Adelina's POV:
I had been shown my room when miss Martin was still here but I hadn't registered much. The room is much like the house, elegant, big and impersonal. It's like one of the model houses real estate agents show potential buyers. It's beautiful, with the queen sized bed, vanity mirror, walk-in closet and personal bathroom. It's nothing short from what I would have expected from them.
Francesco stood at the doorframe, smiling warmly at me, before leaving quickly, probably sensing my hostile attitude. He told me to unpack before dinner. Oh. That's what he thinks is in the bag. What will I say if any of them ask?
Lady products is always a good excuse. Men typically let you be after that answer.
Assuring myself the door is locked, I shut off all the lights and shut the blinds the most I possibly can. I need the least light possible. Once done, I start searching the room.
The most obvious cameras are those with red blinking lights, so I scower the room firstly looking for those. Once I've cleared everything, I turn the lights back on and am ready for the next step.
Phoenix's mom was a flight attendant in her younger days. They taught her how to safety check a hotel room, so subsequently she taught us. She was such a wonderful woman. She always tried to do her best to keep us safe but we always stayed in trouble. Not even on purpose. Everything she's taught me, I've taken to heart and now I do this in every new room I stay in.
I check basic things first, clocks, alarm clocks, picture frames and anything that looks out of place. Not finding a secret lense, I move on to other things. Coat hangers, pens, water bottles, bathroom products and more. Again, I find nothing. Finally, I check under beds, tables, basically anything raised off the floor.
Happy with the results, I turn to the window. I open the window, sticking my head out and look for security cameras. There are two in each corner of the house facing outwards. I would guess they could see the windows of the side of the house in their peripheral vision but probably wouldn't have audio. It would also be interesting to see if they're in colour or not.
I sigh, recognising I have to form another plan when I would want to smoke. Shouldn't be too complicated though.
Next, I have to figure out where to put my things. I run through a couple options, deciding it's too easy to find so I sit and think for a moment. The closet, nightstand or drawers would be the first place someone would look. Maybe do the same thing as the old house, cutting a slit in the mattress, would be the best option.
Tough, this mattress is not old and certainly not worth tearing up.
With such a large room, you would assume there would be many places to hide something. The size leads to a more open feeling and as the room is empty, there are no places to hide. I decide, after much consideration, to stuff the bag under the sink until I could find something better.
I let out a sigh, content with what I found. I need a few basic things from the store, I'll probably go to a drugstore nearby. My train of thought is interrupted by a loud knock and someone screaming "dinner!" and footsteps walking away from the door.
I reluctantly get up and move towards the door, not really wanting to sit through a meal with them. I walk down the stairs abnormally slow, trying to prolong the time before the dinner. I take a breath, hitting the last step and realise I don't know how to get there. Or what room I'm supposed to be going to.
I think for a moment and weigh my options before just walking around and hoping I end up where I'm supposed to be.
Fortunately, I do, and soon come to the dinning room we sat in when I first arrived a couple hours ago. Everyone seemed to already be present and waiting on me before eating.
I travel to the other side of the table, where the only open seat is, and sit down. I could feel their gaze practically burning holes into my skin.
"So... what's for dinner?" I ask into silence.
"Chicken parmesan pasta, I hope that's alright" Angelo answers with a warm smile.
I simply nod my head and pick up the fork almost reluctantly. I look up to see if anyone notices this. They all seem pretty focussed on their own plates so I take it a step further and take a bit of pasta onto my fork, still looking around. I sit there for a moment, wondering if anyone was going to say anything.
Raffaele is the only one to look up from his plate for a moment and locks gazes with me, noticing my plate still full of food. He furrows his eyebrows and makes a small hand gesture as if to say "go on".
I take this as a form of permission and place the bite of food in my mouth to show him I was eating as he looks back at his own food.
Most of them are almost done, finishing their meal rather quickly. However, no one moved their spots at the table.
"I have an announcement" Valentino speaks up.
We all look at him expectantly.
"Dom," he turns to our oldest brother "you must promise not to murder me."
Valerio sits back with a smirk on his face, placing his hands on the back his head while leaning into the chair seeming to get comfortbale.
