Blood is thicker than water

Chapter 30

Adelina POV:

Hushed conversation carries through the halls easily when no one is around. It is late morning when I decide to leave my room, knowing I should be alone. But apparently I'm not. 

Sleep was hard to catch last night. It was like a never-ending chase, I had to run through every memory- every moment- of the night and it was an endless cycle. The way his arms wrapped around me, how his head found place in the crook of neck and his warm breath caressed my skin had shivers consuming me for majority of the rest of the night. And the kiss...

Friday mornings are the greatest, I've learned since coming here. Raffaele is usually the only one home, as Domenico is never here anyway, the twins are doing whatever brainless idiots do at school, Francesco has a business class and Angelo is in medical school. 

Today is different seeing as I could hear the quiet whispers and gruff voices of the three oldest brothers. I don't know if Raffaele is home but the italien accent rings through the corridors prominently even if it's quiet.

The walk from my room to my place of eavesdropping is shorter than expected when I find the four men walking toward the doorway.

Domenico leads the group, rushing to the door while on the phonecall. Angelo and Francesco follow in pursuit in rapid discussion and Raffaele quietly trails behind. 

Domenico comes to a halt near the door, holding a dominant finger up- effectively silencing the rest, "Sì cugino, ho capito. Il prossimo fine settimana, lo prometto. Se la ragazza è un tesoro come dici tu, può venire anche lei." he assures with anoyance hovering over his tone. (Yes cousin, I understand. Next weekend, I promise. If the girl is as much of a darling as you say, she can come too.)

Darling.  

Darling

Shivers run up my spine. I could hear Michael whispering it into my ear. I could hear him taunting me with it. My spine straightens and my eyes glaze over. It was becoming hard to differenciate reality from a memory. I half expect him to waltz straight through the door, the stench of tequila, as potent as ever, following him as he goes.

I slow my quickening heartbeat and press my  back against the wall out of habit, given I'm out of eyesight.  I hear the man, who I now know is a cousin, on the phone. I can't help but slightly cringe at the thought of being surrounded by more men. 

Francesco lightly chuckles at his brother, slapping his arm which earns him a warning look. Not intimidated but deciding not to push his luck, he recoils his hand. I could see Angelo muffle a laugh of his own. 

Domenico stays concentrated on his call, finding whatever the cousin on the other end is saying rather important seeing as he halts his motions, "Cosa mi stai dicendo?" (What are you telling me?) 

Humour leaves the other boys quickly enough as silence enveloppes them, they wait for another indication of the issue. They all turn their gazes toward the oldest brother when he speaks, "Cosa vuol dire che hai perso il cliente?"  (What do you mean you lost the buyer?)

My curiosity urges me to lean forward, hear more of what they're saying but my body resists. It's still trained in it's old habits and I'm grateful for it. 

"Il tuo venditore..." Domenico cuts in before continuing again "Fammi capire bene, il tuo venditore ha perso il suo più grande cliente e stai cercando di dirmi che non è colpa sua. L'acquirente era uno studente del liceo, non si abbandona così." antoher pause "Allora fatti raccontare tutta la storia" (Your seller...)(Let me get this right, you're seller lost his biggest client and you're trying to tell me it's not his fault. The buyer was a highschool student, they don't just quit.) (Then get the whole story)