"Fedeltà" drabbles by Neville Hunt

nevillehunt avatar

Ups and downs

Fedeltà #461

Paolo was devastated. The plans he'd had for a future with Livia were shattered. He'd been nursing unrealistic ideas. He hadn't seen the signs. The trouble was that he'd ruined his chances with Sofia too and wasn't sure how that might pan out. Nonetheless, he determined to move on, to convince himself he would be better off with younger women. Onwards and downwards.

On the other hand... regular sex with Marcia was still on the cards, so, provided he was prepared to share her with Franco... and maybe others... then he would keep a bit more than his spirits up.

nevillehunt avatar

Like a brick

Fedeltà #460

“But Livia, we must meet. We’ve things to discuss, unfinished business.” Paolo didn’t realise the desperation he transmitted.

“Things? Like what Paolo? What is there to discuss? Everything’s resolved. And don’t get any silly notion about you and me. That’s just a schoolboy fantasy. It isn’t going to happen. You’ll just have to deal with it!” Livia didn’t beat about the bush. She wasn’t about to let Paolo down gently.

“But you said... I thought...” started Paolo, only for Livia to cut in.

“Well you can think again. You’re just a boy.”

Dropped like a brick... as Sofia had predicted.

nevillehunt avatar

Cool reception

Fedeltà #459

The Livia that picked up his call didn’t sound overly keen to talk to Paolo.

“What is it Paolo?” she asked, slightly testily.

“When can we meet?” he replied. “I wanted to meet you off the ship, but Tony bigfooted me. I hope you’ll be OK with him. He’s in a funny mood right now, so take care... he’s looking for suspects. Be careful what you say!”

“Well..” Livia paused before adding, “that’s all the more reason we shouldn’t meet up. Not for a long while I suggest.”

Sofia’s prediction coming to pass? And not what Paolo wanted to hear.

nevillehunt avatar

Refocusing

Fedeltà #458

Paolo decided he would get nowhere thinking about ‘should have dones’ so decided to try to ignore the Sofia issue, taking a ‘what will be, will be’ approach. His ability to move on was helpful in this respect. Sofia now had his £200,000 and she was smart, so most likely she would leave it at that. He wouldn’t attempt to involve Marcia, because that was an even more dangerous option.

His next focus was on Livia, who right now would be a few hours away from Southampton. He decided to call her before she disembarked and met up with Tony.

nevillehunt avatar

Undo... or doodoo

Fedeltà #458

Paolo was already regretting what he’d said and how he’d reacted to Sofia’s amazing offer earlier. He was nonetheless hopeful when a text came through from Sofia until he read the four-word message ‘You will regret this’.

He didn’t need enemies, and certainly not Sofia. He cursed his stupidity and lack of understanding of a woman’s feelings. How on earth could he make it right again? And not necessarily to resume physical relations with Sofia, but to dig himself out of the doodoo.

Maybe he could use her sister Marcia to make his case? But that was dangerous too!

nevillehunt avatar

Scorned

Fedeltà #457

If Paolo was anxious earlier that evening, that anxiety level had doubled instantaneously. He tried calling Sofia immediately, but naturally she didn’t answer. He texted her with the words ‘Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. Please come back. Please please please.’

There was no way that any of that would do the trick. Sofia was proud and felt scorned by Paolo. Whilst she might not tell Tony what Paolo had done as it might provide more problems than solutions, she would definitely scare the shit out of the young man and keep him guessing.

‘You’ll regret this young man!’ she vowed.

nevillehunt avatar

Humiliation

Fedeltà #456

Given the anxiety underscoring his evening thus far, Paolo should have been relieved at this fabulous distraction. But maybe because of it, he was uncharacteristically thrown by Sofia’s actions and offer. He seemed reluctant.

“What kind of welcome is this?” demanded Sofia, grinning. “Have I just been beaten by a wankfest? Are we ‘not in the mood’ then... got a headache?” And then, anger rising, “Cat got your tongue Paolo?”

