Page 37 of Chaos
“It’s nice to meet you all,” I say, feeling extremely shy suddenly.
“È molto più bella di come l'hai descritta.” Bastian said, licking his lips.
Nico smacked him across the head, earning a scowl and a punch from Bastian. The two of them exchanged hit after hit until Nico pinned Bastian down on the ground.
My gaze went to Marco, wondering what he was thinking. He was leaning against the kitchen island, his arms crossed over his chest, wearing a small smirk on his lips. From the look in his eyes, this is a common occurrence between the two. Maybe the three of them.
“You guys know how to make a good first impression,” Marco remarked.
Both Nico and Bastian stopped, turning to me, giving me their apologies for the behavior. I couldn’t help but just chuckle, actually enjoying watching them play fight.
Dante lightly kissed my head before walking further into the kitchen, placing the bags of groceries on the counter. He started taking out each item, placing it on the counter in the order he would need them in.
I step up to the counter, sitting on a stool, watching as he starts preparing dinner. It doesn’t take long for Nico to start helping him, and Bastian sits beside me.
Nico and Dante start talking to each other in Italian, causing me to quickly tune them out. Marco and Bastian start making small talk with me, being polite. Asking about my interests, hobbies, etc. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, but ignore it. I don’t want to seem rude the first time I meet Dante’s family.
“How did you meet this asshole over here?” Bastian asks with a slight chuckle.
Dante throws a cherry tomato at Bastian, which he catches in his mouth. He just gives him a shit-eating grin as he chews.
“You don’t need to answer this stronzo.” Nico jokingly replies. “We have all heard the story many times since we have been in town.” Nico shoves Dante’s shoulder as they smile at each other.
“I’m just curious how he was able to get a girl as beautiful as Serena.” Bastian shrugs his shoulders.
“Looking for some tips so you can finally get the girl you have been pinning over for years?” Dante replies.
Nico, Marco, and Bastian all share a worried look, but soon they go back to smiling. I wonder about who this girl is that they are talking about, but that seems way too invasive to ask someone I have literally just met. It doesn’t stop my curiosity though.
The conversation smoothly flows as Dante and Nico continue cooking. Mainly Dante, Nico, and Bastian are talking. I chime in from time to time. Marco is the quietest but does respond when he needs to.
When dinner is cooked, we all sit down at the kitchen table. I listen as the four of them recount stories of their youth together. Nico, Marco, and Bastian may live on the other side of the country, but they have always been close. Spending summers together. Weekend trips. Holidays in foreign countries together.
From what I gathered, Nico was raised by his uncle Lorenzo. Marco and Bastian’s fathers work for Lorenzo, so they all grew up together. Lorenzo is Dante’s father’s cousin, and they were close. After Dante’s aunt disappeared nineteen years ago, it brought them all closer together.
The aunt was Dante’s father’s younger sister. She got mixed in with the wrong crowd, became a drug addict, and then disappeared one night. No one knows where she went and with whom. They don’t even know if she is still alive or not. No one has seen or heard from her since.
Dante still looks for her. It was his father’s goal to find her and help her. When Dante’s parents died, he took it upon himself to finish his father’s work. He still hasn’t been able to find anything. The working theory is that she passed away. Probably from a drug overdose.
I grab Dante’s hand as he recounts the few memories he has of his aunt. He doesn’t remember anything about her, all his stories are ones he was told growing up. I can see him choking up, trying not to get too emotional.
I want to change the subject to something happier, but I can see he needs to get this all out. I let him say everything he needs to get as I hold his hand. Trying to let him know I am here for him.
“You will find her one day. I have faith in that.” I say, squeezing his hand.
After dinner, we all sat down in the home theatre in the basement, watching movies. At some point during the third Marvel movie, I fell asleep on Dante’s shoulder.
I open my eyes, not recognizing my surroundings. The room is dark, not even no light shining through the curtains. I can’t see anything, and the only things I can feel are the soft mattress beneath me, the soft duvet, and an arm around my waist.
Panic and anxiety seep through me, but I won’t let them fill me. Logically, I know I am at Dante’s house and it’s probably him behind me, but the thought of my stalker still lingers in the corners of my mind.
I take deep breaths, calming myself, and turn to see Dante slumbering peacefully beside me. I gently reached over and brushed the loose hairs away from his eyes. This is the first time I have ever seen it down like this. He normally wears it pushed back. It looks good on him like this.
I untangle his arm from around my midsection and crawl out of the massive bed. Tiptoeing across the floor, trying not to wake him, I search the room, hoping for a bathroom. I open the first door I see into a massive walk-in closet. I step in, caressing my hand over all the expensive suits that are hanging. The urge to continue looking is there, but my bladder has other plans. I close the door behind me and walk to another door.
Opening the door, I see the most luxurious bathroom I have ever seen. Black marble flooring. A shower that easily could fit ten people. A large soaker tub that looks like it would be heaven. A massive vanity with his and hers sinks. Everything is dark, moody, and very masculine.
I quickly do my business and wash my hands. I attempt to control my out-of-control hair, combing it with my fingers. When I am satisfied that it’s not as bad as it was, I search through the cupboards and drawers hoping for some mouthwash.
