Page 16 of Veil of the Past
I lean against the booth’s couch, my jaw tightening. Tension rises between us, the air thickening. “Because,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, “you don’t want to go. You just said it yourself. So, why waste your time?”
She crosses her arms, a stubborn look in her eyes. “Why do you care so much, Romiro? It’s just a date. You don’t get to decide who I see ordon’tsee.”
I feel something twist in my chest, frustration bubbling up. “I care because you’re my friend, Alessia. And I know you. You’re just doing this to make them happy, not because it’s something you want.”
She tilts her head, studying me like she’s trying to read between the lines. “Is that all this is, Romiro? Just you looking out for a friend?” I don’t answer right away. The tension is crackling now, like electricity in the air before a storm. Her eyes search mine, looking for something, but I’m not sure what. Finally, she sighs, shaking her head. “You’re being ridiculous,” she says, but her voice is softer, almost uncertain. “It’s just one date.”
I feel a tightness in my chest, and I say, “I’m warning you Alessia, if you go through with this ‘date’, you won’t like the outcome.”
She looks at me for a long moment, like she’s trying to figure me out, and then she nods, her expression guarded. “I will do what I want Romiro. You don’t get to dictate whatIdo,” she says. Grinding my teeth, I hold back from shattering the boundary that’s been set between us for years. Yesterday’s awkward mishap only reinforced them. We fall into a tense silence, the air between us heavy with unspoken words. I glance around the diner, at the old photos on the wall, the flickering lights, and the waitress who keeps glancing over like she senses the strain between us. Alessia finally stands, grabbing her phone. “I should go,” she says, her voice tight. “I’ve got an early shift tomorrow.”
I nod, sliding out of the booth after her. “Yeah, okay,” I say, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Take care, Allie.”
She hesitates for a moment like she wants to say something more, but then she just nods. “You too, Rom.”
She turns and walks toward the door, and I watch her go, feeling a strange hollowness settle in my chest. The bell above the door chimes as she leaves, but I stay in place, in our little booth, staring at the empty seat across from me. I know I’ve crossed a line tonight, but damn it, I meant every word. somehow, I know this isn’t the end of whatever just started between us.
* * *
The street is bustling,people moving in and out of buildings like ants on a mission. I’m leaning against my car, parked next to a white scooter that’s seen better days. I’m waiting for Eli, who’s running late as usual, and tapping my foot impatiently on the cobblestones. The late afternoon sun dips behind the clouds, casting long shadows across the square, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafts out from the restaurant nearby. I take a drag of my cigarette, watching the smoke curl up into the air, letting the familiar bitterness settle in my chest.
I’m supposed to be keeping an eye on a few transactions today, making sure everything goes smoothly, something that’s part of the job. But my mind isn’t on the job. It’s on Alessia and the way she looked at me last night. That look that was part confusion, part something else—something I can’t quite figure out. I keep playing our conversation over and over in my head, like a broken record, trying to make sense of it. Trying to figure out if she got the message I was sending.
I flick the cigarette to the ground, grinding it out with my heel, just as Eli finally comes into view. He’s got that cocky grin on his face, the one that says he’s in a good mood, which probably means he’s going to annoy the hell out of me today.
“Hey, Romiro,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “Sorry, I’m late. Got caught up with Val.”
I grunt, not really in the mood for his excuses. “Yeah, whatever. Let’s get this done.”
He leans against the car next to me, pulling out his own pack of cigarettes. “You seem tense,” he says, lighting up, amused. “Something on your mind?”
I don’t answer right away, just glance at him, trying to decide if I want to get into it. but Eli’s always been nosy, he doesn’t need much encouragement to start talking.
“Had to drop off Val at Alessia’s apartment,” he continues, exhaling smoke. “She asked Val to help her get ready for some date.”
His words stop me cold. I turn to him slowly, my jaw tightening. “What did you just say?”
He looks at me, cautious by the edge in my voice. “Yeah, Valentina was helping Alessia get ready for a date. She also wanted me to tell you, that you don’t need to pick her up from the hospital tomorrow morning.”
My chest feels tight, and I feel the slow burn of anger starting to build, creeping up my spine like a fire. “Who’s the guy?” I ask, my voice low, dangerous.
Eli shrugs. “I don’t know, some guy my aunt set her up with. I didn’t get the details. Val just said she looked really nice, all dressed up and everything.”
I nod, my teeth clenched so tight I can feel my jaw ache. I told her not to go. I fucking told her.
I push myself off the car, pacing a few steps, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. Emiliano watches me, his eyes narrowed. “What’s your problem, Romiro? It’s just a date. Why do you care so much?”
I don’t answer. I can’t. The words are stuck in my throat, tangled with the frustration and anger bubbling up inside me. I don’t care if it’s just a date. I care that she didn’t listen to what I said.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but it’s not working. “She’s going on a fucking date,” I mutter, mostly to myself.
Eli raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, so? What’s the big deal? She’s a grown woman. She can do what she wants.”
I glare at him, and he tilts his head, realizing he’s hit a nerve. “You don’t get it,” I snap. “I told her not to go.”
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Why the hell would you do that? Are you trying to keep her on a leash or something?”
“I’m heading off, I have something to deal with.” I shove past him, not wanting to hear any more of his bullshit. I don’t need a lecture from him, not right now. I stalk down the street, my footsteps heavy. My heart is pounding in my chest like a drum against my ribs, fighting to get out. People glance at me as I pass, clearly sensing the tension radiating off me, the fury I’m barely holding back.