“Sorry Sofe... but it’s all a bit clinical, un....spontaneous.”

“I’ll show you spontaneous,” shouted Sofia, humiliated. She leapt up grabbed her coat and was gone.

Paolo had made an enemy.

nevillehunt avatar

Pirouette

Fedeltà #455

Sofia swept past Paolo to stand outside his bedroom, facing away, leaving Paolo’s eyes following her from where he’d let her in.

Sofia then pirouetted once, clutching her coat and then a further 180 degrees, to face Paolo, flinging the coat wide to reveal her completely naked body. Paolo was speechless. She shrugged the trench coat, which fell to the floor as she stepped into the bedroom. With a bound, she leapt onto his bed and quickly arranged herself spreadeagled in a star shape, perfectly submissive.

“I’m all yours, Paolo. You’re in charge now. You choose, but nothing too violent!”

nevillehunt avatar

Entrenched

Fedeltà #454

Sofia’s arrival took Paolo by surprise. She had got in the outside door to the building, which hadn’t quite clicked shut, and the first he heard was the single rap on his flat door, which, coming after his troublesome thoughts, spelt danger.

But there she was wearing a beige trench coat, and as he opened the door, her familiar perfume caught his nostrils again, prompting instant excitement.

“Hello Paolo” she said intriguingly.

“Hi” was all the surprised Paolo could muster.

“I found I had nothing on,” she added, smiling broadly.

Other than the trench coat, she was speaking the truth.

nevillehunt avatar

Thinking things through

Fedeltà #453

Paolo thought he might be able to reschedule Sofia for Friday night, but, like her sister before her, she wasn’t answering his calls either. That worried him.

He was concerned that now Franco seemed to be in the clear, Tony might start looking for another suspect and that might be him. Sofia had considerable power over him, and, if true that she was also intimate with Tony, then Paolo might be vulnerable.

But he countered this rationalising that by saying anything to Tony, Sofia might implicate herself. Nonetheless, his thoughts rather ruined his Friday evening.

And then Sofia dropped by.

nevillehunt avatar

A question of loyalty

Fedeltà #452

As instructed, Paolo spent the next three days tailing Franco, reporting back daily. To make things easier, Paolo let Franco know and they even ate their sandwiches together at lunchtimes, such was the idiocy of the activity. Over a pint late on Thursday, Paolo suggested that Franco contact Tony, telling him he’d noticed that Paolo was following him and confront Tony as to what that was all about.

Franco’s bluntness in asking if there was any question about his loyalty convinced Tony that he was wrong to suspect him.

Accordingly, Paolo was called off, allowing Franco to recommence shagging Marcia.

nevillehunt avatar

Being there

Fedeltà #451

Paolo decided he would report back that he’d followed Franco to work and home again, watched him in his local pub and nothing suspicious seemed to be going on, although he did say that he couldn’t discover Franco’s whereabouts that morning - when Franco was waking up Marcia. That way Paolo left a window of doubt regarding Franco’s activities.

But Tony wasn’t letting Paolo off that easy.

“I want you with him at all times. If he goes out, you go out too, if he pisses, you piss but outa sight, if he shags anyone... be there!”

’Been there!’ thought Paolo.

nevillehunt avatar

Thank you Ma’am

Fedeltà #450

With the subject changed to football and the barmaid, Paolo gave up. He hoped that Marcia might be able to scare Franco into leaving, but he doubted it. Marcia obviously enjoyed Franco’s early morning wham-bam, so if he wasn’t concerned, then she would surely continue to be up for it.

Franco’s bold, unmoved reaction had surprised Paolo. It got him to think carefully about his next action. If he spilled the beans to Tony that Marcia was having early morning wake-up calls from Franco, then he, Paolo, might well be tasked with Franco’s torture and murder.

Difficult decisions.

nevillehunt avatar

Rendition

Fedeltà #449

“Well I admire your guts if you can laugh at that, Franco! Tony can’t think of anything but revenge right now and you’re firmly in his sights.” Paolo was surprised at the relaxed way Franco received his warning.

