Dark Chemistry : A Mafia Romance

Natalia's POV :

The clouds roared ominously, their growls reverberating through the bustling town. People hurried along the streets, desperate to reach their destinations before the sky unleashed its wrath. From my small balcony, adorned with a variety of flower pots, I watched the chaos unfold, soaking in the powerful beauty of nature's fury.

Moments later, the heavens opened up, and rain poured down in torrents, drenching the town in an instant. The cool breeze carried the scent of wet earth and blooming flowers, creating a serene contrast to the storm's ferocity. The evening was a sensory overload-cold air, the rhythmic drumming of rain, and the fresh, intoxicating aroma of nature. I closed my eyes, letting the moment consume me.

The sweet fragrance of roses and lilies wafted from the balcony, and I inhaled deeply, savoring the scent. Darkness enveloped me, with only the streetlights and occasional flashes of lightning piercing through the blackness.

"Talia!" My mother's voice cut through the tranquil moment, pulling me back to reality.

"Coming, Mom!" I called out, reluctantly leaving my spot to head downstairs.

My mother is a complex woman-a strict disciplinarian with a fiery temper, yet deeply loving and protective. I've inherited much from her, not just her temperament but her striking appearance as well-long, dark hair that cascades down to my waist, deep-set dark eyes, and flawless, fair skin. Everyone says I'm the younger version of my mother.

"Your granny finally agreed to visit the doctor," Mom announced, a hint of relief in her voice. "She'll be here tomorrow morning. I've already booked an appointment."

"That's surprising," I said with a laugh.

"Don't let her find anything to complain about," Mom warned, though a tight smile played on her lips.

My grandmother, my mother's mother, is notorious for her stubborn refusal to see doctors. She firmly believes that she can heal without medicine and that doctors do more harm than good. We've had to come up with all sorts of tricks to get her to even consider a visit.

She's also a firm critic of everything we modern folks do. When she visits, I'm expected to wear a scarf outside and rise at dawn, among other old-fashioned practices. Even my parents, who are hardly pushovers, tread carefully around her.

But despite her grumpy demeanor, she loves us fiercely, and oddly enough, I've grown to enjoy her visits, grumblings and all.

"I don't do anything wrong," I said defensively. "She just finds fault in everything."

"Don't talk about her like that," Mom chided gently. "She's your grandmother, and she's set in her ways because she comes from a different time. She loves us, even if she's her own way to show it."

"Yeah, I know. I'll be careful," I assured her.

"Good. But I checked your mathematics test score. And you've got a C. Can you explain me why?" Mom narrowed her eyes at me, piercing her rage through my psyche.

"You again went through my backpack! Aghh!" I sighed in frustration.

"You're dropping down day by day. Instead of studying hard, you stick to your laptop and useless friends. The next time I'm not gonna hear any excuses." She finished with a silent warn.

Just then, my six-year-old brother Ellerie, with his big mouth and small frame, piped up, "You're lazier than Nova's cat, Natalia."

Ellerie is a handful, always getting into trouble, whether it's throwing tantrums, taking things from our neighbors without asking (though they've come to expect it), or wailing for 'MOM' over the smallest things.

"I am not," I protested, giving his cheek a light pinch.

"Don't touch me with your dirty hands!" he snapped, pulling away.

"Do you want me to touch you with my feet instead?" I teased.

"What? MOM!"

"Natalia!" Mom warned, her tone sharp.

"What? I didn't do anything!" I said, feigning innocence.

"I told Dad to bring chocolate ice cream and muffins just for me," Ellerie boasted, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Then I'll steal them all," I gave him a mischievous smirk, narrowing my eyes.

"Mom!" Ellerie wailed, louder this time.

Our father, the owner of a large grocery store, is a charming man with hazel eyes and brown hair, traits Ellerie inherited. Women often flirt with him at the store, much to my mother's displeasure. Once, she caught a young woman trying to get his attention and promptly threw her out by her hair. Dad and I were in a laughing mess, but Mom was furious, smashing a vase and sending us both ducking behind the shelves.

"If you steal my muffins, I'll tell everyone you're a thief, and I'll ask Uncle Jacob to throw you in jail!" Ellerie threatened, clearly proud of his plan.

"Okay, okay, I surrender!" I laughed, raising my hands in defeat.

Our neighbor, Aunt Hannah Hernandez, is a kind woman married to Uncle Jacob, a police chief. They have a ten-year-old daughter, Nova, who is as brilliant as she is adorable.

Later, I helped Mom in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Dad arrived home shortly after with Ellerie's much-anticipated ice cream and muffins.

"Thank you, Dad!" Ellerie yelled, his excitement filling the house.

"How's my princess?" Dad asked, smiling as I joined them in the living room.

"Good. How was your day?"

"Busy, as always. I heard your granny's coming."

"Yeah, she finally agreed to see the doctor," I replied.

"That's good. But if she keeps hiding her health issues, it's going to get worse," Dad sighed.

"She just doesn't want to accept that," Mom added with a weary shake of her head.

After dinner, I headed upstairs to finish my assignments. It was almost midnight by the time I was done. After a few minutes of mindless scrolling through social media, I shut my laptop and went through my nightly routine before finally collapsing into bed.

Our town is a hidden gem, nestled between a vast forest and the ocean. The forest stretches from the southeast, and the ocean flows along the west, while the main road and railway station lie to the north, connecting us to the rest of the world.

Despite its remote location, the town is surprisingly developed, attracting travelers year-round with its enchanting beach and serene environment. It's a paradise tucked away from the chaos of the world.

As the rain subsided, the sky cleared, revealing a sea of stars twinkling in the inky blackness. Moonlight streamed through my open window, casting a soft glow over my room. The sweet scent of roses filled the air, mingling with the cool breeze that gently rustled the curtains.

I sat up in bed, gazing out at the moonlit world beyond. The urge to step outside, to feel the cold air on my skin and walk the quiet, moonlit streets, tugged at me. I wanted to stand beneath a streetlight, bathed in its warm glow, and watch the stars twinkle in the vast sky above.

The thought of experiencing many more nights like this, alone with the night, filled me with a strange sense of longing.

I lay back down, smiling as the moonlight wrapped around me, and soon drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.