Octavius

xxiv

FINLEY

        "Hi.. Sil!" I greeted in a gentle voice as he sauntered into the kitchen. A low gasp escaped me, my eyes fixated on the spreading purple grotesque bruises with yellow blotches that covered his upper jaw, and I knew they would only deepen over the coming week.

"Are you.. you okay?" I gestured to his jaw for an plausible explanation yet he disregarded my entire presence. The pair of large, ferocious dogs waddled behind him; excited, loud barks erupted as soon as their pair of almond, brown eyes landed on me, almost a sign of recognition.

Wolf wagged his tail excitedly and let out two loud barks as he came over planting his butt on my lap, and I giggled, my fingers sinking over his soft fur giving him a chest rub. Growl sat beside the stool where I was seated, and I gestured my hand out for him to lick, a dogish smile danced across his lips.

Noticing that Silvio hadn't responded to my greeting, I tried once more yet it only proved useless. Maybe he didn't hear me, it's okay. I'm fine. Wolf and Growl switched positions on my lap, and I gave Growl his personal share of chest rubs, nuzzling against his soft fur as he imprinted my face with wet, sloppy kisses. Almost immediately, Silvio barked out commands in Italian and the pair of dogs whimpered lowly, waddling towards the stairs.

        I thanked Silvio as he slid a plate of salivating, mouth-watering mountain of pancakes in front of me. "I.. umm, I can't finish this. D-do you want some?" I asked, trying my absolute best not to stutter in front of him. Silvio absolutely hated my stuttering and I only wanted for him to like me especially since I didn't have lots of friends. I'm sure he needs a friend as well.

        Everyone needs a friend.

His dark set of olive-green eyes singled me out, effortlessly making me feel like fleeing, hiding. Anything to get away from the malicious expression on his face. "Eat the fucking food, and stop talking," Silvio commanded through gritted teeth. My lower lips trembled at such brutal tone yet I could only smile through my teary eyes, desperately trying to look brave.

        Hurt people hurt people.

        "Can... could you please sit with me?" I mumbled, glancing down at the plate of pancakes and slowly slid a forkful into my mouth. Yum. "Please? I.. I know you don't really like me but I-I can't—I don't like to eat alone, I get.. get.. umm... scared."

He squirmed uncomfortably, tugging firmly at his pair of black gloves. Silently he occupied an empty seat across from me, bulging, veined arms crossed against his chest as he watched me intently; a deep rooted frown settled on his lips as he gazed at me with expressionless olive-green eyes. "I have orders to be with you at all times. Eat and stop looking at me."

I nodded mumbling a soft 'thank you' and yet Silvio didn't say anything in response; his expressionless olive eyes continued watching me, and the thick, rotting silence between us engulfed me.

I tried my absolute best to finish the mountain of pancakes but I only got through half of the platter, peering at Silvio who remained absolutely silent, his olive-green eyes hidden in the inky paper of the book he held. I never knew Silvio loved to read, but the sound of flipped pages each minute had proved me wrong.

My eyes flickered from the sight of book cover to the jagged scar that ran down his chiseled jaw. "Non smetti mai di fissarmi?" He murmured harshly under his breath but my ears caught the statement and instantly translated the meaning. Pieces of phrases I had heard multiple times, often from Octavius.