14

Book:A story of secret love Published:2024-9-10

An older lady was standing behind the register, she looked up with a huge smile on her face.
Tito, Nico is here. The older lady shouts, her Italian accent was thick. She removed her apron and placed it on the counter before embracing Nicolas in a huge hug.
Mama. He picked her up, spinning her around.
That’s his mom, he brought me to his moms restaurant. The guy who I’m assuming is his dad walked in from the back, Nicolas pulled away from his mom and hugged his dad
Who’s this, Nico ? His mom asked.
Nicolas walked back to my side while sliding his arm around my waist.
His girlfriend. I chirped, I held out my hand for her to shake but she instead pulled me by my arm right into her warm embrace, I awkwardly hugged her back. Then I was passed down to his dad, I hugged the dad back.
Beautiful bella but to skinny, let’s go eat. She gently pulls me closer to the kitchen, I looked back quickly to see Nicolas laughing at me, I shook my head back and forth.
I helped her prepare the food, she had already made some soup she just needed to add the toppings. We carried it back outside to where the guys were sitting at.
We all sat down and prayed before eating something I’ve never done before but I liked it, it gave me peace of mind.
What’s your name, bella ? Nicolas dad asked.
Adora, and yours ? I smiled brightly.
No need for names, you call us mama and babbo. His mom interrupts.
I nodded my head. Thank you mama for this delicious food. I mentioned.
Nicolas brought me closer to his body, he leaned down and kissed my forehead while keeping his arm around my shoulders. Mama showed me many pictures of Nicolas when he was younger, of course he was turning red with embarrassment. She showed me a picture of Faust and Nicolas together when they were younger, they were hugging with ice cream in their little hands.
I learned that Faust’s mom and dad died when he was younger by the hand of a drunk driver so mama and babbo took him in and raised him as their own. I kept wondering what had happened between Nicolas and Faust for him to sleep with his wife.
Make sure you bring her around more often. Mama told him before moving her hand to his forehead then to the bottom of his chest and then from his left shoulder to his right shoulder in a prayer.
I’ll definitely start bringing her a lot more. He tells his mom while keeping eye contact with me.
We said our goodbyes before heading to the car, he started his engine but as he was starting to take off he received a phone call. Once he answered the phone, his eyes immediately widened, his mouth dropped open. This news wasn’t good I could tell.
Is something wrong ? I asked once he got off the phone.
Someone broke into my cousins house. He said while pressing on the gas pedal, I was also just as shocked.
I thought about Kenzo and Livia, were they okay. Was Faust okay ? Nicolas raced there panicking about his cousin I hope. Once we arrived in the driveway we noticed about 10 officers with their blue and red lights on, he parked the car not wasting any time to get out.
I followed quickly behind him, we entered the living room where Faust and Deborah were sitting with a few officers.
Nicolas. Deborah cries as she stands up and runs to him, he quickly hugged her back.
Faust and I exchange looks, he look horrible. He had really dark bags under his eyes and I noticed that his knuckles were bruised badly.
They-they held a gun to my head. It-it was horrible. Deborah whines.
Kenzo and Livia appeared right in front of the door, they both ran into my waiting arms. I bent down hugging them tightly against my chest, I kissed their heads.
Thank god. I whispered.
Faust watched as I held his children close to my chest.
Barbara is dead. Livia sobbed.
The housekeeper, their second mom. Deborah was always out, it was always Barbara and I who got them dressed, made them food, put them to bed. I remained quiet trying to process what she just told me, Deborah was still weeping about the gun but I wasn’t paying any attention to her. I was focused on the kids, I know how I would have felt if I lost the lady who raised me.
The officers continued to take notes and statements from Faust and Deborah, they also took some camera footage. While that was going on I tucked the kids in bed and read them a lullaby, once Livia fell asleep Kenzo started crying, he didn’t want to cry in front of Livia because he didn’t want to scare her even more. I hugged him tightly and waited for him to fall asleep before heading back to the living room.
Great now we have to find a new housekeeper as if things aren’t already hard for me. Deborah frowns while crossing her arms over each other.
Nicolas walked back with two glasses of water and passed one of them to his cousin.
What she said pissed me off, I turned to her.
Hard on you ? A women just died, her family will never get to see her again and you think you have it ruff. I said, humorless.
No one asked her to be here. Deborah outstares me.
I scoffed. Your children are hurt, they loved that women like a mother and you’re worried about finding a replacement for her.
She was doing your fucking job. I shouted.
That’s not my faul-
Deborah gets cut off by Faust. Just shut up. He says, directing it to his wife.
Deborah seemed stunned by the way her husband spoke to her, I on the other hand wanted to punch the living shit out of her.
I will pay her family the rest of the money we owe her and I’ll pay for the funeral. Faust says, his eyes held my glare as if he was trying to make me feel better about this whole situation.
My eyes softened, Nicolas must have seen our little exchange because he stepped towards me with his hand lacing through mine. I snapped out of it and raised the back of his hand to my lips.
We should get going. Nicolas whispers, I nodded in response.
Adora, will you be here tomorrow ? Faust asked.
I looked at Nicolas then back at Faust, I smiled gently. I’ll be here.
I dressed fast this morning just because I wanted to stop and get some pepper spray, I sure as hell wasn’t going to get a gun held to my head. I got down from my car to see bodyguards surrounding the house, they were armed and huge. I walked inside confused and concerned, Faust and Deborah were sitting inside the kitchen talking but once she seen me she stopped talking.
Good morning. I smiled, brightly.
Morning. Faust replies.
Deborah kept her mouth shut and simply got up with her expensive handbag.
I’ll be back later. She says while exiting the kitchen.
Faust stood up and walked over to the sink, he placed his empty coffee mug inside before turning around to look at me. I was planning on speaking to him especially after I found out he lied to me, I was planning on putting our past behind us.
I hired about 20 bodyguards, they will remain outside and stay out of sight. He mentions.
Alrighty. I said.
I looked away, I wanted him to leave and not speak to me. Anyone in my same position would feel the same way.
I know you found the paperwork.
My heart stopped, my stomach dropped.