The return of Alvaro Russo
1101 Words
¶VIOLET¶
I returned to my room after the strange encounter with Luciano. After the encounter we had, I thought it best to stay on my own.
Everything was so confusing, I wasn't happy to be here against my will, and I had to keep my cover. I stayed in my room for most of the morning, until I got tired.
Finally tired of sitting still, I rose from the bed and walked to the door. I needed to grab myself a glass of water and take a whole bottle back to my room, so nothing could bring me downstairs again.
I trotted down the corridor, and started to walk towards the stairs. I took slow steps down the flight of stairs, and entered a small corner to lead me to the kitchen.
I stepped into a large door, and found myself in a large kitchen. Bright windows, neat tiled walls, and white floors. The fridge, sink, and cabinets were all neat and tidy.
Their kitchen staff really did a good job keeping this place together.
Another thing I noted was the presence of a man. Tall and handsome, he poured himself a glass of sparkling water, completely ignoring my presence.
Luciano did not so much as look at me, but I could tell he knew I was there by the tense nature of his jaw.
He was ignoring me again, but I had taken enough. I was not going to let him make my life any more miserable than it already was.
Annoyed, my fists clenched by my sides as I walked towards him. He tilted his neck in my direction, and I corked a furious left brow at him.
“What are you doing?” I demanded.
He dropped his glass from his lips. I watched as his tongue flickered over his upper lip to wipe the droplets of water on it. I swallowed hard, my gaze dropped to my feet immediately.
“Having a glass of water. Why?”
Shithead! I screamed internally.
Was he really going to act as though he did not know what I was talking about?
“I…” I started to speak, but no words could form in my mouth. Why was I suddenly tongue-tied?
“Look, if there is nothing you have to say, I need to be on my way. There are more important things I have to do than stand here and watch you stutter.” I heard him say.
I hoisted my eyes to look at him, and he pushed his glass farther into the table. Without saying another word, he brushed past me, and walked out of the kitchen.
I stood there, fixated on the ground. Not knowing what to do, or say. How could I confront him? What could I say? That he wasn’t acting as a husband would act to his wife?
I clutched the sides of my dress, as I felt my anger rise in the pit of my stomach. Rage boiled in my blood, and I swallowed hard to wet my dry throat.
Suddenly, I could hear the sound of quick footsteps all rushing down the stairs. It seemed everyone was running downstairs for something. Must have been something very urgent, I thought to myself.
I thought of locking myself in the kitchen, and having nothing to do with anything happening outside. I wanted to disappear from this place and never return, but my curiosity got the better of me.
Slowly, I stepped out of the kitchen, and crawled my way to the door of the living room. I hid myself by a corner, and peered at the event unfolding in front of me.
Everyone was present in a straight line in front of the entrance door. They seemed impatient, the girls from yesterday were more than excited. I could tell from the way they fought hard not to jump, while clinging to each other.
Luciano stood in front of the small crowd. He had both his hands locked behind his back. From where I stood, I could sense the tension oozing from his body. His shoulders, his stance, everything about him told me he was nervous.
Just then, an elderly man stepped into the room.
Clad in an all white tuxedo, he stood tall and vicious. His blue eyes scanned the room in a rush, and landed on Luciano. His dry lips spread out into a thin smile, and the girls screamed immediately when they saw him.
“Daddy!”
Daddy?
Was he…?
My heart dropped in my chest. Even then, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest.
Alvaro Russo!
I hitched a breath, a shocked gasp erupted from the back of my throat.
Did he live here too?
The girls rushed to embrace him, and he kissed all their cheeks softly. I continued to watch him in complete awe.
Could this be the man who was wanted by half of the world? He did not seem like a killer, not in the slightest bit.
All I could see in that moment was a loving father who cared about his daughters, and more about his son.
When the girls had left him, he walked over to Luciano. With a glad smile on his lips, he cupped his son’s face and placed a gentle kiss on Luciano’s forehead.
If I didn't know better, my heart would have warmed up from the effortless display of affection between father and son.
“Bambino,” Alvaro Russo called out.
“Once again, you have made your father proud. I gave you two jobs yesterday, and you took care of both of them effortlessly.”
His words piqued my interest.
Two jobs?
“First and most important, you take care of that goddamned swindler. And then…you stood for me at my wedding. How could I thank you enough, my dear boy?”
Stood for him at his wedding?
My eyes narrowed on both of them. What was he talking about?
The only wedding Luciano had attended yesterday was ours? Was there another after or before ours that I did not know about?
“Father, I…”
“Oh, my boy! What shall I do without you?” Alvaro pulled him in for an embrace, and Luciano stiffened against his father’s hold.
“Now, where is my dearest wife?” He asked, looking around the room.
My heart sunk in my chest.
Surely…surely he could not be looking for me.
“Where is she, Bambino? Or did Scarlet Romano not think it important to come see me?”
Scarlet Romano.
Me. He was looking for me.
- Writer
