The family finished their meal in relative silence, the earlier cheer now dimmed by an undercurrent of unease. Celestia sat on Alessandro's lap the whole time, nibbling at her pizza with half-hearted interest. Every now and then, her gaze darted toward the crowd, searching for the strange man.
Riccardo stood and signaled to the waiter. "Let's wrap this up," he said, his tone decisive. "We're not taking any chances."
Clemente looked over at Celestia. "Sweetheart, how about we skip the play zone for today? We can come back another time, just you and me."
Celestia didn't protest. She simply nodded, resting her head against Alessandro's chest. "Okay," she whispered.
As they made their way toward the elevator, the brothers instinctively formed a loose circle around Alessandro and Celestia. Riccardo and Domenico took the rear, alert and scanning the surroundings, while Marcello and Clemente flanked them on either side.
Damian walked ahead, his hand in his pocket, fingers brushing against the handle of the small pocket knife he always carried-not that he expected to need it, but the weight of it was reassuring.
The elevator arrived, and they quickly stepped in. The mirrored walls made it easier to keep watch in every direction. As the doors closed, Alessandro glanced down at Celestia.
"You're safe, baby," he said quietly. "We've got you."
Celestia didn't answer. Her eyes were still wide, but she gave a tiny nod.
Once they reached the parking level, Riccardo ordered the bodyguard, "Get the car. We'll wait near the corner entrance."
The bodyguard followed the order and went ahead to bring the car while the rest went to the corner entrance with other bodyguards behind them carrying their shopping bags.
As they waited, footsteps echoed across the parking area-normal enough, but Riccardo's instincts twitched. He turned his head sharply. A man in a maintenance uniform with a cap pulled low was sweeping the floor nearby. He seemed harmless, but he was sweeping the same area repeatedly.
Riccardo's brows furrowed. "Marcello," he murmured, nodding subtly in the man's direction.
Marcello casually turned and looked, then leaned closer to Riccardo. "He's either the most dedicated janitor in the city... or he's watching us."
Before they could do anything more, the bodyguard pulled up with their cars. The doors opened in an instant-Alessandro slipped in with Celestia, while the others quickly followed.
As the lines of car pulled out of the parking lot, Riccardo looked back. The man had stopped sweeping. He stood there, watching them leave.
~~~~
The car doors shut softly as the sun dipped behind the hills, casting a golden hue over the villa. The brothers stepped out one by one, shopping bags in hand, bodyguards behind them, balancing toys, clothes, and way too many packets of strawberry marshmallows-thanks to Celestia's very successful puppy-eyes strategy.
Celestia skipped up the steps with Alessandro and Clemente flanking her, her little hands tucked into theirs.
But the atmosphere was tense.
Inside, the house was warm and glowing. The living room buzzed with comfort-the soft hum of the television, the clink of glasses being set on the side table, the quiet rustle of the staff placing away bags. The long couches were quickly occupied-
Celestia, now a little more relaxed, was curled up in the giant two seater armchair in the living room, holding her new wooden horse. Alessandro sat beside her, his arm resting protectively around her shoulders.
Marcello paced the floor, while Damian leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
Riccardo stood near the window, phone in hand. "I've asked for the mall's CCTV feed. Arthur has connections there. We'll know who that guy was."
Domenico walked in, having changed into more casual clothes, but his expression was far from relaxed. "Security on the villa has been doubled. Nobody gets in or out without clearance."
Celestia, despite her usual bubbly nature, seemed quieter today, her leg still bandaged from the incident days ago. It had been healing remarkably fast, something that was still a point of concern for Clemente, who had insisted on taking her for a full medical check-up the following day.
~~~~
Dinner was served soon after-a warm, inviting spread of dishes everyone loved. As they gathered around the table, Celestia gingerly sat down, her bandaged leg propped up on an extra cushion. Its a lot better than before.
