A while back...
Erin's POV:
"VIN!"
Everyone shouted in chorus as Vin fainted in front of our eyes.
Laure felt slightly guilty and held back while looking at everyone. But she seems to be relaxed when no one blames her for running after Vin like a wildcat.
I was sitting on the floor while holding Vin's head a little bit up to support him. But he didn't respond. I should have known better when he told me that he felt dizzy. He didn't even eat or drink anything all day.
I looked up as everyone gathered around us making a circle above us and staring at the figure on the ground in awe. They seemed to be making sure if he's really unconscious or is it some kind of his stupid act.
"Back away. Give some space. He needs oxygen." As I said everyone took just one step back, idiots. That doesn't even make any difference.
Ignoring them all I looked for Rob who was already calling someone.
"Hello Dane? Make a U-turn. We have a situation. Bring the doctor back. Hurry up!"
After hanging up, Rob looked at me and nodded.
I rubbed Vin's good hand while waiting for the doctor to come back. I was quite worried while looking at his face. He looked tired. I can't believe he didn't even survive his first day of college.
I heard everything from Dane about Vin's classes. I was not surprised when he told me that Vin only watched movies the whole time in college.
Or should I say that I was surprised when he told me that Vin actually goes to one class. I was busy staring at his face. He looked so calm...
Suddenly a foot came into my vision. I looked up and third master Nero was trying to make young master Vin smell his foot. What the hell!
"Nero, what are you doing! Your foot is not smelly enough to wake him up." Leà said while grabbing his arm.
"In that case, let me try." Laure declared and started to remove her sleepers without any delay.
"Hey Laure, didn't I tell you enough about being a lady!" Master Enzo growled under his breath, looking quite done with her lunacy.
"Yeah, but you didn't mention anything about Vin being dead or my smelly slippers!" She started hopping towards Vin and me.
My mouth fell open but thanks to master Enzo's strong arms he held her back and made her sit on a chair forcefully.
"Let me try." Carl turned his neck left and right. I can hear the cracker sounds coming from his bones.
"No!"
"Master Valenti!"
"Carl don't!"
"Stay away from Vin!"
"We don't want him dead... not at the moment at least. Hahaha"
Everyone cried out loud together, making Carl roll his eyes. The last sentence came from Laure who was laughing while shaking master Enzo's hand back and forth. Master Enzo wanted to stop Carl but she held him back, intentionally.
Is it okay to hate your best friend sometimes?
I unconsciously held young master Vin's hand tightly, while giving a challenging look to Carl.
"Don't you even think about trying." I said in a low but forceful voice.
He watched me thoughtfully, then raised his hand in the air as if surrendering to me while backing off. He looked at everyone and just smirked. Happy with himself, for sure. When he sat back on a chair, everyone's shoulders dropped down comically. His mere presence made everyone tense up.
After watching him settle down, I let out a long breath that I didn't even realize I was holding.
"Rob, where's Dane?" I asked.
"He's on his way. Let me call him again."
"Please do."
"Any response from him?" Master Nero asked me while sounding bored.
He's your brother, damnit.
"No sir." I said shortly.
"That's it. I can't watch him like this anymore." In the blink of an eye, Laure came at the speed of lightning.
SLAP!
"LAURE!" Everyone exclaimed in horror.
She looked closely at Vin's face and looked quite disappointed when she didn't get any reaction from him. Only a bright red mark appears on his soft skin.
"Yeah, he's out." She declared finally. "I thought he's putting up a show." She grinned at me.
I just looked at her in disbelief. She came so fast that I couldn't even get the chance to react or shield Vin from her. I think because she's my best friend that my reflexes are not that strong near him.
Master Enzo rubbed his whole face in exasperation. I am sure he wanted to hit something. He's showing great patience by controlling himself.
"What a smart move!" Little master Nero smiled while sarcastically clapping his hands at his future sister-in-law.
Laure jumped up to kick him. She was still wearing only one slipper and kicked him with the naked foot, so the impact was not that great. That kick only caused him to laugh some more at her.
While watching his sister's silliness Leà giggled. In this hall only her teenage brain found all of this funny.
"At least someone else is trying." A chilled sarcastic voice hit my eardrum.
I looked up at Carl angrily, our eyes met. He tried to make an innocent face at me, but I know him better. Hell with his innocence! He's definitely trying to mess with me.
"What!" Carl held his chin up "I was talking to Leà. Right sweetie?"
