As a dysfunctional, destructive, and strung out Neila struggles with the aftermath of traumatic events, she finds herself delving deeper into a pit of misery, loneliness, and anger.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"People don't want to hear the truth simply because they don't want their illusions destroyed."
*****
It was the scent that greeted me first. Someone was cooking, and whatever it was, it smelled like heaven. I ran a tongue across my lips and my stomach growled, eager to be filled. Maybe skipping out on food wasn't the best idea. Please don't eat like a fucking pig when they feed you. Don't fucking do it.
Niccolò instructed me to leave my suitcases on the side by the door. We weren't going to be staying here the whole time (just tonight) and I was partly grateful for it. I didn't know where we'd be staying for the rest of the time, but I hoped it was as nice as this.
He helped me take off my sweater and told me to take off my sandals. I did as told. I was still kind of cold because my clothes were still wet and clinging to me, but I tried not to be a pussy about it.
"We'll shower once you've been introduced to her," he murmurs as he takes off his own shoes and leaves them on the rug next to mine, "and then you can change into something warm."
I nodded. With his hand on the small of my back gently nudging me forward, I forced myself to build up my courage and start moving. I followed the smell of food, assuming that's where his mother was. I was right. She was standing in front of a stove, stirring something in a pot.
"Mamma," Niccolò murmurs. She turns, and she's grinning again. "Questa é Neila." (This is Neila.)
He turns to me. "Neila, meet my mother, Liliana."
"Uh—" I stammered, both nervous and excited. Holy shit I'm meeting Niccolò's mother. Act normal. Smile, but not too hard. "Ciao!"
I internally banged my head against a wall. Too eager.
She grinned and took my hands in her own before kissing my cheeks. "Ciao, Neila. That is a beautiful name."
