Aria

Chapter 3

-Aria-

It's been two hours.

I've been standing outside my gate for two hours.

Officer Steven said one of my brothers would come to pick me up. Though, I do wonder if they'll be able to recognize me. 

I didn't want to call my oldest brother but it might be the best thing to do. I pull out the index card from my pocket and go to the Starbucks in front of my gate. I asked if I could use one of the worker's phones and they agreed. I shakily type the number on the card and press the call.

It rang for two seconds and someone picked up.

They spoke in a deep sharp voice, "Alessandro Berardi speaking."

My heart starts to race. I know I should say something but this man sounds scarier than James.

"Speak," he commands.

I take a controlled breath and begin to say in a trembling voice, "H-Hello Mr. Berardi, It's Aria s-speaking..."

"Aria? Whose phone are you calling from?"

"Um, I'm at a Starbucks near my gate. I'm sorry for disturbing you but I didn't know what to do or where to go."

I hear a slam on the other end of the phone and Mr. Berardi, Alessandro, speaks, "Give me ten minutes, I'll be right there. Stay by the phone and call me if anything happens."

I was about to cut when he repeated it and added, "I want to hear you say you understand."

I open my mouth and reply, "I understand," softly.

After cutting the call I hand the worker his phone. I sit at a table near the counter and look at the gate area. About 7ish minutes later a guy with blond whitish hair sits next to me. He looks in his late forties and meets my gaze. With a smirk he says, "Al cielo manca un angelo ma l'ho trovata."

I look up at him confused. I need to learn Italian if I'm going to be staying here.

"I'm sorry I d-didn't understand, did you need s-something?"

"Ora so cosa si prova ad essere un aereo! Non hai sentito il suono del mio cuore decollare?"

I was about to tell him I didn't understand Italian when suddenly a deep voice cut me, "Vaffanculo." I gasp and turn around. The old guy who was sitting beside me rushes out of his seat. He shoves the chair my way, but before it can hit the other man grabs it. As the guy runs away the man pulls out his phone and speaks into it quietly.

I get up from my chair and turn to face him. I take in how he looks. Dark brown hair rests at the top of his head, a few strands lay against his forehead. He has hazel eyes similar to mine and a sharp jawline. There was also a tiny dot above his upper lip.

A serious expression lies on his face.

He looks down at me and stares intensely. I look back at him as well. After a couple of seconds, I start to pick the skin around my nails. I scrunch my eyebrows slightly and look down at my hand. A little blood trails down the side of my nail.

The man suddenly grabs my hand and squeezes my hand gently. His eyes gaze over my finger and he grabs a couple of napkins from the table. Ever so softly he wipes my finger.

"Be careful Aria," he states. 

My head whips up.

Oh.

This is Alessandro Berardi.

He gets back up and grasps the backpack from my shoulder.

"Let's go."