"Come on Little prince, cheer up?" Uncle Leo said he was trying to cheer me up all afternoon and evening. It was 10 pm now and Papa always had me in bed by this time. But he isn't here, so I don't have to follow his every command. Uncle Leo tried to make me forget about his absence by planning our day tomorrow. Papa said he would be back tomorrow, but how could he? He probably just lied. I could sense that uncle Leo was also upset. He was just trying to hide it. Probably because,

"You're also upset because Uncle Ronan left." I mumbled and he looked shocked a little. Nice try. So they are like papa and mama were.

"Yes I am." He stated, almost proudly and sat back crossing his arms. He is acting like a child, not me. I smiled at that but whipped my head away so that he couldn't see it.

"He is always so serious, He even promised me that he would forget work while we were on a vacation, but bla bla bla, a fucker. Opps, sorry sweetheart. Now he even got me venting to a child."

"Hey! I'm not a child." I grumbled. I will be turning nine tomorrow, well, in less than two hours.

"Hey, you know what? Let's binge on some snacks, I told my maid to prepare some delicious tarts and cheesecake secretly. Would you like that?" And for the first time in my life I didn't want any sweets, the mention of them brough papa back in my memory and I got even more upset.

"Well silence means yes, let me go grab them." I didn't answer and just stared down on my lap. Thoughts swirling in my head. What if... What if he won't come back? Did he leave me with Uncle Leo and Ronan to get rid of me? Was this his plan all along? But he said he was coming back, but, what if he said it just so he could leave even easily. Tears stung the back of my eyes and I looked up so they wouldn't fill my eyes. Papa, did you leave me? I sniffled and stood up walking towards the exit. Looking outside, I stared at the forest, the air was so fresh and felt nice, but it stung my glossy eyes even more. So I went back inside and decided to stay in my dad's room. It was just as we first entered it. All clean and neat, organized, like he liked. Opening the large wardrobe there were his clothes hanging neatly. They smelled just like his cologne, I crawled inside and closed the door behind me, comforted by his smell. Without realising my eyelids started to close and I was in a deep slumber in a second.

***

I hear shuffling in the room and then the door was opened making me squint my eyes as the brightness fought with my sleep. Opening my eyes I saw uncle Ronan who relaxed his features and sighed.

"Leonard! He is here," He said calmly and picked me up moving his one hand under my thighs.

"What's going on?" I asked rubbing my eye with one hand as I clenched my other hand on his shirt for better balance.

"MATTIE!" I jumped and turned around to see uncle Leo partially flying towards me, his eyes glossy. Ronan moved me into his hold as he shook his head with disapproval.

"You had me worried sick, what were you doing here?! I thought you went outside in a forest. The door was open and I-"

"Leo, calm down, he was in Massimo's closet." Ronan ran his hand up and down on Uncle Leo's shirt and it struck me. I think I left the door open when I went upstairs?

"I wanted to take a look outside for some air and I must have left it open." Uncle Leo closed his eyes for a second.

"I told you, the security is very strong, he wouldn't be able to slip without guards noticing." Ronan tried to calm uncle down and then he opened his eyes, taking a much softer form as he kissed my cheek.

"You gave me such a scare, little prince," My chin was then taken in Uncle Ronan's hand as I met his stern features. My eyes widened slightly.

"From now on, you inform at least one adult about your plans before you do something" He warned and I nodded my head quickly.

"M' sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep," I said quietly, already struggling to maintain eye contact with his stern gaze. He sighed and massaged his forehead and uncle Leo pressed me to his chest tighter. I looked at the clock to see that it was 4am.

"Your papa must be worried sick, he probably just arrived in airport right now, so I will call and tell him tha-"

"Matthias Silas Avaderio," He was interrupted with a very familiar voice and I flinched, peeking up from Leo's shoulder to see his tall figure standing at the entrance of the room. Uncle Leo put me down and he started to make his way towards us.

First I was happy that he got back and I took a few steps towards him, but when he got closer I noticed his fuming eyes.

My smile fell.

"You dare and act like a little brat while I'm gone?" He asked in a dangerous tone as he crouched down on my level. "I remember making it clear before I left that you should have behaved properly, is this how you respect my words? How dare you even think of going outside-" tears welled up in my eyes as I was held in front of him

"Massimo," I heard Uncle Ronan's voice and papa moved his sharp eyes towards him.

"He didn't go outside, he was in your closet." He explained and I sniffled.

"This does not change anything, He went there without informing anyone, this is not how I raised you at all." I furrowed my eyebrows and yelled at him.

"You didn't raise me at all!" Papa's gaze didn't falter as he raised my chin to help me look into his eyes even better.

"I did raise you, me and Rosette raised you. Don't you dare repeat that again or I will make you regret your choice of words."

I felt tears rolling down my eyes and a soft sob left my lips.

"Massimo he-"

"Don't you dare tell me how I should deal with my son. He knew better than to hide away from us. You knew better, Matthias!" That was it. I snapped. The tears streamed down on my cheeks even more and I couldn't help but burst my thoughts out.

"You never even looked at me up until now! I thought you would want to spend my birthday with me, but all you do is just do that stupid work! You just left and I know you would leave me like my momma did if it was your choice. But now you are just stuck with a dumb kid who only wants your attention!" I yelled and the room went silent. Only filled with my sobs. He was so disappointed in me. I'd rather him abandon me than to hate me.

Momma.



Next chapter will be released in few hours, get ready for big confessions and emotions!! mwah.