Chapter 29-Birthday/Bad day 1
“There comes a time when you wished for something and it never happened. ”
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Giovanni POV
Before I left home for the birthday party. I had an odd feeling that something was bound to happen.
Something bad.
Throughout the drive towards the motel where Melody was staying, I continue to had the feeling that this party was going to result in something really bad. Ever since the fire incident five years ago, I have learned to be prepared in case I am been attacked again.
When the car stopped at the front of the motel, I called Melody to let her know that I was waiting for her. I had no idea why she was staying in a motel. The place was unsafe for her and if she wanted nice accommodation, she could have asked me and I would have gladly help.
While waiting for her, I told Dennis to be vigilant during the party because attacks might come from anywhere.
“Yes sir.” He agreed with everything I had told him.
Just then, Melody made her entrance from the motel towards the car. She was looking different and attractive and for the first time in five years, a new kind of attraction was awoken in me. IIt’snot like I haven’t dated during those times but with melody it was different. I was experiencing a feeling that made my heart skip with every step she took and made my hand tremble as if I had a convulsion.
What was happening to me?
Melody was doing something to me and I could not explain why I felt like that but all I know was how familiar It felt and how it creates a new kind of excitement.
When she got to the car and Dennis opened the car door for her to enter, I pretended to be on my phone to avoid her eyes.
She entered the car and didn’t say anything. Her presence was making my heart beat faster than usual and if I didn’t break the stupid feelings, I might have a heart attack.
“You are late,” I said to her. She looked up at me and our eyes met. We both stared at each other for a while and the connection lasted for some seconds until I decided to avert my eyes.
Her eyes were enchanting.
I saw her looking towards the other side without giving me a reply.
Finally.
I pretended to be on my phone and throughout the ride to my parent’s estate, there was total silence inside the car. When we neared my parent’s estate, I felt my hand trembled and it happens anytime I was scared or excited. My hand continues to shake and the phone in my hand dropped as I struggled to control my emotions.
Coming to my parent’s home awoke the past and the memories of my childhood which wasn’t pleasant at all. My head suddenly aches and it sent vibrations to my ears causing me to hold my head and scream out in pain.
“Haaaaaa,” I screamed.
Dennis quickly stopped the car and turned to face Me.
“Are you alright sir?” He asked but I couldn’t reply to her because I was in pain
Melody moved closer to me and touched my back. Her touch worked like magic and the headache left as if it wasn’t there.
“Are you alright sir?” She asked with her sweet angelic voice.
I looked up at her and didn’t respond to her question instead I felt at peace by her touch.
“Are you alright sir?” She asked yet again.
I cleared my throat and removed her hand from my back even though I was enjoying it.
“Don’t ever touch me again., I warned her and she quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry sir. I thought something was wrong with you.” She said.
I ignored her and ordered Dennis to continue driving.
I know I’m an asshole.
When Dennis drove through the gigantic black gate that leads to my parent’s estate, exhaled and inhaled. My parent’s estate was one of the largest and biggest places in Langose with 1000 acres of land. From the gate to the mansion takes about Ten minutes and that is because the estate was surrounded by a vineyard built by my grandfather who felt the land was too large to go to waste. The vineyard was passed on to my mother who produces one of the best red wines in the whole of Mecianda.
The mansion was built like a Royal family castle and at the front of the mansion was a waterfall where Lorenzo, Lucas, and I used to play as kids before everything changed. When we got to the front of the mansion, I closed my eyes and let all the fears I was dreading fade away. Dennis was quick to open the car door for me as I stepped out of the car.
I was met with total silence except for the maids who were walking in and out of the mansion. The birthday party was for my father and uncle because they were both twins but I was surprised when my mother didn’t throw a large party because she was known for that.
Two maids bow as melody and I made our entrance towards the mansion.
“Welcome young master. The madam awaits you.” The maids both said at the same time.
“There will be no need for that because I am here.” My mother made her appearance like she always did. She was dressed in an off-shoulder green dress that made her look like my elder sister. Her face was caked up with different makeup products that change her entire look making her look ten years younger than her age. My mother was a beautiful woman and her green eyes were so enchanting that it makes men winked at her whenever we go on outings back when I was a child.
“Giovanni!” My mother hugged me but I didn’t return her hug. “I’m so glad you are here.” She said and hugged me tighter but I didn’t move a bit. “Your father and the rest are waiting to see you.”
