Found and Forgotten

Chapter 40

Zeta POV

We started walking through the zoo and I already feel more relaxed. It was smart of him to bring me here. I'm much more calm than I would be in that suffocating house.

I can tell Massimo is itching to talk, but maybe just doesn't know how to start. Eventually, I decide to talk first, running out of patience. "Thank you for the scrap book. I've never seen those pictures before. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember the times before I left" I say. Maybe to nice, but I did really appreciate the gift.

"I'm glad you liked it. I know my actions haven't exactly showed it lately, but I am really proud to be your brother, Z. I mean it" he replies. I hate to admit it made me feel all warm. Its strange for me to hear that someone is proud to be related to me. That meant more than he will probably ever know, and I'm not going to tell him either. He still has a lot of apologizing to do.

After a brief pause, he finally spewed out everything he had clearly been itching to say. "I'm so very sorry Z. I was an ass. I was awful for missing your birthday. I was awful for not telling you about the threats when I promised I would. Aand I'm sorry for not trying to earn your forgiveness. I don't know what was wrong with me. I let my pride get in the way and stupidly thought you'd just get over it. But you deserve a true apology and actions to back it up. The present and our zoo day are just the start. I will continue making an effort to reassure you how much you mean to me."

I take some time to process his wordsm I can tell it was hard for him to admit all this and I do appreciate the effort, but he owes me more of an explanation still.

"Why did you keep secret? Was it worth betraying my trust?" I ask sharply. I deserve answers as much as I deserve an apology.

"You mean a lot to me, Z. All I ever want to do is protect you. I would never admit this, but I was scared for the first time in years. All I wanted was for you to be safe, and I couldn't bear seeing you anxious or frightened because I failed at protecting you. I was wrong because I had promised you. I was trying to prevent hurting you but all I did was hurt you. Just know I had good intentions. But I went about it all wrong and I am sorry. I pride myself in being a man of my word and I am ashamed that I broke our promise."

I guess I get that. I don't think it's worth lying, but I do understand.

"Would you still be ashamed of I didn't catch you?" I press.

"They're was always party of me that felt guilty about it, but I justified it so much in my head that I convinced myself I was doing the right thing. I should've stopped trying to justify my decision and went with my word."

"And why should I trust all you are saying? You have given me a lot of reason not to."

"I know that. And I will continue working to regain your trust. I can't just expect you to believe my words right away after I just broke my promise to you. I will prove it through my actions. I am just asking for you to give me a chance."

Again I pause. I guess I can't see if I don't communicate. I can forgive but not forget. I know he had food intentions, but he still needs to work for my trust.

"And what is your excuse for forgetting my birthday? How am I supposed to feel wanted and loved when my own guardian can't remember my birthday?"

"Honestly, I was so focused on protecting you that I couldn't tell you what day of the week it was let alone the day of the month. I was so distracted. It's a shitty excuse, but it is the truth. I should've been planning this since you came home, but I threw myself into work so much I forgot. I'm not used to someone needing me again. The boys have always been a part of the business so they're just as guilty of prioritizing work or school over family at time. It won't happen again either"

I just nod while I think. He seems genuine and I'm honestly sick of the tension.

"I forgive you. But you will have to work for my trust again. I'm not going to keep trying to be close with you when I don't see myself as I priority" I declare.

Immediately, Mass engulfs me in a hug. " Thank you so much, Zeta. I will keep working to show you how much you mean. And I will keep you in the loop from now on. I mean it" he exclaims.

"You better" I reply. We start walking again, the tension much lower and the air much lighter. We even make some small talk as we look at the animals.

We are peacefully quiet watching some of the animals when he speaks again: "You know, I'm a little offended you didn't like the bracelet. I thought we could match" he said showing me the big brother chain on his wrist.

For the first time today, I smile. "I thought actually wearing it would be too cheesy for you" I chuckle. I see his face light up at my lightened mood. "I'll take being cheesy any day if it proves to you how much I love being your older brother" he says.

What a corny idiot. But admittedly I find myself smiling. We enjoy the rest of our day before heading back to the house.

I return to my room deciding that was enough socializing for the day. My alone time doesn't last long as Enzo comes in to see how today went. I relay our day and how I have decided to forgive him as long as he starts to prioritize me. "he surely owes me one" he says with a smirk and I playfully roll my eyes.

Do you want to watch my show with me?" I ask him, hoping for some company now. Changing my mind quickly I know.

"Sorry, Z. I have some work to do. Have to catch up Massimo since he was away today. But the twins are already down in the living room and I'm sure they'll watch whatever you want" he says and I nod.

I make my way to the living room after grabbing popcorn and a drink. "Hey guys. Want to watch my show with me? The new season starts tonight?" I ask. They both seem eager to spend time with me and nod. I make myself comfortable in between them and turn on the TV.

"What are we watching?" Dante asks.

"The Challenge." Yay for shitty reality tv being my guilty pleasure .

Dante sighs while Matteo relays my excitement. Gianni walks in at one point and says "eww you're watching this garbage."

I instinctively throw popcorn at him and tell him to shut up and watch with us or leave. He decides to stay and I can tell he's intrigued by what's happening in the show, even commenting on what's happening from time to time.

We spend the next hour watching the show with me animatedly explaining my favorite and least favorite cast members and explaining the histories of some of them too. I should be ashamed of how much I am into this show, but it was something Akira and I often watched together.

Today was unexpectedly very good. Everything seems to be falling back in place. I just hope it lasts.

Dante POV

I could thing of a million other things I'd rather watch over reality tv. I figured I'd suffer through it for Z. What I didn't expect was how happy it would make her. It made me want to watch just to talk to her about it. I would watch it everyday just to hear her talk, laugh and smile like she has been this past hour. I know in this moment that I will be doing everything in my power to keep her in this happy mood. I can tell Gianni and Matteo are feeling the same. After everything she's been through, she deserves peace and happiness. I just hope we can give her that indefinitely.