Emily's POV
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For the rest of the day, I tried to focus more in class, despite my sleepy eyes. I also ignored the annoying sniggers from the people behind me. Especially Guinevere. That girl was a witch in humans skin.
The algebra teacher was rounding up his lesson, and we had about five minutes before lunch break. I packed up my books into my bags and sat still on my seat, tapping my feet and fingers nervously on the floor and desk.
I was thinking of ways to thank Lorenzo for his help yesterday. Even if it was a kind of a proud act on his part, he rescued me from dying of hunger.
I've never spoken to him before, because I didn't talk to anyone. That was how I was, but ever since I moved in with the Bushs, they made it a law. Mind your business, no friends. They didn't want me having somebody to whom I could spill their secret to.
OK, I could say, 'Hi, I want to thank you for lunch yesterday...' No, I'll just go straight to the point by saying th--
"Stop that."
"Huh?"
"The tapping thing. It's driving me crazy."
I looked at my fingers spread out on the desk. Oh, noise. I forgot that he hated noise.
"Sorry, I'm just... nervous."
This was the longest conversation I've had so far with him since we became seatmates in eleventh grade.
And I think it had gone long enough. Talking meant making friends, and making friends was something I couldn't do.
I turned back to picking my books up, when he asked,
"Have you had breakfast today?"
I paused and contemplated answering that. Saying no would get him suspicious, although I didn't know him enough to know if he would bother.
"How's that your business?"
His eyebrows raised a notch, as if he didn't expect me to answer that way.
"Just answer the damned question," he said in a low tone, and coupled with a trace of his Italian accent sounded really dreamy....hmm.
"I--yes."
Just then, my stomach growled, as if it was telling him that I was lying.
Aww come on tummy, can't you cover up for me for once in my life!?
He shook his head, and curls of his dark hair scattered and went to his forehead. I tried not to stare. With a sigh, he got up and picked up his bag.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"Must you always be so defiant and stubborn?"
"Sometimes that's the only way to survive."
When he didn't say anymore, I looked up to find him staring at me.
Oh no, I said that loud.
I offered him a small smile. "It's a quote. From Macbeth."
He scoffed and rolled his eyes, an action that seemed to make him look more....stop it girl, you can't go about noticing looks.
"There's no quote in Macbeth about stubbornness. Pick another lie."
I laughed nervously, and my stomach rumbled again.
"Come on," he said again, ''And don't even try resisting."
"Yeah, and he called me stubborn," I said.
.
"Hey, I assumed we were going to have lunch."
"We are," he replied simply.
"So, what are you doing in the garage?" I asked. "Shouldn't we be in the cafeteria?"
The corner of his lips curled up into the hottest smirk I've ever seen, such that when he said, "Cafeteria's for losers," I didn't hear. My eyes were just on his lips.
I've said he had the face of a god. But I didn't say exactly what made him qualify as such.
He had dark hair that shone in the sun, and was long enough to curl at the nape of his neck, and it was always combed back every time, except for now that some locks of it were on his face.
His dark eyes, hooded by long dark lashes, were so mesmerizing.
A pointed nose, and lips that I'll swear were sculptured by the finest sculptor.
He, as a whole, was a non abstract evidence of beauty.
And yet, he was super quiet, and he was most times alone.
I didn't even notice that he'd gotten into the backseat of a jeep with tinted windows until he called out, "Coming or what?"
I swallowed as I climbed in beside him.
Get your act together girl.
***
The Ray.
I've heard of this restaurant, so popular and expensive.
I turned to look at him.
Was he really serious about eating here? During school's lunchtime? Rich people can be so dramatic.
The driver who drove us here opened Emilio's door, and he got down.
I followed.
"Hey, Are we seriously having lunch here?" I asked, more like whispered.
He nodded. But then he was staring at me again, like he did this morning in school.
"What?"
