OUR BOND

Family Dinner

Third Person POV

By the time Noel and Luca reached home, dinner had already started. The whole family was seated along with Monica and her family that still haven't left even days after the funeral.

As Noel and Luca sat down, Monica had to get a word in to make herself appear as someone who had control over the family now that Grandma Wilson was gone.

"It seems like your manners remained in Italy, why are you late?"

"Mom" Brandon said but Noel didn't say anything, she just gave Monica a look, making her look like a fool.

Another look from the old man shut her up as she was about to add more.

Monica's aunt shook her head at her wondering if she had the control she was always bragging about.

Dinner started, and there was nothing but the sound of forks and knives against the plates. Everything was surprisingly calm. Ordinary. Almost peaceful.

Then Bright opened his mouth.

"We're going back to the new Wilson mansion tomorrow" he said, voice cold and clipped. "Everyone should prepare"

Old man Wilson didn't even look up from his plate. "And why do you get to decide that? It's everyone's choice where they would like to stay"

Bright didn't blink. "Whoever wants to stay can stay, it's not my problem but those who I need can't."

The table stiffened. Vincent exhaled sharply. The old man stared at Bright with the look someone who had long given up trying to argue with a brick wall.

Noel stayed quiet... until the pressure built too tight.

"I won't be going back to the new mansion" she said.

Bright's head turned. "Why not?"

Brian paused mid bite. The whole room froze. Monica and her aunt exchanged glances, Monica seemingly confirming to her aunt, this is the drama I told you about.

Noel met Bright's eyes, steady but calm. "Luca and I are going back to Italy. The day after tomorrow. I've spent enough days away, there's something waiting for me" or rather someone, she thought.

Silence.
Utter suffocating silence.
You could hear a needle drop.

Bright leaned back slightly, jaw tightening and the tension at the table rose so sharply it almost hummed.

The silence stretched across the table like a wire pulled too tight. Bright rested his elbows on the table, eyes fixed on Noel with that cool, dismissive calm that always set her off.

"I thought your little vacation was over" he said. "I assumed you were back for good"

Vincent closed his eyes for a moment - he knew that tone. It was the tone Noel always reacted to every single time.

And she stayed true to form.

"My little vacation?" she repeated, her voice low but sharp enough to cut. She leaned forward slightly. "Have we forgotten the part where you drugged and shipped me off? How did this turn into my little vacation?"

Bright didn't flinch. "It kept you out of the way"

"Bright" Vincent warned, his voice firm.

Noel didn't react. Not right away. She simply stared at him, expression unreadable, the room thick with everyone waiting for the explosion that normally came next.

But instead of blowing up, she blinked once - slow, almost thoughtful - then looked down at her plate.

When she finally spoke, her voice was calm. Too calm.