Omertà, Aufiero's Return

Chapter 4

Noelle

Aufiero walks in the door suprising both me and Noni. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here don't I?"

I kept my mouth closed as he walked towards Noni. "Hi dad"

"Hey Noni. How was school?" Noni smiles. "It was sooooo fun. We watched 3 movies and had a pizza party"

"That sounds like fun"

"It was"

Aufiero sighed heavily. "Are you staying?" I ask. He nods without looking in my direction. "I'm done now mommy" Noni stands up and puts his things away. "Come on dad. Let's go in my room" They walk off leaving me alone.

I have to think of a way to make Aufiero believe me. I was really drunk that night. I didn't mean to do that. I would never cheat on him intentionally. Maybe I should've just told him when it happened. Maybe things wouldn't be like they are now. Dammit. I'm always getting myself into trouble. Aufiero and Noni cone walking into the kitchen. "Move over mommy, daddy and I are gonna cook

"Cook what?" He smiles. "It's a surprise"He giggles. Aufiero looks at me with his back against the counter. He doesn't say anything. He just stares like he wants to say something. "Problem?"

"Nope"He says. I sit down on the couch. Aufiero hates me. I can feel it. My eyes flicker to my finger where my ring used to be. Hopefully, I'll be getting that back soon.

The front door opens and in walks Karson. He smiles, "Sorry, didnt know he was back so soon" I looked back as Aufiero clenched his jar. "I told you to stay the fuck away from me"I spat. Karson brought my face closer to his. "Now why would I do that"

My fist connects with his face in 3 seconds. "Stay around from me and my family" Karson looks up while holding his face. Blood is trickling down his chin. "Oh you really fucked up now Noelle."

Dammit. The videos.

"Don't you dare Karson" I warned. He smirks and walks out. "Noelle?" I turned arouns to face Aufiero. "Why are you threatening him now? I thought he was your little boyfriend"

"Not now Aufiero. Please"I whispered.
He laughed and went back to cooking with Noni. Leaning against the wall, my mind began to play out different scenarios. I can't risk losing Aufiero again even though it already feels like I've lost him. If he goes to prison again, this time, he'll be in there for life. I can't let that happen. Noni needs his dad. I need him too.

Aufiero and Noni's dinner actually turned out great. I kinda figured it would. Aufiero is a great cook. I've missed his cooking over the years. We didnt speak to each other unless Noni made us. Aufiero can be very stubborn.

"So are you gonna tell me what happened between you and your boyfriend "Aufiero says entering the room. I sighed. "He's not my boyfriend. Seriously" He pursed his lips. "Well what is he then" I shrug. "I don't know but I need you to listen to me on this" He sits on the bed giving me his full attention. "He's crazy. He picked Noni up from school today. He was knocking on Noni's windiw the other day. He won't leave me alone. He keeps threatening me."

"How is he threatening you?"

"He has a video" I take a deep breath. "A video of you killing someone. He keeps saying that if I ignore him, he'll take it to the police. I don't want you to go back to prison okay. Noni and I need you. I can't let you get taken from us again. I'm really sorry that I was intimate with him but you have to believe when I say that it was an accident."

Aufiero stands up and places my hands in his. "I believe you. A little."

"Aufiero. I'm scared okay. You're finally back and I feel like I have someone to protect Noni and I but you don't even want to be around"

"Because you hurt me Noelle. Yknow, I couldn't wait to get home. You really think finding out you cheated was gonna be okay with me? I don't know. I just feel like....I don't know"

"Aufiero, don't be like that. Just, just, trust me on this okay." He nods. "How long has he been threatening you?"

"About 2 months. When I found out that the release date was changed. I guess he found out too. I don't know but right now, I need you to put aside the fact that I cheated, and focus on the fact that Karson is fucking dangerous and could potentially ruin our freaking lives. I need you to protect us." He sighs and squeezes my hands. "No matter how mad I am, I'll always protect you. You're the mother of my child. I'm in love with you. I would never let anyone hurt you or Noni. Of course I'm going to protect you guys Noelle. We're a family."

A smile creeps upon my face. "I love you Aufiero"

"I love you too Noelle"

"Can I get my ring back?"

"No, you're not getting this back. Well not yet anyways" I sigh and crawl under the covers. Aufiero does the same. My hand rests on his chest playing with his chest hairs. He chuckles and softly kisses my knuckles. "I'm so sorry"I whisper. His eyes stare into mine. "I know"

"Are you ever going to forgive me?" He nods, crawling under the covers as well. "Fuck, I have to take a shower"I whisper. He laughs. "Dirty" I playfully hit his arm. "Whatever"

I turn on the water and step in. The water beats down on my skin. I stand there for a little bit to gather my thoughts before I bathe myself. I'm done within 15 minutes. Aufiero's sitting up watching tv. He smirks as my towel falls. "Maybe if you wouldn't have cheated, you could've been getting some dick right now"He says. "You're the one who hasnt has sex in years. Not me" I replied. He glared at me. "I didnt mean it like that"

He sighs and turns the tv off. "Aufiero, I-

"Don't worry about it Noelle. Just go to sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow"
"What do you have to do?"

"Stuff "

"Please don't get yourself in trouble"

He smiles. " I wont."

I wake up to see Noni bouncing on the bed ready for school. "Come on mooom. Dad is gone. We have to leave" I sigh and stand up. "Well, mommy is going back to work again today so you're gonna have to wait until I'm done getting dressed"

I take a quick shower and began to put on my clothes. My phone buzzes indicating that I have a text. I glance at it but something catches my eye. It's Saturday which means no work and no school. "Noni, you do know that it's Saturday"I say. He frowns. "Oh, well I guess I get to spend time with you and daddy now then" I nod. "I don't know where your dad is right now though"

"He said he was going to uncle Stadi's place "

"Well, maybe we can go get your cousin Adam"

"Ooo, yes"

It took almost 30 minutes to go get Adam. I dont know why Finostadi moved so far across town. Aufiero, Adam and Stadi walk outside towards my car. Adam jumps in and Aufiero says a few things to Noni. "Be good for auntie Noelle"Finostadi says. Adam completely ignores Stadi and continues to talk with Noni. Long car rides are usually fun except when you have kids. They talk soooo much.

"Mommy, mommy can we go for pizza" I sighed and switched lanes. It's the least I can do since him and Aufiero cooked last night.

Adam and Noni began to scream as they saw Pizza Hut come into view. I smile. We all get out of the car and walk inside. It's kind of crowded. "There's a lot of people here"Adam whispers. "I know right"Noni whispers back. The waiter gives us our table and we sit down.

"What are you looking at Noni?"I ask.

"It's our neighbor from across the street. Mr. Karson"

Sorry I was kind of slow with the update. I've been at vbs and I've had major writers block. Anyways, vote and comment.