TONY: Book 1 of The De Luca Brothers Series [COMPLETED]

20:

Waking up in an unfamiliar bed, in an alien room, in an unknown place, it's no surprise that I bolted out of the crisp white sheets and tumbled as a heap on the floor. I hear a low groan to my immediate left as I lay on my back and I snap my attention up to see a holy sight. Toro lays with his forearm over his eyes, his lips slightly ajar on the small settee next to the king size bed. He has a cream blanket over his legs, his chest revealed showing his solid, tanned abs and biceps. I drool slightly at the sight, but I snap my attention away quickly.

I stand up, trying not to make a racket and tiptoe towards my bag that is placed on the mahogany desk. Looking around, I realise that the entire hotel room is gorgeous. The walls are painted magenta, warming the white and wood theme, with a beige rug on the snow carpet and a simple painting of an oak tree is hung above the bed. The sheer size of this is jaw dropping and I'm sure my jaw completely hits the floor when I push open the bathroom door to see a stunning, pristine, clean room with glistening tiles, a large bathtub central and built in cabinets that provide plenty of storage space and a sink. A stocked shower that is the size of the width of this room also greets me, fit in with jets on the walls and a large shower head from the ceiling. The mirror stretches over the sink, giving me a view of my gaunt, ghostly features. Gone is the boy with rosey, plump cheeks with healthy freckles and luscious curls, instead a stranger stares back at me with a confused, almost disgusted look on his face. My curls have lost their bouncy, falling onto my forehead in sad ringlets that are dull and flat. My skin is pale, my eye sockets are hollow and bags paint underneath with dark colours, causing my bloodshot eyes to pop against the cold. I'm wearing my pyjama top and a pair of old joggers from my dorm, not remembering when I could have possibly have gotten changed.

"Morning," his voice growls behind me and I whip around in surprise.

He looks impeccable, his muscles moving seductively but boldly underneath his smooth, tanned skin, like a plain of sun kissed sand. His black briefs hug everything tightly, leaving little to the imagination- in my experience, my imagination is very accurate. I can see his outline, I bite my lip as I tear my eyes away to his magnificent, masculine thighs. I then quickly let go of my lip and flush bright red, meeting him in the eyes. He seems to know my thought process, but thankfully doesn't say anything about it, "How are you?"

My mind decides now is the time to click into place and remember what happened and why I'm here. I feel my eyes glisten as she floats around my head, singing and laughing as if the world is alright. But she's no longer in this world now. I have to turn away and blink at a specific tile on the wall to try and calm myself down. "I'm not doing well."

"I'll order breakfast."

"I'm not hungry—"

"You look like a skeleton. You are getting breakfast," he commands and I back down. Softening, I can hear him sigh, "Go get showered. Clothes are on the desk."

He turns away to leave but I stop him in time, "Um... Toro?"

He whips around, "Yeah?"

"Did you- did you change me?" I stutter.

He grins, "Yeah."

"O-oh, okay."

"Zackary?"

"Y-Yeah."

He pauses before smirking, "I didn't see anything."

Sighing in relief, I grab the black bag and slide back into the bathroom, slamming the door behind Toro's dialling. My heart pounds against my chest as I'm overcome with a bunch of relieved thoughts, I rush towards the shower undressing to try and figure out how to work it. I stand underneath the shower head and suddenly, it showers down hot water on me. Turning another dial, the jets stream water and it hits me in the chest, turning around, I let it relax the muscles in my back.

I reach for the bottle of conditioner and lather the tips of my hair before washing my entire body from head to toe, letting my mind just think. As the suds run down my body, an unexpected tear does as well.  Mom had never been particularly strong, she always needed help mentally to ensure she'll be okay, but the guilt of not being there to reassure her is suffocating.

I end up shampooing my hair and just stand there, letting the water cascade and mix with my tears and I sob, not expecting this amount of pain for losing someone I love. The most important woman in my life. My motivation.
Two quick sharp knocks startle me and I sniffle, inhaling water which makes me cough and cry harder. The whirlwind hits hard as the bathroom door bursts open, revealing Toro who's looking worried and tense. I yell out and cover myself, cowering.

"Why didn't you reply?" He begs. "You had me worried sick Zac!"

"I'm sorry," I whisper, using a hand to turn off the shower. I clear my throat, "You can leave now."

He sighs and nods, muttering an apology, but I stay in the shower for a good five more minutes until the chill broke my skin out in goosebumps. I shrug on the white towel robe and look at myself in the mirror again, this time looking like a drowned rat.

I ignore it, dry myself before getting dressed into a pair of skinny jeans and a sweatshirt over a graphic tee. Drying my hair off, I step out into the room to see Toro with a shirt on, two trays of food on the bed. I swallow the lump in my throat and hesitantly walk closer to the food, the mouthwatering scent of waffles and blueberries hugging my senses.

"Eat what you can, drink all of the orange juice and the majority of water- don't give me that 'I'm not hungry crap', 'cause you're hurting yourself by not eating. I'm going to get a shower," he orders, marching to the bathroom with his clothes in hand.