Oblivion

16| However

JOSEPHINE

With the arrival of the last two brothers, increasing tension was felt. From my brief encounter with them, I would guess that at least Riccardo was not entirely uninvolved in this development. It would be a lie to say he didn't scare me last night, but in all truth, I had to admit that everything outside my control scared me. What would have happened if Domenico hadn't come? And what will happen in the future if he doesn't?

Valentino interrupted my thoughts when he knocked and soon poked his head through the door. "Oh, you're already awake. If you want, you're welcome to come with me to breakfast." There was no way I could eat anything again. My stomach already felt so... full. I smiled back anyway and slid down from the windowsill. The window space was by far the best thing about this room. From there, I could look into the garden and beyond into the adjacent forest.

"Did you sleep well?" Valentino continued the conversation. I shrugged carelessly. "Okay, apparently morning isn't your best time to speak. Noted." I quickly looked at Valentino, but he didn't look angry; he just winked at me and laughed. Okay, he wasn't mad. Valentino was cool. "I assume if I asked you about your plans for the day, you'd give me such a long list of things you want to do that I can't help but wonder how you're going to fit it all into one day?"

This time, I winked at him and nodded majestically. One thing I actually had to do today was feed the monsters. Dogs, not monsters. They were dogs. "What about you?"

"I have to go to university today. Some of my main courses are today, and unfortunately, I can't miss them. But don't worry; you can write to me at any time and keep me up to date with what's happening here in my absence. I guess there are wild parties here when I'm not around. If so, of course, you have to collect evidence of it!"

"Promised!" I assured him and hooked my little finger into Valentino's, not telling him about my current lack of a phone. "Do you like studying?"

Studying was something I had never thought about before, but having the opportunity to learn more about something that interested you sounded wonderful. Valentino shrugged his shoulders. "Actually, yes. The exam periods are far from fun, but most of the lectures are really interesting. Economics can be very boring and often is, but it also challenges me."

He looked like he wanted to ask something, but ultimately decided against it, which I was very grateful for. I could already imagine what he wanted to ask, and I didn't have an answer. What do I want to do with my future? Survive. There was nothing more. "And why did you choose economics?"

"A good question, young lady. Economics gives a comprehensive view of the different areas of the economy, and that helps me understand economics as a whole. All the processes and things that happen in the world's economy make sense to me."

"Like a magician? The audience sees the trick, and you understand it?"

"That's a really good comparison, Josi. It's similar, and because I understand it, I can also influence it, albeit to a very limited extent. Plus, I was good with numbers as a child, so it was obvious." It was hard for me to imagine Valentino as a child, but he seemed really into it. I was happy for him that he had found something that fulfilled him so much, and I wondered if he would work for Vito at some point. Would he still be so fulfilled then? Or was the prospect of it something that drove him even further? I probably wouldn't know because I would never dare to ask something like that. It was none of my business. Valentino held the kitchen door open for me, and my brief moment of relaxation disappeared.

Vito, Domenico, Riccardo, and Matteo were already there, sitting in silence while Maria was putting cheese on the table. She smiled warmly at me, and I automatically smiled back. "Good morning, Bella! How are you today?"