"What happened to your cheeks
Emily As soon as I lay on my bed, I dozed off due to the countless hours spent under the sun, which was totally different from ours in New York. When I awoke, I felt hungry, but Prudence told me that it was past dinner time and that there was food for me somewhere in the kitchen. However, the sight of pieces of chicken floating in a bowl of wine just made my appetite vanish instantly, and I made an excuse to Prudence.Once I was sure the coast was clear, I went back into the kitchen to have some tea and something light. Then I felt arms around my waist, and I stiffened. First off, I wasn't used to all this 'touchy-touchy' stuff, so it came as a surprise. Second, I thought it might be Sergio, because honestly, the way the guy keeps staring at me, even though I'm aware, gives me the creeps. But then I felt his soft breath behind my ear and a tingle where his finger brushed my skin to take out the earphone. I knew it was Lorenzo even before he spoke. I don't know where that connection c
Lorenzo Vittorio and Fillipe crowded directly behind me, while the other men were seated behind as I opened the box and looked inside. It was filled with different weapons, mostly illegal. That's what made the business fun."This would be worth a thousand," said Fillipe as I closed it."Sì, and it'll be delivered to the 'Market' tonight," I said and walked to the table."Great work, guys," I said to the inside guys who nodded.As we walked outside together, Vittorio, Fillipe, and I, Vittorio said, "Son, about the marriage?""He's already found a bride," Fillipe said, "We're just waiting for the introduction."Vittorio raised an eyebrow at me. "So, what's keeping you?""Nothing, I—Nothing.""Look Lorenzo, I hope you aren't forgetting about the enemies out there?""I haven't," I replied and drove home.When I got home that evening, I dragged my tired self up the stairs to my bedroom and dumped my briefcase on the bed. Then I ran a hot shower and took a very refreshing bath, and dressed
EmilyIf I were to stay in this house like this all day, I'd die of boredom, I reasoned as I looked out through my window at the vast green fields and the vines. I knew that like Spain, Italy was another home of wines. I just didn't imagine living right next to one.With a sigh, I left the window and began to pace. I didn't want to run into either Portia, Cosima, or Sergio. But I wasn't going to stay in here forever. I squared my shoulders and put on my toughest face, then walked out with my earphones in my ears. That way I wouldn't have to mind them.Sure enough, I saw them in the sitting room, the two women, deep in whatever they were talking about. I eyed them for a brief moment as Portia sent me a 'Have a fucking morning on your way out' look. For someone as young as herself, she really took extra effort to be mean. Maybe. Whatever. I shook my head.Cosima"But Aunt, I have to go. Dad wants me. And besides, Lorenzo has already gotten a wife. What'll I be here for?" I asked Portia
I pinched my nose tightly to stop myself from laughing, but Lorenzo had already stopped. Now he smiled ever so slightly that you wouldn't even know he's smiling if you didn't look closely."I'm... sorry about that. I always get carried away by the littlest things that aren't funny," I said when I got my breath back.He nodded. "I was wondering too. Although I must admit I find your childishness quite amusing.""Me childish!?" I asked, the frown returning to my face. "Lorenzo, I am not the one who just leaves a friend without a note, or comes in to apologize for his mother's intolerable attitude in the worst way possible!"He ran a hand across his face and rubbed his closed eyes."You done?" he asked."Huh?""Emily, why can't you just let go of the past? You want to be hooked with it forever?"I suddenly remembered Lilian and her husband, and the maltreatment..."No," I answered in a whisper and cuddled myself tight.I'll never get used to the pains that came with each stinging whip or
EmilyWith a loud yawn, I sluggishly opened my eyes to see that dawn had just descended. This waking up early stuff has really been ingrained in my system, and I think I'm beginning to tire of it. Knowing that I won't be able to get back to sleep, I threw my legs over the bed and went to the bathroom, after glancing at the digital clock that read 05:48 AM.In the bathroom, I splashed water on my face and brushed my teeth. I saw some fancy lotion on the plate which said, "Spotless Face." I rolled my eyes. My face was kind of rough, yeah, but I wasn't used to using synthetic get-beautiful-quick stuff. I'm a natural. Yeah, that's because Lilian never let me have any girly-girl things. I shook my head. She's in the past... in the past...I spun on my heels to run a shower, and that's when the events of the previous evening came back to me, like the water I splashed on my face earlier. Those people will never accept me. Portia... Sergio... Cosima... I wasn't one of them in terms of class, r
I narrated the dinner to her."And yeah. I'm still hungry.""Aw Emily. So sorry. But don't you think you're being hard on the guy?"Truthfully... was I? I shunned the thought."Gotta go, Wen. Talk to you later.""OK, bye."I hung up and resumed listening to my music. I was so engrossed in it that I didn't hear the knock on my door, or its opening, until I felt a hand on my shoulder."Aaahh!" I screamed a little and jumped in fright, only to pull the earphones from my ears and turn to see Lorenzo standing behind me, hands folded, and a neutral expression on his handsome face.I cleared my throat, realizing that I'd practically acted like an easily frightened kid."Oh, it's you.""Scared you, didn't I?" he asked in a low tone."No. What are you doing in here? Couldn't you knock?"He raised an amused eyebrow at me, and that's when I realized that the additional drumbeat in the music background was actually his knocking. I facepalmed myself."I wanted to... look, you shouldn't pay heed to