Desolate

Chapter 4

Mirabella's POV

    "Bella, it's time to wake up. It's 7 p.m., it's dinner time. Dad sent me to wake you up." I groaned. I sat up to be face to face with myself- I mean my twin, I have to get used to that. I grumbled but got up anyway. Marcello went to ruffle my hair and I flinched. Dang it, I have to get myself under control. Marcello looked up at me with concern. I didn't want his concern, I just wanted to forget about that.

"Sorry, I just woke up. I'm barely aware of my surroundings. No need to look at me like that." I snapped; I didn't mean to react that way. I just don't want them to find out about my history and injuries. Marcello nodded and walked out if my room to let me get ready. I limped to my bag and popped two pills in my mouth. I decided to keep my turtleneck on so the hand marks wouldn't be noticeable. I headed down to the family room, not that I knew where it was, I just listened to the voices and followed them.

"Hello, baby girl, we're very happy to have you here with us, but we would like to discuss some things once we're done with dinner. Is that okay?" My father asked. I nodded, "okay baby girl, we'll worry about that after dinner then."

The food was plated already, and it looked amazing, but I don't think I will be able to eat the whole plate. It was chicken Alfredo with homemade bread sticks. My mouth was watering. I'm waiting on them to tell me I'm allowed to eat though. I don't want to take the chance to risk a beating because I will not survive if they all are in on it. I barely survived when bitch and her husband were doing it. "Mirabella, why aren't you eating your food? Do you not like it? Are you allergic? I can make you something else." Angelo broke me out of my thoughts.

"Oh I didn't know if I was allowed to eat yet, I didn't want to eat if you guys had any traditions. I usually have to wait for permission to eat from the bi- uh, our mother and her husband. I didn't want to step on anyone's toes." I looked up to see Angelo looking at Lorenzo and silently communicating to him. I didn't know that was a real thing to have such a connection with someone that you can tell what they mean without words.

"No sweetie, you don't have to wait for permission to eat your food. You can eat at any time you want and however much you prefer. We just ask that you eat enough to stay healthy. Please don't starve yourself and stay healthy for us." Angelo was going off on a tangent about how eating healthy was good for everyone, mentioning that Marcello should eat healthier. I don't really know what to say to any of that, so I just started eating my food. It was so good, although now I feel they're going to be upset if I can't eat all this. I was only a quarter of a way through my plate, and I already felt like if I ate anymore I'd be sick. I forced myself to at least eat half of the meal. I can't remember the last time I ate two days in a row. It's going to take some time to get used to it.

"Bella, why are you looking at the food like it's your arch nemesis?" Cello asked me.

I laughed and lowered my head, "I'm just not used to eating this much food at a time." Angelo looked thoroughly pissed off at my answer. I have to be the most careful around him, I do believe he said he was a doctor and doctors know these signs of abuse. I can't afford to have them see how broken I am, but I'm tired. I'm tired of pretending already and it hasn't even been two days. I can't hide my limp, my foot and knee refuse to let up. I'm glad my left shoulder is the one out of place because I'm right-handed, thus making it less noticeable.

Everyone finished eating in a record time, I know they're all anxious for this conversation. I'm scared. What if they're about to kick me out because I can't eat normally or I flinch when someone looks at me weird. Marcello put his hand in mine, like he knew I was freaking out. I smiled at him, he leaned down and kissed my forehead. I smiled because I didn't flinch. I love the connection I have with Cello. Maybe it's a twin thing or maybe I know subconsciously I can trust these guys. I refuse to acknowledge that at this time though. Cello led me into the biggest room I've ever seen. They called this the media room. It was the same dark aesthetic as the rest of the house, but this room was crazy. They had a large movie screen with game consoles all around them. There's a popcorn machine, cabinets aligned a wall, and there's a game room on the other side of the room. The game room looks like it has a pool table, ping pong table, air hockey, pinball machines and arcade games. This room is crazy. Cello led me to the monstrous couch in front of our movie screen.