Ziya

S I X

ZIYA

"Zi Zi, are you okay? You're so red. Oh fuck no. Darren, what the fuck did you do? You're such an idiot. You asshole. You've literally been here for like 10 minutes. What the fuc-" I cut off Daisy's rambling by hugging her. She returned the embrace immediately and calmed my nerves.

"Hey what's wrong bug? Are you okay?" She asked, concern wrapping her tone. I moved my face from her neck and nodded.

"I was just getting overwhelmed, there was a lot of shouting. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." I whispered to Daisy. Her face relaxed and she smiled lightly at me. Rubbing her nose with mine, she kissed my forehead and let go of the tight embrace.

As we turned around, all of the 8 males that surrounded us, looked at us with wide eyes and mouths agape. I held my hand up to cover my mouth as I attempted to stifle my laughter.

"Daisy. What. The. Actual FUCK. DID YOU JUST BLAME ME FOR DOING SOMETHING TO ZIYA? ARE YOU OKAY IN THE HEAD?." Darren shouted at his sister. This time Daisy and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Darren, calm your tits. You're always to blame. Chill the fuck out please, sheesh. Where's dad bug?" Daisy turned to me.

"He's in the kitchen." With another hug, she turned to the kitchen. Darren following her to continue his rant on how she's so mean to him. He's so dramatic.

"Mio piccolo, who are they?" Caleb asked softly. 

"They're Louis the cook's kids. I met them when I moved here. They're my best friends." I shyly responded. I felt so embarrassed they saw my little freak out.

"Oh. That makes sense." Caleb responded.

"When you moved here? Where did you live before mia piccola farfalle?" Goosebumps ran up my arms at how familiar that nickname sounded from Marco's mouth. What is happening to me? Why did it feel normal for him to call me that?

"Uh, yeah. I-I used to live in It-Italy before." Damn stutter. Marco's eyes darkened the slightest before all the emotions slipped off his face and his expression turned blank. That's so weird. Is he okay? "Urm Marco, are you okay?" I questioned quietly.

His face softened just a fraction as he nodded.

"Mio piccolo, I wanted to invited you to an exhibition that is happening this week down in Knightsbridge. Would you be able to come?" Caleb asked, hope shining brightly in his orbs. An exhibition? That sounds so exciting.

"I would love to Caleb. I'm not working tomorrow. Would that work for you?"

"Of course! Should I pick you up?"

After arranging Caleb meeting me at my apartment complex, they all left. I cleaned all the tables then turned the OPEN sign to CLOSED. Making my way into the kitchen, I heard Louis laughing at something. I walked in quietly and Darren snapped his head in my direction. He smiled softly at me and started walking closer to me. Once he was close enough, he held my hand and played with my fingers. Something he did when he was nervous.

"How do you know all those men that were out there Zi?" He questioned; his head still bent as if he was scared to know the answer.

"I met a couple of them earlier this week when they came to the diner. I've met Caleb a couple times and they're really nice. Is something wrong Dare bear?" I asked him.

He lifted his head and shook no. He then pulled me to stand with Louis and Daisy who were too engrossed in their conversation to see our conversation. We were stood talking for a while until Louis declared it was time to go home. Darren said he'd walk me home while Daisy waited for him outside the diner.

"You know I care about you right?" Darren asked as we came to a stop outside of my building. Furrowing my brows, I nodded. "Good, I just wanted to make sure you knew." He reached up and I flinched. A look of hurt passed his features before it cleared and moved the strand of hair hanging my temple behind my ear. Oh. I hope he doesn't question it.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Darren inquired while I fished out my keys.

"I'm going to an exhibition."

"Oh, you didn't tell me." He frowned.

"Caleb invited me." I bit my lip, not wanting to see the look of hurt on his face.

"Oh. Urm. Okay. Well text me later then?" He asked, his voice taking on a sound of hurt.

"Of course, Dare bear." I turned smiling up at him. He smiled back moving forward to grab my face. He placed a kiss on the top of my head and then turned away to walk down the steps. He waited at the bottom until I went in and up the stairs.

Jiggling my keys in my door, I opened my apartment and flopped down on my bed. Just two minutes before I get out of these clothes. I just need a little break. My phone pinging is what brought me out of my tired daze.

CALEB

I'll be outside yours by 2pm. Is that ok?? :)

That's fine. See you then!! :p

I got up, changed and ate something then set an alarm to make sure I wasn't late.

Getting into bed, I slowly drifted off. Thinking about how tonight's shift went. Dreaming of a girl who lived a perfect life, not a tainted one like me.

~"~

MARCO

The constant thumping of my heart beating against my ribcage was all I heard when I first saw her. Cazzo, she looks just like Mama. But Caleb was right. The light that used to shine so brightly in her brown orbs were dimmed. So dimmed that it made me so unbelievably mad that here I am in the gym, taking my frustrations out on the punching bag. 

"You're gonna have to buy Enzo a new one if you break it." Callan's voice broke the sounds of my harsh breaths and fists connecting with the bag.

Rolling my eyes, I took a step back and made eye contact with him. His eyes were slightly red. He'd been crying. Fuck, I know for a fact my eyes are the exact same. Seems like we all lost it when we saw her.

"Did you see her Callan? What the fuck happened to my baby?" I dropped onto the bench, cradling my head in my hands. Callan sighed and made his way over to sit next to me. The bench creaked under our weight.

Callan and I always attempted to stay the strongest for our brothers. We looked after everyone when Ziya was taken. We protected everyone. Seeing her again 12 years later is like a stab to the heart. She looks so tired. She's so petite and exhausted that it hurt physically to see her like that.

"We have to keep it together for them. It's going to be hard but we need to do what we've always done. Fratello, dobbiamo salvarla e riportarla a casa. We owe it to her." [Brother, we need to save her and bring her home].

He's right.

Ziya deserves to have her light back, she deserves to be surrounded with family again.

Sniffles were heard as we both sat in silence. Turning towards the door, we saw Mama standing there. She walked over to us and took a seat in between us.

"What would I do without you both? Please, bring my baby home." Mama whispered, leaning her head on my shoulder and linking our hands together.

Squeezing her hand in reassurance, I turned and kissed her forehead. "I'll bring her home Ammi. Our baby will be back in our house and will be safe. That's my vow to you." [Mum |URDU].