~B.~

I woke up in a large bed. It wasn't decorated but there was a bathroom to my left.

I'm assuming from the bare walls meant this was a guest room. I looked at my feet to see clothes folded.

Stupid Marcello, with his stupid house, stupid me for falling asleep in the car.

I changed out of my damp clothes and into the sweater, grabbing the black socks left out for me.

I went into the bathroom. I looked at my reflection and sighed, gosh I look like trash.

My dirty blonde, curly hair was everywhere. My caramel skin looked dull and I could tell I was coming down with something. Running around in the rain was not smart.

Because of my mother's dark skin and my fathers light skin, I came out as mixed as it got. My clear blue eyes and skin often threw people off.

My mother was from France, add that accent with her beauty and she had my father wrapped around her finger. Eventually, that screwed us all over. Being the successful businessman he was, my father met a lot of people. So did my mother, one day she decided she would run away with one of them.

I looked at my minimal freckles and brushed over them, then the bags under my eyes.

I quickly threw my hair up, before exiting the room. Time to find Marcello.

My bag wasn't in my room which meant my phone was in there. Oh hell, what does it matter? I've got no one call anyway. Except for work. I really needed to call them.

"Okay, so I just need to get my phone, call Sharon and make an excuse."I mumbled to myself, what should the excuse be?

"I was sick... no, I was sick last week. Hershel was sick... maybe. I was kidnapped maybe she'd understand that one."

"This was not kidnapping." I jumped at Marcello's voice, he had come up from behind me.

I turned and looked up at him, "you're too tall."

His eyebrow raised in question, "we can talk about my height later. Come down for breakfast."

I hurried to catch up with him, accidentally walking into his side. He didn't comment on it while I regained my balance. I sneezed quietly.

He side glanced me, "salute."

I nodded in thanks. "Marcello," I started, "when can I meet the man who sent you after me?"

"Soon mia Bella. He was very worried about you."

"I don't even know his name how worried can he be."

"You'd be surprised," we looked at each other. When our eyes met my stomach did flips for some odd reason. Ew, emotions. He just made me feel... jumpy. Maybe it's because he saved me, who knows. I mean he's severely attractive, that could be it.

I bit my lip in concern while looking at my sock covered toes. I wiggled them and giggled quietly.

When I glanced back at Marcello I saw him quirk a smile at me.

"Is the Marcello Milano smiling at me?"

He rolled his eyes and dropped his lips back into neutral. I groaned and attached myself into his arm. He had a tight navy blue button up on, and damn did it look nice.

"Oh c'mon just a little smile." I leaned into him and flashed my most charming grin I could. Dimples and everything.

He scanned my face before our eyes locked. Then he smirked.

"I've still got it," I said cockily while leaning back with our arms still linked.

I glanced ahead of us to see three guys staring at me and gasped. I dropped his arm and clasped my hands behind me.

"Um, hi. I'm Belle Christiano nice to meet you all," I smiled at them but they only stared back.

I made a noise of uncertainty and looked at Marcello. He pressed a hand to my back and lead me to a seat close to his end of the table.

I looked at the three men, one man had darker skin than me. He short curly hair.

The two other men were next to me. A white man with a rather impressive beard and fair skin. His green eyes seemed so joyful. The next one was Hispanic with bright skin. He looked serious.

It was an awkward silence before someone came barreling through the door.

"Sorry I'm late-" the man cut himself off when we made eye contact.

"Mathew." I whispered I have to admit seeing my brothers best friend here was quite a shock.

I met Marcello's gaze and saw a tad of sympathy in his eyes. I pursed my lips, pushing the gut wrenching sadness down as far as it'd go. Not very far.

"Belle-" I shot a sharp glance his way causing him to shut up.

"Damn that's the fastest I've ever seen him shut up." Beard man joked and I tried to find it funny but my blood was boiling.

"It was nice... being in the same room as you all I guess. I didn't learn any of your names, maybe next time. Marcello, I'm going back to the room."

I didn't wait for permission before walking out. I couldn't look at Mathew while I passed him.

I called him, and called him, and called him. I tried getting help for my brothers funeral through him. He had basically fallen off the face of the earth.

Mathew and I were always buddies. Even if we were never close, he was constantly at the house. He had backed me up many times, and I assumed I could rely on him.

At the lowest point of my life, I learned the hard way I couldn't.

What does it even mean to rely on someone? I honestly don't remember feeling that in anyone besides my brother, maybe my father occasionally.

When I got to the room I was staying in I sat in the middle of the bed. I brought my knees to my chest, retracting my limbs into the sweater I was wearing.

I rested my head on my knees while I let my mind go blank. There was nothing to do in this room. To top it off I was hungry and I walked out of breakfast.

How rude would it be to go back just to pick up food?

I popped my hands out of the neck hole to let my hair down. Maybe it'd ease my headache.

It took me two hours to go back down. No one came to check on me, and as stupid as it was I wanted them to.

Just someone to care enough. I walked quietly to the fridge and grabbed the orange juice. All the food in there had meat in it. I smiled when I saw an apple.

I gasped when a plop sounded behind me. Marcello stood next to the white man. In front of them on the counter was my cat in a carrier.

I jumped up and down while moving to my child, "Hershel!"

"Oh thank you, thank you. You're the best," I rambled to the both of them while I cradled him. He just meowed at me while I manhandled him.

"There's a litter box in your bathroom," White man said while I nodded. I held Hershel in one hand while setting my apple on top of my class to hold both. The glass was too skinny for it to fall in.

"I'm Frankie, by the way. I'm sorry earlier wasn't very welcoming." I nodded in understanding before stopping.

"Marcello," he met my stare, "is Mathew the one who sent for me?"

"No, the man paying us is a friend of your father's."

My heart dropped. Paying them? Of course, why else would I be here?

I was just another job and I'd be sent away as soon as payment was due.

"When will I be leaving?"

"What? It's not safe so not for-"

"Marcello, just show me to your employer. Consider me saved and release me. I know how these things go." I demanded with a stern voice.

"Watch your tone Bella, I'm in charge I'll decide when you leave. And for the record, I did this for your father. I don't need that mans fucking money."

I flinched at his sharp voice, "I will not watch my tone because I don't work for you. I don't care if this was a pity job or what, but avoid dragging it on please."

I turned on my heel while Marcello growled to himself, I cooed at Hershel.

I sighed as I made it back to my room in one piece.