"I'm taking Celestia to the hospital tomorrow for a full check-up," Clemente said, looking at everyone across the table. "Just some routine tests-growth, health scans, and to check how her leg is healing."
"Routine?" Marcello echoed with a raised eyebrow. "You're worried."
Clemente nodded, his tone serious. "I'm not sure why her leg healed so quickly. There's no way it should have been that fast, given the extent of the injury. I need to understand why."
Celestia's gaze dropped to her plate. She hadn't said much, but everyone could sense the quiet tension in the air.
"Celie," Clemente spoke softly, his voice trying to ease the unease, "it's just a check-up, alright? Nothing to worry about."
She nodded but didn't speak. Her fingers played with her food, pushing a few pieces around her plate. The others knew better than to press her for conversation when she wasn't ready. Dinner continued, but a subtle silence lingered in the room, a stark contrast to the usual jovial chatter.
Suddenly, Celestia looked up, breaking the quiet with a smile tugging at her lips.
"You know what?" she said in her soft, sweet voice,
"I gonna tell the doctor... I need choco pudding every night. Then I get all better super fast!"
Clemente chuckled, though his gaze stayed fixed on her, gentle but watchful.
"No more sugar until after the tests, little miss," he said, raising an eyebrow.
She puffed her cheeks, clearly trying to be dramatic.
"But pudding is medicine," she argued with a pout. "It makes my tummy smile!"
Her brothers exchanged glances, soft smiles on their faces. Even if her voice was playful, something quieter lingered behind her words.
While she reached for the bread her small hand knocked into her glass, and with a soft clink, it tipped over. Water spilled across the table and dripped onto Alessandro's sleeve. The cold shock made him flinch slightly.
"Oh no!" Celestia gasped, her big eyes widening in horror. "I- I didn't mean to! I sowwy!" she cried out, climbing down from her chair a little and tugging at the napkin with her tiny fingers. "I clean! I clean!"
Her lower lip quivered as she gently dabbed at Alessandro's sleeve with the napkin, the guilt written all over her little face. "I didn't do on purpose! Please don't be mad..."
Alessandro looked down at her-those teary eyes, her small hands desperately trying to fix her mistake-and his stern face immediately softened.
"Hey, hey... dolcezza," he said, crouching beside her and gently cupping her cheek, "I'm not mad. It's just water. You're okay."
"But I make mess..." she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper as she clutched the napkin like a child clutching a stuffed toy.
"I was good girl all day..."
"You are a good girl," Clemente said firmly, joining them. He knelt beside her and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
"Accidents happen, cucciola. We know you didn't mean it."
Matteo reached over from his chair with a chuckle, "You should have seen what Alessandro did when he was five. He spilled tomato soup all over my new white suit in a party."
Celestia's teary face blinked. "Reawwy?"
"Really," Matteo nodded, giving Alessandro a knowing smirk.
That made her giggle a little, her shoulders relaxing. "That's funny," she said, rubbing her eyes.
Marcello leaned over and added dramatically, "And this arrogant ass didn't feel one bit sorry!"
"Language! And you deserved that because you were stuck to me like a koala," Alessandro muttered.
Celestia's laughter bubbled out, sweet and genuine. "Sowwy again," she whispered to Alessandro, reaching up for a small hug.
He lifted her into his arms easily and sat her back in her chair. "It's alright, princess. Just don't knock over my coffee next time."
"I pwomise!" she said with a big nod and a sniffle, smiling shyly.
The rest of dinner passed with quiet smiles, and though the room never returned to full cheer, that small moment-so typical of a five-year-old, so full of innocence and worry-reminded them all just how delicate and endearing Celestia truly was.
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Please do answer. It's fun and engaging
1. Celestia's secret to healing = chocolate pudding. What's your secret superpower food or snack?
2. If Clemente became a cartoon doctor, what would his superhero doctor name be?
3. Which brother would win a "best babysitter" award and why?
4. What do you think Celestia dreams about after such a cozy evening with her big family? ๐๐งธ
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