Carl looked at his left side where little Leà was still giggling. After hearing her own name from Carl, she seems to forget how to breathe. Her face was showing shades of pink, red... Purple?
Watching her condition, little master Nero had to limp towards her. He lightly patted Lea's small back, which made her relaxed a bit.
Inhale~
Exhale~
She tried to look back at Carl but didn't dare to. Master Nero makes her sit on another chair. Frankly speaking he makes sure to sit her down quite far away from Carl.
Carl seems to enjoy all this. I had a sudden urge to hit the back of his head. If only I could snatch his stupid smirk from him and tie it to a rock before throwing it as far as I can... from above a high cliff into the river.
He caught me glaring at him and then he just... smiled.
Sigh!
I melted.
Damn him!
He's not that bad after all.
.
.
The doctor came and left.
After the doctor left. Rob, Dane and other guards carried the young master to his bedroom. Vin was still unconscious.
The reason why he fainted was exhaustion and fatigue. I can't believe he overdid himself.
Now he is lying on his bed unconscious while a needle is attached to the back of his good hand, and a thin tube is going all the way up to an IV bottle.
We didn't realize that his condition was this serious. I'm not being sarcastic, it's just true.
Young master Vin is an energetic creature. Even the best guards can't compete against his activeness. He can run around all day screaming, shouting, throwing tantrums and kicks, or simply watching movies or singing karaoke without getting tired. He doesn't even sweat.
"What exactly did he do in college to end up like this?" Third master Nero asked, looking serious for once. Both Rob and Dane looked down.
I think I know the reason, Vin definitely ordered them pre hand to shut their mouths up.
After looking at their reactions, the little master decided to let it go, he didn't ask any further questions after that.
"Robert, come to my office later, I want to talk to you." Master Enzo said while looking at the sleeping Vin.
"Yes master." Rob said shortly.
Both Rob and Dane left the room.
"I see... he's breathing fine. Let's go Enzo." Laure looked at Vin from head to toe then decided to leave too. Before leaving she patted my shoulder a little. I just smile at her. I know she's worried about Vin too. But she never knows how to show affection towards her family and friends.
Little master Nero took Lea's hand and left without saying anything. Not that it matters anyway.
Now only me and the young master are left in this huge room. I sat near his pillow on the bed. I don't want to imagine his reaction after waking up and seeing a freaking needle attached to his hand.
I took a deep breath - in and out.
There's still a faint red mark on his face, thanks to madam Laure. If Vin became aware of the slap. He would not leave her alone until he took his revenge. That would be a great headache for everyone.
I didn't realize that I was smiling till I heard a voice, I stopped smiling at once.
"Erin..."
Even though I heard him, I didn't look at his face. I have to be strong.
"If you're here to take me... I'm not leaving."
Carl stood on the doorstep but didn't say anything. Then he walked towards me. I held my breath a little. Please don't force me. Please don't force me...
He placed his hand over my shoulder.
"How's he doing?"
"Huh?" I looked at him surprised.
"Is he doing fine?"
Wow well, that was unexpected. Carl was asking for Vin's well being!
I had a sudden urge to place my hand on his forehead to check if he had a fever or not.
"Don't look at me like that. I know you want to stay with him." He tried to smile.
"Only because he's..." I started to explain, in case this psycho guy feels jealous or something.
"I know, Erin." He didn't let me finish. Well, if he knows then I don't have to explain myself.
He took his hand away from my shoulder leaving his heat behind. He then left the room, leaving me with Vin.
____
Carl's POV:
I came outside just to take some air. I am trying...
I took a deep breath filling the fresh air in my lungs.
I'm trying to fit in… for Erin. I know how important the crazy cousin is in her life. She's close to the people in Lucchese famiglia. She's even friends with the people who work here.
Damnit!
I kicked a pebble for no reason. I rubbed my temple for a few seconds just to calm myself down. Then I finger combed my hair. Now I feel better. I was wandering in the garden area when I saw a tall figure.
"Hey Dane!" I walked towards him.
Maybe I startled him because he shouted in a manly voice while rubbing his chest where his heart was supposed to be.
Seriously!? I didn't even do anything this time.
"Am I disturbing you?" I tried to be polite for once.
"Nnnn...no mas... Master Ca… Valenti." He was stuttering in his deep voice. I felt annoyed as he didn't even know how to address me.
If he continued to talk like this... Well it's definitely gonna take longer.
Patience Carl patience.
