The Dragos ⬇️

The Bonferronis ⬇️

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          The awkwardness had faded with each hour that passed with us just sitting in the confined space, reminiscing about old memories. Conversation flowed casually, requiring no effort at all. To an outsider, it must've seemed strange considering we didn't see eye to eye just hours ago and now we were laughing and chatting like good ol' mates.

          "I was hoping she wouldn't notice the scar, but she did. The tat didn't do its job."

          "It looks really good though. Definitely suits you," she complimented the bloody, roaring lion tattooed on my left pec. I had gotten it after the same battle Arie had her miscarriage during. The scar the injury left on me wasn't too deep, but I didn't want to worry Verona considering she was still recovering, so Athena suggested a tattoo and I went along, however, Verona still figured it out. She was always too smart.

"When did you get yours?"

Arie's fingers traced over the ink etched onto the skin of her right wrist as a smile washed her face. "Just a couple days after I moved to Cali. I just wanted a part of you with me, so I got this tattoo." She laughed to herself softly. "Not safe, I know. I was stupid. Still am."

          "Not going to disagree," I teased her.

          With enlarged eyes and a hint of mischief, she kicked my foot in retaliation. "Asshole."

          "Heard worse." A smirk stretched my lips as she rolled her eyes at me. "So why didn't you chuck the locket away? Weren't you afraid I'd track you down?"

          "Well." She blew out air through her mouth, her eyes glazing over the floor. "I heard you kept your promises, and you promised to never come back, so I didn't throw it away. And remember, I said I'd keep it close to my heart."

I smiled when her gaze met mine once again. "I remember."

"You still got the key?"

I shook my head. "No," I lied right through my teeth. Telling her that I had placed it somewhere safe wasn't going to accomplish anything. It wasn't like I was ever going to open it, so it didn't matter. "I threw it out my vehicle in anger."

She scoffed. "The Lamborghini or Ferrari?"

I smirked like a conceited man. "Bugatti."

"Ah, and you expect me to buy this bullshit?"

          "You said you were stupid, right?"

          She moved her mouth and mocked me like a petty child which forced a peal of genuine laughter out of me.

          "Asshole!" She went on to slap my leg but gave into the laughter a second later. "At least tell me what the other thing inside is? It's been killing me for years."

          I smiled to myself at her curiosity, but I couldn't tell her what she wanted to know. Maybe in an alternate universe where we were together, she would've known by now, but the reality was the complete opposite.

          "You'll be on your deathbed and I still won't tell you," I spoke with a nonchalant shrug of my shoulders.

          "Do you want me to hammer it and crack it open?" It was a definite threat, but I found it rather intriguing.

          "I'd like to see you try."

Her eyes narrowed on me before she straightened her spine. "Maybe I will and give you the pieces. You can then channel your artistic skills and make something out of it."

I faked a quick laugh, waving my finger from side to side. "We don't talk about my artistic skills."

          "C'mon! The naked girl with the nice titties on the ceiling was good," she grinned and wiggled her brows like a child. Her immaturity had faded in my mind over the years, but now it was back after we tore the thick veil of distress that blinded us, and I enjoyed every second of it. Cristo! I missed this woman so fucking much.

"No one knows I ever painted so kindly keep the information to yourself."

"Why not?"

I let out a sigh and decided to answer. Her stubborn ass wouldn't let go if I didn't. "I stopped painting after Leona died. Everything became dull after losing the closest people in my life that day. But when Verona and I got married, I genuinely felt happy after years so I started painting again and did the ceiling in our room. I put a stop to it after I thought she died."

          A question lingered in her bright brown eyes, and somehow, I knew exactly what it was.

"Arie," I sighed her name softly whilst getting my thoughts into place. "I was happy with you too. Very happy, actually. When I thought I lost everything, you were the brightest light amidst the dark despite what Astor did to you, but our romance didn't last long as we both know. Maybe if we had more time, I would've painted an entire house for you." My eyes peered into hers as they softened. "Guess we were never meant to be."

Her perfect lips pursed into a fine line then forced a smile forward as her gaze burned holes into the floor. "Guess not. It was good while it lasted."

