*Steve*
Since I watched Sarah die in front of me, I have always envisaged how Lucia would die. Although I had gotten the report from the autopsy done on Sarah, and they claimed that she had died from something other than the stab, I still couldn’t bring myself to accept it if she hadn’t met Lucia that evening if Lucia hadn’t stabbed her. If she had not been pushed by Bruno, I believe she would still be alive. Someone needed to be blamed for her death, and Lucia would.
I left Jason. Once he knew that Lucia didn’t kill Sarah, he would surely take a step back and refrain from helping me. I didn’t know what I wanted from him yet, but all I knew was that he was still very useful to me, and I didn’t want to lose him yet.
I bid my time.
I was waiting for the perfect time to attack them. When I heard about their wedding, I thought that was the best place to visit them and settle the scores, so I went to the wedding. I didn’t need to be invited. It was sufficient that I knew the venue. No one knew I would be there, which made it easier.
I walked into the hotel. The sun was already out in the sky. The morning was young. It was the boss’s wedding, so most staff were on their toes, trying to make sure everything was different. I walked up to the bar and sat down. I didn’t order anything and gave an excuse to the waiter, who came to my table to ask if I needed anything. I held a bag close to me. Though I was confident I would succeed in this attack, I didn’t want to underestimate my enemy.
From where I sat, I quietly observed everyone and everything. Jason called. I answered his call this time. My men watched his every move, and I knew he was about to leave the country. I told him about my plan, and I don’t regret it. Since he was already leaving, it was not bad for him to know the fate of the woman he loved.
It took everything within me not to blame him for the death of my sister. She had done everything she did for him. I couldn’t say I didn’t blame him for having a hand in her death. I had to let him go because Sarah would not want me to hurt, not even a hair on his head.
Soon, the car drove into the hotel.
It was surprisingly simple. No balloons or a wrap staying that they were soon to be wed. Maybe it was because he knew he had many enemies. Who can tell, I may not be the only man that wants to kill her.
I walked to the restroom after a while, changing quickly into a hoodie. I dressed all black. Not because I wanted to hide my identity, but because I felt it would be best if no one saw me. I wanted to see the surprise on her face when I finally revealed myself to her. I was surprised to see Jason in the hall.
Fool.
He had not left. He had come back for her. He called me. I gritted my teeth as I answered. If only he had loved my sister like this. If only he has treated her like this. She would still be alive and well. Well, even though he was here to try to stop me, it would be fruitless. Nothing would stop me today.
Immediately Lucia stepped into the hall, my men disarmed the guys that were outside quietly. I pulled out my gun, holding it by my side. I took slow and steady steps into the hall. The people in the hall were all too focused on the bride and the groom. I didn’t take long steps and stopped a few feet from the door. I raised my gun.
Bruno spotted me first, and his smile froze. That must have been the hint for Lucia cause she turned back right away. I can kill her right now. I love the fear that flashed through her eyes. She didn’t want to die. That was the same fear that must have run through Sarah when she was about to die.
My men started shooting.
The once peaceful hall was in chaos.
I pulled the trigger, but unfortunately, Bruno got in. The bastard took the bullets for her. While she was trying to help him up, I mixed with the crowd and walked out. The last thing I wanted was for Rave or Jason to notice me. I didn’t go far, just enough to make sure the coast was clear. That none of Bruno’s men were in the corridor and that I could finally have time to talk to them myself.
I walked back.
My boots clicked sharply on the tiled floor. The walk back was slow. Lucia had helped Bruno stand when I got there. Without wasting any time, I raised my gun, pointing it at them. Bruno pushed Lucia. They both fell to the side.
“Who the fuck are you?” Bruno asked through gritted teeth. Well, I wasn’t there to banter with them, and I was no fool to allow him but time. I know he can still put off a tough fight even though he has been shot. Blood dripped from his shoulders. Lucia’s gown was also stained. The sight of his blood on her gown on their wedding day delighted me.
Or maybe, I should allow them to see my face. The shock, the fear, I wanted to see that. It would go a long way in satisfying me.
~
Lucia.
Blood. Bruno was bleeding. I looked forward, but whoever the masked man was, he wasn’t there anymore. The hall was rowdy. Jason and Rave, along with some other men, were fighting the men who had raided the wedding. Bruno’s continuous groaning made my heart ache. He tried to stand, and I assisted him. “Fuck,” he said through gritted teeth.
When did it all go wrong?
Everything has been going smoothly, and I was convinced that it would all end well. But now? I wasn’t sure.
