*Jason*
I walked back and forth in my hotel room. After two days of staying with Steve, I returned to the hotel. I couldn’t stay in the house. Not when everything I looked at reminded me of Sarah. I had hoped we would get revenge on Bruno soon so I could take Lucia and get the hell out of this country.
I miss my life.
And my base needed me. But I’ve been pushing my duties around and doing all I can from here. I looked at my phone umpteen times in a while, waiting for a text from Michael. For two weeks now, I have not been able to contact Steve.
He has not contacted me either.
I wanted to know if he still wanted to work together in getting back at Bruno. I thought I’d be able to settle everything soon, but he has been delaying the plan. I didn’t want it to seem as if Bruno’s threat was the reason why I didn’t carry out the plan. When Steve had asked me for help the other day, well… not ask technically… I had agreed, but now he was chickening out?
My phone beeped.
Finally, a message from Micheal. “I’m on my way,” he said.
I didn’t bother to reply. Didn’t see the need to. I walked to the table in the middle of the room. A glass of wine lay beside a bottle. I poured some wine for myself and took a sip. I walked to the sofa with the glass of wine still in my hands. I took a seat on my sofa. Waiting patiently for Micheal.
It didn’t take long for Micheal to arrive. And as usual, his face was devoid of any emotions. He kept a straight face as he took the seat opposite me. If not, I didn’t want a friend; he would have made a good friend.
“Boss,” he said and I found myself wondering how it would sound to have him call me by my name. “Have you been able to track him?” I asked. He didn’t need me to mention the name before he knew who I was referring to.
“No.” His reply was short. I clenched the glass in my hands tightly. But not tight enough to shatter it. “That bastard,” I couldn’t stop myself from cursing out loud. I understand if he is still mourning the loss of his sister, but why cut me off?
I couldn’t reach him through his phone and he also left his house and has sent all the men away. “But I do have info for you,” he said. I downed the remaining glass in my cup nodding slightly for him to start with whatever information he had for me. And it better be worth my time.
“I found the cause of Sarah’s death,” he said.
I dropped the glass I was holding on the table with a thud.
“What do you mean the cause of her death?” I asked. Was there any other cause? I can still remember holding Sarah as she bled to her death: the weight, the smell of blood, the pain on her face. I closed my eyes, trying to push the memory to the back of my mind.
“She didn’t die from the stab.” He paused, then continued, “Nor from the rough push as you had assumed.” He said, and I leaned forward. “Then how did she die?” I was a little bit agitated. Micheal wasn’t one to beat around the bush.
She has been having problems with her heart. The night before, she visited a club, and her drink was spiked. It triggered whatever problem she had with her heart and led to her death.” I didn’t know how to react to the news. My world went blank.
I massaged my temples.
Now, it was making sense. Why did she die that night? I knew a stab wasn’t enough to kill her. But I never imagined this. “How did you know?” I asked him.
“Steve carried out an autopsy on her.”
“He knows? And didn’t think it would be right to tell me?” I was pissed. I had almost been swallowed by guilt, and Steve was aware and kept shut as he watched me from behind.
“I guess he wanted someone to blame. He seems to know about her heart problem.” I nodded slowly. Maybe he was afraid that I wouldn’t side with him if I knew about what he did. And if that was what he thought, well, he was right.
I may be heartless, but I certainly won’t have any reason to fight Bruno if he has no hand in Sarah’s death. I picked up my phone at the side and tried to call Steve, but as usual, his phone was unreachable.
“And…” Micheal was behind but paused.
I turned to him, “and?” I asked, raising a brow.
For the first time, I could read his facial expression. He seemed reluctant to speak as if whatever he was going to say I won’t be pleased to hear. “Speak,” I ordered him.
“Lucia is getting married,” he said.
“What?” I was on my feet. Micheal held my gaze. I broke it first. My eyes darted around.
No.
I can’t let Lucia go. But she is getting married. She has chosen Bruno over me.
My heart sank as I thought about it. Lucia has been my reason for living. I spoke my head. My chest tightened. “I can’t just allow her to get married.” Micheal stood up.
He didn’t move. For a moment I thought he wasn’t going to move. His lips twisted as if he wanted to say something but he stopped himself. He then surprised me by putting his hand on my shoulders. He squeezed it slightly. Something he has never done before.
At that moment, I realized I had a friend. Maybe I wasn’t completely alone. “Do the right thing. If you love her, make her happy,” he said and retracted his hands before walking away.
His words continued ringing in my head.
The right thing.
Make her happy.