He is Erin's friend so you can't flip on him.
"I wanted to talk to you."
"Mmmm.... me!" His eyes widened in shock as if I was holding a gun to his head.
"About this morning, did you talk to Robert about the...girl?" I tried not to narrow my eyes. Erin said when I did that people got nervous.
"Nnn... not yet." He awkwardly looked at me as if contemplating if he made the mistake or not.
"Did you see her again? After Erin and I left."
"Nnn...no mas... Sir."
"Has my cousin mentioned about her…? To any one of you?"
"Not at all. I even waited for him to ask Rob about spying on her. But strangely he didn't even mention her."
So he can speak normally... Maybe he just gets nervous around me.
"Really?" I was a little amused to know that.
Has my crazy cousin tried to hide her? From his bodyguards... and family? Should I talk to Erin about this?
"Wh... What do you want me to do now?"
I was slightly surprised to hear that. "Are you going to do as I asked?" I can't help but ask.
He was silent for a good minute. Maybe trying to... decide.
"Yes Sir.. Mr. Valenti!" He said in resolution without any stutter.
A guy who thinks before speaking... I like him. A smile appeared on my face.
"Did I say something wrong?" He asked nervously.
"Not that I noticed." I tilted my face a little. "...but I would like to know why."
"Pardon?"
"Why would you take my orders?"
"With all respect, I'm not taking orders from you." I raised an eyebrow "It's just that... Erin is like a sister to me. And you both are together now… so in a way you are part of our family too. I respect you but I care more about her. You can ask for my assistance anytime. Well not just me Rob's too. He has the same thoughts as me, right Rob?"
I heard light footsteps behind me. Robert? When did he come? I didn't notice him coming at all. Impressive!
"What were you doing there?" I inquired out of habit.
"Giving you both some space." Rob always uses listed and selective words. And I like that about him.
Erin told me once that he talks more in their chat group. His sentences are longer when he texts. Weird guy!
"I'm glad to know what you think of me Dane." Should I confess or not?
"Truth is Erin talks about you guys all the time... a lot actually. To the extent that it gives me a headache." Dane smiled and Rob set his spectacles a little.
"And from what I've heard from her, you both are really good and skilled. What I observed personally was that you are both nice to her. Even now... when she becomes a part of my family. And that makes me happy."
I gave them both a moment to register what I just confessed.
"Thank you boys." I smiled at them, trying my best to be friendly. And they just stared at me to the point that almost made me self-conscious. They're as weird as my Erin. No wonder they are friends.
"Alright now let's talk business." I brought them out of their trances. They both composed themselves at once.
"Rob, you can ask Dane for the details later. Let's cut to the point. We saw Vin with a girl." Rob's eyes widen for just a fraction of a second. Dane just nodded confirming what I just said.
"And my first cousin seems to be interested in her. Rob, I want you to check her background." He nodded after getting my point.
"Do we need to follow her around after college?" Dane asked.
"Not necessarily. But Rob, I'll let you know the name and her major later. Dane has already seen her today so he can provide you some pictures of her. After that you can do your thing. Hack into the college system and get her information."
Rob just nodded without questioning anything. This guy's like a robot. A nerd robot.
"One more thing... don't tell anyone about this."
"What about Erin?" Dane asked, lowering his voice.
"As if you wouldn't tell her..." I said, making him choke on air. I glanced at Rob. Did he just roll his eyes?
"But seriously we wouldn't want to cause any problems for...the girl. We just wanted to know about her basic details. Check if she's from the family of our competitors or enemies. Check if someone asked her to approach Vin on purpose. I hope you get my point cause I don't want to imagine anything worse. But it's best to be careful."
"Who are we?" Rob asked for the first time, making me stop a little. Dane elbowed his side.
"Only Erin and I... and Dane. But now I'm including you too. Right Dane?" I smirked.
"Yes Mr. Valenti." He nodded signaling Rob something.
"We need to find out about her before anyone else takes notice. Erin and I can do that alone but you guys are also close to Vin and care about him."
"Wh...what if she's from the enemy's side?" Dane asked dramatically.
"We'll inform the capo…Enzo immediately and also let Vin know about her."
"What if she's clear?" Rob asked calmly.
"We'll leave her alone.... But if my crazy cousin manages to bring her inside our world... then we'll protect her. After all, the heart of the first born of Lucchese is important and worth protecting. Right?"
I smiled at the thought of my crazy cousin with someone.
****