Rage

♠THIRTY ONE♠

• Raquel De Silva •

I cradle the mug between my hands, letting the heat seep into my palms. I take a careful sip, acutely aware of Nadia’s gaze fixed on me. There is something unsettling about her, the way she watches as if she can hear my thoughts without asking permission.

“Excuse me?” I say, lifting my eyes to meet hers.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” she asks.
I nearly choke on my coffee. The word boyfriend still feels foreign on my tongue. I do not even know what Sal and I are. Two people with feelings too deep and pride too stubborn to name them properly.

She does not look away. Her dark brown eyes stay locked on mine, unblinking.

The most irritating part is that I genuinely do not know where this so called boyfriend is. Back in New York, Sal was always gone before I woke up. I assumed it was work. But here, in Italy, where could he possibly be this early?

“He went for a stroll,” I lie, nodding as if conviction alone will sell it.

“A stroll,” she repeats, narrowing her eyes. “Good. Follow me.”

I stare at her as she moves around the counter and disappears down the hallway.

She turns sharply. “Are you deaf?”

“No,” I snap, offended.

“Then follow me,” she says, firmer this time.

Something tells me refusal is not an option. I slide off the stool and trail after her.

“Where exactly are you dragging me?” I ask, folding my arms. “And for the record, I do not tolerate disrespect. If this is some forced bonding moment, you could at least be polite.”

She ignores me, stopping in front of a wall. Her eyes settle on a large portrait, and against my will, mine follow.

The painting depicts a family of six. A refined brunette woman stands at the center, her short hair sleek, her blue eyes sharp, lips painted cherry red. Silver pearls rest against the lace of her soft pink gown. Beside her is a handsome man with shoulder length hair, heavy brows, a pointed nose, and pale lips. In front of them stand four young boys in tailored suits, all smiling.

My gaze lingers on the smallest one. Crooked smile. Short hair. Grey green eyes.

They all look alike.
“Of course your eyes went there,” Nadia says, snapping me out of it.

“Why did you bring me here?” I ask.“Why show me this?”

“If we are going to be sisters in law, and we will be, you need to understand this family,” she replies.

“And what makes you think my boyfriend hasn’t already told me?” I ask.

She looks at me with quiet pity.
“I saw your face when Rocco mentioned Sal sniffing things,”

she says, not meeting my eyes.
“And?”

“You did not know,” she continues."Which tells me he has not told you everything.”