AZALEA'S POV:
IT'S BEEN a week.
It's been a week of me giving half-hearted smiles to them, avoiding conversations as much as possible, just trying to keep my objective simple and straight-forward.
And everyday I just silently pray that the DNA test comes that day.
I lean my back against a wall near the glass sliding door. A gentle breeze whirls around me, caressing my redden cheeks and blowing my brunette hair back softly.
My eyes follow the soaring, white birds in Italy's clear skies
Cerulean gradients to a light shade of marigold, a big, bright ball in the middle. Sunrise, early mornings, Italy.
Absolutely admirable, gorgeous.
I lower my head and look at the phone that sits in my hands. My finger hovers above a phone icon.
I had been debating whether or not I should call Vincent. Whenever something was wrong, he wad the first person I would go to.
I haven't called him in more than a month. We usually interacted at least once every two weeks back in London.
I greedily inhale a big chunk of air.
Then, I click the button.
The loud ringtone echoes in my head, fear slowly creeps up my spine.
The few seconds that it rings are long and dreadful. A beep sounds out next.
"Azalea?" His tone is not at all filled with annoyance or anger. Instead, it's happy and excited.
Nothing comes from my line for a moment. "Yeah, hi Vincent."
A small smile forms on my face as familiarity washes over me.
"Azalea! How have you been, what's up?"
I'm having a mid-life crisis.
―is what I wanted to say. But, a simple lie seems like a.. better option.
"I've been doing good, what about you?"
"That's great to hear! I've been alright too, but why'd you call me?" He asks. "As much as it hurts to say," His voice is drenched in fake hurt. "you'd never take precious time out of your precious day to call me."
I don't fight ―back the urge to roll my eyes.
"You're right, can I.. seek your opinion on something?"
"Of course, whatcha need?" I can practically see his grin.
I tense.. then begin my rant.
"Well, since 3 months ago.. when my biological brothers found me, I was kind of forced to accept they're my brothers. I was never really given any proof, and so yesterday― I feel really shitty about it but I asked for a DNA test. It's probably going to come out positive and I'll look so stupid and they'll probably hate me―"
"They wouldn't Azalea," He cuts my continuous rambling off. "it's not your fault you wanted evidence that you weren't provided with, you were taken and had no say in it. Don't worry Azalea, they won't do anything to you; I'll make sure of it." He reassures me, soothingly. I feel a sense of threat at the last sentence.
"Thank you, Vincent."
"Anytime!"
Comfortable silence settles for a moment.
"I'm thinking of accepting them.. like trusting them completely if the DNA test shows were related. It's a long process though, you get me?" I explain, a small smile etched on my face.
"What do you mean? They've taken care of you and they're rich, what else are you looking for? It shouldn't be that hard to make a decision, right?"
My eyebrows furrow.
"I thought after what I've been through I should be hesitant―"
"What do you mean?" He inquires.
Why is he making me repeat my trauma..?
"You know, after.. uhm― Stefano?" My face scrunches up in confusion.
"Azalea, what do you mean? What did Stefano do?"
Oh shit.
Only then do I realize that I've never told him about Stefano's..
"Fuck," I whisper under my breath "nothing!"
"Azalea.." He drags, confused.
"Don't worry, I have to go now― bye!" I'm quick to end the call.
A deep breath I didn't realize I was holding escapes and I relax a bit. Once again, I lean against the wall. My eyes close and I embrace the chilly breeze that brushes my face continuously. I embrace the only satisfying peace I have gotten in a week.
I'm so so lost in the moment that footsteps camouflage with birds' chirping and leaves rustling.
"Boo." A monotone voice calls out behind me. I should've anticipated the approach, but I didn't. And, I flinched.
A high-pitch shriek escapes my lips and I quickly whip around, smacking the person with my hair.
Nicholas looks unimpressed.
Wait, Nicholas? What's he doing here?
He takes a seat on my left, considering the door was on my right.
My eyebrows furrow.
"What are you doing her―"
"Who's Vincent?"
My eyes widen following my mouth suddenly clamming shut.
A few long minutes pass.
"So?" He impatiently asks.
"A.. friend― from London." I whisper, half truthful. He's definitely not my friend, more someone I know. I did meet him in London though.
