a high

Unknown

Delicious sounds danced their way into my ear, touching every corner of the studio and giving me a high. That was one reason psychedelic rock was my favorite. It was a safe drug. I didn't have to worry about any health problems or the police.

Apart from my sweet, juicy music, a nice warm male voice streamed from the laptop on the table. I was at a point in my life where I questioned my sexuality. I'd thought I was straight; however, a lot made it seem otherwise. A lot like now when I cherished the voice I heard. It was deep, strong, an epitome of masculinity…

Okay, I wouldn't fool myself any more. I wasn't attracted to the voice, but the message that was delivered instead. It, together with my hallucinatory music put me on top of the world.

"Flight 224JF of Gaspare Moreno Airway suffered a bomb attack this afternoon. The flight which was destined for Bangkok was the target for a suicide bomber. Many are feared dead; others in critical condition. Cherry Hilton joins us live from Canberra…"

My lips spread out in a handsome smile as the news report continued. This was life. Beauty in its true essence.

Breathing in, I peeled open my eyes and changed from a toothy grin to a smirk. Though my eyes were at the ceiling, I lived deep inside my head, imagining the best for myself and the absolute worst for particular persons.

The Moreno fools.

"Mm," I moaned. Their cries. They sounded like psychedelic rock, and as such relaxed every jaded bone in me. Gosh, I'd never felt this happy. Not even when Father had died.

I could taste their tears. Salty and delicious. Anguish heavy in them.

"So fucking awesome." I hit the globe on the table, spinning it around; then stood to my feet. I grabbed a tub of ice-cream from the fridge and started blessing my taste buds. Interestingly, I didn't moan. Being a green snake in the grass had taught me how to control my emotions.

I imagined standing on a balcony at the piazza beside Central Temple. Most of Florence was there. Those who couldn't make it stayed at the comfort of their homes, watching the event live on HD—all thanks to the news-hungry press huddled in a corner.

I was dressed in royal robes. A huge crown on my head; a scepter and a globe on my hands. Yeah, like the way the moon goddess was sometimes depicted.

I mouthed an order, "Get them."

The guards obeyed, and moments later, the condemned were forced in to stand before me. A smirk itched to come to the surface as I thought: these are the fools that used to rule Florence. The so-called oldest pack in Central Italy.

"Well, well, well, who do we have here? If it isn't Alpha Moreno and his gorgeous duo." That was cringy, I knew. But I couldn't help it.

I purposely ignored Vincenzo and focused on his parents. The "alpha" especially. As for Vincenzo, I would have a private conversation with him later. In a better location.

I left the balcony and got to where they were. I toyed with them—minus Vincenzo who thought he could squirm his way out of my guard's hold and face me. I toyed with his parents by tugging at the alpha's dangling earlobes—so rubbery—and tapping on Luna's cheekbones.

I played and played until the door swung open, rudely ripping my imagination to pieces.

I whipped my head to the left and locked gazes with a pair of piercing green eyes. Her lips spread in amusement; immediately, I remembered the fucking news report was still playing. But I didn't panic. Didn't hurry to turn it off. Instead, I took my time, shuffling towards the table to pause the record.

"Ever heard of knocking?" I said when I'd quietened the place.

She closed the door behind her and brightened her sneer of a smile. Inwardly, I rolled my eyes, silently hoping she hadn't seen me do the stuff with the ice-cream spoon.

"What's this about though? I must say, you shouldn't consider acting as a career. I mean it with no disrespect," she said, heading to a life-sized statue at the other end of the room.

"Into erotica?" I asked.

She glanced at me briefly, and then, refocused her attention on the object. "What do you think?"

What could I say? The other day, which was her first here, she'd looked at the statue with pure fascination and I'd wondered if she'd never seen a naked guy before.

"I'm only intrigued. There's something about Ancient Greece that's captivating."

"Mm, that's right." The cheeky me wanted to quip that she was simply interested in stone-carved dicks; but her presence—and considering the manner she barged in—meant it was time for business.

"So." I crossed my legs on the table, picking up from eating my ice-cream. "What's new? What's this big thing you couldn't wait to tell me."

She'd called yesterday, sounding nothing like the nonchalant Mia I knew. Something had happened and I'd been so eager to get the news that I hardly closed an eyelid last night.

"Yeah that." She finally looked away from the statue, approaching. "A lot. I don't even know where to start."

"Start from anywhere."

She wore a smug smile.

"What?"

"Nothing." She shrugged, changing her expression to clueless. "Just that it's interesting to see you curious about Alpha Moreno."

"Not just him. His entire family."

Her smile reappeared, but I wouldn't comment on it. Doing that would make her question why I was so keen on the Morenos, even though I'd given her a convincing excuse.

"Rina is pregnant."

The ice-cream flew the wrong way and I coughed. Hard, violent.

"Shit." Mia came rushing to me; I wasn't going to have any of it. I reached for the water filter and filled a cup, gulping like my entire life depended on it.

"Nardo?" she called when I'd recovered. Taking uncertain steps in my direction.

"I'm fine."

