*Bruno*
It was the longest night of my life. I was finally able to bring Lucia home. Looking at her as she lay on the bed, her eyes closed, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I hate the fact that our wedding was interrupted. If Steve had not interrupted our wedding, then we’d have been in each other’s arms.
I squeezed the water from the small napkin I held and used it to wipe her face. Her white wedding gown was now brown. She had been in that dress all day. I helped her out of the gown. I didn’t want her to be lonely, so I stayed with her all night. She kept tossing and turning. She couldn’t sleep comfortably. That I notice. So I took her to the bathtub and placed her in it.
She didn’t wake up. She must have been so stressed, tired, and hurt. I had failed to take care of her. I dressed her up and placed her on the bed.
My hands ached.
It was past 5 am when I finally woke up and went downstairs. I had lost three men in the fight yesterday. I was hurt and wished I could go back and kill Steve from the start again. Thankfully, Rave and Jason were fine.
I owed Jason big time.
True, he was still a rival and would always remain one, but then, I couldn’t help but admit that I was in debt to him. I would not have been able to get Lucia out if not for him.
He was downstairs. He held a mug of coffee in his hand. I walked to him. His eyes were focused on the mug. He lifted his head from the mug slowly. I wanted to thank him but at the same time, I didn’t want to. This man loves Lucia. He wasn’t over her yet and I would waste no time in blowing off his skull if he ever thinks of going close to her.
‘He is no friend of yours.’ I kept reminding myself as I pulled out a chair and sat with him in the dining room. He sustained a few injuries and had bandages here and there.
“How is she?” Jason asked. His voice was filled with concern.
“She is fine,” I said.
“Was she able to sleep?” I nodded, trying not to take any offense at him asking so many questions. “I owe you one,” I said.
He smirked, then lifted the mug to his mouth and sipped from it. “You don’t have to say that. Lucia is…” he paused, passing his tongue over his bottom lips before staring at me again.
I raised a brow, daring him to complete his statement. “I want to repay you. I hate being indebted,” I said. I was never one to owe people. For both good and bad, I make sure to settle everything, no matter how much time it takes.
“No, it’s fine. You don’t have to,” he said. He kept the mug on the table and leaned into the chair. He had a small cut on his lips. “I insist,” I said. He held my gaze. “You sure?” He asked, and I gave a firm nod.
“Fine. Give Lucia up,” he said.
“Is that a joke?”
“You wanted to repay me.” He said.
“And I’m sure you know that’s out of the question,” I crossed one hand over the other to keep myself from grabbing his neck and slamming his back on the wall.
“But that’s what I want,” he says.
“She is no commodity. I’ll pay you. Name your price,” I said, not giving him any chance to dispute.
“You think you have more money than me?” He asked.
“Obviously.” He may be from a different place, and in my research, he is new in this mafia world and rich. He became filthy rich after killing his uncle.
“Then stay indebted.” He said, closing the conversation.
“Why is it so hard to speak with you?” I asked.
“You are making it hard, not me. You wanted to pay off whatever debt you think you owe me, which I still don’t understand, and at the same time, you refuse to give me what I ask. How does that make sense?”
He moved forward, “fine. Allow me to meet with her,” he said. I squinted my eyes at him hoping he was joking, but he wasn’t. He held my gaze. “I want to see her before I leave. I won’t be staying till you get married.” He went further to explain when he saw that I wasn’t replying to him.
“Fine. Fi…”
“No. You aren’t doing that this time.” He said. “That’s how you repay your debt.”
“Fine. You can go see her,” I said to him. He stood up. “It was a long night,” he said.
“It’s morning now.” I reminded him in case he forgot.
“And I need to rest. My flight leaves before noon.” He took one step forward, then paused, “I’ll see her when I wake up.”
“A room has been prepared for you already,” I told him. Without another word, he turned and left.
I sat there alone. My arm ached. I should have given Steve a more painful death. Did I end it too fast?” I wondered. Maybe I should have pulled him to the dungeon under the club and tortured him to the point where he would beg for death. I made a mistake by allowing him off so easily.
I wanted to sleep. I had barely slept. That was another aspect where I would have to give a thumbs up to Jason. He didn’t sleep all night. I rubbed my eyes with my hands. It was moments like this that I remember that I was also human.
I closed my eyes and leaned into the chair, resting my head on the wooden frame. Rave went to the club. He had to oversee some things. I owe him, too. It was just that we didn’t count debts as blood. He was my second favorite person in the world, and I’m sure he knows that.