I could sense the excitement in her voice but I didn’t say anything instead I gently pushed her away. “I didn’t come here to mingle with anyone. I only came because you requested that I should. Don’t pretend like you cared mother. ” I told her and gently pushed her hands off me. My mother didn’t say anything instead she just smiled and looked behind me.
“You bought a girl?” She asked almost sounding as if she didn’t expect it and then moved towards Melody.
I looked behind me and saw melody hiding her face. It was as if she was avoiding my mother for a reason. Whatever the reason was, it wasn’t good because I could feel her trembling.
As my mother moved closer to her, Melody continues to tremble behind me. Before my mother could reach melody, I stopped her.
“She is no one mother. ” I told her. “Let her be.”
My mother smiled like she always did and pointed inside the mansion. “Come, they all await you and you too young lady.” She said and walked ahead of us.
When I saw that my mother was out of reach, I grabbed Melody’s hand and pulled her to a corner in the long hallway that leads to the sitting room.”Do you know my mother?” I asked her but she didn’t reply instead she looked down. “I am talking to you melody! Do you know my mother?” I asked again.
“I–i, ” she stuttered and I could sense the fear in her body language. She was shaking uncontrollably.
“What are you trying to hide melody?”
“I’m not trying to hide anything.” She defended but I knew she was lying.
“Can I please go back home?” She pleaded. ” I can’t be here.” She said.
“Why?” I asked her and when she didn’t reply, I didn’t bother to ask her any more questions but I gave her an instruction.
“Make sure you are beside me. I can’t grant your request but don’t leave my side.” I instructed and she nodded.
Whatever was making her scared was related to my mother and if she was acting this way who knows what she had passed through in the hands of my mother.
There was more to her knowing my mother.
We both entered the sitting room where I saw my father and uncle chatting happily as if they both like each other. The family sitting room was a large one. It has five brown leather couches and beside each couch was a mini table. The living room was designed by my mother and she has good taste in choosing the best household materials. A chandelier was hanged at the center of the living room and in every corner were flowers of different kinds. A flat TV screen was placed on the wall at the center of the living room. The walls were decorated with glasses and there were also grand stairs that lead to the upper floor.
“Giovanni,” I heard my father’s voice sounded. It was rough and low. “You are here,” he said.
I didn’t reply to him neither did I acknowledge his presence.
“Hey, my nephew!” My uncle walked up to me and tried to touch me but I stopped him before he could.
“Don’t touch me., I warned him but he didn’t heed ty warning as he went ahead to touch me. “I said don’t touch me!” I shouted at him.
He opened his mouth in surprise and look from my father to me. My mother quickly came over and apologized to him. “What are you doing Giovanni? Stop acting like this!” My mother scolded.
“Acting like what? You all should pretend like I am not here and go on with your party.” I told her.
“What’s your problem, Giovanni? This family is trying to come together again and you are trying to destroy it Like you always do. ” Lucas, my cousin whom I haven’t seen for years came forward to challenge me. He stood in front of me and we both stared at each other.
I didn’t even notice him inside the living room.
“Destroy?” I scoffed. “Your father and yourself destroyed this family because of your greediness. ” I retorted.
“The company was his before your father decided to steal it from him. ” Lucas said with pure hatred laced in his voice.
“Enough children!” Uncle Benjamin shouted. “We are here together as a family. Why don’t we try to act like a happy family.? Please,” he begged.
“Let’s try to get along.” My mother added.
I scoffed and didn’t say anything. My mother leads me to the dining hall where the rest of the family were seated. The rest of the family were my other aunty and her daughter Lydia. Lydia was the only person I get along with because she stood by me when I was facing troubles as a child. Beside her was my brother Lorenzo who seemed to be engrossed in a conversation with a lady opposite him. I had no idea who the lady was but she didn’t belong to our family.
I sat opposite Lucas while melody sat beside me with her head facing the ground and opposite my uncle. Melody didn’t look up and tried as much as possible to hide her face from everyone.
It seems she wasn’t hiding away from my mother alone. She was hiding away from my family.
“Now that everyone is here. Let’s start the party as a family.” My mother announced.
With the way my mother sounded, I knew there was more to this birthday and if it was something that would make me lose my cool then I was ready to.