AURORA’S POV
It’s 8:30 am and no signs of Sofia being back home, pretty sure she didn’t sleep at home last night as I didn’t see her bodyguard as well. Tried calling and she’s been unavailable.
Bella strolls in lazily and plumps herself into a seat at the dining table where I, Matteo and Anthony are seated. “What’s for breakfast.” Her voice was patched and I passed her a glass of water. “Thanks, sweet girl.” She gulps down her water in one go.
Anthony loads her plate with some food while Bella’s eyes scan the table questioningly, “Uhmm…where’s Soph? Has anyone checked in on her, she complained of cramps yesterday.” She noted.
“I doubt she’s home, knocked on her door several times and nothing. Her phone’s not available as well.” I point out and just after I spoke we hear someone walk in and all heads turn simultaneously. There she is.
Raising from my seat and grabbing a plate and spoon for her to use I query her “Where have you been? We’ve been looking for and just spoke about you just right now.” She flashes me a tired smile and takes a seat at the end of the table.
“I’m so sorry I was out with friends and lost track of time. My bad.” Was the response she gave before nodding a greeting towards Matteo and Anthony. Bella was staring daggers at her like she was about to reprimand her for staying out without telling anyone. She still babies her.
Setting the plate and spoon before her “Next time a text will suffice Soph, we were worried sick.” And she nods with a smile. Turning on my heels to walk away I catch the smell of something, almost like Marijuana or was it marijuana? “Where you smoking grass Soph?” I questioned her and I noticed her eyes go round for a second before she composed herself.
“No I didn’t. My friends did tho…why did you ask?” She sounded a bit nervous. “No it’s nothing, I caught the smell of it on you that’s why.”
“Nah, I don’t smoke, maybe it got on me when my friends were smoking.” She replied and turned back to dish out some food onto her plate. Everyone’s attention was on her but if she noticed it she pretended not to be bothered by it.
“How are you managing her cramps? You shouldn’t be out partying when you’re in pain young lady.” Bella reprimanded her and Soph just rolled her eyes in response shoving food down like she wasn’t being spoken to. This seemed to anger Bella and she turned to face Sofia squarely and took her plate of food from her, “I’m talking to you young lady and I think I deserve an answer, not an attitude.” She sparked and Sofia lost her cool slamming the metal spoon on the table with a grunt.
“And how’s that your problem, Bella? Can’t you just let me? You can see I was eating so why did you take my plate?” She shoved the seat and stood up to leave, Bella too stood up and grabbed her by the shoulder and Sofia’s next reaction took everyone by surprise.
“Thwack” came the sound of a resounding slap on Bella’s cheek and the whole house went silent for a second. Bella held her face while staring at Sofia in shock… pure daze. Immediately Anthony rushed to his wife trying to take her away but she refused to budge. Matteo was in his seat, he had stopped eating and was now watching like a spectator.
“Are you fucking high in something Sofia?” Bella screamed trying to launch at her but Anthony’s grasp kept her in place.
I step in and try to talk to Sofia,” she meant no harm, Soph, did you really have to go that far? She was just concerned.” I told her as calmly as I could but the look in Sofia’s eyes where not like the Sofia I knew. It’s like in the few minutes she came back she was a different person. “Well I didn’t ask her to be concerned, I came back just fine and she had to push me to the wall with her goody two-shoes attitude.” She said pointing at Bella.
Now Anthony was covering Bella with his tall frame and facing Sofia, “So is that why you hit my wife? Your sister? Are you out of your mind?” He asked calmly but anger was taking over with each sentence.
“And what right do you think you have to talk to me that way Anthony? You’re married to my sister doesn’t put you on the same level as I am so watch your damned mouth.” She yells at him in his face.
I don’t know or rather I didn’t notice when Matteo stood up from his seat but I second slap was sent to someone and it was Matteo this time slapping Sofia. Sofia’s face had a look of shock like she was starstruck. Even I was surprised at his reaction.
“The next time you speak to anyone in this household in that manner, I’ll send you back to the damned country where you just came back from and make sure you never set foot in Italy for the rest of your life. Do I make myself clear?” Matteo thundered at her but she kept mute for a while before laughing. Like a…maniac. Looking at her clearly now she looked somewhat high…so she lied, that she didn’t smoke.
“Know what? FUCK YOU ALL…. ALL OF YOU, FUCK YOU.” And with that, she stormed upstairs leaving each of us in her behind. I was about to speak when Anthony got a message notification and he opened it, his face went pale.
“What is it, Anthony?” Matteo asked rubbing his temples tiredly. With the whole Sofia drama, he was about to drop into a nearby seat when Anthony dropped a bombshell.
“Alfredo committed suicide in prison.”
“What?” Was the response that he got from everyone simultaneously. Matteo looked completely lost.
“A note was found and he said to hold you responsible for his death.” Anthony added and Matteo let out a gruff laugh. “A psycho.” He murmured.
“Let’s head to the prison Morgue, I need to see for myself that he’s dead.” Turning to me, “Keep an eye on Sofia and make sure she doesn’t take a foot out of this house.”