♥ Chapter 9♥

Enzo D'Angelo.

13:25 '' The Moretti residence. '' The twins' room. '' Italy.

I sit up in bed and take out my cell phone, searching for some places near this house. I need to get out of here for a while and breathe some fresh air.

'' There's a square nearby, I think it's better than being stuck in this house.

I get up and go to the closet, grabbing a black leather jacket and quickly putting it on. I also take out my wallet and put it in my pants pocket, making sure my cell phone is with me before leaving the twins' room. Furthermore, I go downstairs and see my mother talking to Mrs. Moretti in the living room.

''I'm going out,'' I say, drawing their attention.

''Where are you going? You don't know Enzo here,'' my mother asks worriedly.

''Mom, I have a cell phone. I'm going to a square nearby. Being stuck here is too boring. '' I reply, trying not to show impatience without caring too much about the owner of the house.

'' It's all right, Melissa. The square he's talking about is right here. It's about a ten-minute walk. '' Mrs. Moretti says gently to her, trying to calm her down.

My mother sighs, still a little tense.

''All right, anything, call me. '' She asked and resigned.

I nod.

'' It's okay.

I leave the mansion and soon notice the watchful eyes of the security guards in the garden. I walk to the main gate.

''Can you open it here?'' I ask one of the security guards. He watches me for a few seconds, but then opens the gate without saying anything.

I leave the property and walk down the sidewalk, observing everything around me. I take a deep breath, feeling the fresh air.

It's so nice to be alone for a few minutes without anyone watching me all the time.

I walk towards the square, trying to shake off the feeling of suffocation that the big house gives me. On the way, I see some teenagers laughing and having fun with their friends, spread out on the benches and lawns. They seem so at ease and comfortable with each other. I've never felt the urge to have friends. I prefer to be alone. People are too complicated, full of expectations that I never know how to fulfill. I look away, pushing away unnecessary thoughts.

My eyes are caught by something else. Across the street, there is a small store, almost hidden among the others. The sign, a little worn, announces, “Exotic Animals”. My heart leapt, and an involuntary smile appeared on my lips. Something awakens in me—an old curiosity that I haven't felt for a long time.

''It's my lucky day,'' I mutter to myself as I cross the street, smiling for the first time in a long time.


I enter the store and am immediately enveloped by an atmosphere that mixes the smell of old wood, wet earth, and a faint scent of incense. The lighting is low, creating a mysterious and cozy atmosphere. The walls are lined with glass shelves housing all kinds of fascinating creatures. In the corner of the store, there is a large bamboo cage with some colorful birds, whose soft trills blend with the sound of instrumental music playing in the background. Several tropical plants hang from the ceiling, their large green leaves creating dancing shadows on the walls as the soft light from the incandescent bulbs oscillates.

I walk slowly down the narrow corridor, past aquariums displaying exotic fish of all colors and sizes, some of which I've never seen before. My heart races a little with the thrill of being close to so many fascinating creatures. In a darker corner of the store, I see terrariums full of insects and arachnids, each one stranger and more unique than the last. Spiders of all shapes and sizes, giant centipedes, and black and shiny scorpions. I feel a shiver run down my spine, a mixture of fascination and discomfort.

''Good morning, what can I do for you?'' A young sales clerk emerges from the back of the store, her soft voice contrasting with the dense atmosphere of the place.

''Nothing, I'm just looking around. If I want to buy anything, I'll call you. '' I reply, trying to keep my tone casual, but the adrenaline of being there is already starting to course through my veins.

She gives a slight nod and walks away, leaving me free to explore. I continue walking, my eyes roaming over every detail and every creature. A feeling of euphoria overwhelms me. This is the kind of place where I feel good and where things make sense. The creatures don't expect anything from me, they just live their lives in their little cages or aquariums.

Then my eyes fixated on a nest of snakes in one of the store windows at the back of the store. I feel my heart racing again, but in a different way now, as if an electric current had gone through me. Snakes. I love snakes. I approach slowly, as if in a trance, my eyes shining with excitement.

Among the coiled snakes, one immediately stands out. A white python, with scales so pale that they almost seem to glow in the dim light of the store.

'' Holy shit! '' I exclaim softly, more to myself than to anyone else, my voice full of admiration.

I move closer to the glass, almost sticking my face to the cold surface, totally absorbed in the snake's beauty. Its small, cunning eyes seem to watch me back, and a smile forms on my face. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I've found something that really interests me.

But before I can admire it any further, the voice of the young attendant comes again, snapping me out of my reverie.

''Can I help you?'' she asks, her voice now slightly irritated.

I turn slowly towards her, already annoyed at having been interrupted. My cold gaze meets hers.

''How much is this white python?'' I ask, my voice impassive, although my heart is still pounding in my chest.

She looks at me up and down, clearly doubting me.

''Do you have enough money?'' She asks, suspicion evident in her tone.

''And are you stupid enough? I think so. I'm dumb enough. '' I reply, smiling sideways, knowing I'm teasing but not caring.

“You're overstepping the mark,” she says angrily. I cross my arms, standing my ground.

''Me? Crossing the line? You started it with your prejudice that I don't have any money. Is that how you treat customers here? Have you noticed your clothes? That rag shouldn't even be called clothes; it all looks second-hand. Mine are all designers. And I'm the one who doesn't have any money? '' I tease her even more, seeing her face turn red with anger. '' Anyone who doesn't want to hear the truth should keep quiet.

She stares at me, clearly offended, but at a loss for words.