VERITY'S POV ~_______~_______~

It's been a day since Francesco and I's argument. I felt horrible, I really did. Since then, the only people who had come to visit me were Andrea, Leonardo, Emilio, Valentino, and Lorenzo.

Valentino talked to me for hours. I told him everything that I said wasn't directed at him, as he was nothing but kind and caring towards me. Emilio and I talked a bit, but nothing about the argument. Lorenzo and Leonardo sort of lingered around the room, and Andrea apologized over and over for who knows what. I didn't say anything to her but she kept trying to get me to talk about the argument until Valentino told her to drop it.

I was now changed into a blue sweater and grey sweatpants, my hair into a high ponytail with some strands hanging out. I finally got to leave the hospital. Dad (Mikael) offered to pick me up but I said no, I didn't want more drama between my two "families".

Speaking of that, I kept being questioned about Mikael, Alexei and Andrei and why they were here, and who they were. I just told everybody it was none of their business. I knew that they knew who Mikael, Alexei, and Andrei was but they didn't know that I knew. They don't know I knew about the Italian mafia or the Russian mafia; and I'd like to keep it that way.

I walked out the hospital, Valentino by my side. We walked towards a black SUV parked outside, and we both got into the backseat. There was a driver, Andrea was next to me, Lorenzo and Leonardo were sitting further back. It was silent the entire ride home, but I could feel everybody either staring holes into my head or glancing at me every now and then.

When we finally arrived home, I ran into my room and closed the door, sighing. The next couple of weeks were going to be tough.

I sat on the floor, thinking. I was in my own world, thinking about everything that has happened to me. John, my biologicals, the hospital, Matteo, Francesco, and grey eyes.

Wait, what?

The boy with grey eyes. He kept popping up in my mind. I didn't even know him, but he was just constantly showing up in my mind. It was as if he was haunting me or some shit.

There was a gentle knock on my door. "Verity?", Valentino said, "It's time for dinner. Come, I'll go down with you."

I sighed and looked at the time. 8:00pm?!! Holy fuck, how long was I just sitting here? I got up and opened the door, fixing my hair and nodding at Valentino. He offered me a warm smile, to which I half-heartedly returned.

We walked down to the dining room, and I hadn't realized I was holding on to Valentino's hand until he let go. He opened the door and everybody's eyes fell on us, except for Francesco. He was simply just looking at his food with a hard stare. Damn, what did the food do to you?

I sat down in one of the empty seats, and looked around. Everybody was still staring. Jeez Louise, what does it take to get some privacy so I can eat my food here?

Seating:

Francesco Emilio - Enzo Leonardo - Lorenzo Matteo - Verity Valentino - Andrea (Empty seat)

I was right across from Matteo, who I hadn't seen for a while. He looked up at me and smiled, something I didn't expect and it caught me off guard. He practically hated me a few days ago, now he was sitting across from me and smiling.

This family is bipolar as fuck..

He had a black eye and a busted lip. You'd think that they'd heal by now, but they look kind of fresh.

Andrea cleared her throat, "Eat up."

I looked at my plate. Pasta. Yum. Everybody started to eat. It was silent except for the clattering of plates and forks.

"Sooo.. we're just not going to talk about the elephant in the room?" Lorenzo muttered.

"Oh, you're right, Lorenzo get your fatass out of this room." Valentino snickered at him, obviously trying to make a joke but make him drop the subject at the same time.

"Shut up, Val, you know that's not what I mean." Lorenzo snapped back at him.

"That's not something we should discuss over family dinner. Or, family and Verity dinner. Because, you know, she's not a part of our family. As she said." Francesco said through gritted teeth.

I glared at him for a moment, ignoring the fact that I was sort of hurt by that, before scraping my chair back.

"I'm not hungry anymore," I muttered to Andrea. She smiled slightly at me and nodded her head, indicating I'm excused.

I got out the room as fast as I could, and could hear a bit of yelling from downstairs. I walked into my room and groaned, texting the group chat with me and my brothers (russian).

Shrek Looking 💩s + Verity

Verity: The tension at dinner today was unreal. Can I stay at your place for a while? Pleeease, please, pretty please?

Max The Troll🤡: As much as I would love for you to stay with us, we are staying with a friend. I can ask, but I really think you should sort this out with that Italian fuck.

Andrei😒😱: Yea Verity, as much as I hate to say it, he's still your dad in a way. It's better to bond with him then push him away.

