TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS.

Chapter 3

SYLVIA.

The plane landed a while ago and Brandon gave me a piggyback ride because my legs fell asleep.

I don't mind it, I actually like being carried. It makes me feel more powerful than I already am but Mr Muscles over here is enjoying it a bit too much for my liking.

"You can put me done now, I'd have to walk sometime anyways".

He reluctantly puts me down on the ground but not before nearly squeezing the life out of me.

"Better?".

"Yes, could you please hand me that laptop that we found?".

What? Don't judge me, it was basically spilling out of its briefcase and being the kind person that I am, I helped the owner by properly closing it up.

Which I then mistakenly carried out of the plane by accident.

"Here you go love".

I opened it up and came across a little dilemma, a password, I type in a few common passwords but they're all incorrect.

I've got no other choice but to hack the b****y thing. It's actually quite easy to hack into a computer, or any device really. But I won't share because a magician never reveals his secrets.

After running a few algorithms, I finally arrived at the homepage. What we really need right now is a navigational system or in other words, GPS.

"Sylvie, what happens after you've found you're family?"

I picked up a hint of uneasiness in his tone. He has a point though, I've been to busy worrying on how we'd get to Italy that once we did arrive, I forgot about him.

"Then we'll also find your family".

"I don't have a family".

"Now don't be so doubtful, you never know. You're family's probably waiting for you with open arms and big smiles—".

"NO! Family doesn't just leave you to rot in a place that is equivalent to prison. Family doesn't just forget about you. As far as I'm concerned Sylvie, you're the only family I have".

"Alright, alright, I see what you're doing here. If my folks are okay with it then... I guess you could stay with us... for a while but just until we found your parents."

The little bugger actually starts grinning like a bobcat and proceeds to yet again squash me in his arms.

Fingers crossed that everything goes well.

It's night time and I think we've arrived at the right place, though I'm a bit skeptical because it looks like something out of a fairytale.

There are two huge bodyguards blocking each side of the gate and a couple of CCTV cameras. Since they look so similar both in stature and overall physical prowess, I would be referring to them as Bodyguard one and Bodyguard two.

"You lost kids?" Bodyguard number one mockingly asks.

"Well good evening gentlemens, I'm actually here to see someone".

Bodyguard two just outrightly laughs at my face while Bodyguard one sarcastically asks "Oh yeah? And who would that be princess?"

Princess?! Oh now it's about to get real.

"The Owner of this house" I say throwing them a glare so deadly that both their faces turn pale.

These poor muscle heads, I believe I've given them quite a fright.

"And while you're at it, show them this" I say and yank off the necklace from it's permanent position on my neck then throw it in the air with no exact direction as to where it may land.

Both Bodyguards eyes widen slightly to the size of saucers when the necklace glitters in the air like gold. Fortunately, it doesn't get the chance to fall to the floor when Bodyguard one quickly scrambles to catch it.

They both inspect the necklace and start speaking in Italian, thinking that we would not understand them.

Though in actuality, Brandon and I were trained thoroughly by the agency, so the number of languages that we can speak is probably more than the number of mine and Brandon's fingers plus toes combined.

"Wait here" Bodyguard one says.

Okay? It's not like we we're going to break in anyways... yet.

"Brandon, maybe you should wait outside here because I'm not so sure how my family would receive you".

"Sorry love, but it's a No for me. Family or not, we don't know these people Sylvie. They could be dangerous! Or even worse criminals!".

"Umm... yes, about that—".

The Bodyguards show up so fast and lead us through the entrance of the gates.

"Sylvie" Brandon whispers "What were you about to say? I have a bad feeling about this—".

"Just stay quiet and don't say anything. I mean it!"

We're now faced towards a majestically looking door which is slowly being opened by the two Bodyguards.

Well, let's get this show on the road.

BRANDON.

It's quiet right now, too quiet. It's been a whole minute of this staring contest and I'm already wondering when it's going to end.

There are exactly six people in the room, minus me and my Sylvie.

