The Contract

Chapter 131-The Pizza Date

TRAVIS'S P.O.V

I glanced back at her-Pearl, sound asleep on the bed. She hadn't fallen asleep until 3 a.m., keeping me awake too. She always seemed to find reasons to keep me up, whether it was a question, a thought, or some quiet anxiety in the middle of the night.

Another sigh escaped me, and I got up, careful not to wake her. The light from the city outside cast long shadows in the room, and the quiet hum of the early morning made everything feel distant, unreal almost.

My eyes landed on the blunt and ashes on the window seal, memories of last night flashing through my head.

I grabbed my phone from the table. A private number flashed on the screen. I swiped to answer, then walked over to the window, letting the cool night air brush against my face.

"Mr. Ferrari?" a voice on the other end asked.

"Who's speaking?" I responded, barely sparing a glance at my phone as I stared out over the city, feeling the weight of the day ahead pressing on me.

"Vito."

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache start to form. "What do you have for me?"

"I've got what you asked for," he said, his voice low, almost too pleased with himself.

I dropped my phone on the table, my fingers tightening into a fist as I stared out at the sprawling city beneath me. It was beautiful, in a cold, distant way, just like everything else in this life. I shook my head, then glanced at Pearl again, wondering what she was really dreaming about, if anything. She was something-something that made this mess of a life feel slightly more bearable.

I made my way downstairs with my suitcase in hand, the faint murmur of voices coming from the dining room. Raquel's laugh broke through the low hum, making my steps falter. I wasn't in the mood for a warm reception, but I couldn't avoid it either.

I redirected my path, entering the room.

Raquel looked up first. "Oh my gosh, Travis is back?!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands out, walking straight toward me. Her smile was warm, but there was an edge to it.

My mother didn't even glance up from her teacup. "Yes, it slipped my mind," she muttered dryly, taking a sip of tea, already focused on something else.

Raquel's arms were around me before I could respond, pulling me in for a quick hug. "What's with this flight here and there?" she asked, a playful frown on her lips. "Why don't you just stay?"

"La mia domanda esattamente," my mother murmured under her breath, clearly not invested in the conversation.

Raquel chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Why are you here this time?"

"Why else, if not to cause more trouble?" Rosa murmured. "She's right." I answered.

"Well, come on! I'm glad to see you anyway," Raquel added, her expression softening.

I glanced at Rosa. "Not everyone is," I said, my voice steady, but I felt the tension shift in the air as my mother continued sipping her tea, eyes fixed on the delicate cup in her hands.

Raquel sighed dramatically, her gaze flicking between Rosa and me. "You must be here for The Velvet Affair then," she said, almost as if it were a given.

I shook my head before she could finish. "No."

She paused, blinking. "What do you mean you're not attending? An invitation has been sent, and you're here with your wife anyways," Rosa spoke up now, her tone matter-of-fact, almost as if she was calling me out.