Page 3 of Shattered Echoes

“I was just getting settled in. I’m happy. I'm a father now. Everything is great. I was thinking everyone was happy. Then, out of nowhere, I get news that my brother is fucking dying,” he keeps on.

“He doesn't need to hear all that right now from you. Are you even listening to yourself? He just got out of rehab. Speaking to him this way wouldn't do him any good,” she says.

Hearing Gabi say that makes me feel sick to my stomach. How she thinks I am someone to walk on eggshells around, someone that can’t handle harsh truths. What the fuck? I don't appreciate being pitied. And being on the topic of this conversation makes me feel so fucking pathetic.

I speak up, my voice cranky. “You know what, Leo? I'm sorry. I'm sorry I messed up. I'm sorry I fucked up your almost ‘perfect life.’ I deserve everything going on right now. I deserve all the restrictions. And I deserve to have been banished to our hometown to recuperate.”

“After leaving that prison disguised as a rehab, I know the reason why I'm in my situation. I know what I did wrong. And I know this arrangement is for the best, and trust me, I'm not going to fuck this up too. I don't know if you will believe me or not, Leo. But that really was a mistake,” I continue.

I take a deep breath. “Thank you for all the effort you have put into helping me settle back down. And we will continue with our weekly check-ins, as you suggested. We're about to pull up to the house now. So, I hope you have a great day. Let's speak later if that's okay,” I finish.

It’s silent on Leo’s end while I speak, and even after I finish, he remains quiet for a little more until I hear what sounds like a smack. I assume it’s Gabi who'd smacked him, nudging him to say something in response.

“Um…fine,” he says.

I hear another bumping sound over the phone. Probably Gabi elbowing him. I can almost picture her mouthing to him to say more.

“I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have flared up at you like that,” he says, his voice strained, but apologetic.

A sad smile plays on my lips. I really can't blame him for anything. “It’s fine. Talk later?”

“Yeah. Bye.” He hangs up the phone, but the tension remains in the air.

As the car glides to a halt, I feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia once again. The driver parks at the front of my childhood home. Seeing the old grand mansion again, after so many years, does something to me.

Right next to it is another grand mansion. It belongs to Henry Moreau, my best friend. We’d grown up right in this neighborhood, living a few feet away from each other. Two boys of the same age living that were close to each other’s house were no surprise that we became best buddies.

I know Henry wouldn't be around now. Everyone has moved away. I'm sure the house is pretty much empty, just like it’s been for all these years. I wonder if he heard what had happened to me. A wave of sadness hits me because I'm not even allowed to contact him. Leonardo severed any contact between us.

I unlock the car door and step out, still looking around. It feels different to be back here, yet there's still an air of familiarity.

The driver pops his head out of the window. “Have a wonderful evening, Mr. Amato,” he says, then puts the car in reverse and drives away. Now I'm left standing in the middle of the driveway, keys to the mansion in hand.

My eyes wander over to Henry’s mansion again, and almost immediately, out of the corner of my eyes, I see a movement by the window. It looks like someone walked past one window over there. I stare at it for a while, willing the person to move again, but there was nothing.

Maybe I'm seeing things now because I'm almost sure that the house should be empty. I give it one last glance and decide to walk into our house. I unlock the front door and true to Leo’s word, it’s spotless and put in order. Trust Leo to be at the top of everything–the Golden Child.

My sister worked so hard to earn the approval of my father, acquiring everything she thought would impress him. She worked tirelessly, hoping her efforts would be recognized in the company.

But with Leo, things are different; he doesn't need to try too hard. He is not the kind of person who tries to impress anyone. He knows exactly what to do at any given time. He just has it. I mean, he graduated top of his class without breaking a sweat and excels at everything he touches. If there is someone who is good at almost everything, Leo is that person.

I don’t do badly at things myself. I was an outstanding student as well, and I have a few things going for me, my career in music, for example. But I’ve never been as good as him. He’s perfect. I mean, it makes complete sense that he’s the one that got his life together. He got the happily ever after, finding love, and settling down. The one time I tried that, I ended up falling for the wrong person.

——

I can still vividly remember the first time I met Cassie.

It was at her label house.

I was there at a business meeting with the label manager, my lawyer, and the pop star I was supposed to make music with. We’d all just walked out of the office after an hour-long deliberation on the business side of the music and fixing studio sessions.

Miguel was someone I’d always wanted to work with. He’s extremely talented. And when his label reached out for a collaboration with me, I couldn’t help but jump on the offer.

We were just there to straighten things out and make sure we’re all on the same page. They weren’t a big label, as yet.

Miguel reached out his hand for a handshake. “It’s so wonderful to work with you, bro. "

“Yeah, it’ll be an honor to have you on this track,” his manager added.

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