(Renata Pellegrini)
“È così che parli ai tuoi fratelli maggiori, Filippo?” - 'Is that how you talk to your older brothers, Filippo?' one of the men speaks, watching him, I notice his resemblance to Filippo. Although he looks much older, they have the same eye color and looking at this one, it made me remember the first day I saw Filippo in the company, his aura frightening.
I turn my eyes to the other man, force my brain to remember where I have seen him before, where I have seen this little guy before? Ah, I remember! He's the guy who was staying with Amanda in the club while Filippo and I were having our first kiss.
I don't think I can disguise my face of surprise and embarrassment at remembering him, as he diverts his attention from Filippo to me and smiles mischievously, sir how embarrassing!
“Ciao, bella ballerina!” - 'Hello, pretty dancer!" the guy who stayed with Amanda speaks, I feel as if my face is about to melt from so much shame.
I look away from my hand as I feel the grip of Filippo's hand getting stronger, it shows how uncomfortable it is.
'Did he not want me to meet his brothers?'- I wonder.
“È meglio che tu stia lontano da lei, Vicenzo!” - 'You'd better stay away from her, Vicenzo,' Filippo bristles angrily, looking at his brother.
“Ciao!” - 'Hello,' I speak trying to ease the tension.
“Parla italiano, Renata?” - 'Do you speak Italian, Renata,' the man who looks older asks me.
“Sí.” I answer. “How do you know my name?” I ask, has Filippo ever told his brothers about me? I smile inwardly at this hypothesis, and here I thought he was hiding me from his family, what a fool I was.
“We haven't introduced ourselves yet, I am Matteo, the older brother of that one.” He introduces himself smiling.
“Ah, so you are Mr. Matteo Valentini!” I speak surprised, I didn't imagine that this name belonged to Filippo's older brother.
“Where do you know each other from?” I can't decipher what is going through his mind, but his eyes are dark, but not the dark ones of excitement when we make love, his look is giving me fear.
“My teacher had told me to say this name to whoever was going to do my interview.” I speak slowly, controlling myself not to kick him in the shin and run away from his scary stare.
“Explain, Matteo.” Filippo turns his attention to Matteo, breathing a sigh of relief.
“I met Juliana, she was one of the women I spent time with when I traveled to Brazil, she asked me to help her find a job for her best student, that's all, brother, no need to be jealous.” Matteo explains.
Ah, so he is an ex-boyfriend of my teacher, how small this world is, but something tells me he is lying. I better leave it alone, I don't want to get into trouble.
“Where are you going?” The brother named Vicenzo asks, looking at the suitcases in our hands.
“Didn't you tell them we are moving?” I ask Filippo.
“I was going to tell him after we got used to the new house.” He answers after a few seconds of silence, but again, something inside me says that this is a lie.
The relief I felt is gone and I am struggling not to show how upset I am, only Filippo deserves to see my upset face.
“Hum, new house.” Vicenzo speaks, with a tone that hints that he is sending some subliminal message.
“You did not answer me, what are you doing here?” Filippo repeats the question he asked when he saw them.
“We have come for our cousin's wedding.” Matteo replies.
“Wouldn't it just be next week?” Filippo inquires.
“Changes of plans.” Now, Vicenzo answers by shrugging his shoulders.
“I understand, I will take Renata home, then we can talk.” Filippo speaks and begins to drag me.
I look at their brothers, Vicenzo seems to want to protest, but Matteo stops him.
“Don't you want to go with us?” I force Filippo to stop and turn towards them, Vicenzo smiles, and again, when he opens his mouth to speak, Matteo interrupts him.
“At another time, Renata, we will see each other again.” He answers, although he doesn't smile or make a friendly expression, his tone is not hostile.
“Okay, it was a pleasure to meet you.” Filippo doesn't prolong the farewell by pulling me out, he opens the car door for me. I roll my eyes, he wants so much to see me away from his brothers that even the car door is opening.
After he turns around and settles into the driver's seat, he presses the button that opens the automatic gate and we leave the house, Filippo's brothers wave their hands in greeting, I return the gesture smiling without showing my teeth.
The way to the new house is made in silence, millions of hypotheses arise in my mind, but none of them are good and all of them make my stomach churn and a few pangs of anger in my heart.
“What was that all about?” I ask as soon as we enter the house.
“Let's see how the inside of the house looks.” He tries to change the subject.
“Don't do that, that doesn't suit you, Mr. Filippo Valentini.” I say, crossing my arms and looking at him seriously.
“You didn't want me to meet your brothers, is that why you rushed me out of there? - I ask bluntly.” I remembered the phone call you received, from you saying that you thought it was better to stay in a hotel. Were those your brothers on the phone? Don't you dare lie to me. “I warn you.”
“Yes, they were my brothers on the line, and yes, I didn't want you to be under the same roof as Vicenzo.” He speaks to me looking into my eyes.
“Why?” I ask.
“Vicenzo is a womanizer, I…” His voice trembles, but he clears his throat and speaks firmly again. - I don't trust him around a beautiful woman, I know my brother.
“Do you think I would betray you with your brother?” I ask hurt, who does he think I am?
“No, I don't call ragazza, but I don't want to get into a situation where I have to get in a bad way with my brother, so I prefer to avoid situations. I don't want to have to choose between you or him.”
It's even acceptable for his explanation, I understand that he doesn't want to be without talking to his brother because he's hitting on me. The discomfort is still in my chest, I feel that he is lying to me, but as he looks me firmly in the eye, the little I know about life, people when they lie tend to act in a strange way, I, for example, can't face people and start blinking excessively.
“Right.” I give in.
I look around, seeing the beautiful work of the staff with the decorations of the house, the room is perfect, the black and white furniture is amazing.
“Come, let's go and see our room.” Filippo holds out his hand to me, and I stare at him for a few seconds. “Ragazza?” He calls for my attention, I take a deep breath and take his hand.