Eyes So Blue I Drown

38| Masks Of The Past

ARABELLA

But as I approach the distant room, hushed voices reach my ears, and I realize that I'm not alone in seeking solace at this hour.

Their murmurs grow clearer as I draw closer, the tension palpable even before I can make out the words. My heart quickens its pace as I recognize the voices of Renzo, Julian and Fantino. Instinctively, I pause, hesitating between walking away and confronting their words head-on.

"...messed it up," Renzo's voice cuts through the air, heavy with accusation.

Fantino's voice, softer but tinged with conviction, replies, "I think it wasn't her fault."

A scoff from Renzo ripples through the silence. "You just saw her spill the whole damn coffee on his dick. How can you say that wasn't her fault?"

I thought I could talk with them, but here their words hit me like a blow.

Julian's voice chimes in, crude and tasteless. "I just hope Romano's small sperm still worked."

The hushed exchange continues, emotions and frustrations. The weight of their words settles in my chest.

"We're all gonna die now," Renzo's voice trembles with fear, "Romano was our leader, without him we are nothing. How we are supposed to function without a lead?"

Fantino sighs, "Luca will plan something. He's not one to back down easily."

Julian's response holds a touch of bitter realism, his words laced with concern for Luca. "What he is supposed to do? This mafia is falling apart. And he is suffering too, maybe even more than any of us"

Their voices linger in the hall, each syllable etching deeper lines of anxiety within me. The weight of their fears hangs heavily.

I turn around, my heart skipping a beat as I come face to face with Luca. He's here, back from wherever he had gone.

The air feels charged with tension as he stands before me, his gaze fixed on mine. His expression is inscrutable, and I can't help but feel a rush of nerves coursing through me.

I open my mouth to speak, to apologize for everything that has transpired, but before the words can escape, he cuts me off with a curt statement.

"I need to talk to you," he says, his voice low and commanding. His words hang between us, a palpable urgency in his tone.

He turns around and starts walking away, leaving me standing here uncertain.

Taking a deep breath, I follow in his footsteps. I approach his room, the door slightly ajar, a silent invitation to step inside.

He turns to face me, his eyes locking onto mine. There's a storm of emotions in his gaze, an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. For a moment, neither of us speaks.

I clear my throat, my voice slightly shaky as I speak. "Luca, I..." I falter, struggling to find the right words to bridge the gap that has formed between us. Fuck, I've never felt this nervous and scared to speak.

He turns to face me, his gaze piercing and distant. "We need to talk about what happened earlier." His voice is stern.

I nod, my heart sinking. "Yes, I know. I'm really sorry about everything. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

He raises an eyebrow, his expression incredulous. "You didn't mean to spill hot coffee all over Romano?"

I flush, feeling his accusation like a weight on my shoulders. "No, of course not. It was an accident. I didn't mean for things to escalate like that."