Don's Yearn (II)

SERENA'S POV

Life is a paradox of contradicting similarities!!!

I was under the shower with the one person I should not be seen with for such a scene.

My brother Arsenio Vladmiro.

The most beautiful man I have seen and the only son to my godparents - Massimo Vladmiro and Amelia Vladmiro.

He is five years older than me and we grew up in the same mansion that can be likened to a castle because our mothers are best friends and my dad is the Consigliere to the mafia family his dad lords over.

My name is Serena Toralba and once upon a time, I was known as the Perfect Prude.

Well, once upon a time...

The entirety of my wet hair was secured in a large hand and he pulled me back, giving the creak of my neck the precise angle he wanted.

A small kiss, a swipe of his tongue and the graze of his teeth on a spot had my body warming up under the cold water that was cascading down my skin.

His other hand that was resting on my waist slid in between my legs brandishing more heat to my skin.

"So wet for me Bellisomo" Arsenio said, his rich bristly voice filling my ears and causing more butterflies to be birthed within the confines of my belly - that could now be likened to a conservatory.

Two long fingers of his plunged knuckle deep into me in a sleek fashion and when a more needy moan escaped my lips, he covered my mouth with his.

I jerked up into a sitting position forcefully and I placed a hand to my chest - a small act to calm my aggressively beating heart before it leaps right out of me.

'What in a dream was that?

No, that is beyond a dream...that is a freaking night terror!' I thought.

I looked at the Teddy Bear crafted clock that was sitting idly on my lamp stand and all at once I was reminded of the things I have to achieve today.

"Thirty four minutes left!" I said out loud to remind myself before I removed the covers that were around me and I swung my feet down.

Plushy mouse footwear welcomed my feet and I got to work.

I selected my outfit for the day, got my choice pair of shoes ready but... I felt nervous about stepping into the shower.

I felt like if I was to open my bathroom door, I would see the scene from my dream play out before me and I dreaded that more than I dreaded Arsenio's return back to the country...whenever that will be!

I looked at my clock again and I had twenty eight minutes left. With all the courage I could gather, I jumped into the shower and tried to think of dangerous situations that do not involve veiny arms and hot breaths.

In exactly twenty eight minutes, I slammed the door to my room close and began to run down the stairs and I almost pushed Uncle Alejandro out of my way.

"Bambino attento (Careful Child)" Uncle Alejandro chided.

I knew his scolding was out of love for me and so I smiled. He was just worried that I would not trip and hurt my knee like I did barely a month ago. I could still feel a dull ache on my left knee.

"Buongiorno zio (Good morning Uncle)" I responded, not breaking my pace regardless.

He isn't directly my uncle but we refer to him as 'uncle'. He is one of the few good men left in this wicked world and he is like family.

I was about to rush past the dining room where my parents and godparents were seated when Mom Amelia caught me from the corner of her eye.

"Serena. You are not leaving here without having anything in your belly.

Now come along" She said as she drew out a chair from under the table for me.

"But Mom, I'm already late and..." I started, but my mum's eyes that were dimmed at me dragged my feet to the dining table.

"How was your night my angel?" My dad asked as he trained his familiar eyes of inspection and genuine scrutiny on me and I almost miscalculated my steps.

'My night was filled with the thoughts and presence of a certain person!' I thought but I cleared my throat before I responded with, "fine. I feel very agile this morning. Definitely better than last night".

"If you feel the slightest trace of tiredness, you come back home. I really don't see the need of working in a veterinary clinic when you could own one and sleep all day. You know you need rest" Dad Massimo said before he took a sip of his chamomile tea.

I knew he could get me one if I wanted but I loved the idea of knowing how to serve before owning.

If it was left to him, I would never stand up from my bed and my life would revolve from my room.

"You spoil her too much.

I wish you could show Arsenio more love like this and maybe he will never want to leave here when he returns" My Mama said.

'Why is everyone bent on making me remember Arsenio this morning?

Five years without seeing him has provided a generous taste of peace and even though I know everyone on the table might not say it but we genuinely miss him.

But that doesn't afford them the right to call his name frequently after the kind of night I just had. If they could have the super power to see and read my mind, they will be horrified and... disappointed.

Our parents might be different but we are siblings. We were practically raised in the same house.

I need to leave now before more guilt consumes me!'

I picked an apple and munched on it.

"I'm sorry but I have to leave now. I promise to eat a whole plate of chicken fajitas to compensate for breakfast " I said and I did not give anyone the chance to say anything else before I began to press my lips to their cheeks.

First my mother, then my dad, then Mum Amelia and Dad Massimo.

"Bye all!" I said grateful that they were all immune to my sweetness but I had barely taken five jogs away from the table when Mum Amelia said from behind me, "I forgot to tell you my angel but your brother sent a message two days ago"

I turned towards her direction.

"Arsenio said he will be returning some time this week" She said with a smile before she went back to her food.

My shoulders slouched as my brain went into an overdrive for some minutes.

'Arsenio is coming back? Sometime this week! What???!'

ARSENIO'S POV

Life is a paradox of contradicting similarities!!!