“Look mate,” replied Franco, “Tony doesn’t do torture himself. If he needs it done he gets one of his goons, like me or you, to do it for him. Now I don’t wanna be rude, mate, but I can’t somehow see you having what it takes for torture. Ain’t saying you couldn’t kill... but you’d want it clinical.”

Paolo was rendered silent.

nevillehunt avatar

Sliced beef

Fedeltà #448

Paolo needed to scare the living daylights out of Franco. He would describe how Terry had been murdered and dedigitised and then tell Franco how Tony was planning far worse for him. It wouldn’t just be fingers removed along the way but ears, eyes, nose... plus testicles and cock slice by slice.

That should get Franco to move on fast, or to kill Tony, either of which suited Paolo.

Waiting at Franco’s place when he returned from work, Paolo dropped by and asked the big man if he fancied a beer.

Over several beers, Paolo issued his warning.

Franco laughed.

nevillehunt avatar

Warning

Fedeltà #447

“Will you warn Franco or shall I... or both?” Marcia asked Paolo before he left. “There is no way he killed Terry, now is there?”

“We’ll both warn him, although I need to watch my step, because Tony is even pointing fingers at me now in his frustration.” Paolo replied.

“You, Paolo, don’t make me laugh! You’re the last person to murder Terry. I think you’re Tony’s most trusted ally. And you’re too soft!”

‘Excellent!’ thought Paolo, ’Sofia’s kept it to herself.’

Agreed. They would both warn Franco. Paolo would aim to scare Franco enough to force him to disappear.

nevillehunt avatar

Coffee and cream

Fedeltà #446

Marcia led Paolo to the downstairs bedroom. He knew the way already. Inside, she pushed him back on the bed, kneeling to unfasten his belt. He realised that once again, Marcia would be in charge, so he just lay there, compliant.

After she had had her way with him and finally conceded conclusion for him, he probed about her and Franco.

“Franco’s big, but unsubtle. Big and bullish is a good wake-me-up, but control is much more satisfying. You’re the cream to Franco’s coffee, Paolo. Despite your change in plans, it’s been a good start to the week!”

nevillehunt avatar

Further adjustment

Fedeltà #445

Marcia was smart. She knew the implications of Paolo’s comment. She could go on the attack and threaten him or confound him with an unexpected response. She chose the latter.

“Yes I noticed that as he left. Poor old Franco. The way he’s built, he struggles to keep it all contained. But who’s complaining!” Marcia wasn’t one to be fazed by anything.

“So, Paolo, what have you come for?” she continued, reclaiming the initiative.

“I needed to explain why I can’t make it tomorrow.”

“So why not make it today? An adjustment to your schedule maybe?”

She beckoned, Paolo followed.

nevillehunt avatar

Adjustments

Fedeltà #444

Paolo explained that Tony was now convinced that Terry’s killer was still at large and that Franco was suspect number one... and that he, Paolo, had been ordered to tail him closely and report back on anything suspicious.

“What! Franco? That great lump! Now I know Tony’s lost his marbles!” Marcia was adamant that Franco didn’t have the brains for anything so devious.

“Well anyway,” said Paolo, rather matter-of-factly, “the first place Franco went today is right here, your house.”

“Absolutely correct.” said Marcia quickly. “He had to make some adjustments.”

“Yes, I saw him adjusting himself earlier!”

nevillehunt avatar

Explain!

Fedeltà #443

Seeing the new homes site, it was pretty obvious to Paolo that Franco would be there for the rest of the working day, so he drove back to Tony’s, where he parked on the road and pushed the intercom at Tony’s gates.

Marcia, who’d so far ignored his attempts to speak to her on the phone asked “Who is it?” Hearing Paolo answer and implore her that he must speak to her to explain, she said “Persistent little bugger, aren’t you? I suppose you’d better come in.”

On seeing Paolo...”Does Tony know you’re here?”

Paolo shook his head.

“Well?... Explain!”