Adding a Mute to the Mix (2p! Italy x Mute! Reader x 2p! Romano)

Chapter Twenty-four - Breaking the News

        You waited patiently with Giovanni in the dining room, sipping on your tea quietly. The two of you had barely spoken a word to each other after making it to the room, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. Giovanni didn't seem phased by the fact that you couldn't talk, but he certainly found it fascinating, especially since he went to university for a few years and gained a medical degree for performing surgery. He knew anatomy well and knew why some people were born mute, but he never actually went into the practice. He simply earned his degree and went back to the family business, deciding to use his medicinal degree as a fallback in case the Mafia life didn't work out for him.

        After a short time, Rema walked in by herself. She looked fidgety and unnerved. You tilted your head slightly as if to ask what was wrong. The older woman simply shook her head and sat down next to you. Giovanni asked if he should leave the room, but she told him that it wasn't a necessary action. He nodded and relaxed in his seat once more as he listened to her talk to you.

        "I know I told you that I would try to help you return back home, but I'm afraid that's not possible..." she said with an underlying tone of self bitterness and sadness.

        Your eyes widened slightly in shock. She said she could help you, but now she couldn't do it? That just made it seem like she was against you and on her grandsons' side. Before you could even sign a word, Rema took a hold of your hands.

        "You know too much and have seen too much of what goes on in this business and family. I can't be reassured that you wouldn't tell anyone about what you know after you went home, even if it was an accidental slip of the hand while signing something. It would break my heart to see my grandsons go to jail, but it hurts me even more knowing that I can't really help you get back home when I know you deserve to have a life of freedom."

        She paused in her speech, thin trails of tears running down her cheeks. Your were crying yourself, but not because you knew you couldn't leave now. You cried because you felt sorry for her. You knew she probably never asked for this life when she married Romulus, but she knew what she had gotten herself into by doing so. She probably just wanted a normal life at this point but could never have it because of what the family business was.

You rubbed your thumbs over the back of her hands in a soothing manner. She shook her head as more tears fell onto the dress she was wearing. She hung her head, but you made her look at you.

"It's okay," you mouthed. "I understand. I just wish there was some other way that I could leave with your trust."

"It's not okay... If I had known about this sooner, I could ha-"

        You put a finger to your own lips to signal to her to not talk any further. You understood. You really did. Right now you'd just be stuck in Italy until you could earn the family's trust so you could live out your life like you wanted to do. Rema wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, apologizing for you having to see her cry. You simply shook your head and patted the back of one of her hands.

        "Until something can be arranged, you don't have to be a maid or a model anymore. You'll be a guest from now on and will be treated with respect and dignity. I'll see to that. Please, relax and try to enjoy your stay here," the blonde stated.

        You nodded again and offered her a gentle smile. At least you wouldn't have to tend to the brothers anymore. You could try to enjoy the rest of your vacation, but you no doubt figured that if you wanted to leave the property that you'd have to be escorted to the location you wished to travel to.

       As you drifted off into a deep thought, Giovanni got up and walked over to his mother. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave them a slight squeeze. He then leaned down and kissed her cheek.

        "I need to go talk to my sons. I'll see you sometime later, most likely around dinner."

        She nodded and placed a hand on one of his before he pulled away and left. Rema sighed and got up slowly, her back cracking softly as she stretched. You stood up from your seat as well. She smiled at you before offering you one of her hands.

        "Come, my child. Why don't we play some croquet in the garden or a card game on the patio?"

        You shrugged and signed that you wouldn't mind either type of game. The elder female smiled and strolled with you out into the garden to play croquet since it didn't require a large amount of speaking. It was relaxing to play, but Rema did have to explain how to play since you had never played before. She happily instructed you and the game began. You both took a break in the middle so you could have a drink. The game then resumed, and a second game was played before dinner.

        Dinner was to be served outside in the garden since it was such a nice evening. You and Rema were the first ones there since you had already been outside. Romulus was the next Vargas member to appear. He was closely followed by the brothers, who were being walked out by their father. You near Rema, but the brothers stood across the table from you. Giovanni stood behind them with his arms crossed and an expectant look on his face as he waited for them to speak up.

~Author's Note~

DreamsForDays here! Sorry about not updating last week, but things were kind of hectic on my end. Things will probably be hectic until school's over, which I only have about a month to go until that happens and I graduate. Aside from that, my update schedule is going to be a little wonky until things slow down. Until then, I'll try to update on Wednesday before 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time in the US or before then. That should be all for this author's note. Thanks for reading! Feedback in the comments is always appreciated. Until next time!