There are five intimidating looking men and a woman who looks younger than she actually is.

I would have said something about a minute ago if not for the fact that Sylvie threatened me.

Then all of a sudden the young woman who I presume to be Sylvie's mother runs towards her and embraces her in a hug that only mothers do best.

"My poor baby, I can't believe it's actually you, I've missed you so so much!" She exclaims before bursting into tears.

I almost went into defense mode there but it's a good thing I held back because Sylvie's Mom poses no threat to her.

These young lads however... not so much. I see now where mi amore gets her death glare from, because if looks could kill then I'd be more than six feet under.

Their stares are suffocating and it feels like I'm being watched by a predator that's patiently waiting to pounce on their prey.

All before the oldest man with slightly greying hair asks me or more like demands of me "Who are you?".

"He's with me, everyone this is Brandon" Sylvie introduces me before I could even answer the question.

One of the men who looks like an exact replica of the man with grey hair steps forward.

"Hey boy, do you have no respect? He just asked you a question. Why do you let this sweet little girl answer for you?"

"Maybe he's mute, he also looks dumb. He's a dumb mute boy" one of the men said.

They all start chuckling and smirking like that was the joke of the year or something. It's not even funny, who just goes up to a kid to make fun of them and considers that a joke?

"Awww, he's so cute. Hey there young man, where are your parents?" Sylvie's mother comes up to me and ask.

Again, before I could even answer, the oldest man in the room speaks "Cute or not, he's not staying here! Get going boy".

He waves his hand in such a way that makes it seem like he was getting rid of a bad stench.

"But Babe, it's so late, where would he go?" The mother asks and turns to face the man with the grey hair and beard.

He responds and then she responds and it all just turns into one big argument between the two.

Then the four men who look slightly like Sylvie's father are still laughing and looking at me funnily.

I know I look a little dirty but so does Sylvie, me and her haven't had a good shower all week! I won't lie because it makes feel a teensy-wee bit insecure.

It's starting to get annoying when no one let's me speak, it's either I'm being cut off or not heard when I try talking.

The noise starts to build up and I honestly can't take anymore of this madness so I break the one rule that Sylvie said I shouldn't.

"Your daughter is my soul!" I yell and just like magic the room returns to its former state of silence.

On the bright side, no one's talking anymore but on the not so brighter side, Sylvie does not look happy.

"Idiota! I said not to say anything! stai zitto, non fare niente di stupido, ma cosa fai? I believe I asked you a question Brandon?"

I know she's mad at me because when she starts her ramblings, no one can stop her but it just makes her looks even cuter than she already is.

"Yeah I know Sylvie but no one was giving me room to speak and—".

"What did you just call my daughter?" Sylvie's Dad questions and starts marching towards me like a man on a mission.

"Why don't we all calm down?" Sylvie's mother interjects and tries to stop her husband from approaching me any further.

"Sylvia Mancini! Just what on earth is this boy who hasn't even hit puberty talking about?"

"Father, mother, brothers" Sylvie starts and clears her throat before she says the unthinkable because I would have never guessed that she'd say that, not in a million years.

"È qualcuno che potrebbe essere il mio possibile corteggiatore in futuro".

Everyone's stunned, shocked and paralyzed, I on the other hand don't know what on earth it is that she just said.

"Your possible suitor? But amore—".

"Boy, it would do you good to stop talking before my father gets to you first".

Turning my head around to face Sylvie's Dad, it looks like he's on the verge of exploding or something.

So what? Who cares? I can take him! I don't care what anyone says, the other thing that matters to me is what my Sylvie thinks.

Sylvie sighs when I take her hand in mine and lead her towards the sofa. She's too tired to shake me off because she's been standing for a while now.

We're both comfortably seated on the sofa, hand in hand when her mother squeals.

"You guys are so adorable! But I think we should all sit down and calmly discuss this as a family".

She's definitely the peacemaker in this house and I'm so very thankful that she's here, because if she wasn't then I'd imagine that this entire interaction would have taken a turn for the worst.