The Mafia and Her ✔

Chapter 8

After we ate dinner at Marco's house, it was already eight in the evening, and Izan decided it was time to head to his house. I did not have a say in it because I was the guest. His house, his rules.

Alvaro tagged along for the night since he didn't want to leave me alone. Vivian told him it was a one-time sleepover, and he reluctantly agreed.

"Bienvenida a mi casa, I guess," Izan muttered grumpily, letting me enter first while holding the door open. He was a gentleman. A grump but a gentleman. Alvaro followed me, and Izan locked the door. [Welcome to my house.]

"Thank you." I scanned the huge house. It was so spacious but so empty at the same time. No flowers, not enough colors, and only one family picture. He needed to spice it up.

"Let me walk you to your room. Do your shit." He was blunt, but I preferred him to be himself than anything else. "Alvaro, you will sleep in my room today," he added, and when Alvaro was about to protest and roll on the floor, Izan's glare kept him silent and still. 

I wanted to slap his face really hard but refrained from applying my intrusive thoughts. I was just a guest.

Don't do anything stupid.

"Why do you have a stick shoved right up your butt?"

I never said anything about saying stupid things.

"The fuck did you just say?" He stormed toward me and seized me up. He was way taller than me, so I cranked my neck up to look him in the eye. He was supposedly intimidating, but I was mainly intrigued.

"How tall are you?" I asked and heard Alvaro giggle from the other room. Izan stared at me without saying anything for a while. I got bored, so I added another question. "And how old are you?"

Izan sighed as he rubbed his forehead and stepped aside. "If I answer, would you stop asking any more questions tonight?" he asked, and I thought about it.

I didn't want to lie, so I said, "Probably not." I was an honest lady.

I could see he was having an internal monologue, and I wanted to hear it, but before I could say anything, he took off his shoes and hung his car keys. I removed my shoes as well. 

"30, and 6,3."

My eyes widened. "You are huge!" I said, but then realized my mistake when his eyes twinkled—wrong word choice. "I meant tall. Not huge, not that I know. I'm assuming you're huge down there because it's only natural for your bod- oh, freak! Shoot. Shut up, Verena. I meant that you're very tall compared to me." I wanted to duct tape my mouth and lock my words forever.

This was embarrassing.

"You really don't know when to shut up," he commented, tilting his head. He looked hot.

Behave, Verena.

I walked toward Alvaro, who was watching cartoons, and Izan followed. "Sadly, no. Anyway, I'm 25 and 5,3."

"I didn't ask."

I smiled. "I know. I just wanted you to know that I am of legal age," I explained, not realizing that what I said would make him grin so hard. It was a bizarre sight as I got used to his scowl and glares. "What?"

"Legal for what?" he asked and sat next to Alvaro.

I grabbed the bag Vivian gave me. "Drinking, what else?" I asked, then slowly caught on to what he thought. "Oh my God! I did not mean that!" I almost shouted. "I need to shower. Where's my room?" I asked to change the topic, and he shook his head at me, apparently exhausted by my stupidity.

"Second floor, second room to the left. The first is mine."

I didn't wait for another second and dashed upstairs. Alvaro ran behind me, so I slowed down so he could catch up. Vivian made him shower before coming here, and I envied him. We entered the room. It was completely empty and boring. "At least there's a bed." 

Alvaro sat on it and smiled. "I need to shower. Can you wait here?" I asked, but his face dropped, making my heart ache. His eyes teared up.

"Can't I wait for you inside? I promise I won't look." His request caught me off guard. He was only four, but that was not my concern. I didn't want him to see my scars. He had seen enough today.

"Por favor! Seré un buen chico," he begged, and I caved, defeated by those tears and wide sad eyes. [Please, I will be a good boy.]

"If you look at me, I will be very sad. Do you really promise to face the other way?" My tone was serious and firm. I didn't want to scare him, but I had to do it.

He nodded, finally smiling and wiping his tears with the hem of his shirt. "Si! Thank you," he said, hugging my legs. I grabbed the underwear and clothes from the bag, and we headed inside.

 I made him sit on the toilet seat after closing the lid, and he faced the wall as promised.

"Verena."

"Yes?" I took off my clothes and stepped into the shower. My eyes were on Alvaro's back, not taking chances. 

Kids are curious.

"Did you know the bad man before?" he asked, and I didn't know if I should answer him. "Will he take me again?" He was scared, but this was the first time he actually showed it. His tears and crying before were on instinct, a reflex even. However, he was very much conscious now of what happened.

"He will not take you again. I promise you that," I replied genuinely.

The day Heath comes close to Alvaro again is the day I use a gun.

"Okay."

"And yes, I did know him before. He is a very bad man."

He was about to look at me, but I clapped my hands, and he looked back at the wall. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, and the whiplash sound ran through my head, making me wince.

"No, buddy." I was a liar, after all. "He will not come close to you again. Don't worry!" I reassured him as I stepped out of the shower, dried myself, and wore my clothes. He finally looked back when I told him I was dressed. "What do you say we make pancakes?" His eyes sparkled, and I took that as a yes. 

Izan will be pissed.

~~~

After a very exciting evening with the energetic four-year-old, Izan had to rewash Alvaro's hair since pancake syrup stuck to his scalp. 

It was safe to say that Izan hated my guts.

Understandably.

Everyone retreated to their rooms, drained from today's events. I tossed around in my new bed, trying to adjust to my new life, when I heard a light knock. 

I looked at the time on my old phone. It was past two in the morning. "Come in." Alvaro popped his head inside.

Adorable little model.

"Can I sleep with you?" he asked shyly, holding his little blanket tightly between his small fingers. Without thinking, I scooted over for more space and patted the empty spot. "Hurra!" He jumped and curled himself under my arms. He was like a small puppy, and I wanted to adopt him.

He has a family, Verena.

Just shut up and sleep.

~~~ 

15.12.2023 

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