A/N: Thank you to Emoen for a review. Yeah, I studied a bit of French, so I might as well use it to good use. And since French is a Romantic language just like Italian, I thought it would be appropriate to have a French man since the Largos are Italian. And since Emoen was the only one to review, this chapter is dedicated to you! Guess who returns in this chapter? There's a bit of Shilo and Graverobber moment in here. There's some abuse on Luigi by Lina. And well, a bit of nice Pavi added as well. I'm so brilliant (just kidding). Hope the chapter looks good enough. I do apologize I wasn't able to update before New Year, but here is the chapter anyways. Have fun reading everyone!
Chapter Twenty-Five
The lack of response was something rare. Here, she was, Amber Sweet with all of her body and maybe glory, even Luigi and Pavi were surprised by her sudden visit. The sudden appearance of Amber Sweet shocked everyone that nobody had time to even react. Things didn't get any better when Amber Sweet announced something that made Lina and Luigi almost flip out. The only people present to meet Amber Sweet were Shilo, Lina, Pavi, and Luigi. Mia was upstairs in the room in pure concentration with her work. The children were being watched by Graverobber and Nate.
"Well, Wallace, I need you to take care of my two idiot brothers for two more months," Amber Sweet told Shilo. Shilo was stunned by the sudden announcement.
"I only promised one month, Amber Sweet. You can't just come up and suddenly announce this to me," Shilo said seriously. She was pretty reluctant in taking in the brothers as if this was some sort of daycare.
"What the fuck?" Luigi yelled pushing Shilo and Lina aside, so he would be in front of his sister. "When were you fucking going to tell us?"
The two female bodyguards were about ready to point their guns at Luigi, but Amber Sweet let out her hand, gesturing the bodyguards to stop their actions. And of course, they pulled away their guns and stood on guard like they usually were. Lina's lip curved upward on one side to show her distaste towards the two women.
"Well, you know now," Amber Sweet told him as if it was obvious. Amber Sweet seemed unfazed about everything and treated everything as nothing special. But to everyone else present (other than the two bodyguards); it was as if a cream pie suddenly hit their faces.
"At least give me an explanation for doing so," Shilo said with a sigh. She gave up before even trying arguing against Amber Sweet. Shilo held no power, so why resist and make things more complicated? Shilo knew it was going to be lose-lose situation from the get go. The Largos always had their way.
"Well, for one, I feel happier without their bickering for once. Two, they seem rather tame with you guys. There wasn't an ounce of bad publicity from them except for Luigi threatening inside a cafe. But other than that, they seem well off with you," Amber Sweet explained. Shilo lowered her head and rubbed her right temple.
"Once again, Amber Sweet abuses her power for her own needs," Shilo thought.
"All right. Two months and that's it. No more extending their stay in my house. Also, you must promise me you will not endanger me, the children, and everyone living in my house. No harm comes to the people I care about. This includes hiring someone or having someone else hiring someone to hurt or endanger them," Shilo told her, making a contract like she had done before.
Amber Sweet let out a grin and looking at Shilo with amusement.
"You learn pretty quickly, Wallace," Amber Sweet told her, "Fine. I will uphold my part of the bargain if you uphold yours."
She showed her hand for Shilo to take. Shilo looked over in reluctance before taking her hand as they shook on it, making the contract now valid.
Lina looked over at Pavi, who was smiling at her. She groaned at the realization that she had to take care of Pavi for two more months. Luigi seemed to have gestured physically in his actions at how much he dislikes it, but there was sense of relief in the way he looked. As for Shilo, she felt neutral to everything. She was just thankful the Largos didn't put her world upside down, though she knew not to be too hopeful about it.
When Amber Sweet left with her two bodyguards, relief finally etched on Shilo's face. She went back inside her house with the other three following behind her.
