CHAPTER 100: THE LIST

Salvatore caught the interaction that lasted but a few seconds.

His mind traveled back to what Valentina said the previous night.

He started to fix the pieces together, when Vittorio dropped to the seat next to him, startling him.

"Really?" He looked up at him.

"What are you talking about, Salva? Do you already have a problem this morning?"

"When do I never have a problem? Look around, the world is full of problems. We all have problems right?" He looked around the table for support.

"I agree with Salvatore actually," Daniela said just as Natalia took the empty seat beside her. "My problem happens to be very close too," she continued, stabbing her veggies with her fork.

"Good morning Daniela. It’s so good to see you," Natalia said to Daniela, as Sonia served her food.

Daniela took a deep breath that would enable her to put out the best act of her entire life, before turning to Natalia.

"You look so beautiful, Natty. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other." She forced a smile.

Natalia’s eyes lit up. "You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to see you. I’m so glad you’re fine." She brushed her hair like how only an elder sister would.

Daniela felt repulsed deep inside, but kept her forced smile outwards.

"Yeah, aren’t we all?" She turned her eyes back to her plate to avoid going into more conversations with Natalia.

Luciano picked apart all of the body language even though he pretended he wasn’t noticing.

"How are you Natalia?" He asked out of the blue.

Natalia’s hands that had just picked up the spoon froze, as her heart jiggled.

"I’m– I’m fine," she stuttered.

"Good. I want you to feel free, okay?"

Natalia could not believe those words were coming from Luciano.

"Okay. Thanks." She returned her eyes swiftly back to her plate.

Aurora was another person who absolutely couldn’t believe it.

First she was sharing the little attention she got from Vittorio with her, and now her own brother suddenly cared about her?

She began to play with her food, having lost interest in it.

Vittorio watched her from his seated position, albeit discreetly.

Aurora had always had a bad relationship with food.

When she felt great, she could binge eat a whole bag of food. But when she didn’t, she starved herself for days.

Her eyes lifted because for a moment there, she felt as if someone was looking at her.

Aurora caught his gaze before they shifted away.

"At least he looked at me for once," she thought as a consolation to herself.

The conversations in the dining room were getting even more interesting, when the main entrance door opened.

"Good morning fam!" Elio announced, as he walked into the room, grinning from ear to ear, with a notepad dangling in his hand..

"Where have you been?" Luciano was quick to ask.

He paused at the center of the room, and straightened his shoulders.

Everyone looked at him.

Elio cleared his throat. "I just came out of Valentina’s room."

"She even has a room now?" Daniela hissed loudly.

"Is she okay?" Natalia asked right after, concern heavy in her voice.

"Uhmmm– that’s actually a very good question, Natty. I guess it depends on one’s definition of okay. I mean I don’t know. Maybe when I read the list, you can decide if she is or isn’t."

"A list?!" Natalia’s heart thundered as she panicked. "What list? Did Valentina write the list herself?"

"Chill out, Natalia. Why are you so scared?" Daniela questioned, disgust dripping out of every syllable.

"I’m sorry. I just– please go ahead," she said to Elio.

Luciano had tried to tune out at the mention of Valentina, but for some reason, all he could do was listen attentively.

It didn’t help that Elio’s eyes were directly on him.

"Why are you staring at me, agnello?" He asked.

"Because this list is going to be sponsored by you?"

"Oh I dare that bitch to ask anything from my man," Daniela charged.

"Well, there’s already a list. So can I read it?" Elio asked.

"What kind of list?" Luciano leaned to the side, his eyes pointed and intense.

Elio cleared his throat. "A female one for a female condition."

They all exchanged looks immediately. The men leaned back and began to react one after the other.

Marcello whistled.

"Oh," Vittorio muttered.

"Ohhh," Salvatore agreed, with more passion.

Chris chuckled lightly. He already knew where this was going, and he couldn’t wait to see the outcome.

"And you have to read this list at breakfast?" Daniela continued on the attack.

"Well yeah?" Elio responded. "If Luce approves of course."

Daniela shot daggers at him, daring him.

He shrugged her off. She wasn’t going to tell him what to do or not to do.

"Let’s vote. If you want to hear about this list, hands up."

Everyone’s hands, except Daniela and Natalia, lifted.

Even Sonia, who was only there to serve, lifted her hand.

"The majority says yes. Proceed Elio."

"You’re all disgusting!" Daniela rose to her feet, ready to leave, but Elio’s first words stopped her.

"Item one, pads! Soft, cotton, with wings."

Marcello choked on his water.

Salvatore’s forehead creased, as he whispered in a stutter. "W–with wings?"

Aurora giggled. "Oh she’s funny for being so specific," she said, enjoying this more than she imagined she would.

Daniela gave her a disappointed look, but she shrugged it off. "It’s funny," she mouthed.

Elio proceeded.

"Item two, Ice. Lots of ice. Preferably, a flask of it."

"What does she need ice for?" Luciano questioned cluelessly.

"For her belly?" Elio replied as if they were all supposed to know this very common thing.

They all nodded in accord, as if yes, it made perfect sense.

"Item three, heated pads–for her belly too, of course."

"Does this make any sense?" Vittorio, who had been quietly listening, commented.

"It’s the contradiction she craves, Signor," Elio explained.

"Yeah, I feel her on that one too," Aurora said.

"This is bullshit," Daniela muttered under her breath, as Elio continued.

"Item four!" His lips quivered, and they all knew at once it was going to be something crazy. "Pan-ties! Cute, full, and very comfortable ones. She picked specific colours too, but there’s no need mentioning those right?"

"Colours are where you draw the line?" Salvatore chuckled in complete amusement.

Elio shrugged, and continued.

"Item five!" His voice rang high to emphasize how important this was on the list. "All kinds of snacks. Sweet, savory, crunchy, salty and soft. She specifically swears that if this one isn’t met, she could die."

"That’s fine by me," Daniela said.

Elio ignored her and continued.

"And last one on this list is a laptop filled with emotional telenovelas so she can picture herself as the heroine being put through hell, and cry her eyes out," he read the specific quote from her.

Complete silence descended the room.

The men exchanged glances. This was perhaps the craziest thing they had ever heard.

"It’s a way to trick the brain into forgetting the pain. She does it all the time back in the States and it actually works. Val has very painful cramps," Natalia found herself explaining to the shocked faces of the men.

Now they looked at her like she was as crazy as Valentina.

"Oh I forgot to mention. This wasn’t on the list but she did say she wouldn’t mind new dresses too. All this to be funded directly from your pockets, Luce. I offered to pay, but she insists it must come from you because you’re the reason she’s still stuck here in Neravalle."

"She can go to hell. My man is not paying a dime for anything that concerns that thief!"

"Daniela, she isn’t—"

"Just shut up Natalia! I don’t care about you defending your friend!"

Natalia pinned her lips shut, as her shoulders fell.

Chris turned to Luciano. "You’re not going to encourage this bullshit right? She has no right to demand that much from you."

"I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you Chris!" Daniel agreed with him.

Everyone’s gaze moved to the LuceNera now, as they waited upon his decision.