That got her going instantly as she rushed through the counter to make his breakfast. He chuckled internally as a small smile surfaced on his face while he pretended to read the newspaper.
No matter how hard she tried to act, she had an innocence which she couldn’t hide. It hardly ever came on the surface, but when it did, it was enough to capture the most ruthless of the hearts.
“It sucks”
“It’s bland”
“It’s salty”
Abigor complained like a little kid as he kept devouring the french toasts she had made. She didn’t know much about cooking, but she knew that French toasts were her strong point.
“The only salty one here is you” she retorted back while leaning against the kitchen counter and looking at him continuously complaining. But never did he stop eating “If you don’t like them so much, why don’t you stop eating?”
She knew he was just showing his anger by hating on her food and it was kind of funny to see the Mafia feared by nations throw such childish tantrums.
“Well someone has to eat it” he grumbled as he patted the seat beside him and looked at her.
She gave a confused look but he patted the spot again with furrowed brows this time. She sighed and gave up, she was way too lazy to resist and blow up her brain fighting with him.
She plopped on the chair beside him as he continued to eat. They sat in silence. But the silence wasn’t uncomfortable or awkward, it was reassuring and beautiful.
It was as if her heart had yearned for this for ages.
His hands slipped around her waist and only then she noticed the clean plate and the fork and spoon placed neatly on top of it. He gently pressed her to his side.
“Thank you for the food” his words rang through her ear as she found herself stuttering in nervousness.
“W-Welcome”
He released a deep breath “Look at me, Aria” his tone went back to serious as she slowly turned her head and looked up at him. His face held seriousness and unwavering determination.
His soft hazel eyes with light golden speck gazed ever so lightly at her. This was the first time she had seen his eyes not dripping with wickedness.
“As I thought. . .” he started with a soft whisper as her breath hitched at how gentle he was being at the moment “. . . I like your brown eyes more”
Pain and anger flashed through her eyes as she turned her face away and looked down, not saying a single word.
Abigor knew he shouldn’t push her too far this soon, or she’d break. She was fragile no matter how tough she acted.
“Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I don’t want to see you with any boys, except that little brat, or I’d skin them alive and make you watch it” he stood up after delivering the threat as her form slightly shivered in fear.
“So I want you to watch it” he patted her shoulder went to wash his hands.
Her heart kept beating rapidly as cold sweat broke off at his threat.
Would he really?
The sound of the front door slamming shut, made her flinch violently as she clutched the end of the counter and stood up with shaky legs.
She walked inside her room and sat in front of her dressing mirror and stared at her dishevelled hair, her swollen lips and finally her bloodshot brown eyes.
As I thought . . . I like your brown eyes more
Disgust was the only thing she felt when she saw her eyes.
“I fucking hate my eyes” she murmured and looked away instantly.
She picked up her hairbrush and started brushing her hair harshly to distract herself. She met her gaze in the mirror again as her movements halted and her hands shook.
GO! RUN AWAY! NEVER COME BACK HERE!
The loud scream echoed in her head as tears started cascading down her face. A loud sob escaped her mouth as the voice became louder in her head. She covered her ears as she started choking up in her tears “Stop it please” her voice came out weak, almost helpless.
RUN AWAY! HIDE!
Her clenched up fist met the mirror as it shattered into pieces, pain rippled through her hand. The glass shards pierced her skin and blood started dripping down.
Her every accessory kept over the table covered in crimson as her mind quieted down in pain. Her blurry gaze fell over the heavenly hairpiece as the remainder of tears slipped down her face.
The blood from her hand fell on the hairpiece making her heart constrict in agony. She picked up the hairpiece with bloodied trembling hands and stared at it for a good minute.
“Am I going too far, Silvia?”
Aria sat still as she heard the front door opening and then closing.
“Sis you know what Karl said today. . .” she heard Kahlil’s excited voice along with his approaching footsteps towards her room.
She wanted to wipe her tears and hide somewhere so that he couldn’t see her in this state. But no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t move. Her whole body suddenly felt too heavy for herself.
“. . . you know, he said-”
His sentence was cut off as he opened the door and gasped. His eyes widened as he saw her tear-stained face and then her bloodied hands, with her holding that hairpiece.
“A-Aria” he stuttered in horror as he ran towards her and kneeled in front of her. She was awfully silent today, he noted. But he couldn’t understand why, because she was fine just a few hours ago.
Realization hit him “Did that Abigor do something?” he said with clenched jaw as anger curled up hot and burning inside of him.
Silence.
“Sis, say something” he asked, worried this time as he saw the broken glass shards poking from her hands and then he noticed the broken mirror.
“D-Did you..?” he asked, horrified even at the thought.
Silence.
He quickly ran inside the washroom and grabbed the first-aid box and went back to her. He tried to grab the hairpiece from her hand, to bandage her hands, but she grunted and pulled away with a frown.
“Sis please, I need to dress your wounds”
A single teardrop escaped her eyes in reply as his heart pained looking at her condition. It had been a while since he last saw her like this.
“Please” he insisted.
Her grip loosened around the hairpiece as she finally let it go. He carefully picked up the blood-stained ornament and set it aside.
He stood up and gently grabbed her shoulders. He made her sit on the edge of the bed and she sat, just like a lifeless doll. He kneeled down again, taking her hands in his. His eyes welled up and his throat tightened as he carefully took out the pieces of glass from her hand.