She felt tired. Facing Amber Sweet took a lot of effort from Shilo, and so she returned to her room. She was still not used to facing against power. Shilo had to admit she was still a weak lamb, but she found herself a little stronger than she had years before when she was still contained in the house by her father. A knock came upon the door to her room, and she gave the person permission to come inside.
The door was slightly open enough for Graverobber to stick his head in with a sly grin. Shilo couldn't help but smile back. She found him quite the comedic relief at times, though she regrets not to have realized that sooner when she first met him. But then again, he was a creepy fellow and a little abnormal at the time.
"Tired, Kid?" Graverobber asked, making his way inside and closed the door behind him. He made his way to Shilo and sat beside her. He snaked his arm around her stomach before he pulled her closer to him. He could smell the scent of flowers from her, and he thought the scent fits her very well.
"I am a bit," Shilo answered in a whisper, almost groaning at the warm embrace. She felt safe in his arms; though she knew Graverobber could leave her at any second. She knew he was one that can't be tied down or put on a leash. He was a lone wolf sort of guy, doing things he wanted to do. But for now, she etched this warm feeling inside her mind.
"I guess I won't tease you then. You deserve rest for the crap the Largo family put you through," Graverobber said before he started to stand up. Shilo immediately caught his hand and looked at him with yearning.
"Could you just stay with me? I mean for a moment?" Shilo asked. Graverobber smiled a sort of warm smile only he could give out.
"Sure, Lovebug," Graverobber told her before they lied on the bed and in each other's arms.
"Lovebug?" Shilo looked over at him questioningly. "Not going to call me, Kid?"
Graverobber chuckled and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead afterwards.
"If you want me to, I will," Graverobber told her. Shilo immediately shook her head in reply, giving another chance for Graverobber to chuckle.
"I'm good with Lovebug," Shilo reassured him, "But why call me that all of a sudden? Though I do vaguely remember you did call me by that pet name only once."
"Good memory you have there. And yeah, I found it inappropriate to call you Kid at a time like this," Graverobber said before he found his eye lids starting to get heavier. He yawned, making Shilo giggle from the tickling feeling of his breath on her neck.
"Have a good nap, Graverobber," Shilo whispered. Shilo could feel Graverobber smile against her neck.
"You too, Lovebug," he whispered back. Shilo smiled and slowly closed her eyes to let sleep take her.
Meanwhile, Lina had sat on the couch across from the Largo brothers. Mia was still busy in her room, which left Lina to handle the Largo brothers alone.
"I promise you guys I would give back your stuff in that one month I promised you, and I will. As for the weapons, it is a different story," Lina told them. Luigi and Pavi stayed quiet and let her finish like they were good children. Luigi, though, seemed rather impatient. "So I'm keeping the weapons until you leave and out of the house. I'm not giving any chances of some sort of sneak attack from you guys, especially you, loud mouth." Lina turned to look at Luigi with a warning glance. He sneered in reply.
"I've got no fucking choice, do I?" Luigi asked in a growl.
Lina shrugs her shoulders before she looked over to the side of the couch where a thin box and a bag laid on the ground. Lina rummaged through the bag first. She gave back Pavi his mirror while Luigi got back his gloves. She then opened the thin black box by unclasping the two metal latches while being careful as she did so as if the thing inside was fragile. There, she took out Pavi's stolen face. She handed back his face while Pavi widened in surprise his face was still in the same condition when Lina took it from him. Pavi held it carefully in his hands before Lina sat back down on her side of the couch.
"It was a hassle taking care of your stolen face. Be glad this box helped to preserve the face from rotting," Lina explained. Pavi looked up from his face to Lina. He gave a grateful look and smiled.
"The Pavi is greatly pleased the bella has taken care of the Pavi's face," Pavi said.
"Not really your face, face-stealer," Lina corrected him. Pavi frowned immediately when she continued to use the nickname. Before he could say anything, Lina interrupted him. "If you are asking me to call you by your name, I won't."
"But why?" Pavi said, groaning sadly and protruding his lower lip out to give a pouting effect.
