Silent love

Chapter 25

On the previous chapter...

Inside lay a brand-new Rolex Oyster Perpetual—sleek, silver, and elegant. The smooth, stainless-steel bracelet gleamed under the soft lights, and the dial was a striking icy blue, a rare model that had just been released this year.

The minimalist design suited him perfectly—strong and understated, just like Federico himself.

I know how much he likes Rolex's. He has a whole collection of them. This one was brand new, so I figured it would be a nice one to add to his collection.

His eyes lingered on the watch, the cool metal reflecting in his dark gaze. For a moment, he didn't say anything, just turned it over in his hands.  The light caught on the smooth metal as he did, his thumb brushing lightly over the polished surface.

For a moment, he was silent. Then, finally, he met my eyes and gave a small nod, his voice low but sincere.

"Thank you".

"Well". Silvio finally broke the silence, raising his glass, "I'd say that's the most emotion we're gonna get out of him tonight".

The room erupted into laughter again, and even Federico's lips twitched, before he shook his head.

For someone who didn't like surprises, I'd say tonight wasn't half bad.

                                                        ʚ FEDERICO'S POV ɞ

We do this every year. A tradition that started years ago, back when we were still kids trying to prove ourselves, and somehow, it stuck. In a world that demands us to be relentless, ruthless even, this is our one moment to just be.

No business, no alliances, no war. Just a ball, the field, and all of us thrown into the chaos of the game.

For us, the Mancinis, it was a given. I had played in this match since I was old enough to run, along with my siblings, Seraphina and Fiorenzo, and my best friend, Silvio.

Cecilia and Chrysanthe had always been part of it too. Distant relatives, but close enough to count as family. They had skill, they had pride, and they had history.

But this year, things were different.

The French.

My so-called wife Yaqueline, along with her twin brother Jacques, her best friend Divine, and Divine's brother Seth.

They were outsiders in every way, and they didn't belong here. Not in the match, not in this house, and certainly not in my life.

Yet, here they were.

I still have to get used to it.

At least to some. It's only Seth that has been bothering me. I am used to Yaqueline and her friend Divine now. Her brother is going through a depression episode or whatever, so I don't see him as often as I did.

But lately he has been feeling better I guess.

It was a warm evening when we gathered at the old field, the one tucked behind the estate. There was a certain kind of energy in the air, an unspoken agreement that for the next few hours, nothing else mattered. No grudges, no negotiations. Only the game.

Yaqueline stood next to Divine, laughing at something her best friend said. Jacques leaned lazily against the goalpost, watching the scene unfold with an amused smirk. Silvio was already stretching, rolling his shoulders as he eyed the ball at my feet.

He was always competitive, always looking for an edge. And today would be no different.

Seraphina and Fiorenzo were off to the side, playfully shoving each other as they bickered about which of them was going to score the most goals.