Unveiling the Hearts

31. Didn't want it to end

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The Mazzanti mansion was calm. Maybe the calmest it had ever been. There was silence but it wasn't unbearable anymore. It was content as everyone had retreated back to their schedule with content smiles and full hearts.

And when Damien entered to find the house silent, weirdly comfortably silent, he couldn't help but wonder what exactly his family was upto while he was gone for the few hours.

He walked to the kitchen, hoping to find someone there and not be alone for the moment. When he didn't find anyone, he pulled out a beer for himself and moved to the living room.

Upon entering, he was met with an interesting sight. The TV was on and Micah sat in an armchair, the remote almost slipping from his hand as he slept peacefully but in an uncomfortable position.

Damien held back a chuckle and put the bottle down on the coffee table. The clink seemed to wake the man up with a start.

"I'm so sorry," Damien apologized, watching the man shake his head as he sat straight in his seat.

"Damien," Micah acknowledged, blinking the sleep out of his eyes as he checked his phone for the time. "You're back early."

"My friend had to leave urgently," he explained, taking a seat on the couch. "Beer?"

Micah nodded. For some reason, he was in desperate need of a drink.

"Is something bothering you, Mr. Verlice?" Damien asked, next, keeping his eyes trained on the liquid pouring into the glass.

"Why'd you ask?" Micah asked, studying Damien's expressions.

"I don't think you'd drink for fun." Damien shrugged.

Micah nodded, his heart leaping at the small amount of concern that reflected in Damien's words.
"Just past fears clouding my mind. Nothing you should worry about, little heart."

"What?" Damien's head snapped up. He wasn't sure why his heart found that so endearing even though he hadn't talked to the man at all. "You just called me-"

"Little heart?" Micah chuckled, accepting the glass of cold beer. "That's what kids are called in the Verlice family, Damien. You'll hear it often whenever your dear Uncle visits."

"You're leaving?" Damien furrowed his eyebrows. "Why don't you just stay here?"

Micah smiled.
"It won't look good if I stay under my nephew's roof." He shook his head. "I should be the one taking you kids in, not the other way around."

"Who cares?" Damien took a gulp of his drink. "Won't you be happier here, rather than living alone?"

"I'll be happier here," Micah confirmed. "But it still isn't right."

"I still don't understand your logic, Mr. Verlice," Damien muttered, shaking his head. Micah's brow twitched on hearing him address him like that but he didn't point it out. He was tired of doing that.

They sat in silence for a while, before Damien looked back at the man.
"If you don't mind me asking, what are these past fears?"

Micah glanced at Damien before chugging down the whole glass.
"Losing my family," he answered, putting the glass down and looking into distance. "Lily was like the sister I never had. Her and Elijah leaving, not being able to see my nieces, then getting my wife and kid killed. It's become my biggest nightmare."

Damien looked down, ashamed of whatever his biological father put this sweet soul through.

"You kids are the only family I have left. I don't want to lose anymore people in my life," Micah answered.