Lina remain unfazed from his sad look. By that time, Mia came downstairs and into the living room with a rather aggravated expression written on her face. She looked over to Lina and Lina answered as if she knew what Mia was going to ask.
"The face-stealer and the loud mouth are staying here for two more months," Lina said. Mia frowned in an instant. She stared at the brothers and sighed. And for some reason, it caused Luigi to become angry.
"And what does that fucking mean, huh?" Luigi yelled at Mia. Mia eyed him questioningly at his sudden outburst against her.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Largo?" Mia asked.
"What was that fucking sigh supposed to mean? You don't want us to fucking stay or something?" Luigi yelled even louder, "I didn't want to fucking stay here either!"
Nate had to come out of the room and stared with a surprised look from Luigi's cursing. The children were able to hear it, and they had to cover their innocent ears immediately. Emma had to look over at Nate for help, in which he immediately replied with reassuring look that he would handle it. And so, Nate came out of the children's room and hope Luigi would stop if he asked. Before he could though, Lina met Nate's eyes before she stood up and slapped the back of Luigi's head. With even more rage, Luigi took Lina's wrist and started to tighten his grip on it.
"Fucking bitch, slap me again and I'll kill you!" Luigi yelled angrily.
Lina, without saying anything, immediately took her free hand and put pressure around his neck. She only used her thumb on one side of his neck while the forefinger and middle finger were on the other side. Luigi started gasping for air, and Lina looked quite relentless. Luigi let go of the hold on her wrist instantly and tried to slap away against her hold, though the pressure made the force rather very weak.
"I know pressure points that could kill a person instantly, Largo. Be glad I'm not using it on you," Lina said flatly before letting go. "Watch your mouth or else you won't have one to speak with."
Pavi, Luigi, and Nate were rather shocked at the cold expression Lina had on. With fear written on Luigi's face, he started backing away. He felt his heart race when he realized how powerful the woman in front of him could really be. In fact, she was the kind of person he had to watch out for. Pavi and Nate just watched in shock at Lina's scary expression. It was almost as if she was an evil person with that look on. Pavi gulped and felt shivers down his spine.
Mia shook with displeasure at how Lina poorly handled this situation. She knew the pressure Lina had on her shoulders, and she knew how spontaneous Lina's actions are from being under pressure. Mia also felt like snapping from the pressure on her side as well. But with a level-head, she knew better than to go on an angry rage. There was no time to play around anymore when there are evils lurking around the corners. Lina, Shilo, and Mia knew that. With the Largos staying here in extension, it has caused even more trouble and gave them more setbacks than any of the girls bargained for.
"I apologize for Lina's behavior. I hope both Mr. Largos could forgive her," Mia apologized. Lina growled.
"I can apologize for myself, Mia," Lina told her angrily. She then looked over at Luigi and Pavi. Her jaw clenched as if she was reluctant to apologize. "I'm sorry for putting my anger on you guys."
She tightened her fist as she said this. Apologizing was something that Lina was too prideful in doing, but she knew better than to let pride get in the way of everyone's safety.
"You better be," Luigi said in a rather stuck-up tone. Pavi looked over at his brother with dissatisfaction.
"Brother, please," Pavi warned from his lack of maturity. He then looked over at Lina with a sympathetic look. "Bella must be tired. Why doesn't the bella get some rest?"
Lina looked over at Pavi, her expression almost soft until she suddenly reverted back to being herself. She sighed and turned away from looking at him.
"I'm gonna go outside. I'll see you guys later," Lina said before leaving.
Pavi watched with worry. Though he was happy to stay a little longer, he felt his stomach lurching forward from the sudden change of her behavior. He realized as well the tired looks from Shilo, Mia, and Lina. There was something going on, but Pavi hoped it wasn't related to what they were trying to find out; because if they were involved, Pavi will have to betray them in order for him to maintain his status. After all, Pavi could never give up his luxurious lifestyle.