Alex🤬🤡🦄: Verity I want nothing more but for you to stay with us. Except for maybe some chocolate. But just try to talk to him, okay? A civilized conversation. Don't threaten him or some bs.

Verity: Fine, I'll do it tomorrow. But if it goes wrong I'm blaming you guys.

-

I sighed and shut off my phone. Should I really go and try to talk it out with him? He obviously hates me right now.

There was a knock on my door and then Matteo came in. Man, I really can't get peace or privacy around here, huh?

"Hey, Verity." He mumbled, sitting by me on my bed.

"Why are you here?" I asked him, with raised eyebrows. "I thought you hated me."

"I don't hate you. I never did. I'm sorry for everything I said. It's just.. everything was so new to me, you know? I'm not good with change. I'm thrilled you're here, Verity.. I'm just so mad."

This boy makes no sense. He just said he's thrilled, then said he's mad..maybe he's insane.

I'm so funny.

Not.

"Mad? Why?" I asked.

"I never got to grow up with you. I never got to share memories with you. I never got to protect you. I never got to annoy you as I did with my- our- brothers. When I heard you were coming home, man, I was beyond happy. All I wanted was you, home, and happy. When you came, though, you seemed so sad. So depressed. You didn't even talk to me. I just felt like it was my fault. I never found you. I should've made a better effort, you know?" He chuckled darkly before continuing, "I never hated you, I hated me. I hated how I never found you. I hated how I never was there for you, to comfort you. I hated myself for that. I couldn't bear being in the same room as you, and it wasn't your fault, but mine. I wasn't getting close to you.. because I was afraid I'd hurt you. And maybe afraid that I'd get hurt, too. That I'd lose you, all over again, and it would just hurt more. But I realize now that in the process of trying to make sure you aren't hurt by me, I was hurting you more. I'm sorry, Verity. I'm so, so sorry. For everything I've said, everything I've done. I don't know what your life was like before you came here. I'm sorry I said that bull, just know I don't think that of you."

I gaped at him. He just opened up to me, apologized, and vented all at the same time. What do I even say? Nobody, literally nobody has talked to me like this. Except for maybe my history teacher two years ago, she really dumped all her problems on us. Like, that woman didn't teach us anything except for how to get divorced three ti-

"Verity?" Matteo asked. Shit. I must've zoned out.

"Sorry. I promise I was listening, I just was thinking. I forgive you, Matteo.. It will just take me some time to get more comfortable with you. Is that okay?"

His face lit up. "Yea, of course! Why wouldn't it be okay?! Thank you, so much Verity. I promise not to dissapoint you."

He hugged me, to which I immediately tensed up at. I may have been getting better with talking, but I was not good with physical contact. Not yet. Not this big. Holding hands? Fine. Leaning heads on shoulders and shit? Fine. But hugs? That's a whole different story. When it comes from somebody else but Alexei, Andrei, Maxim, or Mikael, I don't like it.

He seemed to notice this and let go immediately, giving me a apologetic smile.

"So, how'd you get the bruises?" I asked, pointing to his face.

"Leonardo, at the family dinner but whatever it doesn't hurt. What's up with dinner? Like, what happened? I mean- I know what happened, I know what you told dad- but like- why is he so mad?? It's true. You aren't our family just yet. Family is different to blood. You have to be comfortable around family. You're always- like, tense. And why was there so many wounds on you? Like, shit. And what-"

"Okay, Teo, let's lessen the questions. That's a story for another day." I cut him off, laughing slightly at him, and his face lit up. I don't know if it was from the fact that I literally just laughed, or from the nickname I unknowingly game him. I didn't know he could be this talkative. It's not like I'm complaining though. It's nice.

"Right. Sorry." He grinned sheepishly.

This was nice. Maybe I didn't mind.. maybe I wanted to have them as my family.

I can't be serious right now.. I'm going soft. Goddamn. I didn't need them. I had Alexei, Andrei, and Maxim.

I don't need anybody else. __________________________________ Word count: 1658

This chapter may be a bit confusing but ykw idc I got finals ion got time to worry ab ts😭😭 STILL LOVE YALL THO!!

BUT OH MY GOD #2 IN MAFIA PRINCESS??? I CANT EVEN EXPLAIN HOW HAPPY I AM RN !!!! Like holy shit I didn't expect that. AND OVER 1k READS!

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