Noel's POV
A full week had gone by since my arrival, a week of uneventful days that felt like stolen time but I was able to keep herself busy with music.
After my call with Brian, I slept on what Pérez told me and honestly, a big part of me wanted to get to know my mom's family better. So with that I decided to drop mission escape and live in the moment.
On this particular Saturday, the sun was merciless, burning down on the Cassano estate but Luca and I had found a way to turn it into our own entertainment.
"No way! Are you cheating?" Luca asked for the hundredth time since we started the game.
We were playing a game called 'Shoot Your Shot'. A game simple in design but brutal in consequences. A massive archery board had been set up at the far end of the yard, and instead of arrows, we aimed at it with paintball guns. My gun fired sharp streaks of purple, while Luca's was a storm of red. The game was whoever hit bullseye, the other had to jump into the pool, clothes and all.
By now, Luca was soaked through, his sneakers squelching on the grass. His hair hung to his forehead as he pointed at me like I just cursed at him.
"You're cheating" he said, very much sure of his words.
I gave a little of my tilt, twirling my gun with lazy precision. "Luca, it's not my fault you suck at this game, stop insulting my legacy okay"
To prove my point, I raised the gun, fired and - bullseye. Easy. I tilted my head toward the pool. "Now run along"
The groan he let out could have earned him an Oscar. He dragged his soggy sneakers back to the pool like it was the gallows, then flopped in with a splash that sprayed me away. Typical Luca.
When he came back, his eyes were full of ridiculous determination. "You're going down this time"
"Mmhm" I said, amused.
He fired. Missed. Badly.
I laughed "Are you off your game, Luca?" I continued to laugh at him seeing his expression that I almost dropped my gun. Almost. I lifted it and fired lazily at the target. Another bullseye. Of course.
That's when he snapped.
"Why are you laughing? you cheater" One second I was celebrating my victory and laughing at my opponent, the next I was under attack. Red paint flew in every direction as Luca charged at me like possessed man. I ducked behind a chair, shrieking and fired back, streaks of purple painting his shirt even darker than it was. Rules? Completely gone. We tore across the yard like maniacs, paint splattering everywhere. By the time I slid behind a tree, I looked like a walking canvas. White shirt ruined with purple and crimson streaks.
And then a voice cut through everything.
"My Goodness!"
I froze, finger slipping off the trigger.
At the edge of the yard stood one of the workers, looking nervous and beside him - Vittoria Cassano. She looked... untouchable, like the heat didn't even dare touch her. Elegant, calm, everything I was not at the moment.
Luca didn't even care about paint or dignity. He dropped his gun and sprinted for her, throwing himself into her arms like he was six again. She laughed, kissed his head, wrapped him up in a way that made me pause, just for a second to admire it.
Then I looked towards the door when a man, also screaming elegant, tall, sharp suit, that aura you don't forget, walked over and stopped next to Vittoria and Luca.
That must be my uncle, Dante.
Having a proper look at him, my stomach dropped.
I knew him.
YOU ARE READING
OUR BOND
AléatoireEver since Alessia, Noel's mother passed away it has never been the same. She doesn't get along with her father and it's been like that for the past years. He eventually gets tired of it and decides to send her to his brother-in law's place in Italy...
