Page 10 of Frayed Bonds

“It was good to see you again Ambrose,” she says as she takes Antonio’s hand, following after him.

Then she turns, looks over her shoulder and winks at me, and for the second time tonight my body betrays me and I can't help but smirk back.

Chapter five

Valerie

“Ibrought these for you, Gianna. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss.” I hand her a small bouquet of pink tulips.

“They’re so beautiful, Valerie, tulips are one of my favourite flowers,” she says as she walks away to put them into a vase.

“Mine, too. I thought their symbolism of deep, true love was so fitting for today,” I say as she guides us out to the terrace again.

“Thank you, honey. Please enjoy the rest of the afternoon.” She squeezes my arm before heading back inside.

“Little Val, back in town,” Adriano says, sliding his arm around my shoulder, and walking me further into the backyard. I smile at the name, having not heard it in years.

“You're looking good, Adriano.” I turn to look up at him and he smirks. Antonio left me alone, yet again, to deal with a small family emergency his mamá called him about.

Adriano's pink buzzcut is a stark contrast to the well-tailored dress pants and crisp white shirt he has on. That, and the lone cigarette balancing on his ear. It all seems too casual for a billionaire like himself, but then again that's probably exactly what he wants. Adriano is nothing like he seems so it's only fair his appearance is the same.

“Still the same ass-kisser, I see,” Augustus speaks up as he joins us on my other side.

He looks rougher than Adriano, which is unusual for the younger twin. He seems like he's been partying long before this funeral reception even started. His bow tie is undone, as well as the top few buttons of his shirt. Not to mention his hair that looks as if he has been running his fingers through it.

Or someone else has.

“I didn't think Nino was telling the truth when he said you were coming,” Augustus continues.

“You should give him the benefit of the doubt sometimes. I'm here aren't I?”

“If you knew all the things we did, you wouldn't trust a word he says either,” Adriano says.

The statement makes me more uncomfortable than I would've liked. “How is Selena?” I change the subject.

Selena is, the last time I checked, Augustus’ long-term girlfriend.

Augustus’ dark brown eyes scan my arms, lingering on the tiny tattoos that cover the skin before he looks up at Adriano. “She’s good, moved to Milan a year ago..” he says, staring blankly ahead at the mention of her.

“She’s better off there than here,” Adriano adds as he takes a sip of whatever is in his glass. He offers me a sip and after smelling it to confirm it is tequila, I take a sip, savouring how this is more expensive than the stuff I grew up drinking.

“Valerie?” A girl's voice screeches as she runs over to me.

The three of us turn in unison and the boy's cousin, Zita, comes running over to me, shoes in one hand and a vape in the other.

“That’s our cue to leave, we'll catch up with you again later Val,” Adriano says as he shifts away, taking Gus with him.

“Valerie… Oh, my word, it’s so good to see you,” she says, as she gets close enough for me to hear her without her shouting.

“Zita, how are you?” I embrace her in a hug.

“So good now that you’re here, I cannot believe my cugino was telling the truth about bringing you to this dinner.”

“No one did.” I laugh, and then she guides me towards the bar.

“James, two martinis please.” She smiles politely at the barman, who looks like he’d rather be anywhere else but here right now.

“So, what brings you back to Tevici?” Zita asks as soon as she’s done placing our orders. She's not from Tevici herself, but I know she does quite a bit of work for Vitale Holdings and stays in the city for a few months out of the year.

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