Adelina's POV:
The table falls into an uncomfortable silence.
I've spent a lot of my time with what society deems the "wrong people". The fun people if you ask me. I know what they look like, the people you shouldn't hang out with. I understand what it feels like to be in their prescence.
As I stare at the men infront of me, the same feeling presents itself at the back of my mind. The confident smirk never once leaves my lips as we all silently observe each other.
The bag rests at my feet, enveloped by my ankles. The illegal substances contained by it being silent as to not raise suspicion.
I run my eyes over all of them, not taking any time to notice the colour of their eyes or the state of their hair. That isn't my priority.
I turn my head to the head of the table, where Domenico is. He has a cold demeanor, very professional. I could tell easily that his walls are built up, but not nearly as high as mine. He gives off an intimidating aura. He looks clean cut, probably very oraganised.
Next to him is Raffaele. Raffaele had been silently observing my with little expression from the moment I walked in. He followed me with curious eyes but never once met my gaze. He looks very shy and reluctant, not wanting to be noticed too much. So, I let him be.
To my left but his right, there's Angelo. Similarly to Raffaele, Angelo has watched me since I stepped foot into the room. He, however, watches me with an odd kind of adoration. When I look at him, he gives the biggest smile. He has a bandage on his hand, with blood seeping through the layers. It's an odd angle and I assume a kitchen knife to be the cause.
Moving on in the same direction, I see Francesco. Normally, no one would see the subtly looks Domenico and Francesco have been exchanging. The two have been communicating through the eyes for quite some time. I could only assume what is going on in their heads, but I think I have a pretty good guess.
Francesco has been quiet. He doesn't look at me with joy or distaste, he is rather trying to dissect me. He looks straight into my piercing gaze with one of his own. I put a calm facade on for his analyitical gaze but am nervous he'll see the unusual clutch I have on my bag.
To the side, moving in the same direction, Valerio is staring at me. He has his forearms set onto the table and is leaning forward with an amused look on his face. His position is unknowingly one of intimidation, he doesn't seem to be using it purposefully. He's rather using it absent mindedly. He's probably a very alpha male individual now.
His knuckles are wrecked and he has a split lip. They're fairly fresh, seeming to be a couple days old. I will probably have to watch him more carefully.
Lastly there's Valentino. Valentino has had a smile plastered to his face ever since I walked into the same room. He's very giddy, pure happiness shines in his eyes. He repeatedly opens and closes his mouth, probably wanting to say something that breaks the silence, but no sound comes out.
He too has bruised knuckles but they look nothing as bad as Valerio's. He also has a light bruise on his cheek.
I take a step back from my individual evaluation and recollect my thoughts. Trying to observe the possible dangers to me, I scan them physically but can't see much since there's a table blocking my vision.
I give up on that, knowing I'll finish my analysis of them as soon as I'm given the opportunity.
I lean forward, positioning myself almost the same as Valerio. Willingly, I put myself in this position exuding confidence and power.
I look around, not wanting to be the first to speak, when I hear my name. I turn to the source of the voice, who happens to be Domenico.
"Firstly, I would like to give my condolences for your step father. I'm sorry you had to go through what you did."
At the mention of Michael, memories violently flash through my mind. I slightly flinch, hoping it was unnoticeable. My head instinctively goes down as I attempt to give a confident response.
"Thank you" I say meekly.
Attempting the change the subject, I quickly add "um?" the the last part of my words trying to signal them to tell me their names since I "can't remember".
Francesco clears his throat and I look to him.
"I guess we have to introduce ourselves, huh?"
I simply give a tight lipped laugh.
"That would be ideal" I bite my lip.
"I'm Domenico, I'm 26 and your oldest brother aswell as your legal guardian. Boys, in order."
I nod.
"I'm Francesco," he speaks up with a small smile "I'm 24 and your second oldest brother."
I turn to the next voice.
"Ciao principessa, I'm Angelo, the third oldest at 22. It's great to have you home" he finishes with a certain gleam.
"Hi," I move my eyes "I'm Raffaele and I'm 20" he says while scratching the back of his neck.
"Valerio," the next one says with his own smirk " 17"
Finally I turn to the one that was eager to speak all night.
"Hey there piccola," he starts "I'm Valentino, I'm going to make sure I'm your favorite brother and I'm also 17. Which means this" he says pointing to Valerio "this is my twin" he finishes with a full smile.
I hesitantly turn towards the rest of the boys with a dumb look on my face.
"Did he just insult me?" I say fakely dumbfounded.
Valerio barks out a laugh while Raffaele, Angelo and Francesco lightly chuckle. Domenico, however rolls his eyes slightly and Valentino lighlty pouts.
With every comment I make about their speaking Italien further drives my point that I don't know the language.
They then take the time to explain to me the meaning and all and I act like I'm listening.
Silence once again enveloppes the table. No one knows how to start a conversation, there's definetely awkward tension that no one knows how to ease. I, however, sit comfortably. Watching them squirm is enough to bring out a smile from me. Not one of them displayed discomfort in their body language but it could be found deep in their eyes. Even the most guarded ones.
I'm in no mood to make the first move so I simply sit back and cross my arms and stare.
"Do you remember anything at all?" Angelo says hopefully.
I don't know what my gut is trying to tell me when saying that the men sat infront of me are dangerous but I've never been one to doubt my instincts.
"I don't understand your question"Â I reply.
"You don't have one memory of us?" he asks again in disbelief.
I think for a moment then speak again.
"Wait I've met you all before? I didn't know any of you existed until a couple days ago."
He looks a bit defeated and Domenico speaks up once again.
"You lived with us until you were five" he mentions, a tad of anger in his voice.
"I wish I remembered that," I say faking sadness " wait why until I was five? What happened after that?"
Francesco looked like he was about to speak but Domenico cuts him off while shooting him a look.
"We took you to the park one day with our mother, we let you out of our sight for a couple seconds at most. Then you were gone. We searched for months upon months before your disappearence was declared a cold case" he says, his tone icy.
Knowing it was not the truth, I look at the others to see what they made of the story.
Valentino and Valerio look away but I don't miss the white clenched fist of the one with the split lip. Angelo looks away, a longing look on his face and Francesco has his head down. Domenico simply stares, no emotion clear on his face. He looks like he doesn't care.
Uneasiness settles in my stomach. They're lying. They had no reason to lie unless they have to hide the deatils of the truth.
"Oh," I mutter "doesn't seem to have affected you much" I say under my breath.
They seem to have heard me though as all of their heads snap up, hurt written in their eyes.
"That's the furthest thing from the truth," Valentino says looking into my eyes.
"We all cope with things differently, sweetheart" Angelo adds quickly.
My ass.
The nicknames are odd. There's a sense of familiarity in them that I find irritating.
"Why don't I show you to your room?" Francesco says standing up.
"Alright"
I grap my bag and mimic him.
My nerves are shot and I'm itching to pull out my vape. Nevertheless, I push those feeling to the side and follow him out of the room.
__________________________
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I forgot to add this in my update last week but WE HIT 10K ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? THANK YOU SO MUCHHH. WE'RE ALMOST AT 13K NOW THAT'S SO AMAZING.
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