~
*Lucia POV*
I sat on the bed slowly. My body ached severely. I rubbed my eyes with my hands. The sun was already up in the sky. By the side of the bed was a bowl and a small white rag inside. Instinctively, I touched my forehead. It was warm.
I looked down at myself to see that my clothes had been changed, too. I took in a deep breath. The event of yesterday still seems like a dream to me. It was the longest day of my life. I looked down at my finger. The finger in my left hand where a ring should be lying if everything had gone well.
Sigh.
At least we were alive. I was safe, and Bruno was safe, too. Steve was gone and gone for good. I didn’t feel any guilt or pity for him. He deserved what he got. If only I could bring him back and kill him again and again. He deserves death-a more painful one than he had.
I removed the duvet from my body. Bruno had changed me into a nightgown. He had washed my body, and I had no idea of any of it. I was asleep. Too tired to notice anything. Thinking about how he had seen my naked body, he had seen me naked many times, but I blushed as if I was a teenage girl.
I walked to the window and pushed the curtains to both sides. I looked outside. Sunbath my skin. I closed my eyes to feel it on my skin. No… we shouldn’t have been here if we were married. We would have been on our honeymoon in Maldives.
I opened my eyes and walked to the front of my mirror. I stood there looking at myself. First, at my eyes. They held something I couldn’t quite point out. I didn’t want to look down at myself. It wasn’t as a result of fear of anything.
I don’t know what to call it but I didn’t feel like bringing my face to myself.
‘You are strong, bold and resilient. Don’t be a coward.’ I scolded myself before slowly looking at myself. I pulled the nightgown down the bridge of my stomach a bit. There were marks there. I turned my head to the side a bit, wanting to take a good look at my neck.
There were marks on it.
Marks that Steve’s fingers had left on my skin. They would fade in time. I don’t need anything to remind me of the incident, though I knew I may never be able to forget it.
I walked to the bed and sat on the edge close to the table where the bowl lay. There was a jug of water by the side and a glass cup. I helped myself with some water, sipping it slowly until half of the water in the glass was gone.
There was a knock on the door. I turned to the door, then kept the glass on the table. I knew it wasn’t Bruno as he had no reason to knock before stepping into the room. “Come in,” I said and watched as the doorknob went down before the door slowly pushed open, and he stuck his head in.
Jason.
“Can I come in?” He asked half in and half out.
I looked around. “Of course,” I said and he stepped in. I had almost forgotten about him. I remember seeing him from the corner of my eyes yesterday. He had helped Rave in keeping the men Steve brought away.
“How are you feeling?” He asked me as he stepped inside. His hands were on the back of his trousers. He was all dressed in black.
“Getting better,” I said.
There was a chair at the side and he moved it to come sit in front of me. “You don’t mind if I sit, do you?” He asked, already sitting.
I shook my head.
“Thank you,” I said.
“For what?” He asked me.
“You know… for everything,” I said.
“You don’t have to thank me. I should be apologizing for not being able to protect you,” he said.
“You have no obligation to protect me, Jason. You don’t have to apologize,” I said to him. I didn’t want him to feel guilty. Not only that, we had nothing between us. I was no longer his responsibility. I was now Bruno’s responsibility.
He seemed to understand why I said that.
“I know,” he paused, then picked up my hands which were on my lap. He held them and squeezed them lightly, “but I want to protect you.” His hands were warm. I shook a little, not sure if it was right to hold hands with my ex. But what if that ex had given you up and had also saved you?
“I’m sorry about Steve. I swear I didn’t know what he was up to until yesterday after I left you, and it was too late to return and warn you,” he said.
“I understand. I don’t blame you.” I said. He pressed my hands harder. “and I may never be able to repay you,” I said, and it was true. Life has been a little unfair.
Jason loved me. But I had fallen for someone else. It was no fault of mine and it was no fault of his too. “this may be the last time I’ll hold your hands.” He said.
“You are living today? Is that why you are all dressed?” He nodded.
He had a small cut on his lower lips, which he continuously passed his tongue over.
“I will never forget you,” he said. “And I wish you happiness with Bruno. He… he is a good guy. I mean it from my heart.” He said.
It would be unfair to him if I told him to stay. He has let me go. It was time for me to do so as well.
“I wish you happiness too, Jason,” I said.
He smiled and slowly released my hands. “If you ever need me, know I’ll be there.” He said. I nodded, though I hoped that I’d never need him. I wished him well and also wished that would be our last meeting. We both have our life now.
He stood up and walked to the door. His hands were on the doorknob when he turned. “Goodbye, Lucia.” And without another word, he stepped out.
“Goodbye,” I said when he locked the door. “And thank you,” I whispered the last words.
A chapter fully closed.