I glance over my shoulder and see Nicholas staring ahead, face hardened.
"It's okay, we barely talk anymore―"
I turn my head again, my eyes fixated on the concrete beneath us.
"When the test comes positive―"
"―if," I interrupt.
"when, would you give us a chance to.. prove we won't hurt you?" His voice is vulnerable and quiet.
look
A smile forms on my face. I silently at him.
"Yeah, of course. I think I already trust you guys though; you've done nothing but be patient and accepting towards me. This DNA is just the final barrier." I explain, whole-heartedly.
He turns to me. A smile on his face.
I'm shook. He.. smiles? Joking, I think.
He wraps his arms around me and surrounds us with warmth.
It's been a while since I've hugged someone.
"We won't let you down, Azalea." His voice is muffled in my sweater.
We sit there, in the cold breeze, embracing each other.
༄ ✯ ༄
We sit in Giovanni's office, waiting for the result.
He got a call saying the tests would be here in an hour.
It's been 54 minutes, 47 seconds and 21 milliseconds.
5 minutes, 13 seconds and 39 milliseconds left.
Every millisecond that passes, my heart rate quickens. My anxiety is basically radiating off me.
I curl my shaking hands into a fist, trying to make it less obvious I cannot stand this anymore.
If it's negative, I don't know what I'd do. I've only been thinking about if It's positive, never once about the results not being what everyone, including me, anticipate.
I keep my head low. I keep my body tense. I keep counting seconds.
A knock finally breaks the silence.
"Come in," Giovanni's voice is surprisingly calm, firm and holds a hell of a lot of authority.
The person hurries in.
They're lanky, messy brown hair all over their face, covering their eyes and shaking. Fear, hunger, I don't know.
"H-here you go Don―" He stutters out. I hear an English accent underneath his masked Italian accent. What's he hiding his English accent for? English accents are cute! And, what's he so scared for― and doesn't Don mean boss? We went to a public clinic as far as I'm aware.
"Italiano, sempre italiano fino a nuovo avviso," He switches languages so quickly it's fascinating― one day, I hope to learn a language and be just as fluent in it as my brothers.
(Italian, always Italian until further notice.)
"Sì, sì, certo, Boss. Chiedo scusa. Grazie per avermi ospitato qui. Ecco il tuo test del DNA." The person hands a box to Stefano and steps back. For a split second, Giovanni's eyes study it before humming in satisfaction.
(Yes, Yes, of course, Boss. I apologize. Thank you for having me here, Here is your DNA test.)
They hesitate while speaking Italian, they still have an English accent but it's a bit more noticeable, their Italian needs a little more improving― they had to repeat some words because they'd pronounced them wrong. Oh, and I'm not fluent in Italian or anything but weirdly enough, they don't do an accent at least when saying sì.
Unusual, but it's probably nothing though.
Giovanni nods in approval and dismissal, giving the person permission to leave. As soon as they realizes that was their cue, they scurry back out, looking relieved.
I don't process anything other than the box that rests in Giovanni's hand.
My breaths are unregulated and quiet, and the silence is eating me alive.
Finally, he reaches for the cover of the box and lifts it. He then puts the box on his desk and slides it to me.
"What?" My eyebrows furrow in confusion.
"You should be the one to open it," His voice is calm and understanding.
I nod and offer him a small curve upwards on my lips, to which he responds with the same.
I take a deep breath and take the documents.
They all crowd around me.
Everything around me blurs as I take in the large statement on the paper.
MATCH
MATCH PERCENTAGE ACROSS ALL PARTICAPANTS: 98.25%
Tears well up in my eyes.
They are my brothers.
I feel a warm embrace around me. Then, more follow.
My tears trail down my face.
"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorr―"
"Don't apologize, sorellina. It's not your fault." Elijah reassures me.
"Can we get a chance now, Azalea?" I hear a whisper beside me.
"No, I think I accept you all as it is."
༄ ✯ ༄
Cute little get together, right? make the most of it;)
Anyway, I'll keep it wholesome and cute for a while then more drama will come!!
I'm sorry about the late updates, I've been pretty busy.
But, I hope you liked this chapter!
Make sure to like & comment!!
Until next time,
-Violet