The Thrill Of Your Love

Chapter Fifteen

"Alice!"

Terzo's anguished scream pierced the night air, his voice being carried away by the gusts of wind exposing the how shattered his heart was. He collapsed onto his knees, his body giving way under the weight of emotions. The downpour soaked through his clothes, mingling with his tears as he buried his face in his trembling hands.

The rain fell incessantly, a cruel backdrop to his inner emotions, the muddy ground beneath him seemingly mirroring the turmoil deep within his soul. He could hardly breathe through the sobs wracking his body. It was as if his entire world had crumbled, leaving him in a desolate place of despair. A sudden touch on his back startled him, turning to see a pair of kind, brown eyes that held a mixture of understanding and sympathy.

"Come on honey." Ethel, Primo's wife, spoke softly, her voice a gentle anchor in the ferocious storm. "Let's get you out of this rain, you're going to catch a cold out here."

He allowed her to help him up from the dirt, his body feeling heavy with grief. She supported him as they walked, each step further away from Alice a struggle. Ethel guided him toward the shelter of the ministry, her arm around his waist. As they walked up the slippery steps, he couldn't help but steal a glance back, a desperate hope that Alice might still be there, heartbreak in his eyes. But the driveway was empty, her absence like a knife twisting in his chest. The realisation hit him again, a fresh wave of agony crashing over him.

He continued leaning into her as Ethel led him inside, her warmth a stark contrast to the cold rain that had seeped into his bones. She guided him to her's and Primo's quiet room, a place where he could collect himself and find some respite from the storm raging both outside and within him.

"Cazzo, what happened to you?!" Primo sat up in his armchair, placing his book down.

"You sit here and get warm my dear." Ethel helped Terzo sit in front of the open fire, his body shaking he was that cold. "Primo go and find the boy something warm and comfortable to wear. I'll make you some hot cocoa."

As Terzo sat in front of the crackling fire with his hands extended toward the dancing flames, Primo returned with a bundle of soft, cozy pyjamas.

"Here, fratello." Primo spoke with a reassuring smile, handing Terzo the clothes.

Terzo managed a weak smile in return, his gratitude evident in his tired eyes. With Primo's assistance, he managed to peel off his wet shirt, the chill of the damp fabric clinging to his skin. Primo's gentle hands helped him slip into the cozy pajamas, a shiver running down Terzo's spine as he got into the comfortable. As he settled back in front of the fire, now dressed in dry and warm clothes, Ethel returned with a steaming mug of hot cocoa. The rich aroma enveloped him, and he took the mug with a nod of appreciation.

"You have no idea how much I appreciate this." He sighed contentedly

"Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea. You're not exactly a fan of the cold, are you?" Ethel smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"You got that right. I'm more of a warm-weather kind of guy." Terzo chuckled and shook his head, bringing the mug to his lips, his hands trembling.

"Well, lucky for you, there's plenty of warmth to go around in here." She sat down on the sofa. "Everyone's down there celebrating your birthday and you're up here, what's going on? It's not like you to turn down a party."

"Birthdays have never really been my thing anyway." He smiled. "I seem to have a curse attached to the date, another year another disaster."

"What happened with Alice?" Primo asked gently. "She was a lovely girl."