn't realise just how alone she felt in that huge house full of people. I suppose, when you look at the bigger picture, she is incredibly isolated. I understand her brothers intentions, but at the same time, they do need to allow her a certain amount of freedom.

She is like a prisoner in her own home.

I'm surprised that she even found out about my mother's birthday. I didn't think it was something Renzo or Leandro would bring up to her in conversation, considering she's hardly allowed to go to any events.

Her being there is something that I would like very much.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I quickly retrieve it. I release a reluctant groan when I see my mother's name on the caller ID. With a deep sigh, I swipe the call through and hold the phone to my ear.

"Niccolò!" She beams through the speaker. I cringe at the use of my full name. Only my mother ever calls me Niccolò and I hate it.

"Hello mother, how can I help?" I say as close the door to the gun range behind me.

"Oh, I just wanted to let you know how the party planning is going." She explains and I roll my eyes, running a hand through my hair as I look up at the ceiling.