"Indeed." The voices in our throats ceased for a few seconds as an unpleasant emotion swam in the air. There were a few moments every now and then when the awkwardness wiggled its way in, but I tried to push it away as quickly as I could. "We have been talking about me and Verona a lot. Tell me about you. Your boyfriend, perhaps?"

Her eyes shot up a bit surprised. "I don't have a boyfriend."

"Don't kid me now. I overheard your conversation with Sophie the first night at the palace about the footballer."

"That day wasn't one of my finest." The apples of her cheeks seared a subtle shade of red as she cleared her throat. "Well, Freddie became Ashton's best friend and he helped us move to Cali with Harry. He always stuck around and took care of me. I knew he liked me a lot, but I wasn't in the right headspace to date anyone after everything that happened, so I didn't reciprocate his feelings and he never pestered me about it. He even helped me build up my hospital and funded it. As time went on, we became best friends. I confided in him about everything. The rape, the kidnapping, the incident with Aunt Wendy, and even the part where I killed people. But don't worry, I didn't breathe a word about the mafia."

"Ah! Perhaps you aren't all that stupid after all."

"At least I'm better than a shit-talking pepperoni!" she fired back with disdain. "I might have to shoot a sarcasm-ridden flappy pepperoni mouth if it opens again."

"My sincere apologies, ma'am." I laughed to myself whilst zipping my mouth and pretending to throw the key away.

She gave me one last glare before continuing the tale of the footballer. "After knowing all the horrible things about me, he still looked at me the same. The affection in his eyes had doubled for me and he told me he was in love with me. I didn't understand why because any man would run from a girl who had my issues."

"Your issues aren't the only things that define you, love. You offer so much more than that. You're absolutely beautiful—inside and out. You're feisty, funny, caring, and you'll go to any lengths to protect your loved ones. You're a strong individual who can hold her ground and put even the most dangerous people in their place. I can go on for hours, but I'm certain your boyfriend knows that because any sane man would love you beyond comprehension for each one of those traits. I know I did."

Her eyebrows furrowed as she slightly tilted her head and kept her eyes solemnly intact on me. I knew I shouldn't have blurted out what I did at the end there, but she already knew it. Her eyes were tormented with guilt. She wanted to say so much, but all that left her mouth was, "He asked me to marry him."

My heart dropped down a bit as I stared at her quietly before looking down at her left hand that was barren. "You said no?"

"No... I mean yes. No... ugh!" she stumbled upon her words and shook her head. A distressed sigh shot past her lips as her shoulders slumped and eyes shut. "It's complicated."

"How so?"

Another little head shake. "I told him I needed time."

          "What for?" With all the questions I felt like her therapist, but in reality, I was just an ex-lover who wanted to know what transpired in her life during the past four years.

          "To wrap my head around that concept," she huffed and returned her gaze to me. "We've been together for two years now and I know him inside out. He's perfect in every sense. He loves me unconditionally. He respects me and my wishes. Treats me well. Any woman would jump at the chance of marrying him."

          "Then why aren't you?"

          She fell silent for a few seconds, trying to find the reason as to why she was pushing away a man who treated her like a queen. Well, at least that's what I was getting from the conversation.

"Because... I haven't even told him that I love him back." Pinched brows strained lines on her forehead and constricted her eyes. "I don't know what to do."

          "Answer me honestly, Arie." I sat up straight and looked right into her almond colored eyes. "Do you have love in your heart for this man?"

          "Of course!" she answered at once, not leaving room for any doubts. "I do love him. He's incredible."

          "Can you see a future with him?"

          "Full of sunshine and rainbows."

          "Very safe." I smiled. "Can you imagine a family with him?"

          "Well, he is family."

          "Considering how stubborn you can be alongside pushing boundaries, will he let you be?"

          She giggled softly. "He has already taken the back seat. He believes in me and trusts me and my decisions completely."

          Blood coursed roughly in my arteries like tiny pieces of sandpaper that scraped the walls. However, at the same time, it was a bit calm. It was an odd feeling in the middle of my chest altogether—a mixture of sorrow and peace. She was with a man who was going to make vows to love her till the end of time. It seared me on the inside because I had imagined myself making those vows to her back when we were inseparable.

