There's something about forbidden knowledge. No matter how much you try to not think about it, it becomes an obsession you wanna find out.
That was me now. I was obsessing about it.
Santino De Luca.
The way Bianca froze when I said his name — she wasn't just startled. She was fucking *terrified*. Which was fascinating to see btw.
And now, I was too. But not as terrified as she is.
I waited until the house emptied. Erica had gone out for a photoshoot, no doubt that she wore tiny pieces of clothes to demand attention. Jace was at training. Bianca locked herself in her office with headphones on, blasting country music like it could take her away from reality.
Then the doorbell rang downstairs which startled me. Then remembered I had call my best friend Emma to come here.
I ran down to the front door feel so happy to see her.
The maid had already let her in. I ran and jumped into her arms squealing. "Emma!!!!!! It's been forever since I saw you."
"Bitch calm the fuck down. I've only been gone for a month." She was now laughing at my childish behavior.
She pulled me off her to look at me. She's so quick to notice things.
"You look different, like a rebel. What happened while I was away." She asked now frowning a little.
"Nothing happened Ems. I just decided that a new year should have a new me." I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Well that's good news. Do you know how long I've been trying to bring you out of that tiny shell you locked yourself in." She stared at me with proud eyes.
"I know but I've had enough of being someone nobody sees or likes. I want attention too and to live a happy life now." My eyes getting a little bit teary.
"Hey….. nobody deserves your tears while I'm hear baby. I see you for who you are and I love you that way. Ok? Now clean those tears away." She said giving me a hug.
"I love you too." She smells so good. I could turn gay for her.
"Now why did you call me. It sounded urgent." She asked looking serious.
"Mum is hiding stuff from me now. I found a picture of a man in her study with the name Santino De Luca. And when I said her about it, she got furious and told me to forget it." I said as we walked down the hallway to my mum's study.
"Well that sounds interesting. But she never hide anything from you," she suddenly gasped making me jump up in fear "what if he was your mum's first love or her first night stand." I looked at her with disgust.
"What is wrong with your brain. Why would she keep a picture of a night stand."
"Well…. Maybe she wants to remember him and fuck him again."
"You're disgusting and too blunt. Just shut it," finally standing I front of her study which was locked. "This woman is smart but her daughter is smarter." Then Emma smacked me at the back of my head.
"No, you're an idiot. Just move aside let the professional handle this."
"Idiot." I muttered silently but I know she heard as she glared at me.
I then put my hands up in surrender.
The study was her sanctuary just like I had mine as the piano room.
Then I heard a click, meaning Emma was able to pick the lock. "What a criminal bestie I have." I thought.
I've know Emma since the day she stood up for me when Erica and her friends threw their food at me in class then told the teachers her hands slipped. Then Emma walked up to Erica and gave her a punch in the face and called it a slip of fist while smiling. I was laughing and crying at the same time as some kids looked me me with disgust since I looked pretty messed up. But Emma clean me up and gave me clothes to change into. Since then we've been very close. Sounds cliché right.
"Hey! Mia." She called out staring at me like I'm insane. Well.. I am insane.
"I was admiring your manliness. If we don't get a man soon, we're getting married." I said smiling like an idiot.
She rolled her eyes and walked into the study.
The wood shelves were polished with old books she'd never read, first editions she was awarded. The air was thick with lavender and ink.
I and Ems moved to the desk but her drawers were locked, of course. But I got my personal bodyguard back. She'll help me break the rules as we please.
"Why'd you dye your hair red?" I asked curiously.
She used the pin from before to open the drawers.
"I also decided, new year new me." She does look good with red, better than I do.
Click. The drawers opened.
"We're both bad asses." I raised my hand to high five her. But she looked at me and said "I'm the hardworking badass while you're the lazy one." I pretended to be hurt by her words while she laughed at me.
"Bitch."
I slide the drawer open, inside were folders, receipts. bills and an old wooden box, carved with a roses burning in flames. My fingers trembled as I opened it.
There was a yellow folded letter inside. It was torn at the edges. Sealed with a deep red wax crest — a black rose in the middle.
I cracked the seal.
---
To Bianca,
If you ever tell her, you know what it means. Our agreement was clear: she lives freely, or she doesn't live at all. I won't lose another child to this world.
She's safer not knowing. But if she finds out and starts asking questions, send her home.
Santino.
---