Aria

Chapter 36

-Aria-

Peering up at the sky, Leo and I name the various shapes we see from the clouds. "I'm telling you, that's a cat right there with a long hat standing next to the Eiffel tower. You see those two clouds connected? That hole in the middle of them is the eye."

I scrunch my eyes further as I try to see the vision Leo has. "I-i'm not sure I s-see it."

"Look right there," he points up at a long cloud, "doesn't that look like a baguette?"

I let out a laugh as I turn to face him, he holds a large smile and his hand reaches down to hold mine. I enjoy the warm wind flowing around me with my eyes closed before feeling the tingles in my nose rise, I quickly sit up and grab a tissue, achoo*.

"We've been here for a while haven't we, why don't we head inside Ari?"

I nod as I feel another sneeze rise and gather the long picnic mat that was laid out on the balcony. Leo takes it from me and folds it, taking his other hand he begins to lead me inside. As we turn to walk in a shout from the front gates stops us in our tracks.

I turn around expecting to see two guards switching shifts, which was routine, but there was a car pulled over. A man was leaning out the car window holding his middle finger up at a guard.

"Di'loro che sono qui e che non me ne andrò finché non avranno parlato con me!"

The security guard says something to the man but it seems like it didn't sit well with him because he suddenly starts spewing profanities. "You son of a bi-" Leo quickly brings his hands to my ears and rushes me inside.

As the door shut, he brings his hand forward and ruffles my hair, "you didn't hear a word." I meet his gaze and nod. We walk downstairs and Leo goes towards the door.

He sighs before kissing my head and walking outside.

I walk to the large window facing the front gate, pushing the curtain aside I peek outside. Leo walks with large steps and reaches the dark steel bars, the guards lower their heads before stepping aside. I couldn't make out the face of the man in the car but after a couple of seconds he slams his door open and walks out.

Leo has his arms crossed while talking to him. As I step back and move the curtain to its previous form, a hand reaches out and grabs them.

"What were you looking at?" I jump at Matteo's voice and quickly turn around.

"O-oh j-just someone at th-the gate." I stammer and step aside. He narrows his gaze before looking out towards the front.

"Wh- Fuck-" Matteo grits out, seeming to have recognize the man. He lets go of the curtain and heads to the front door, "Get away from the window." Before I could ask who the man is, he swings the door open and walks outside.

I move away as he stated and go to the couch to take a seat. My mind rushes with all the possibilities of who this could potentially be. Is it a neighbor? family friend?

"What got his panties in a twist?" Zeno waltzes into the living room.

"I'm n-not sure, there's s-someone outside."

Zeno raises a brow before walking to the window. Peering outside he scrunches his eyes to make out the figures in the distance.

"Who are you talkin- Ugh not that mutherfucker." he mumbles as he steps aside and puts on his shoes. He walks outside with an annoyed expression and I'm left in more confusion than before.

I bite my nail at the thought of the man outside. Who could they possibly not like that much?

"You shouldn't bite your nails like that doll." I jump in spot, hearing a raspy voice speaking by the door.

I gaze over at the man who appeared out of nowhere. Brown hair sat above his head, his deep brown eyes trace me from the top of my head all the way to my socks.

He wore a dark coat and pants with a white button up shirt, a few buttons loose at the base of his neck.

"Non sapevo che Giovanni avesse una sorella, e dolce vederti passare del tempo con i tuoi brutalu cugini."

I stand up from the couch and look towards the door, waiting for my brothers to walk in. A couple of seconds pass in utter silence, the man watches me from his spot. A sudden need to sneeze builds up in me and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep it in. 

A few more seconds pass and i couldn't hold it in, achoo*

"Bless you"

"T-thank y-you,"

"Well aren't you going to let me in?"

Let him in? I turn my head to look out the window, hoping I could spot someone.

"O-oh I w-was jus-" I cut off as I face him again. He was standing 2 feet away from me, I didn't hear him approach.

"You were just...?"

"U-um-"

"The hell you doing?" Matteo pushes past him and stands in front of me. "Why are you standing so close to her?"

"I thought ya'll were all boys."

I look at him in question, what did he mean? 

Matteo stares at him for a bit before ignoring his question and turning to me.

"You alright?"

I break my gaze from the man and look up at Matteo, "y-yes."

Before I could ask who this was, Zeno and Leo walk in. Shutting the door Leo walks closer and meets my eyes.

"Alright time for introductions, this is Antonio, he's.... a business partner."

I look at Antonio's offended face, he rolls his eyes before adding, "We're kind of like family, aren't we? We've been working together for generations, our grandp--."

Zeno completely shuts him down and lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Leonardo, what about her though?" Antonio questions.

"That doesn't concern you." Zeno states as he stands next to me.

"Sure it does, especially since I'm here to offer you a de-"

Matteo takes my hand and begins to pull me away. I follow him without resistance. As we walk upstairs I look back to see the three talking amongst themselves.

Antonio stares intensely at Matteo before meeting my gaze.

I turn back around quickly and follow Matteo to- his room?

He opens the door wide and motions for me to go in. Dark walls with polished wooden structures surround his space. It screams masculine along with an edge of comfort. His bed was layered with a dark comforter and three large pillows are at the base of the headboard. His desk and table had a few clothes thrown on top of them with a few objects fallen over.

"Rest here, I'm going to speak with Antonio. Don't leave the room unless one of us comes to get you, and I mean it Aria. Don't g-" He stops himself before shaking his head and walks to the door.

I wanted to ask if I could go to my room but he shuts the door and leaves.

I look around the room and walk to the desk, picking up the clothes I begin to fold them. I didn't necessarily feel like resting just yet, plus the medicine Gabe gave me this morning has been really helpful, and it seems I still have an hour till I take it again. Finishing up with the desk I head to the side tables. Once everything was organized I placed all the folded clothes on top of the dresser.

All finished, I head to the desk and place myself in the seat. Taking his bed might be too much, especially since it's his only rest space. I lean my head back as I begin to feel a headache rise. My nose was beginning to get stuffy as well and it seems the effects of the medicine were wearing off.

But no worries, I could push through this. As a few minutes pass I feel my body begin to relax, I raise my legs and wrap my arms around them. Bringing my head forward, I lean it against my knees.