          Standing hand in hand alone under the twinkling stars, looking into her breathtakingly vivacious eyes and promising, 'till my last breath, mia regina'. Then sliding that ring on and sealing our love with a kiss on her soft lips.

          Alas! It was a hopeless, shattered dream now. Despite all that, I was happy for her from the bottom of my chaotic heart. A man who could give her everything she ever wanted was right at her feet. He was undeniably perfect for her. He was definitely not a pawn in my world so she'd be safe which I knew was all she wanted because it was the reason she walked away from me.

          "Marry him," I blurted.

          Her eyes were unreadable for a second, but disbelief surfaced quickly. "Really?"

          "Absolutely. Just answer me this: Are you happy in your life?"

          "I had to be after the promise I made you," she chuckled while putting a slight smile on my face. "But seriously, I really am. I have everything I ever needed. My parents and Aunt Wendy would be proud."

          "Then marry that lucky bastard and build a family. Have the five kids you always wanted."

Laughing, she pressed her reddened cheeks embarrassingly. "I wanted five kids with you because I could just birth them and hand them to the countless maids when they cried while I slept in after they ripped me open down south."

"I'm sure your boyfriend can afford those maids."

"I can very easily afford them myself. Thank you very much." She raised her chin and pretended to flip her hair like a brat which I found hilariously adorable.

"I'm sure you can, but I said that because you deserve every luxury in the world for being put through that pain and he better provide that himself."

With a glimmer in her eyes, her chest sunk from the release of a delighted sigh as a wide smile settled on her lips. "You're a good man, Leo."

I brushed off her comment with a turn of my hand. "I'm anything but good."

"You're a good husband and a good brother, so don't pull that shit on me."

          "I'm only good to the people that matter. And the rest," I waved my hand, "I couldn't give two fucks about. I'm nothing short of a vicious monster to them."

          "But you still have that good bone in your body," she retorted.

"Let's just drop this, shall we?"

          Surprisingly, she let go of the debate of good and bad. If there was a hell, everyone knew the devil would have a special place for me there.

"So, tell me, are you?"

          I cocked a puzzled brow. "Am I what?"

          "Happy?"

          I chuckled softly. "I am now."

          "Leo..." My name left her mouth in a solemn whisper as she shook her head.

          "I really mean it. I'm elated to know that you're happy and doing well in your life." There was a smile on her face, but there was also immense sadness behind those chocolate eyes. I couldn't decipher which side she leaned toward more; the smile she was pushing forward or the grief she was suppressing down. "I didn't want to think about you at all, but I always wished you happiness wherever you were in your life, and seeing that you've come so far and have achieved so much, I'm very proud of you, Arie."

          "Umph," she groaned, burying her flushed face in her hands.

          "What?"

          "Nothing," she mumbled and rubbed her eyes. The line of moisture left on the back of her hand didn't go unnoticed by me. She was clearly filled with emotions and I wanted nothing more than to comfort her. Taking a deep breath, she returned her gaze to me. "Anything else made you happy?"

          "As surprising as it may seem, I'm not as pathetic as you think," I teased her which lead to another one of her many eye rolls I got to witness tonight. "I was over the moon when Verona recovered. Lina has been doing great too. She hasn't let the rape damage her personality. She's been under Athena's wing so that's where she gets a lot of her strength and willpower from. Belle is very happy with Alicio and Bruno. Wren has become responsible and is getting married in a few days. And Gus... well, he's growing up and getting the hang of the business which has expanded a lot over the years. He can help out with Wren now and take more burden off my shoulders. Everything and everyone is doing great, but this past week has really drained me. Once I get Verona out of this fucking country and nurture her back to health, I'll be good again."

          "That's good to know." She put on that smile again. "Since all this Game Of Thrones shit is actually true, I've been wondering why isn't Verona the queen? I heard that the seat is still apparently vacant."

          I grunted. "Verona doesn't want to be the queen."

          "Really?" she wondered in disbelief. "Why?"

          "I think she's afraid." I pinched the bridge of my nose whilst releasing a sigh. "Nonna will never approve of Verona sitting on the throne, and since she's the only living queen left, she has to crown the next one in line."