This was supposed to be my happiest day; why was everyone running around? I had removed the veil from my face. My white wedding gown is now covered with blood on the side. “Lucia, are you alright?” He asked, standing, one hand wrapped where he bled.
“I should be asking you that,” I said. I hated feeling helpless. Bruno was bleeding, and I was here watching him lose blood. The once Serene hall was still rowdy. But there was no other person in the hall. “Let’s get you treated,” I said, holding him.
“I’m okay.” He said, “Stay behind me. This is nothing,” I didn’t want to stay behind him and hide like a weakling, so I stood by his side. The bullets need to be removed. He is losing lots of blood. I had to do something, but what could I do?
Bruno began leading me out, but I stopped him. I bent down, ripping out a piece of my gown. I wrapped it around his shoulder. It wasn’t the best as blood soon soaked it. I held it with my hands. “Let’s go, I’ll get it treated,” he says.
I shook violently. This was not the first time I was seeing him injured. But it was the first time he was looking helpless. “I’m sorry this has to happen on this day. I caused this. I shouldn’t have said anything about a bad omen. I was just blabbering; I didn’t mean anything; I shouldn’t have…” Bruno cut me short by placing his hands on my mouth to stop me from speaking.
“I’ll be fine,” he said.
I was staring into his eyes. My eyes moved from his eyes to the side of his face to see him clenching his teeth. I wish I could take all his pain away right now, but I can’t. We heard footsteps. Before I could wrap my head around what was happening, the hoody, whoever it was, came back. He stood at the door. He raised his hands and pulled the trigger.
Bruno pushed me before falling to the side. He fell on the shoulder and was injured. He groaned painfully, clenching his hands on the floor. “Who the fuck are you?” He asked. Whoever it was, he didn’t speak. “I’ve seen many cowards, but you just hit differently. If you are bold and you are sure of whatever backing you think you have, remove the mask from your face, and let’s fight man to man.” He said.
I shook my head.
If anyone were to fight, it would be me. Bruno was already injured. I began regretting not carrying a gun. And Bruno wasn’t carrying any too. We had decided to behave like a regular couple, and that was about to cost us our lives. I looked around. Where the hell is Rave? Why aren’t they coming back already?
“You want to see my face? Why?” That voice. It was familiar. Where have I heard it from before?
“Show us your face if you aren’t scared, you prick,” I swore at him. The only way out is to get over this. There was no way we could buy time. It was better Rave came to meet us trying to save ourselves than for us to stand here feeling helpless. And there was no way we couldn’t take him down ourselves.
“Well, since you want to see my face so badly, I mean, it would be a shame if you don’t get to see in whose hands you die,” he says. I smirked.
He raised his hands and pulled the mask away in a swift move.
Steve?
“Surprise!!!” He extended both hands like an uncle who was surprising his nephew.
“What the hell are you doing here? Why are you here and this? The nerve of you,” I said. From the corner of my eyes, I could see that Bruno was already on his feet. He is moving close to me, one hand on his shoulder.
“You don’t look as surprised as I expected. Were you perhaps expecting me?” I knew Steve was a madman, but I never pegged him as a psycho. He must be good at hiding it well. “Who should I kill first?” Steve asked.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked.
He has no reason to be here. Jason had said Sarah had died from something other than the stab, so what the hell was he here for? “To avenge my sister, of course, you didn’t think I’d let you go,” he said.
“We both know that’s bullshit, you mother fucker.” Bruno growled. “Leave while I am still being nice.” He said.
“No, you don’t get to tell me what to do.” Steve raised his gun, “so tell me, who should go first. And be quick about it. I don’t have the whole day to spend with you guys,” he said. He was confident that he would succeed. “Okay, I’ll pick,” he said. He pointed the gun at me. Bruno shoved me behind him. He was already getting weak. It seems the bullet had been more profound in something.
“Oh, you are shielding her?” He scoffed and then pointed the gun towards Bruno’s head. Bruno’s eyes were red. He was struggling to stand his ground. Steve pulled the trigger, and like the last time, Bruno pushed me away, but he wasn’t so fortunate this time. A bullet went straight into his hands. But Steve wasn’t satisfied yet.
Bang!!!
Another gunshot into the other hands. My world went blank. I yelled at the top of my voice before rushing forward. My anger intensified as I saw the smile on his face. My fist was clenched and thrown to the back; I was ready to punch him. He didn’t move. I got closer and closer.
I raised my hands to punch him. But he was faster. He hit me with the gun on my head, and slowly, everything got blank.