I cleared the frown on my face and returned to my seat. My fingers crossed as I let the news sink in. How do I begin? Where do I start in comprehending this? Somehow, I became aware of the echoing silence around; looking up, I was met with probing eyes.

"Don't look at me like that."

"Like how?" Not getting a response, she came over to the table and hunched. "Angry? Believe me. She isn't worth it."

I picked up my ice-cream, running the spoon along the now semi liquid snack..

She huffed. "Really? I thought you hated her."

I stopped messing with the ice-cream and took a scoop.

"Of course. Like I believed you when you said that,” she said.

"Who's the guy?"

I glanced up at her, having gotten no reply. She looked like she hadn't expected such a question. Her lips parted a bit; eyes a full circle. She eventually broke out from whatever state she'd been and sat.

"Who else?" She rolled her eyes, then landed them on nothing in particular. Not long afterwards, I connected the dots and before I could react, she spoke.

"You know, I actually thought he had good taste. Pfft. Proves that guys are nothing but horny goats." Her eyes zapped to me like she'd realized herself; she smiled in feigned regret. "Take no offense."

I found myself trying to understand how Rina had gotten pregnant. I knew that girl more than she knew herself. More than I knew myself even. And it just had to be Vincenzo. Of all the douches she could sleep with. A pang of dread fired through me just at that thought

"I thought he was bullying her. I mean, he hates her."

"That's what we were made to believe. I don't know what to think anymore." She shrugged, then stopped, as if she'd remembered something. But then, she brushed whatever it was off, turning back to me. "She doesn't deserve any form of pity. You of all people should know that."

"You remembered something. What is it?"

She frowned.

"Are you truly sure you don't know what their relationship is like? You're sure there isn't more than meets the eye?"

"Relationship? Oh please. I haven't seen anyone as perverse as they are." She leaned, rested her elbow on her lap and was about to continue when her attention switched to her arm. "Just thinking about it brings goosebumps."

"Is it that bad?"

She threw me a lame gaze. "He raped her. Did that after what went down at the party. If you ask me, I'd say she enjoyed every bit of it."

I frowned.

"Yes. Spotted her leaving his room the next morning, like the prostitute I've always known she was. She had the nerve to cover that up as rape; yet never called for help when the supposed assault took place."

I gaped, tongue-tied. Everything was too much to take in. First, Rina was pregnant. A fact that did something to me. Leaving me throbbing with an unknown feeling.

Then the rape. That nincompoop, Vincenzo had done something much more unpardonable than I could ever conceive.

"So, Rina is…pregnant. He raped her."

"They had sex a couple of other times And it was totally on consent. I heard them. Two nights straight, I heard their noises."

"But you said—"

"I heard them, Nardo. The same way I was able to know he impregnated her. Working for you makes me let go of certain beliefs." Certain beliefs like not eavesdropping on Moreno's chatterings.

My eyes danced about the table as I picked the pieces together. "She let him sleep with her?" I looked at Mia. "Despite all he's done?"

"I told you she wasn't worth it. I knew she was a snake from the first day I saw her."

I couldn't take it anymore. The enormity of the revelation. I stood up and went for the water filter again.

"You need some cheering news."

All was quiet as I kept…grieving? I had no right name for what I felt.

"Now you're acting this way, I wonder how you'll take it when I say Vincenzo has been disowned."

I spun to her. "What?"

"Mhm. My visit is climatic." She winked. "There's apparently no heir to Alpha Moreno anymore."

I gaped, before coughing out a strangled laugh. "How did this happen?"

"Where do I start?" She tapped her cheek. "Anyway, Rina's mom caught the two of them in her room. Whatever she saw must have been it because she brought Luna in. It was a pretty messy fight."

"Just like that? His mother believe the report?"

"All I know is that she was boiling. The chaos was so loud I'm sure everyone eavesdropped."

Eavesdrop indeed. Mia had let out a very disturbing secret. Every worker at the Moreno pack house blocked their ears with muffs each time an argument happened. But that wasn't the punchline.

The muffs fed them with hypnotic messages. Brainwashing them into believing that Alpha Moreno was infallible and anyone who did anything to ruin his image had committed the ultimate sin.

"Tell me the disowning was epic."

"I'm sorry. Funny thing is that he wasn't even present. He left after Luna found out about the pregnancy. It was done in his absence."

I fell back into my seat, exhausted from all the bomb dropping. Looked like today didn't turn out horrible after all. I could hold onto the fact Vincenzo had been stripped of his title and ignore the news that Rina was pregnant.

I could do that, yes? After all, I hated her too. She wasn't my type at all.

Yeah.

"The Alpha disowned him, or—"

"Alpha, yeah." She nodded.

"And it was hysterical." I got the same response, unable to stop myself from grinning until a thought killed the smile. "What about Rina?"

"And what about her?" I matched her gaze till she gave up, groaning and rolling her eyes. "Still at the pack house."

"What's she still doing there?"

"Right? Apparently Luna wants to adopt another son."

I frowned twice. First, when I didn't get what she meant. And second, when I understood. Unfortunately, I didn't get to brood because for the second time today, I was rudely interrupted.

