VINCENZOLuigi dribbled the three guys surrounding him, each one of them hunched like a predator ready to claim its victim. He outmaneuvered them and tossed the ball to me. The hungry lions drew close, more eager than ever to snatch the ball. I slithered my way towards the basket, and gave a smooth throw. My teammates cheered as the ball slipped into the basket. Luigi, especially, was ecstatic. The dude was a fucking fanatic. We got back to the game and at the end of the day, our team took the lead with four points. My body was on fire. Sweat streamed down, leaving me looking like a snowman in Atacama Desert. I pulled a towel from my backpack and dabbed my face dry. "That was terrific," Luigi's voice drew near. We packed our things and headed out towards the locker room. I didn't think I could make it in there without collapsing. I needed to wet my parched tongue. Luigi carried on while I went to a soda stand. There were many of those here. Not surprising as the sports arena was t
VINCENZOWith my back leaned against a tree, I waited. My attention would occasionally slip to the students around, before agitation hit me again. Each time I felt like kicking back, thoughts about Rina rushed in. I was left wondering why she'd hesitated. Honest to the high heavens, I'd inscribe my dick on her forehead if that would make her understand she was mine. Vanilla whirled into my nose. Alerted, I pulled away from the tree and darted my eyes around, eventually landing on her advancing form. She looked…different. I squinted, immediately connecting the dots. Her hair was hitched up in a ponytail. So high was it that it snatched her face in some way. Dressed in tennis shorts with her shirt tucked in, Rina was nothing short of seductive. Especially her thighs that laid bare—exposed for every bastard to see. When would the bitch learn? She halted and looked around in search of me. Determined to make it known to everyone that she was mine, I marched towards her. She glanced at
VINCENZOI pulled up in front of the store. A side glance towards Rina revealed her staring out to the window. A strange feeling sat within me. I was oddly pleased knowing she'd shaken off her nervousness and had relaxed. That should explain why her eyes were on the window and not her laps. But then, I couldn't be sure. She hadn't focused on any other object throughout the drive. But then again… Ugh. Too many but's.Somehow, I liked this silent, submissive aspect of her. And I wished she'd be this way whenever I made the move. Her tears and pleas had begun to tear me apart. I was losing it. Madre or those noisy maids—especially, what was her name again? The assistant maid or something. There was something about her that wasn't right. And from all indications, she could employ her rather bulbous nose to good use and sniff out the truth. That'd be the end of me.I sought for my black card in the glove compartment; but on a second thought, decided against it. Reason being that Rina w
Rina Cracking my knuckles, I paced around the room. Piccolo Maestro. That guy would be the death of me. He'd bring about my end. I soon got weary of walking; I perched on the bed, my mind wreathed with anxiety. It didn't take long before I stood again. Nerves wouldn't let me be. Two hours ago, I got the shock of my life. Piccolo Maestro had yelled at Liliana and touched me in front of her! He didn’t care that I'd be in trouble. He didn’t care she'd notice and go tell the Luna or worse—The Alpha. And now, I stood on tenterhooks, not knowing what would happen should his parents come back. It was almost dark. Any minute from now, the Luna would be here. What was she going to do? What would she say? My eyes darted back and forth as I pondered. The drumming in my chest distracted me. I couldn't make a mental picture with all the noise. My bum perched on the bed again. It was pretty obvious. The Luna would be flaming mad, and I didn't think the bulk of her anger would be directed to
RinaShe bowed to the Luna before getting seated. "Rina, take your seat too." Just like her son, her face was blank which worsened my fright. It'd have been better if I'd spotted a frown. At least, I'd be ready for the worst. I threw Mammà a glance. Her eyes flicked from me to the Luna. The poor woman was confused, all thanks to my dumb self. I drew out the chair next to her and was about sitting when the Luna spoke up. "No, stay beside Vincenzo. You two are a pair." I didn't know what to make out of that statement. Holding my breath, I dropped next to my nemesis. His eyes flicked to me and I had the furious urge to gorge them out. The fool. He'd make it obvious that we—he…that something odd existed between us.I glanced at Mammà again. I could tell from how tense her brows were that she itched to know what was going on. The Luna rang the table bell and a maid appeared. Each one of us was served. It was surprising because Mammà and I weren't left out from the desert and sparkli
RINASwallowing, I knocked on the door. An answer didn't come, so I was forced to knock again. This time around, an exhale followed. I got this. Nervousness grilled me, and brought my lids down. I was determined to enter that lounge. All this had to end here and now. With still no response, I raised my knuckles again, but didn't get to rap them on the door. Piccolo Maestro's chest was the next thing I saw. Or rather, the phoenix tattoo on his left pec. The design was done with precision. I could tell, from how red the edges were, it was new. Did it hurt? Could it be why he was shirtless now? And why the hell had I thought that? I snatched my gaze away, landing it on his sparkling eyes. Kill me. He'd been watching as I stared. I bit my cheek both as a way of chiding myself and gathering courage. Silently clearing my throat, I said: "I'm here to re—" He hurled me in and slapped my back against the door. An arm above me, he leaned. Uncomfortable with the proximity —as always—I pre
UNKNOWN POVI found myself in a—what's the opposite of a shoebox? This was my first time here—away from home. My mother's expression had been priceless and so were the five seconds she'd to digest my statement: I'd like to visit Suite di Agosto, with special interest in the cellar and kitchen. However, my anticipation was a waste of energy. Partly. While the cellar was like the milky way in intrigue, this place reeked of death. As a result, saliva filled my mouth. I didn't turn back though. Curiosity was my second nature, so I ambled in and stopped right at the center of the room. A partition separated it into two. According to the signs on each, they were poultry and red meat sections.My mother always liked to be precise even when it wasn't necessary. I saw no reason why there'd be a sign to tell one section from the other when you could easily see with your eyes the stuff that went on there. Protocols, my mind chipped in. Workers bowed at me. Oddly, I didn't gloat. I'd gotten u
VINCENZOI came down to the chair and placed my text on the table. Staring back at me was the worst of the worst: Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Markets. Some days—like now—I wondered why I'd settled for a major in Finance. There wasn't any reason other than my parents' approval. Quite an irony, considering that I disagreed with them on everything. It turned out that I'd been a lost sheep. I hadn't a clear vision of what I wanted to do. So, rather than giving Madre more reasons to doubt me, I settled for what had been on the table. I finally got a choice a month after first year, but couldn't imagine deferring my admission to start all over. Instead, I'd endure this hell of a major and wait till after graduation. Again, I looked to be at an advantage, as my degree in Finance would come in handy when I started Law school.Exams were in full swing now. Started of last Thursday, and I haven't had any breathing space ever since. My department was notorious for being on the f