A Love So Dark

Chapter Five

Kaius POV

I stared at the huge portrait on the wall, memories flooding into my mind, each hitting me hard like waves crashing against a shore.

Flashback

Young Kaius and his sister Pearl sat on a swing, their parents, Taylor and Gracie Amalfitano, by their side. It was a sunny day, and they’d decided to spend it at the park. The lake shimmered under the sun’s rays, the flowers swayed gently in the wind, and the atmosphere buzzed with happiness—just like their family.

Pearl squealed with laughter as she begged their father to push her higher. Meanwhile, Kaius sat beside his mother, clutching her hand tightly and looking up at her with a bright smile. He had always been a mama’s boy, sharing every thought with her.

“Mum, why do flowers bloom, wither, and then bloom again?” he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

“I don’t really know, sweetheart. That’s just how they are,” Gracie replied, smiling softly.

“It’s like they’re born, grow, and die—just like humans,” he said.

“But flowers come back the next season. Humans don’t,” he added thoughtfully.

“You see, son,” Taylor chimed in, crouching to meet Kaius’s gaze. “Flowers are like us—they never truly die. Even when they’re gone, their essence remains. And we’re always alive in the hearts of those who love us.”

“But we won’t see you anymore,” Pearl said, her voice small and uncertain.

Kaius nodded in agreement. “We can still see flowers, but we can’t see people.”

Gracie sighed, kneeling beside them. “We might not be visible, but we’ll always be here.” She placed a gentle hand over Kaius’s heart.

“As long as you remember us, we’ll never leave you,” Taylor added, his voice firm yet kind.

“Does that mean you’ll always stay with us?” Pearl asked, her tone a mix of hope and fear.

“Always,” Gracie assured her with a smile.

“You’ll never leave us?” Kaius whispered, gripping his mother’s hand even tighter.

“Never,” Taylor said, pulling his family into a warm embrace.

End of Flashback

But now, they’re gone. They left too soon.

“Are you still with me, Mum?” I murmured, tracing my fingers along her painted face. My hand lingered on her cheek as a pang of longing shot through me. I yearned to hold her again, just once more, to tell her how much I missed her and how hard everything had been without her and Dad.

“Boss?” A voice interrupted my thoughts, dragging me back to the present. I turned away from the portrait, my face neutralizing as I sat down. Moments later, Leonardo entered the room.

“What is it?” I asked, my tone clipped.

“Uh… Pearl got suspended again,” he began hesitantly. “The school wants a family member to attend a meeting.”

I groaned, rubbing my temples. “At this rate, no school in Italy will accept her.”

Leonardo grinned, which only irritated me further. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, boss,” he said quickly, though the amusement still lingered in his eyes.

“What’s the plan now?” he asked.

“I can’t leave until next week,” I replied.

“Should we call Miss Lyra?”

“No. She can’t make any public appearances right now—she was nearly spotted the last time,” I said with a sigh.

After a brief silence, I added, “You’ll fly to Italy, handle the school, and bring her back.”

Leonardo groaned. “Boss, I can’t handle Miss Pearl!”

“You’ll manage,” I said, giving him a pointed look.

“But I’m supposed to help with the contract, the meeting with Mr. Sawyer, and—”

“Go,” I said sharply, cutting him off.

With a reluctant sigh, he muttered, “Fine, boss.”

“If you leave now, you’ll reach Italy in two hours,” I said.

Leonardo mimicked me under his breath before storming out, earning himself a smirk from me.

---

Pearl POV

I scrolled through i********:, watching pointless videos to pass the time. Two hours had passed, and my brother still hadn’t shown up.

“Does he even care about me?” I muttered, scoffing.

“This way, Mr. Alviso,” I heard the secretary say, and my heart leapt. I stood up, only to force myself to sit back down.

“Don’t get too excited,” I told myself, feigning indifference.

“Hey, Pearl,” came a familiar voice, but it wasn’t my brother’s.

“Where’s Gio?” I asked Leonardo, looking past him as if Kaius might suddenly appear.

“Let me guess,” I continued bitterly. “He’s too busy to come himself, so he sent his personal assistant to play stand-in.”

Leonardo offered the secretary a charming smile. “I’m not Kaius, miss, but I am an Alviso—a distant one.”

I rolled my eyes. “Can we just get this over with? I want to go home.”

“Brat,” he muttered as he followed the secretary to the principal’s office.

Half an hour later, he returned, winking at the young secretary, who blushed furiously.

“Do you have to flirt with every girl you meet?” I asked, gagging.

“She’s attractive. Don’t blame me,” he replied with a grin.

Despite myself, I almost smiled back but quickly covered it with another scoff. That was the thing about Leonardo—he always made me feel safe, even when I didn’t want to.

“Let’s go,” I said, trying to sound bored.

“Grumpy,” he teased.

“Flirt,” I shot back.

“Ooh, are you upset I don’t flirt with you?” he asked playfully.

“You wish.” I rolled my eyes as I climbed into the car, with him joining me shortly after.

“To the airport,” he told the driver.

“The airport?” I frowned.

“Your brother wants to see you,” he replied.

“Great,” I muttered. “Now he’s going to lecture me like the ‘big brother’ he thinks he is.”

“What are you talking about? He is your big brother,” Leonardo said.

“Yeah? Then where is he?” I shot back.

“He’s busy, Pearl. But you—”

“Busy,” I interrupted, anger rising. “He always puts work first. He cares more about that than he does about me.”

“That’s not true,” Leonardo said gently. “Your brother loves you. You’re always his priority.”

“Don’t give me that,” I snapped.

“Pearl—”

“Just drop it!” I yelled.

“Fine, Grumpy,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

I glanced at him, feeling a pang of guilt. He didn’t deserve my anger. Out of everyone, Leonardo had always been there for me—bratty attitude and all.