~
*Lucia POV*
I can’t believe this is happening. I’m finally going to get married to the love of my life. My emotions are all over the place, and I fear I’d lose consciousness soon due to the mortification.
It had been three days since the engagement, and we were already picking out a wedding gown. Bruno wanted to register the marriage the day after the engagement, but I declined. I wanted a wedding-a small one. I have always dreamt of it and he agreed.
I looked out the window and got out of the chair with a wide smile on my face. I stood by the window frame, gazing up at the radiant glowing billboard of a perfume ad close by, a surge of joy flooded through me. This is probably the most precious moment in my life. I’d be Bruno’s wife. His life partner, bounded by our vows.
Forever.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I stood, my heart brimming with gratitude, as I basked in the sun’s beautiful glow. It was just like yesterday when I first saw him. When our eyes met, I looked away because of the overbearing aura. And now, he will groom my other half.
“You seem radiant.” I heard his muscular voice behind me as he possessively hugged me from behind. “Bruno, stop it… We’re in a public place.” I complained.
“No, we are choosing our wedding outfits and you are not paying attention anymore.” He complained. I gave him a little sorry look causing a huge grin to spread across his face.
His gaze suddenly darkened as he leaned in closer. “Are you possible… Thinking about our wedding night.” I felt my whole being turn stiff as I heard him say that. I angrily pushed him away, but he was so strong that he didn’t budge. “Such a dirty mind you have.” I scolded, but he chuckled even louder.
“Look at this one, Miss!” I heard the staff call, and we both turned our attention to her. She was holding up a stunning white gown with intricate lacework.
“It’s perfect. You have to try it on!” Bruno urged.
She handed the dress to me, and I couldn’t help but be swept away by the excitement. As I held the dress against me, I imagined walking down the aisle, Bruno waiting for me at the end, his eyes filled with love. A smile played on my lips.
“You’re right. This is beautiful. I can already picture it. Let’s give it a try!” The shop assistant led me to the fitting room, and as I stepped into the dress, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of intense emotions. My wedding with Bruno would become a reality. This is happening.
As I emerged in the gown, their jaws dropped.
“Oh my goodness, Miss, you look breathtaking!” The shop assistant exclaimed, her eyes shimmering with bewilderment. “Really?” I said with a chuckle and immediately gazed at Bruno; his opinion mattered more.
Bruno’s expression had me confused. He was suddenly stiff and couldn’t take his eyes off me like he was out of words or suddenly stuck. “Is it that bad on me? We’ll try something else.”
I said sadly, we had already picked out Bruno’s suit. It was hard choosing because he looked good in everything, but in the end, I chose the one I found him extremely sexy in.
“No, I love this on you so much that I couldn’t take my eyes off you. This is perfect, Lucia. It’s just like you.” I couldn’t help but blush uncontrollably at his cheesy words. When did Bruno become so sweet?
I smile. brightly at Bruno’s words and stared back at me in the mirror. I looked at myself in the mirror, the gown was a dreamy concoction of lace and tulle that made me feel like I was floating on a cloud. It was clinging to my body in just the right places, and revealing the appropriate amount of cleavage. Bruno is right, the dress truly is perfect.
I had already chosen my perfect wedding gown, so the assistant went ahead to ring it up. Bruno had personally picked my shoes for me and I trust him so I didn’t bother trying them on.
After picking up the dress, we went to have lunch at a restaurant. “Do you feel it’s rushed?” He asked.
I paused, halting my knife, which was cutting through the steak. Well, I thought it was rushed, but I didn’t want to say it. “No. I like it. I, too, can’t wait to call you my husband.” His lips pulled to the side. We resumed eating.
The wedding was tomorrow and I felt tense each time I thought of it. For the first time, I wished I had a mother. Maybe one to sit me down and tell me all the do’s and don’ts that come with marriage. One to cry as she watched me recite my vows. Tears of joy with a tinge of sadness.
I didn’t know when I stopped eating, nor could I control the tears that slid down my cheeks. “Why are you crying?” Bruno wiped my tears away with a thumb.
“It sounds unreal. I still can’t believe it,” I said. I didn’t want him to know the reason why I cried. I know I shouldn’t be crying.
“It’s unreal for me too. From tomorrow, I’ll have a wife. You will officially become my family.” He said, and I sensed the joy in his tone. We both had no family and would be all we had. “I love you, Lucia.” He said. I’ve lost count of the number of times he has said that but still, I wasn’t tired of hearing it.
“I love you too.”
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking of the big day. And the days after that. I imagined having three little children running around. A small smile hung on my lips as I slowly drifted to sleep.