This time, by my phone.

I picked it up and my mood further darkened when I saw whom it was. What does he want now?

"Business partner?" Mia asked.

I cast her a short glance before looking back at the phone.

"No." I shot a finger up. "Give me a second."

I left the studio and entered the balcony, making sure I stayed within the concrete walls to be out of earshot; but not too far away from the French doors that I couldn't monitor Mia.

I took one last look at her, then answered the call. My gaze heavenwards as I hoped the phone call went well.

"Hey, Zio. What's good?"

"What's good is that you've bitten the hands that fed you." Well, that wasn't what I'd expected. Obviously, he was so mad he hadn't paid attention to my slightly disrespectful greeting.

"It isn't like that."

"That's what you always say. Every time. Every time, Nardo. What? Is this the part you dump us like we didn't make you?"

Despite the growing annoyance, I kept calm. "You know that'll never happen. I've been busy, Zio, doing a lot. Mother is—"

"Mother?"

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Luna. She's been grieving and I have to play the part. Not to mention keeping detectives off the case."

"I see. That means you're a walking clock. There's been no atom of free time for you for the past three months. Regaining your status comes with an added superpower?" For some reason, he paused. "Come get me out of here."

"Hm?"

"You heard me. Vieni a salvarmi." [Come bail me out]

First, nothing made sense. Then, I lifted off the wall when it became clear. "Are you saying… When? Why? On what charge?"

"It's none of your business."

"Excuse me?" I'd now been pushed over the edge. "Why don't you bail yourself out, then. I'm sure you can do that, Mr. Know-It-All." He attempted speaking, but I went on. "You think I'm frolicking, driving speedy cars and stuffing my cheeks with food, when in fact I'm the one doing all the work by saving your ass and mine, taking care of my mother and juggling business and fucking college, while you lock yourself in a shade, cooking meth and packing coke."

"How dare you?"

"È la verità. You've long been annoying for me to speak out. You have no idea the job I'm doing keeping the police off or acting like…" I cast a cautious glance at Mia, catching her flip through my painting portfolio. "someone I'm not." [That's the truth]

My voice lowered to a whisper. "You know I'll never forget you or Zia. You know that deep down. All I need is time, once I lay my hands on the moon statue—"

"We've been through this. It's too risky."

"And killing him wasn't? For your information, I've gotten an ally. And yes, she's tied with the Morenos."

He was quiet. That could only mean he was astonished. I pictured him gaping. His tobacco stained teeth exposed.

"Zio?"

"Yes. Sono qui. An ally, you say. How trustworthy is she?" [I'm here]

"One hundred percent. Depending on who's more valuable." I perceived his uneasiness. It caused the smile on my face and I looked back at Mia. "Don't worry. I have everything under control."

"Okay. We will talk more about this when I'm bailed," he said, rubbing his request to my face. "Giovanni Carlos. I want to be out latest Wednesday. Can't stand the stench here."

You should have thought of this before doing whatever you did. Giovanni Carlos, the jailhouse just off our villa was one of the country's worst in terms of living conditions.

"And you sure will tell me what the charges —"

"Drug possession. A moron ratted me out. That bloody… Leonardo, do what you have to do. Take the statue, I don't care. It's time I dealt with some idiots." The last two sentences were barely audible. Prison walls had sharp ears.

"You don't have to ask," I replied.

And just like that, the call ended on a positive note. I assured Zio I'd call Zia, and that he'd be out of jail before he knew it.

Mia noticed my change of countenance as I walked in. Not surprisingly, she commented on it.

"It's either you've gotten a girl or you signed a deal."

Contentment ran deep within me; I couldn't speak. Leaving Mia to drown in suspense, I went to the fridge and pulled out another tub of ice-cream.

When I turned around, I caught the amusement written on her face, from the corner of my eyes.

"Quit it, Alpha. What's going on?"

I didn't know why, but I liked how her voice oozed of anxiousness. I dropped on my seat and passed the ice-cream to her.

"Here."

I crossed my fingers, placing my index fingers against my lips as I wallowed in thought. I eventually returned to the present. That was when I realized that Mia hadn't touched the ice-cream, but was staring. At me.

"It's melting," I said.

"Okay, for real now. What's going on? Who was that?"

"It's melting, Mia. My desk's getting soiled."

She didn't push it. She took the tub, eying me with suspicion. I responded with a smile.

"Just so you know, my sense of smell is sharp. So fat chance of getting me poisoned."

I laughed. More genuine than I had done for the past year, I supposed. And I liked the sound of it.

I watched as she ate the snack, quite fascinated at her gracefulness. She wasn't like me that'd have my lips wet and blotchy. Something told me it was a learned habit. It wouldn't come as a surprise if Luna Moreno forced her workers through strict, but ridiculous eating etiquette.

"Great. I feel like a pig now."

I held my gaze for some time—for a dramatic effect—then pushed towards the table. Elbows propped on it as playtime was over.

This was business.

"Ora che sei felice, parliamo della statua della luna." [Now that you're happy, let's talk about the moon statue]