Uncle Alejandro was waiting for me at the airport with a big cardboard display, 'Welcome from Prison Human!'

I smiled when I saw it - the first genuine smile from my lips in a good while.

"We thought you were going to come by the weekend" Uncle Alejandro said as he opened his arms to hug me. I shook my head, a signal that I was still not in my 'hugging humans phase' and he tapped my head from behind.

"I was able to wrap things up quickly. You look good, Zio" I said. The least I could give to him was a compliment after outrightly rejecting a hug from him.

"I'm forty seven Arsenio. Good is far from what I look like '' He said with a big smile flashing his teeth and I couldn't agree more. He did not look a day older than thirty five.

My dad had made sure Uncle Alejandro was the only person present which was due to two reasons. More persons like an entourage would attract the eyes of many...the eyes of our enemies and probably this was still one of those his tiny tests to know if I was who I used to be.

The irresponsible, have- it- all son!

When the electrical wired gates slid open, there were guards lined from the gate to the top of the stairs and they bowed their heads consecutively as the car passed by them.

I wondered how they had been able to get everyone into a good act so quickly when I had just told them a few minutes before I got on the airplane that I was a few hours away.

What could not be done in public, can surely be displayed with reckless abandon in private.

The air welcomed me as I stepped out from Uncle Alejandro's car.

The fountain was as clear as day, the garden looked trimmed to my mother's fashion and taste.

The regal mansion stood like a castle and even though this is where I had spent a good part of my childhood and teenage years, I was still in awe of the architectural design.

My parents, Mum Carla and Dad Angelo were at the top of the stairs waiting for me. I did not dilly dally any further and I climbed up the stairs to meet them.

Although my father was standing there beside my mum in a neutral all grey outfit, I knew that my mom must have threatened him to have him there obediently.

He would rather choose to be holed up in his study.

But as I climbed, I could not help but notice that someone was not with them.

A particular white haired girl.

'Is she still terribly angry with me?

Angry that I left the way I did?

Angry that I had ignored her for a total of five years??'

I looked back up to my family as I finally got to where they patiently stood. Their faces were all bright except my dad who had his unreadable game face on but you could tell from the joy on the faces of the others, that they were happy to see me.

My mom encased me in a huge hug - the hugest she could afford with her forever slender frame while Mom Carla popped a confetti. Dad Angelo stood behind with his hands crossed behind him but with a big smile on his face.

"Welcome home son!" My father said curtly and firmly as we held each other's eyes for two seconds before I was whisked inside.

As we entered our home, my arms around my mum's shoulder and Mum Carla's, I bit back the quick urge to demand where Serena was. We got to the living room and she was still nowhere to be seen.

I could not resist it any longer and I had to ask for where she was... with a pre meditated nonchalance.

"Is that brat still alive?" I asked and my mum's elbow connected with one of my ribs. I faked being hurt and she scowled at me.

"It's actually a surprise that she is. Who would not ask that kind of question when Serena decides to work for animals.

Girls of her age are out there partying and having fun due to the holidays but my little girl decided it was best to save animals even at her own risk." Mum Carla said and you could see the concern etched on her face.

Dad Angelo kissed the top of her head and she looked up to him.

"You should not sound so worried about her. You know she can handle herself especially with Gerald's help" Dad Angelo said.

'Gerald?!' A masculine name being mentioned tingled in my ears.

I coughed slightly.

"Gerald...is he her uhm bodyguard?" I asked.

Her mom scoffed. "Your sister stood her ground saying she wants no human hovering behind her. Her both fathers would not have it and still have men who watch her from afar.

Gerald is just a friend..."

My mind calmed down a notch.

At least they had not said he was her boyfriend. If he was, I would have known before now and he would have been long gone. But 'just a friend?!'

"A very good one at that and I'm glad she has him by her side. If only she would look beyond their friendship and give him a chance.

You can definitely see it from his eyes that he has a thing for our little angel" My mum said with a smile and I wished she wasn't my mom at this moment because I wanted to think evil things about the statement and of the person who had said it. But I couldn't because she is my mum.

My father and Dad Angelo cleared their throats at once and my mom rolled her eyes at them.

They were still very protective of Serena and the idea of her having a boyfriend has still not settled within them.

If only they know that I was the reason the confident guys around her had not taken their interest in her further.

The door to the living room swung open. Serena came in but she was in the arms of a guy.

'A guy?!

He must be the Gerald!' I thought as I accessed him.

"Can I get an ice pack?" He asked nervously.

Serena's arms were locked around his neck and she seemed so comfortable in his arms.

She had not yet noticed me because her eyes were closed and she was resting on his chest.

'Resting on his chest?! She is so unbelievable and I bet the bastard is having the time of his life!'

"Oh my GOD!"

"What happened??!"

"I'll go get the ice pack"

"Serena are you alright?"

I marched over to him.

"Hand her over!" I demanded, my voice calm but rough with anger and sheer possessiveness.

Serena, whose eyes were closed for whatever reason, suddenly opened them, enabling me to be graced with the sight of her foggy orbs.

"A lie..." She whispered but I heard her clearly.

I smirked at her.

"Hi Bellisomo"

SERENA'S POV

Life is a paradox of contradicting similarities!!!

