Family

FIVE

He taught me how to love not how to stop

Present || Leonardo

I looked in my side mirror for the tenth time in the past hour.

Was my outfit okay?

It was a bit tattered but I couldn't really afford anything else.

I adjusted the bandages on my ribs before pulling my old, worn out hoodie down.

I checked to make sure the concealer hadn't come off and sighed in relief. Applying that thing took way too much time and patience.

The familiar feeling of pain resurfaced again but before I could grab another painkiller, a harsh knock was heard.

Assuming that's my cue to hurry up.

I motioned for Teo to follow but he shook his head.

"I'm going to wait here Leo, I don't feel well." He said with a sad smile.

I frowned and gave him a quick hug, whispering a quick 'get well soon.'

He hugged me back and kissed my forehead.

Smiling, I gave a small wave before heading down towards the dining room.

I was surprised I still knew the way there.

I kept my head down as I walked, not wanting to draw any attention to myself.

I reached the dining room in no time and hesitantly walked in.

There, seated at the fairly middle-sized marble table, were my brothers and boy did they grow.

Even sitting down, you could tell how tall they were.

There were only two remaining seats left, one was at the front end of the table and the other next to Luca.

I gulped and slowly trudged towards the table.

I sat down without looking at anyone but I could feel the heat of their stares on me.

It was quiet for a while before heavy footsteps could be heard and someone sat down at the head of the table.

A throat was cleared and I looked up slowly to be met with the piercing grey eyes of my father.

They held his usual coldness to them, no regard for his son's return or the fact that I had been gone so long.

"Welcome back home Leonardo. We have all missed you and are happy to have you back. You will behave while you are here, won't you?" He said in an all business-like tone.

I heard a snort from opposite me and saw Alfanzo chuckling.

"You can't be serious Dad. You never mentioned him at all in the time he's been gone. And now you're spouting this nonsense? Spare us the bullshit, nobody missed him and we're not happy he's home." He sneered.

I flinched at his tone but said nothing.

Father sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose," Language Alfanzo," before he snapped his fingers and maids came in holding trays of food.

I knew everyone disliked me, father the most but somewhere deep down I was hoping he would say something on my behalf.

Dinner was not quiet, everyone was talking and laughing, acting as if I wasn't there. Nobody bothered to include me in the conversation. Nor did I try to involve myself.

Until a voice spoke out from the other end of the table.

"Why aren't you eating Leonardo?"

I looked up from my untouched plate of food and looked in the direction of where the voice came from.