Angelo laughs a bit and says "You say that every time. You know by now that how much Dom and Fran will punish you depends on what you've gone and done this time."
I look around confusedly while Valentino whines. Raffaele has a small smile on his face, amused, while Francesco rolls his eyes and Domenico narrows his own the slightest bit.
"What's the big deal,"Â Â I cut in "can't be that bad"
They all turn to me, suddenly remembering I'm present.
Raffaele seems uncomfortable by my presence, Valerio unbothered while everyone else seemed happy I'm engaging in their conversation.
"The twins are both quite..." Angelo takes a pause "unpredictable. So when they say not to get mad before telling us something, we brace ourselves for the worst."
I turn to look at the twins, who had smirks on their faces, not looking the least bit regretful.
"Life is boring, got to spice it up somehow" Valentino smirks at the older boys.
Some groan while others role their eyes. I, however, turn to the twins with a smirk of my own.
"I get the feeling we have a very similar idea of fun"
Valentino's smile widens in joy and Valerio scoffs, looking away as if not believing me. I can faintly hear Francesco curse while muttering under his breath.
He tells the story, that I find very amusing but others seem to be upset, annoyed or angry. I don't see anything angering in the fact he set the science lab on fire. It's quite funny.
"How do you find the room?" Domenico breaks in.
Always with the serious subjects.
"It's fine, thank you."
"If theres any adjustements you would like to make or anything you would like to add, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Sounds good" I nod.
"I'm actually going to head out tonight" I continue.
The boys look taken aback at my announcement. Though I'm not exactly sure why.
"What do you mean sweetheart" Angelo asks confused.
"I need to get some things"
"What kind of things" Francesco presses.
"You know..." I tail off " things. I don't have shit from the old house, it's crime scene. I need to get some basic necessities. So I'm going"
It feels odd to have to explain where I'm going and why. I don't even know why they're interested.
"You could have just asked," Angelo speaks again " One of us will come with you."
I look at him weirdly.
"That's not necessary" I say with a scoff.
"You will be going with Francesco. End of story" Domencio says with finality.
Controlling much?
I look at him as if he's grown two heads.
"I-"
He sends me a speicifc look saying to shut up while the others are turning between us like a tennis match.
"I don't understand," I start again, not at all fazed by his look "why you require me to have a babysitter. I'm very much capable, thank you for your concern"
Valentino looks at me with wide eys and disbelief, Valerio looks at me with amusement, Raffaele with fear and the two others with interest. The oldest, though, looks at me through narrowed eyes.
"I thought I said end of story" he says.
I roll my eyes with a taunting laugh. The boys tense up at my action.
"Sure buddy, whatever you want"
The dinner ends soon after, they all seemed to wait for me to have my head ripped off by Domenico. I understand the dynamic the boys have among themselves more than I had before.
The oldests demand respect and you can only push their limits to a point. Domenico especially doesn't like when you question his authority judging by the other boys' reactions. I can only assume this trait has been passed down with them all. Dom has very good control over his emotions, I could tell right away. He's almost like me.
We headed to the store after dinner as planned, Francesco and I. I pick the basics, as I said I would. Hairbrush, elastics, toothbrush, toothpaste, tampons, pads, faces wash, moisturizer, candles and whatever else you could think of. We didn't talk, both not being in the mood to converse. I offered to pay, with the little money I had, but he denied it saying that he would. I didn't argue, free stuff is never something to argue about.
When I get home I bring everything to the bathroom and start to set up. When everything is in place how I want it to be, I take out one of the two boxes of tampons I got and empty it into an unoccupied drawer. I then take the empty box and transfer the contents of the original bag under the sink into it, then close it and place stacked under the other box of hygenic products.
I sigh, finally done, and take out my vape. I'm about to put my lips to it when I remember the door. A nasty habit of mine to forget to lock it. I tuck the device into my sleeve and head to the main door of the room, lock it then to the bathroom door and lock that too. I open the window, light a candle to get rid of a smell and sit down onto the floor.
That's how the rest of my night was spent.
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Hi loveliessss
Sorry for the late update. I'm stressed as hell.
This chapter is a bit longer, hope you enjoyed!
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