Amalia POV
"Amalia I'm leaving now," I heard Danielle call through her house.
She'd made sure Stefania was back with Jeff before heading out to her mom's.
I took a deep breath, knowing this could be the last time I saw her for a while, if not ever. I doubted she'd want anything to do with me after she finds out I've wasted all her time and energy and gone back to my mom's and Robert's.
I walked over to her, unable to hide the tears in my eyes. I knew she would think they were solely from her going out now.
"Oh sunshine, I won't be long I promise," she said sadly, pulling me into her arms.
I clung onto her, never wanting to let go. I savoured the feeling of warmth and safety that she radiated.
"You'll be absolutely fine beautiful girl," she whispered, holding my head to her chest.
"Stefania's here if you need her, she's just changing," she added.
I nodded silently against her. She released her arms from around me and picked up her bag.
I stood and watched her open the door, she was about to leave when I stopped her.
"Danielle?"
She turned back around.
"Yes sweetheart?"
I paused not knowing what to say.
"I love you,"
She looked at me, her blue eyes directly meeting my brown.
"I love you too my sunshine," she smiled.
"I won't be long Mali I promise," she said again, blowing me a kiss and walking out the door.
I stared at the closed door for what felt like forever.
"Bambina?" Stefania said, walking in and making me jump.
I turned to face her and wiped my cheek to get rid of the tears.
"Do you want to talk?" She asked kindly.
I shook my head.
"No, thank you though," I smiled weakly.
I walked straight up to her and surprised her by wrapping my arms around her waist. I didn't want to leave her either. Despite her surprise, she held me tightly, reciprocating the hug.
"Thank you," I whispered, holding onto her.
Like Danielle, she held me close, holding the back of my head gently to her.
"We're always here for you bambina, both of us," she said softly.
I pulled back.
"I think I'm going to try and take a nap," I said.
"Good idea bella, do you want me to stay with you?" She asked, tucking my hair back.
"No I think I'll be alright," I lied.
"Okay bambina, I'll be in the garden if you need me," she smiled warmly.
I turned and made my way back to Danielle's spare room. I couldn't call it my room any longer. Quickly grabbing my backpack, I threw a few things in. I couldn't take everything, I wouldn't be able to carry it all. I did however make sure that I packed my Winnie the Pooh bear that Stefania got for me.
I sat down on the bed with my notebook and a pen, knowing that I couldn't go without giving Danielle some sort of explanation.
Dear Danielle,
I'm sorry.
I had to leave, the messages never stopped. I have to go back and make sure my mom and Robert are alright. The guilt was just too much. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I'm so sorry for ruining everything and wasting all your time. I really do appreciate you and Stefania. I love you both and didn't want to go. Please don't blame yourself or get mad at Stefania, she didn't know I was leaving. I'll be okay, please don't worry about me.
I love you more than I've ever loved anyone.
Mali.
I ripped the page out of my notebook and left it on the bed. I wiped away more tears before closing my backpack. I quietly opened my bedroom door, careful not to make any noise. I practically tiptoed through the house towards the front door, not wanting to make a single sound.
I could see the back of Stefania's head through the window, she was still outside in the garden.
I carefully pressed down the handle of the front door and pulled it open. Still needing to be quiet, I closed it silently behind me and began to walk down the driveway.
I heard Jeff bark.
I was almost at the end of the driveway.
"Amalia,"
I turned slowly and saw Stefania standing in the open doorway.
"Bambina what are you doing?" She asked.
I was stunned.
I couldn't talk.
"Bambina?" She said nervously, closing Jeff in the house and walking towards me.
"Amalia talk to me, what's going on?" She asked seriously.
"I- I just," I stuttered.
"Bambina?"
She took a few more steps towards me.
"I just need to go," I said quickly.
"Go where?"
"I need to go back home," I told her.
"I'm sorry," I said, turning to walk away.
I felt her hand grab hold of my arm and spin me back around.
"Please let me go," I begged, tears begging to fall.
"No Mali, you know I can't do that bella," she said sadly.
"Please, I need to go. They need me. I need to see if they're okay," I cried.
"Bambina I need you to take a big deep breath for me," Stef said calmly.
I shook my head, feeling myself begin to panic.
"No"
"No please," I begged her.
"Mali breathe with me. Let's get you calm," she said softly.
"Stefania please let me go," I cried.
"You're not going anywhere bambina, not in this state," she explained sadly.
"You need to tell me what's going on Mali. All of it," she said firmly.
I reached into my back pocket and handed her my phone. With one arm still tightly around me, she scrolled through all the messages.
"I'm coming with you," she announced.
"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice still wobbly.
"We'll go and check together. But that's all we're doing, we're checking on them and then I'm bringing you home," she explained.
"No you can't go there," I said, unable to hide my distress.
"That's the deal bambina. Either you agree to me coming with you or I hold you until Danielle gets back," she replied authoritatively.
I nodded sadly.
I needed to know what was happening with my mom and Rob.
Keeping hold of my hand, she walked us back into the house to grab her car keys and lock the doors.
We silently got into her car as she pulled out the driveway.
"I'm sorry," I cried, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt for so many different reasons.
"You're in a terrible position bambina, you've nothing to apologise for," she said, reaching out and taking hold of my hand.
"I never wanted to hurt you and Danielle," I sobbed.
"Shhh bella I know that," she replied, turning the corner.
I managed to calm myself down a little on the rest of the drive. Nerves and anxiety now taking up all my emotions. I didn't know what we were going to be faced with when we arrived.
"It's that one," I pointed, knowing Stefania had never been to my house before.
She stopped on the road outside.
"We leave the second you tell me you're ready," she said seriously before letting me get out of the car.
I nodded and climbed out. She took tight hold of my hand as we walked up towards the front door.
I knocked and we waited.
Nobody came to answer.
I knocked again.
Nothing.
I let go of Stefania's hand and walked around to look through the window.
It was filthy, I couldn't see through clearly.
"I can use my key?" I suggested, getting a nod in return from Stefania.
I unlocked the door and pushed it open. We were met with an overwhelming smell.
Without a word or any movement, Stefania took out her phone and dialled a number. I didn't register what she was doing. Panicked and ignoring the stench, I ran straight in.
"Amalia!" She shouted after me.
I searched the whole of the downstairs, it was covered with rubbish, empty food containers and beer bottles. I rushed upstairs and headed straight for my mom's bedroom.
I screamed.....
Authors note-
Ahhh I love writing a bit of drama!
Happy Monday lovelies ☺️
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