Stolen moments

Chapter 22

I rub the area on my cheek where I could still feel the sting. The whiff of her scent still slightly there, she left moments ago and I was still standing on the same spot.

"You just made me lose a chance of eating a good homemade meal" Jared said as he leans on the pool table. 

"She never said she was cooking for everyone, and besides you need to stop your eavesdropping attitude, Its getting creepy" I said, missing her presence already.

"You should learn how to control your anger around her" he said sounding serious, i went towards the bar looking for something to calm me down. "She is brave though, having enough courage to hit you" he chuckled as I join him.

"She is the only one who is allowed to do that... I will do anything for her" I poured my drink inside a glass cup, drinking it up, trying to ease the tension on me as I remember my father's sudden appearance and my quarrel with Leah which earned me a slap.

"Is he gone?" Jared nods.

"He left a few minutes before I came down here" I sigh, am not ready to deal with that man right now.

"Antonio... " i looked up at him as he looks skeptical as if what he was about to say can get me annoyed. "Don't you think you should see your therapist?" I blinked at him. "I saw what happened a while ago Antonio, if Leah hadn't slap you or walked out... You.. You could have hurt her, cause I know what I saw"

"What did you see Jared?" I asked him coldly, there was silence for some time before he opened his mouth.

"You had this dark look in your eyes, it was clouding your vision and am sure Leah must have seen it too" I sigh. He was right... I almost lost my cool, and things get bad when that happens, my mind goes back to the confrontation I had with Rosalia at the party.

Flashback.....
I was smoking again, this is the third stick am having this evening. I need to blow off some steam before I hurt someone, i mean a particular blonde hair guy.

"Relax Antonio..they are just friends" I told myself as I stayed away from the party where no one can see me. I took another drag, blowing it out.

"Take it easy brother, haven't you heard the saying that smokers are liable to die young" a voice said as I chuckled knowing my brother's voice.

"Says the one who taught me how to die" I jibbed at him, he shakes his head at my smart mouth, i watched him as he came closer muttering that he should have not introduced me to those cancer sticks three years ago. He sat beside me on the lone bench looking around, i took a good look at him assessing his attire, he was dressed for the party.

"Don't you think you are too bad ass for this stupid party?"

"What?  Can't I have my fun?..." I snickered.

"Or you came here to babysit me, and to stop me from doing something stupid" he sighs, as I took another drag, knowing I caught him.

"What got you so worked up fratello? Its like__"

"Well well well... If not for the Banerio brothers, double trouble.. I can see your side kick is MIA" A female voice that am starting to detest so much said, i look at Alejandro, who looks lovestruck and shocked. I groaned, how did she find me?, that girl is like a hawk which notice everything.  I  dropped my cigarette putting it out.

"What do you want Rosalia?"

"What did you do to Matilda?"
She folds her arm under her bosom glaring at me.

"What do you mean by that? In fact when did you became friends with Matilda?...  I thought your loyalty lies with Leah" Alejandro stood up, clearing his throat, she ignored him. I don't know why he is always jittery when she is around, is this what I looked like when am with Leah? Oh men... Am fucked.

"You know what you did to her you beast!" She snaps at me, fire in her eyes. I hate it when someone shouts at me... It ticks me off.

"Rosa I think__"

"Don't call me that! Only my friends are allowed to call me that, and last time I checked you are more or less an acquaintance!" She snaps at Alejandro, who looks hurt. Ok that is it!

"Listen you bitch, am not p*ssy whipped like my brother, so I suggest you get lost" I growled at her.

"Oh... Yea, am a bitch, but am still better than a monster who hurt girls with no emotions" she glares at me. I swear to God... Am gonna kill that female dog, when I see her.

"What do you mean?" Alejandro questions, looking confused, he will be more confused, when he sees his bank details.

"I saw the bruises Antonio.. Where you trying to maul her?" She said ignoring him again. "See I know you are not that OK" she quietly said, as my jaws tensed, Alejandro glared at her, a signal to keep her mouth shut. She sighed. "But you need help Antonio... Or I will have to tell Leah"

"Don't you dare__"

"Don't give me a reason too!" She snaps at me again. How is she even friends with Leah. "Look...  Leah is my best friend, in fact a sister, i wouldn't want anyone to hurt her" she looks at the both of us. Making her message clear.

"Take care of your brother, Alejandro" she said before walking away, with double meaning to her word. The next day was filled with Antonio asking me about the missing huge sum of money from his account, and to him calling me reckless and impulsive, and to Lucio Banerio's arrival. And here we are.

Flashback over.....

"Arrange a meeting with the damn shrink..." I threw my phone at him which got him surprise that am agreeing to this. My motivation is... "I don't want to hurt Leah".

Hmm... Seems like Antonio is getting help. The last words kinda remind me of the song "Motivation" by Normani. 💃💃
Up 👆 there is the Martinez living room.