Page 14 of Frayed Bonds

“Girl, why are you even apologising? We're grown, I understand how life gets,” Natalia says through the speakers of my earphones. We’ve been catching each other up on what's been happening in our lives.

Natalia and I have known each other since we were around seven, and she lived with my family for our entire high school career up until she left Tevici to move to Monaco.

“We should have dinner soon, when are you free? I’m back in Tevici for a bit, as well.” Natalia asks, always being one for enforcing plans and ensuring we stick by our words to make plans.

“I have to take my dad to his first physio appointment tomorrow afternoon, maybe we could have dinner tomorrow?” I reason as I walk backwards a bit.

My back hits what I think is a wall until I feel said wall move. I spin around ready to apologise profusely, until my eyes trail up the large figure of the one person I didn't expect to see in a little deli in the “slums” of Tevici.

Natalia continues to rattle off details for dinner tomorrow all while my blood begins to freeze over. The first thing my eyes notice is the spider tattoo on his hand that is complemented by two gold rings. A barbed wire one, and the infamous Cartier band. He is dressed to the nines; a thick coat, dress shirt and slacks. Then here I am, in sweatpants and a hoodie, wearing my father’s old corduroy jacket over top due to the near-freezing temperatures.

He must be equally surprised because his brows are raised a fraction more than normal.

“Let me call you back,” I say, hanging up and not even waiting to hear if she heard what I said.

“Valerie,” is all he says with a small nod.

“Sorry for bumping into you,” I say in a small voice before shifting slightly under his stare.

“Yes, you were always a bit clumsy.” He peers into my basket. “Parmigiano is always the better choice.”

“Not all of us can afford to blow out hard-earned money on a piece of cheese,” I sneer, and turn towards the deli counter. I’m thankful to see he doesn't follow me as I do.

I watch as a little girl, along with her mother and father, stands near the counter ready to place their order. As they're about to, the father picks the little girl up allowing her to rattle off their order.

I watch them, a small smile graces my face. Starting a family was all I thought about five years ago. Now, after everything, it’s the furthest thing from my mind.

The sound of the family's laughter rings through my ears, but all I can focus on is the hot irritation the ring on my left hand brings to me. I fiddle with it while the sales assistant wraps up their order, hoping to relieve the feeling a bit. It doesn't.

The deli clerk turns to face me but instead of looking directly at me, she practically looks over me as a large figure approaches us. I can smell who it is. I've learned very quickly that Ambrose Vitale has a unique smell. A mix of vanilla and lavender. Fresh, but sweet. It contrasted his appearance so much. It reminds me of the smell of freshly washed jeans, while a dessert bakes in the oven. It smells all too inviting for my liking.

“Good morning, Mr. Vitale.” The female greets him.

I let out a scoff so small I was convinced no one would hear, but when the deli clerk turns her head in my direction, with an alarmed glance, I know it was too loud.

Quickly I busy myself grabbing the last of my groceries, the basket in my arm growing heavier with each item.

“Valerie.” My head shoots up at my name.

Ambrose stands to my left in his full 6’3” glory, easily towering over my humble 5’4”. I look up at him cautiously.

“If you're done spending your hard-earned money on shitty cheese, I'd like to pay for my groceries,” he states.

“There’s another till over there.” I point to a second pay point, not too far from where we are. My eyes shift to the deli clerk, who looks shocked and when my eyes return to Ambrose, he wears an apathetic expression.

He gives my outfit a once over and scoffs. “Glad to have you back in Tevici, Val.”

He walks off without another word, and I stare at him not even noticing that my fists are clenched, not until I look down and notice the crescent-shaped scars in my palm.

The café is loud with chatter as I approach an empty booth near the back. It’s mainly filled with people doing the standard Tevici work from café routine. No one is working, but rather pretending to while they indulge in delicious food.

“Anything I can get for you this morning, love?” A middle-aged lady walks over, handing me a menu.

“Just a cappuccino please.” I haven't had the chance to enjoy good coffee since I left. Maybe that's why everything has been going to absolute shit.

I flip open my laptop and search for the number of the insurance company my papá belongs to. I shuffle through some papers in my laptop bag hoping I kept a card, between them a small black piece of paper falls out. My heart sinks as I read what’s written on the back.

You don’t seem to realise this yet, but I will find you sooner or later. When I do, it won’t be pretty.

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