4

“Excuse me, I’ll be back,” Seraphina said to no one in particular as she stood from her seat. I saw this as the perfect opportunity to ask her what I wanted to

“May I walk with you, please?”

“Sure, of course, dear.”

I fidgeted as we walked; it was always a bad habit of mine whenever I was uncomfortable. I had no reason to fidget. This woman has been nothing but kind to me, given that I walked through that door merely 3 hours ago, but still, she seemed nice, right? No, for now, I just needed to be careful and not anger anyone, especially her and Serena, cause from the looks of it, their attitudes towards me depended heavily on the two women.

Which was why I really hoped this question wouldn’t anger her

“Ummm...if I may, may I be able to contact my mother and brother?”

She looked at me quizzically, “Of course, my dear. Why do you feel the need to ask? Feel free to contact anyone you’d like.”

“Thank you. Thank you very much. Are there telephones in the house?”

She frowned, “telephone? Why would you need a telephone?”

“Ummm... to contact my family.”

“I don’t understand, you don’t have a phone of your own?”

I bowed my head and shook it. When I looked up, she was looking at me with tender eyes; there was rage in them, but I felt like they weren’t directed towards me.

“Well then, we’d have to correct that mistake now, wouldn’t we?”

“No, no, I couldn’t possibly ask that of you,” I told her quickly.

“Why not?”

“It’[s just, it’s too much to ask, after accomodating”

“But this is your home, of course, we will accommodate you.” She smiled, “And tomorrow you will be getting a phone. Why should you be using a telephone? You don’t get to be the one out,” she said the last part playfully, and I smiled

“As you wish.”

“No, my dear, it is not as I wish; it is as you wish. Right now, I am saying it is a must because it is a necessity. In case of emergencies, but whatever you wish at any time, say so, and it shall be yours.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, my dear.

After dinner, we adjourned to the living room, where the conversation didn’t stop; if anything, it got louder. Although I had nothing to contribute, I tried paying attention, but I was already nodding off, and Serena noticed

“Listening and not being able to contribute must be a bore,” she said,

All eyes turned to me. “Oh no, no, not at all.”

“If that were the case, you wouldn’t be dozing off.”

“No, I’m just...”

She scoffed. Mrs. Vitelli came to my defense. “You must be quite tired. Today’s activities were quite hectic. Why don’t you go lie down?”

“Why? We all attended today’s activities, and it’s not like she did any form of work.”

“Serena,” Mrs. Vitelli warned, “Mind yourself.”

She glared at me, but didn’t utter another word.

“Good night,” Mrs. Vitelli called after me.

“Good night, Ma, am”

I plopped down on my bed the minute I entered my room. I didn’t know why I was so tired. Was it the fatigue from last week bearing down on me all at once, or maybe I was always this tired? What even was the time? The world went dark.

At some point, I felt myself moving. No, being moved, well, either way, I really didn’t care. I just wanted to sleep, but I couldn’t. I felt a sense of being watched. When I peeked, I saw Enzo, and he was looking at me, his tattooed hand reaching out to push away the strand of hair that was caught in my mouth.

What a dream, I groaned, then turned around to face the opposite direction.