Balotelli-Bale Series Book #4: THE OTHER MAN PART 1

Chapter 41: Strange Men Part 1

Marianna's POV
I took the liberty to get Madeline new books. Before I leave Nicko's house I'll fill her mind with happy endings. It's day three and so far, his wife is not around. I love that. I live for drama and confrontation but I don't want one this time round. It has a lot to do with me only wanting to focus on Nicko.

The drinking... it's too much. Last night at about midnight, probably a little later than that, I heard a loud thud. I hurried out of the bedroom to check and found Julio trying to wake him up. I was scared he had hurt himself when he fell down the stairs. When I get closer, I realized that his blacking out is the result of him smelling like a whiskey bottle. The bodyguards carried him to his room. He hasn't woken up and  it's noon. It is very unlike my son and this worries me.

"Good you're back. The weatherman says there could be a storm tonight."

"The weather looks terrible. This is why I hate this place. Nicko?" I asked the woman who always takes care of him.

"Snoring away." Lupe answered. "What are those?"

"Story books for Maddie. Did you know that Margaux ripped out all the happy endings in her books?"

"What?" Lupe frowned at me.

"Imagine that. That woman has to be darker than any darkness we know! Maddie is a child and yet she's filling her little head with so much negativity!"

"I was thinking Signora. What if you just take Maddie and go back to Florence? I'll stay and take care of Nicko. But you take the bambina and go."

"I wish it was that simple but she can sue me. I'm not her mother. If Nicko was to take her then it's okay but he's a mess! Do you know where I can find Keira?"

"I have never even seen her." She laughed. "Maybe ask Julio." She placed a plate of food in front of me. "Why are you looking for her?"

"Well, I want to ask her to help with Nicko. I dint even know if that will work... but... I don't know. It feels like when Nicko was a baby and I didn't know what to do. Right now I dint know what to do-"

He's walking our way. His eyes are mere slits. A scowl rests in his face. "Hey!" I smiled at him.

I don't think we have really talked. He's aversive, something he's usually not.

He walked past us without a word. He proceeded down stairs. I followed him only to see him in the wine cellar. He picked three bottles of wine and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. It's painful to watch someone you love descending into self destruction. I blocked his path. I know I look like a joke given how big Nicko is and how dainty I am. "Figlio mio, what are you doing to yourself?"

He tried to get past me but to move me out of the way he will have to put the bottles down.

"Per favore, get out of my way." His voice is dull, almost lifeless.

"Nicko, maybe we should look for help. This is an addiction that you are developing and it's not healthy. I can help you. We can go together."

He scoffed. There's emptiness and sadness in his eyes. He walked back and put away all the bottles just where he found them. He then hurried up the steps and literally pushed me aside. I nearly stumbled but he caught me. "If I can't drink in my damn house then I'll drink somewhere else. I don't want your help."

I followed him but he got into his sports car and I watched helplessly as he disappeared at full speed. I really thought it would be easier. I need Nate's help. His way is aggressive but if it saves him from being a drunkard, why not? Alcohol ruins lives. It dulls brilliant minds like Nicko's and it will affect all of us.