          "You're the king, Leo. You don't have to follow Marsilia's rules," Arie spoke nonna's name with sheer disgust. "Verona is your wife and she should be crowned whether anyone likes it or not."

"I do realize that, but Verona has no desire for the crown or anything that it brings." My shoulders slumped against the steel wall behind me as I propped my arms on my knees. "The recent events will probably push her further away from this issue, but I made a vow to her that she'd always have the final say in every decision pertaining to her. Even if I tried to convince her of something and she made a decision against it, I'd follow through with her wishes. This is the only issue she has ever defied me on from the day I married her eight years ago. I can't force her to do anything she doesn't want, but I'll have to try harder for this and convince her that the crown doesn't bring all bad. It'll benefit her in a thousand ways. She'll have power over all. I just want her to be safe at the end of the day and the title will bring her a lot of that. I can't risk her life in any form. I'll lose my mind if something happened again."

          "As I've said before, you're a great husband. I know you can protect her with your army of goons," she snickered while shaking her head. "Ugh! Just do one thing for me though. Make me hate you so that I don't fall for you again."

          The sentence left her mouth as a joke, but it was drowning in a sea of truth. "You can't fall in love again if you never fell out of it, my love."

The smile on her face faded instantly and her brows subtly drew together. Her lips parted just a tad bit while I cursed myself for blurting that out. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Nothing escaped her mouth at that moment. As though she was in a daze, she remained awfully still and kept gazing at me with those sad eyes. I didn't make a sound to disrupt the daunting yet impassioned quiet for I fell in the same trance as her. It was a space we had tapped numerous times into four years ago where we just appreciated each other's presence and everything we harbored, but this time it was different because our memories were on the line and threatened to break out if they weren't already at it.

Suddenly, she sucked in a shaken breath and squeezed her lids shut as her face contorted grimly and hands formed into fists. "Shit," she muttered so softly under her breath that the word was barely audible.

          I leaned back and just kept my eyes on her while giving her some space.

          Her lids pattered open at a leisure pace, but her sight was aimed into her lap. "I've tried so hard for years to get over you and I thought I did. I tried to make myself believe I did." As she raised her head, I saw the crystal pools forming in her eyes that were slowly catching on a shade of red. "But I think I'm still in love with you."

This wasn't news to me, but hearing her say it out loud left me with a feeling of happiness that caused me more pain than anticipated. "We-"

"I don't want to be. I really don't," she cut me off and tried to fan away her tears. "I have built a whole life with a wonderful man who isn't you. I have so much love for him in my heart. He's my safe place and the person I'll be going home to. I can't afford to be in love with you at the same time. It's wrong."

I understood every word that left her mouth because I was swimming in the same ocean of anguish as her that was infested with monsters who ripped into me and clawed at my very soul itself. The feeling was unpleasant, to say the least, and I hated every part of it.

          "Verona is my wife and I love her very much," I spoke slowly with an intent to make a clear declaration. "I can never leave her and I won't."

Arie lowered her head and nodded as her teeth painfully bit into her lower lip. "I know and I'm not asking you to."

"But," I sighed, "it doesn't pull away from the fact that I'm still in love with you too."

Her eyes shot up to mine as a lone tear trickled down her cheek. She hugged her legs to her chest and wiped the drop of moisture on the fabric of her pants that covered her knee. "I didn't want to hear that."

"You act like I wanted to hear you say that." Running a forceful hand through my hair, I clenched my teeth and tried to keep my cool. "We can never pursue a relationship again, Arie."

"Never," she agreed, fully understanding the situation. I was glad we were on the same page, although it was painful to be stuck in this position. The decision was crystal clear, but this pathetic heart of mine was in a war against my mind. "I can't hurt Fred and you can't hurt Verona. We are both bound to other people we love."

I swallowed down hard and shut my eyes for a brief second. "I hate myself for having feelings for you and doing this to Verona. I wish I could just rip you out of my head, but it's too damn hard. It has been truly gut-wrenching to even be around you this past week let alone your memories popping up in my head unannounced every single day since we parted ways. After all the pain Verona has endured because of me, I cannot give her any more."