I was driving home with Gerald riding shotgun when I abruptly stopped my car. A white coloured American Eskimo puppy was crossing the road, silver looking leash on its neck and I had almost hit it.

I looked to the side of the street and a man I presumed was the owner was having a fierce conversation with someone over the phone.

Unable to look away from the puppy that was carelessly running off, I bolted out of my car in pursuit of it.

I almost hit it and it might not be so lucky next time.

"Serena..." Gerald called after me but I paid him no heed as I ran down the street.

Few metres away, I could see the puppy running wild and happy without an ounce of care in the world and just like I had predicted, a vehicle was coming towards it.

I sprinted in the fullest speed I could muster and just before the incoming vehicle could hit the both of us, I skillfully rolled on the asphalt floor, picked the puppy and rolled onto the sidewalk just in time.

Gerald was behind me and he had a hand to his chest as he panted.

"Do not do that again. You scared every bit of sandwich I had for lunch off my belly" He joked and I giggled as I patted the head of the whining puppy.

It was whining because it had been scared but it had not been scared while it was running towards danger itself.

The owner had found us and he looked remorseful.

"I...I am so sorry. I thought I had it tied to the bench but.."

"Save your apologies. It could have been worse. Just make sure you look after it properly.

What's her name?" I asked after some more strokes to her head

"Petals!" He said. "Petals" I seconded before I released it to its owner.

It was when I was about to stand up that a sharp pain assaulted my right ankle and shot a jolt of pain to my brain that I realized I had sprained my ankle.

"Shit!" I said as I tried to leap but Gerald caught me just before I could fall back to the ground.

"Your fathers are going to have my head for this you know right?" He asked as he lifted me princess style.

"Stop joking. You know they adore you" I said, interlocking my fingers around his neck.

His facial expression ridiculed my words.

"Adore me enough to have my head on a spike. No thank you.

You could have just stayed in the car and I would have fetched it" He said as we headed back to my car.

He was coming home with me because he needed some books which I possessed for some research about a particular type of fish.

"I didn't have time to think. You cannot blame me"

"I do not blame you Serena. I'm just worried about you" He said and I smiled.

"You are such a gentleman. You will make a fine husband and father someday. I just know it " I said.

"Of course you do," He said and we laughed.

************************

Gerald drove all the way home and immediately he parked the car, he ran over to open the door for me and carry me.

"Ouch!" I yelped as his hand grazed my ankle.

He looked at my ankle and noticed a swelling.

"This isn't looking good!" He said as he hurried inside.

I knew that immediately we entered, my parents were going to lather us with questions we would not be able to answer at once and so I rested my head on Gerald's chest, in anticipation for the blast.

Today had actually been so exhausting because I had been doing everything at a relatively slower pace than I used to because thoughts of last night's dream kept finding its way into my head.

His hands...his lips...his grunts in my ear as I grounded on his fingers...

"Can I get an ice pack?" Gerald asked as the door opened. I was aware we were already in the living room and I tightened my eyes further.

'Here comes the array of questions...'

"Oh my GOD!" My mom exclaimed.

"What happened??!" Dad Massimo thundered.

"I'll go get the ice pack" My dad said - always the calm in the storm.

"Serena are you alright?" Mum Amelia asked.

I had expected these questions and the voices that asked them but what I had not expected was to hear a particular voice...so close to me, I could feel it, tell I have not thought so much about him that I am now delusional.

"Hand her over!" He ordered.

I quickly threw my eyes open to confirm my fear and suspicion and no, I wasn't going crazy.

Before me was Arsenio Vladmiro.

Looking grumpier than his normally grumpy face allows. Baby blue eyes, a Romania patterned kind of nose...those lips.

He was real...he is real.

"A lie..." I said, not knowing when the words left my lips but when his scowling lips turned to a smirk, I knew he had heard me.

"Hi Bellisomo " He said, using the nickname only he calls me and his bristly voice coating the air above me.

'Why is he here? Why is he back?!

I thought they said he would come sometime during the weekend?!

Oh no no no!

I'm not even prepared to see him... to play the sister part. My body is still...'

"Hi Arsenio," I responded.

"I'll take it from here dude. Thanks for bringing her home" Arsenio said to Gerald.

'I can't allow him to carry me. No, I can't have his hands...'

Gerald surrendered me to him after he had looked at Gerald like he could read his soul and has known every evil thing Gerald has thought of and every evil thing Gerald has done.

His familiar patchouli scent clouded my senses and I almost snuck closer to him just to revel in his peculiar scent that I have missed so badly.

His hand that was under my knee caused a zing sensation to travel from my knees to my core where he had...

'It was in a freaking dream Serena!' I chided my dirty thoughts and the irrational me.

Arsenio placed me on the couch and my dad came around with the ice pack.

He handed it to Arsenio who squatted before me and gently pulled away the sandal I had on.

"Still as clumsy as ever huh?!" He asked and I wanted to shove my foot into his mouth.

I ignored his question as I fed my eyes with the image of his dark hair being longer. He would soon need to pack it behind his head like Don Massimo.

'More sexy...more ravenous!

GOD help me!'