ELENORA

Getting to know each other ...

Elenora POV

Waking up to find myself surrounded by eight pairs of eyes sent a shiver down my spine. They all had a strangely familiar look like I'd crossed paths with them before, yet I couldn't quite place where or when. It was as if my memory was playing a trick on me. My realization hit me like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the hazy fog of uncertainty. It all came flooding back, the events of the past few hours. Before I could gather my thoughts, someone cleared their throat, and I turned my attention to a pair of identical grey eyes, a shade darker than mine. Recognition washed over me like a comforting wave.

"Mia Farfalle, I am Alexander De Luca," he introduced himself with a calm yet authoritative voice, his words carrying an undeniable weight. "Your eldest brother, and from now onwards, your guardian."

In those few words, I sensed a complex mixture of emotions. There was an unspoken warning that Alexander was not to be trifled with, a hint of authority that demanded respect. Yet, beneath it all, there was also an undeniable sense of protection, a silent promise that he wouldn't harm me. Time would tell whether these initial impressions held true.

Another memory resurfaced, this one involving the person who had caught me when I had lost consciousness. "Tesoro," he began, his voice carrying a warmth that felt like a comforting embrace, "I am Theodore De Luca, your second oldest brother, and I have a feeling I'll soon earn the title of your favorite." His words flowed with a nurturing quality, as if he were the caretaker of our newfound group, much like a mother duck watching over her ducklings.

Next, my gaze fell upon two individuals who could have been mistaken for carbon copies of each other, save for a distinctive birthmark adorning one of their necks. In a strangely synchronized manner, they began speaking simultaneously, their contrasting tones revealing their unique personalities.

"Neonata," one began, "I am Sebastian De Luca, your third oldest brother, and unfortunately, this piece of... trash is not only my brother but also my twin," he remarked, his words laced with a mix of irritation and amusement. His counterpart chimed in, "And I'm Julian De Luca, the fourth oldest, enduring the unfortunate burden of being his twin." Their unexpected duality left me momentarily flustered, and before I could even think, I blurted out, "But you both look the same..."

A brief silence hung in the air for about five seconds, broken only by an unknown person's snort, which then erupted into laughter from the entire group. Amidst the laughter, Theodore managed to wheeze out, "You're my favorite from today onwards."

The joyous moment, however, was abruptly shattered by the sound of a breaking object, followed by an ear-piercing scream "Why the fuck is there so much Noise" from an unseen source. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around the person beside me, who appeared shaken but returned the embrace with equal intensity. In that embrace, I felt an overwhelming warmth, a profound sense of protection, and an inexplicable sensation that might just be love. I drifted off to sleep, unable to discern when slumber overtook me amid the cacophony of the previous evening. Upon awakening, I was taken aback to find four of them sharing the bed with me, two sprawled on the sofa, one reclining on the couch, and Alexander, my eldest brother, perched on a chair, deep in slumber.

"Amore," he whispered softly, "it's still early. Get back to sleep. By the way, I'm your favorite brother, Bruno." He was right; the clock displayed only 4 in the morning. Without protest, I allowed him to enfold me in his arms, and soon enough, our unexpected slumber party continued. Fatigue prevailed, and I clung to him, relishing a peaceful rest that had eluded me for far too long, free from the haunting nightmares and panic attacks.

Upon my next awakening, I noticed that three of my brothers were conspicuously absent from the room. Just as I began to stir, Theodore and Alexander reentered, each carrying three plates laden with breakfast. Abruptly, Theodore bellowed, "WAKE UP, YOU DUMB, SLEEPY, GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PIGS," before his tone shifted seamlessly to a gentler one, "and, of course, my sweet little cara."

At that moment, it dawned on me that Theodore was a man of extreme contrasts, an embodiment of both intensity and tenderness, leaving me with only one thought—this guy was undoubtedly a study in bipolarity.

As the days passed, I began to get to know each of my brothers better. Despite my usual quiet and introverted nature, I noticed that they were the ones making an effort to connect with me. I wanted to trust them, to believe in their promises of a new beginning, but my past experiences held me back. I hadn't yet revealed the reasons behind my constant flinching at loud noises or the painful memories from my previous life. I sensed that Theodore, being a doctor, and Gio, studying to become one, had their suspicions about my past, yet they patiently awaited for me to open up, for which I was sincerely grateful.

Today, they mentioned that some family friends would be visiting. I still didn't have a clear understanding of what their family did for a living, but it was evident that their influence was substantial, considering the power they held over my birth giver. My new room had lavender and gray walls, an enormous walk-in closet, a queen-sized black and grey bed, a matching couch and sofa, a large television, and a full-length mirror. But what I cherished most were the two things that spoke to my soul: the hanging chair on the balcony and the expansive bookshelves filled with books spanning every genre imaginable.

Checking the clock, I noticed it was almost 6 PM, and the guests were expected in another hour and a half. Deciding to take a long shower to calm my nerves, I entered the bathroom, lit up all the candles, switched off the lights, and drew the blinds closed. The sensation of ice-cold water enveloping me was a comfort; I relished the cold. Lost in my thoughts, I lost track of time. Glancing up through the vinyl blinds, I realized that darkness had already descended outside. In a hurry, I slipped into a brown hoodie and sweatpants, taking a few moments to collect myself. Finally, I descended the stairs, bracing myself for the evening ahead, and made my way to the kitchen. I was relieved to find that the guests had not yet arrived, and I exhaled a breath I didn't even realize I had been holding. Just then, the doorbell rang...