"I would never want you to." Her lips pinched together until they were pale, her gaze fixed on her shoes. "We're like two ends of a boat that cannot meet without drowning the people on board."

          Her words summed it up perfectly. We couldn't be together unless Freddie and Verona drowned, and there was no way I'd let Verona go down and I knew Arie wouldn't let that man go either. He was a perfect match for her and she deserved him. Hypothetically, even if we found our way back to one another in a fantasyland, it'd only be time before she walked away from me again for the same reasons.

          "You and I," I shook my head and pointed between us. "We don't belong together. Like kids, we fell in love. It's time we grow up and fall out of it."

          "Only if it were that easy." She exhaled an exhausted breath and rubbed her forehead a bit. "I want you to know that I didn't say all this to get with you. I just needed to get it off my chest before I go back home with a clear head and never see you again. It's been suffocating me inside for years."

"Feels good to get it out?"

"Mhm." She nodded, keeping a straight face and trying hard to not break. "And it hurts a bit."

          "You'll be fine once you're back home with the people you love."

          "You're right. I've been alright for years. The nostalgia of just being near you is driving me crazy," she shrugged defeatedly.

          "You and me both."

          She eyed me longingly and forced a smile forth as distress still clung onto the rest of her features. "I hope you have a wonderful life with Verona. Make her happy or else I'll beat your ass myself."

       "And you say yes to that footballer. You don't come across a good man like him everyday."

"I know." Her hands glided over her face as she crisscrossed her legs. "I really needed this. I feel a lot lighter."

"So did I." I willed myself into reaching over and grabbing her hand. "Thank you so much for reaching out and telling me about the miscarriage."

A tear instantly cascaded down as her lips quivered. Unable to help myself, my thumb slowly began wiping it away, letting my hand linger on her cheek longer. The sight of her crying agitated me. I still hated tears in her eyes. As if her wall came crumbling down, she let out a heartbreaking sob and held onto my hand for life itself.

"Love," I whispered and pulled her to my chest. I ran a soothing hand through her hair as her entire body trembled in my arms with each cry that ripped through her soul itself. This was the last time I was ever going to get to be in her presence before she left and got back to the States, so I let her take it all out. I continued comforting her as much as I could as she took the next few minutes to calm down and finally pull away.

"Sorry," she mumbled. Her cheeks were burning the shade of red fiercely and so were her eyes. I brushed away her remaining tears tenderly. Although I shouldn't have, I kissed her forehead and let the touch dally for a bit before resting my head against hers. Our eyes were shut and all we did was bask in each other's warmth. It was familiar, comforting, and felt exceptional.

When I opened my eyes, I realized how close we were, our lips only a couple inches apart from embracing one another. Her lids fluttered open and those aching eyes peered into mine. My gaze flickered to her lips then back to her eyes before I detached myself from her completely. My blood was hot and running wild in my body. Cazzo (Fuck)! No, no, no.

I gulped and immediately stood up. "We've been in here for too long."

"Yeah," Arie spoke softly as I helped her up. I pushed some buttons on the scanner and took the elevator to her floor. The last time we were in one together... Well, the both of us knew very well what exactly happened. The doors opened and I stepped out with her. "This is it I guess. Another goodbye."

We turned to face one another with dread that had settled in us when we did this the first time around. "Umm." I scratched the back of my neck. "If you'd like, you can stay till the wedding is over. I promise I won't be a dick anymore. Talking to you helped so much and I can promise you a fine Italian hospitality."

She chuckled and shook her head. "I-"

All of a sudden, a sharp bark tore through the hall and disrupted our conversation which also made Arie flinch. I clenched my jaw, knowing exactly who had the audacity to interrupt.

"Sorrrry!" I heard Rome slur behind me. "Pup Tart just gets really excited when he sees people, especially couples." I turned around and glared at the boy who was sitting on the floor against a door with his black pug waggling its tail beside him. "He's like a little cockblocker. No. Wait. He's a dog, so would it be dogblocker? I mean, he ain't a cock, but he got a cock. Ya know what I mean?" His eyes widened along with his mouth at once. "Woah! This deep talk should be saved for weed time."

