Found and Forgotten

Chapter 9

Matteo POV

I just got home from class, and I'm heading to my room when I hear quiet sobs a few doors down. Zeta. I decide to check on her. I knock on the door, but I am met with silence. I try again and tell her it's me.

I hear the dobs die down and then a very weak, broken "come in". I walk in the see her face is red and tear stained, eyes puffy. She obviously been crying for sometimes.

"You okay?" I ask. Of course she isn't, but I'm not sure how else to start this conversation. Slowly, not looking at me she nods. "Wanna talk about it?" I continue.

With a hoarse voice, she replies "Not particularly. Just missing my adoptive parents and Akira." Between the way she doesn't quite meet my eyes and the feeling in my gut, I know there's more than just that. But I don't think now is the right time to push her.

I sit down on the floor next to her. Not too close to make her uncomfortable but close enough to comfort her. "I get that. You're much stronger than me. When mom died, I was in a downward spiral for months. Without Dante, I probably would still be stuck in that state."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. That's kinda my fault isn't it?" She thinks we blame her for that? Well honestly, Gianni probably still does and I think Enzo felt that way when she was born.

"Of course not. Mom was so excited to have a girl. I don't think she would change a thing knowing you'd be in this world" I reassure her.

She seems lost in thought, but eventually she nods.

"Tell me about your adoptive parents." I break the silence.

A small, almost unnoticeable smile appears on her face. "They were so great. They couldn't have kids of their own and they were looking to adopt a baby, but, when they met me at the orphanage, we instantly connected. My dad fueled my love of sports. We were constantly going to sporting events when we lived here. We devoted all day Sunday to football and we'd place fun bets against each other for each of the games we watched that day. My mom was so caring. We would binge Hallmark Christmas movies together from October till New Years. She would always take me out to try cool restaurants and she was always there for me when I was hurting." She talks so highly of them. I'm glad she had a good home.

"They sound amazing. What about Akira?" I ask. I know that talking about her lost ones can help her.

"Akira was like a sister to me. We talked every day and texted non-stop. We traveled all over for concerts to our favorite bands, often getting matching band merch. We were together all the time, whether we were just hanging out doing nothing or off on some kind of adventure, there was never a dull moment." I hate that such a young girl, my sister at that, had to go through so much loss. She surprised me when she adds, "Losing her makes me feel like when I was taken towards the orphanage all over again. I lost my whole family that day. Except this time I know I'll never see her again."

I knew that leaving her there was probably terrible to her, but I don't think I ever stopped to think how bad that must have hurt her. I hope she understands it was for safety. I always did hate to never say goodbye.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. I wish I could've stopped it." I decide to see if there's anything else bothering her now that she's opened up a little. "Are you sure that's all that is bothering you? Did something trigger this wave of grief?"

She hesitates before she responds. So there is something. "No. Just left alone with my own thoughts too long" she ends jokingly.

Hmm. I want to help her, but I guess one nice day isn't enough to fully gain her trust. I decided to ask her about her day instead of praying.

"I had a pretty good day before I got upset. I woke up super late, which is something I NEVER do by the way. It was a nice treat. Dante's a good pillow" she says causing us both to chuckle .

"Then I went outside by the pool and got some sun, which felt really good. I returned to my room a little bit ago and then got hit with what I call a 'grief attack'" she states.

Huh. I feel like shes leaving something out there, but I'll leave it for now. "How was class?" She asks me.

"Borrrriiiinnggggg." I draw out and she laughs a little. "I can't wait to be done  I already know all this. I've been shadowing our father and Massimo for years. I'm only going because a degree looks better to our business partners."

"That sucks. But hey, at least it's almost over" she responds. "Yeah."

After a short silence, I get up and start to head out to leave her be. Before I'm out the door I let her know that Massimo will be home for dinner for once, so everyone will be there.

I head downstairs when out the window I see Xander and Gianni were at the pool. Huh. Zeta said she was at the pool earlier. I hope they aren't the cause of all of this. I go outside to investigate.

3rd Person POV

Zeta feels much better after her talk with Matteo. She is so appreciative of the twins. She feels so alone and like a burden still, but they help lighten that a little.

She is a little nervous for dinner tho. Her appetite still hasn't improved and the other brothers aren't too welcoming.

She starts to get ready for dinner, completely unaware of the conversation happening outside.

"Did you guys do something to Zeta?" Matteo accuses Xander and Gianni.

"No. She's just being dramatic I'm sure" Gianni states with Xander nods in agreement.

"She didn't mention you at all. But I did find her sobbing in her room. You better not have something to do with it. First, we abandoned her, and now everyone close to her has died. She has enough problems without wou two adding to it. Either get over yourselves and get to know her or stay away from her."

"Whatever" Xander quips.

"Why do you care anyway? She doesn't belong here" Gianni adds. This make Matteo furious.

"She's our sister for God's sake. Start acting like it. You're lucky she didn't say anything to me or I'd be going to Massimo for her," Matteo yells as he storms back inside, waiting for what's going to be an interesting dinner.