Park bench (DISCONTINUED)

Night Of Disaster

Chapter 6

ANTONIO

"AND then I tell Gabe that he can't have the chicken noodles because I spat in it and he shrugs and eats it" I look at the both of them in disgust. How can you even?

They look very odd in this sort of event. Billie with her blue hair and bright yellow playsuit as if it's the most appropriate of attires to wear for such an occasion.

And then you have the gay brother (no homo #PRIDE). Now, that is an embarrassment. He's a man and wears make up. What part of him is manly? No such part, that's what. However, I need to tolerate this. My reputation is at stake if I show how I truly feel about these two siblings. If it was up to me, they'd be out of this event the very second I saw them.

"That's just disgusting Gabriel but, I admire your challenging behaviour. It's very assertive of you" I watch closely at Natalia as she laughs. They way she fits in with this crowd, it's preposterous. They're all abnormally peculiar in their own way. "Don't you agree Antonio?" She looks at me with a bright smile. Does she expect me to agree with this? It is not courageous nor challenging. I place my hand gently on her thigh. I smile at her as her smile falters. I put pressure as I squeeze not too hard but enough to afflict pain and show her how much this bothers me.

"Why, I do." I say and I look back at the group. "It's very... weird" I sum up and they all look at me with a frown. They begin to chatter amongst themselves.

"Antonio, you're hurting me" I hear Natalia whisper and it's then when I come to my senses and release my hold from her thigh. I look around and see many people wining and dining. It's a beautiful set up. The book cases were pushed to the side and tables were set out. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom." Natalia stands up and walks towards the double doors. I watch her as she glides away. My phone rings and I see it's a call from my dear old mother.

"I... will be right back" I excuse myself and walk out of the book store. "Hello mother"

"Antonio, how are you my tesoro?" I smile and look up at the night sky, picturing her loving face.

"I am wonderful. I'm just at a... party"

"Oh, and how is my future daughter in law?"

"She is well also. How is papà doing?"

"Oh, you know your father, always working. He's so... how do you say it? maniaco del lavoro. Translate that for me dear" I lowly chuckle.

"Workaholic"

"Yes. He's workaholic. So obsessed about the denaro and not his wife" she complains and I smile.

"How is the business going?"

"meravigliosa. We are more successful than before"

"That's good to hear." I look back through the window and see Natalia still not back and also... Fabian gone. I frown and cut the call with my mother after our goodbyes.

"Okay, talk to you soon il mio bambino. Ti amo"

"I love you too. Bye" I walk in and look around. Instead of approaching the table I was previously sat, I walk towards the restrooms. I stop short when I hear murmuring.

"Fabian I can't right now" it's Natalia.

"Can you hear me out"

"No! I have a fiancé who I love. What we had, it's finished. I can't leave Antonio for our childhood romance"

"Don't call it that"

"What else is it?" There's silence before I hear his voice again.

"I don't know. But I loved you once Natalia and I still do. And I don't care what I have to do, I'm getting you back and call you mine once and for all. I shouldn't have left you like that"

"You didn't have a choice"

"I know that."

"I need to go. Antonio would be wondering where I am" too right I am.

"Just answer me two questions. Do you still love me?"

...

"i- I don't know. Maybe, I guess. It's just been pushed to the back and when I met you again in the coffee shop, my feelings resurfaced a little bit. Now I need to go"

"Wait. One more. If you could leave him now, be with me and we run away, would you?" I become more attentive. The longer she doesn't answer, the more the anger builds up.

"Even if I wanted to, I can't" I shake with fury.

"That's not an answer" he pushes further and I could only imagine the proximity between them.

"Well it is to me. Now I really need to go"

"He's not there"

"What do you mean?"

"He's on a phone call"

"Still, he could be finished. We both need to get back"

"I'll let you go if you kiss me"

"What?" My hands tremble. Is he asking for a punch or what?

"You heard. Kiss me"

"No"

"Yes"

"Fabian" I hear him sighing and then shuffling. I shake my head and walk out. She's kissed him. I walk back to the table and see Dalia's confused look.

"I thought you went out"

"I did, I walked back in and needed the restroom, not that it's any of your business" which it isn't.

"Oh, Okay sorry for asking" she goes and engages into another conversation as I take my seat. I watch the door, awaiting their arrival. It opens and I see Natalia walking out as she neatens her dress. I clear my throat and straighten my back. She takes a seat next to me as she smiles. I smile back and kiss her cheeks. She smells of his cheap perfume. She quickly pulls back and softly clears her throat and drinks her champagne.

"Umm, Natalia, you have a bit of smudged lipstick" I watch as Dalia directs Natalia to the corner of her lips.

"Oh. Sorry" Natalia grabs a napkin and daps the corner.

Fabian walks back with a glass of champagne in his hand.

"Fabian, where did you go? We didn't see you leave" Billie inputs and I watch him as he smirks. This makes me even more angry.

"Oh, I went to grab another glass of champagne." He replies cheerfully.

"Oh really, what are you celebrating?"

"A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell now Gabriel. You should know" he sips his champagne and I clutch my fork in my hand. As if Gabriel knows. I wouldn't be surprised if he had more oestrogen instead of testosterone.

"He's much feminine than masculine" I comment and everyone goes silent. I shrug and drink my champagne.

"What did you just say about my brother?"

"Nothing. He said nothing. He doesn't mean it" Natalia grabs my hand and I pull away.

"Oh I very much do" I say and chuckle.

"Antonio!"

"I swear to god, shut him up or I swear I will- in a very unpleasant way" I smirk at Billie's way of a threat.

"You're pathetic. Think anyone takes you seriously like that" I stand to my full height and gesture to her. "You look like a giant baby"

"That's it!"

"No wait! He's just drunk. He always says awful things when he's drunk. I'm going to take him home now" she clutches my arm and I gently push her away.

"I don't think so"

"You don't have a say right now" Dalia stands up and gives me a glare as if I'm supposed to be scared. "You're ruining my event night. I think it's best you leave" the whole room goes silent as everyone watches. Well then, so much for keeping up my reputation. I sigh and walk out.

"I'm not drunk Natalia"

"I know you're not. But I'm still driving tonight" I don't protest because all will be dealt with.