          Ignoring the drunk boy, I looked back at Arie who was smiling. "Goodbye, Leo." She didn't give me a chance to say anything and walked away, disappearing down a different hall.

          "Goodbye, love," I mumbled to myself and sighed, eyes still set in the same direction.

          "Hey, babeeeeee!" Rome whistled and called my attention to him. "Help me find my room and I," he hiccuped, "Imma show you a hella good time."

          "What?"

          "That's some manly voice you got there, baby." He took a sip out of his bottle of beer. "Nothing to be insecure about. Imma still take that sweet ass of yours home."

          I bit my tongue and walked closer to him until I stood right over him. "Does it still look like I got a sweet ass?"

          Rome squinted his eyes and then widened them. "My bad, man." He cackled like a lunatic to himself for a good minute as I stood there losing my patience with each second. "I thought the guy left and you were the girl. I'm really fucking drunk and can't see shit, but I'm not gay." He deepened his voice. "I'm the manliest man, man."

          "You reek," I grimaced. Grabbing him by his collar, I yanked him up to his feet. He stumbled a bit, but I caught him from falling over and busting open his head.

          "My savior," he smiled with an overwhelmed emotion in his eyes. He was about ready to cry from my tiny act of kindness.

          "Don't make me break your jaw now, Rome."

          "Sorry, Mister Bon... Bon...?" He began playing the guessing game with my name and looked truly conflicted. "Fuucck! Is it Bonfire? If not, change it. It has fire. Issa fiyah! Like, this girl is on fiyahhhh."

          "Shut up and tell me what room you're in."

          "If I knew, I'd be in there by now, dumb-dumb." He tapped my nose before I tightened my hold on his collar and threatened him. "Sorry. Pup Tart knows. Ask him." As if the dog understood Rome, it barked twice. "There you go. We in room bau-bau."

          "You should be on a sitcom, not here." I started dragging him down the hall and the small dog followed quietly.

          Surprisingly, Rome remained silent for a bit, but my peace was short-lived. "I have no... one."

          "Good for you."

          "I mean everyone got someone. Eros is probably buried deep inside Athena right now. You got your wife. Even the old peeps got someone . Heaven and Oli got each other too, and I? Single as a pringle."

          I didn't bother contributing to his self-reflection. Instead, I got him into a vacant room and on the bed.

          "Have you ever been in love with someone who is with another person?" he asked me, staring at the ceiling in deep thought.

          I laughed to myself at the irony. "You have no idea, man."

          "She left me without a goodbye and married that... that Russian cunt."

          "Cornelia?" I wondered.

          "That's my cornhog," he sniffled and wiped a tear that slipped down the side of his face. "Bruh. I know she love me too, but it's hard to watch them together."

          "Interesting," I mused. If Cornelia loved Rome as he suspected, then the fear she had yesterday should be because of Orel. He had to be using her to be involved in the wedding and I could only imagine what plans he had.

          "Only if I had my other love with me, we would convince Corn to come back to us, but she is missin'."

          "Another one?"

          "Yeahhhhhhh..." And with that he passed out.

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Yay or nay?

FUCKKKKK ITS 6:30 am and I just finished the chapter 😭😂 I wake up for school at this time. I pulled an all nighter for you guys so you're welcome ❤️😂 and now I'll sleep till 2 or 3 pm. Fingers crossed.

How do you guys feel after this chapter?

Personally, I don't know how this chapter turned out. I wasn't feeling it (the last 2500 words that kept me up so late). I knew what I wanted and knew exactly how it was gonna go, but I had a hard time just writing it and looking for the right words, and I wanted to just get it out for you guys because you've been waiting so much and I'm sorry for that. Maybe because I finished finals and just wanted to chill and push off writing, but had to get it done for you guys. Do you think it turned out well?

What do you guys think about their talk?

What do you guys predict will happen next since Arie is leaving?

And who missed Rome? I know I did so I had to add him and the dog here 😂

Did you enjoy Rome and his dog's scene?

Can Orel be trusted?

Thoughts on Verona?

Fred?

Leo?

Or Arie?

Further comments and questions are always welcome ❤️

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~Reet