Chapter 5: MAMMAMIA

Chapter 5: MAMMAMIA

Like always, Uncle Romeo arrived at our place in a smooth onyx V-Series. The flawless metallic sheen made it seem like hed just rolled it out of a wash. Tinted shades on an already black car. Both me and Alex were on the stoop outside the house, playing the warning signal for Ma. But we had our own reasons to wait on the doorstep.

Romeo usually had gifts. Which Ma hated. Itd been two years since we last saw him, and he was sure to have something good.

Romeo slid out, wearing a simple navy suit tailored to fit well. Blessing the street with shoes worth more than half the people who regularly walked on them. His two sharp brown eyes ran over us than over the neighborhood as he closed the door to his V-Series. Romeo strode closer, gaunt but paradoxically confident to the supreme, the sun caught a glint of his gold watch at his wrist. Id never seen him in anything less than slacks and a dress shirt.

Guess working in finance had its perks.

A smile broke his harsh visage. Ah, my passerotti, you both are still driving your mother crazy, yes?

Well, yeah. Gotta keep her on her toes. I gave him a lopsided smirk, anticipation bubbling as he withdrew a hand from his back. Newspaper and duct tape wrapped our two presents. He didnt warn us, instead opting to casually chuck them at us. We scrambled.

Come, come. Open them! Before your mother sees.

I let Alex go first, he ripped apart the newspaper to reveal a pocket knife. He turned it over, mouth ajar. It was a nice metal piece, with a button press, the blade sprang outward. Serrated and four inches long. Alex immediately shoved the blade away, nervous eyes turning to the door. Ma was far too busy finishing dinner. He began to utter a quick thank you,' but Romeo put a finger to his own lips, giving a wink. Romeo nodded in my direction.

Did I get one too? A knife like that would be pretty handy if a fight went out of control. I yanked the newspaper free, tossing it in the yard. I expected to see a glint of steel, instead, inside was a jade bottle stoppered with a cork. I popped the cork. There was a single perfectly spherical pill within. Drugs? I tilted my head. The alchemical products Id seen on the street never came in such an elaborate bottle, Romeo wasn't exactly the type to push drugs.

He chuckled, reading my expression like a professional. Romeo closed the distance and leaned in for a whisper. Your mother says you have a Soul Seed, no?

I-yea, I do. I blinked. As far as I was aware, the two didnt talk much anymore. With Romeo always busy, and the fact that after my father died, they never seemed to leave a gathering happy with one another.

Romeo ruffled my hair, for once I was too distracted by the pill to break out my comb and yell at him for ruining my hard work. There will be a point you shall crack free from your shellyour Soul Seed will desire to sprout. This will be where you break past the first bottleneck. Take this once youve reached it, and youll reach the next stage stronger than you would otherwise. Beware, passerotto, this is not an easy path. And your heavenly tribulation will reflect that."

I stared. There was a loose idea of what he meant in my head. Id known other cultivators in the Brass Kings, those who could Manifest their Souls. Theyd broken through the first bottleneck, but nobody spelled out their experience to me, why would they?

The door swung open, and I shoved the jade bottle away. Ma looked at us all, her face a mixture of surprise and horror. Romeo! angry eyes turned to us. You two! Why didnt you say anything!? How long has your Uncle been out here! Come in, dinner will be done soon. Show Romeo to the table.

He gave us a wink and ruffled my hair again. Irritating the hell out of me, before walking into our house like he belonged there. I let Alex go firstbreaking out my comb to fix his damage.

After fixing the mess he made, I followed them inside. Our whole house reeked of oregano and garlic, a staple of almost all of Mas cooking. She, of course, picked a traditional meal for our uncle. Spending far too much on ingredients to impress. Even if it meant the next couple of days we'd be eating cereal with water. A pang of guilt hit me. If Id been a little less greedy maybe No, it was Tristans fault. He was the bastard who took what was mine.

He set an envelope on the table. Ma paused, tongs hovering over her plate and clutching linguine. She looked between Romeo and the envelope. He flicked the flap open, revealing a check. I couldnt see the number written on it, yet whatever it was caused Mas skin to go pale. She dropped the serving tongs, pasta flopping onto the table.

No.

Ancilla, take it. I want to help you and my nephews.

No. She said once more, her voice rising.

I will not be taking that check with me. Take it to the bank. Its a gift, yes?

I will not accept that kind of money, Romeo. Weve talked about this.

Romeo sighed, but still pushed the envelope towards her. Ma grimaced, then quicker than I could process or interject, grabbed the check. She held it firmly between her hands, ripping it in a sudden jerk, then she grabbed the torn pieces and shredded them further.

Silence reigned in the dining room

Eat. Enjoy the food I made, she said, throwing the scraps of paper on the ground. I slaved away in the kitchen for it. As if nothing happened, she retrieved the tongs to take a second stab at platting her pasta.

Whyd ya go and do that Ma!? How much did he try to give ya?!

Quiet, Luca. Eat your food. Please.

I glared, shoving myself up from the table and looking at the scraps of paper. Just what the hell was she thinking? I scrambled to collect the torn pieces, only to have a wooden spoon meet the back of my hands, her furious eyes burning into me.

Go to your room.

Our glares clashed, yet something lurked behind that anger of hers. Was that fear? I stopped. What the fuck was she afraid about?

Please, Luca.

I dropped the shreds of torn dreams. And took one last glance at Romeo who was busy turning pasta on his fork, seemingly content to let this moment slide. Fuck this! I shoved a big piece of delicious lobster meat in my mouth and gave the table one last scowl. Then I left out the front door, slamming it behind me.