I couldn’t help but hug Gio. I hadn’t experienced this, but I was the one who was hurt. I cried while embracing Gio. I understood him so much, and I wanted to convey that to him. I wanted him to know that I was here, and I understood him.
Gio’s life wasn’t easy. Even before he took over the organization and when he was just a child, he had seen and witnessed many things that a child shouldn’t have. And now, with the responsibility his father had given him, he felt that even more could be taken away from him because of his position. This was why he didn’t want to have children. He was only thinking about their safety. This was also why he found it so hard to tell me how he felt because he didn’t want his enemies to see his weaknesses, and there might come a time when I could be used against him. This is what he meant when he kept saying that this was the only way he could protect me from his enemies and from… himself.
I now understood where he was coming from, all his reasons and all his actions. He had a reason, and he had a basis for it. He became a heartless human being, showing that he didn’t care, not because he wanted to be like this, but because it was his only option to protect everyone.
I pulled away from our embrace and held both his cheeks.
“You don’t deserve to be alone, Gio, to protect everyone, and maybe to punish yourself for taking lives that wouldn’t have been lost if they hadn’t protected you.”
I shook my head firmly. I wanted to ease Gio’s pain, but I also didn’t know what to say to him.
I brought my face close to his and gently kissed him before resting my forehead against his. My eyes were closed as I felt Gio.
We stayed in silence for a moment, and I felt Gio’s tight embrace around me.
I felt like there was nothing more I needed to say to him. It was enough that he felt I was here and that I understood what he had said.
If only he could share his pain with me, I was ready to take away the pain he was feeling because that’s what Gio did for me. He took the burden I was carrying. I wanted to do the same for him.
“I love you, Millie.”
Tears welled up in my eyes again.
I buried my face in Gio’s neck and hugged him tighter.
“I love you too, Gio. And I won’t leave you… ever.”
~*~
When I woke up the next morning, Gio was no longer by my side. I thought he might have left for work. I had a heavy feeling, remembering what Gio had shared with me last night. I was glad he opened up to me, but I was also sad because I didn’t expect that to have happened to him when he was a child. Imagine a child of around 10 years or younger witnessing the murder of his grandparents right in front of him. Unimaginable.
Even though Gio and I had different upbringings, seeing your loved ones die in front of you, especially when it’s because they were protecting you, is another level of trauma. I should have told Gio that he wasn’t to blame, but… I knew there was nothing I could do about that because no matter what I said, Gio is still blaming himself to this day.
I went through my usual morning routine before leaving the room. As I descended the stairs, I was surprised to see Gio was still here. He was talking to two men, and one of them was Dario. I stared at a man I didn’t know. I had seen him once at Gio’s training ground when he found out I was training there too, but I never had a chance to learn his name. After that, I never saw him again.
Dario caught my gaze, so he immediately turned to me and greeted me. “Good morning, Ma’am Millie.” The other two men also looked at me because of Dario’s greeting. I reciprocated their greeting. I walked closer to Gio and greeted him as well. I felt his hand on my waist before he introduced me to the unknown man.
“This is Elliott, Millie,” Gio introduced me to the man. My eyes widened as I remembered who Elliott was. Like Dario, this guy had grown up with Gio. They were practically siblings.
“Hi, Ma’am Millie. It’s nice to meet you in person, finally,” I greeted him in return, but I refrained from shaking his hand. Knowing Gio, he might get jealous of anyone.
After their conversation, Gio and I went to the dining area to have breakfast. At first, we ate in silence, but eventually, I couldn’t keep my silence any longer.
“I forgot to ask last night…” I hesitated, debating whether to continue. I didn’t want Gio to clam up or see that painful expression on his face again. I wasn’t sure if I could handle it. “Where was Mommy when you and Gianna were growing up? You said it was just Dad taking care of you two.”
Gio looked at me, and I sensed his heavy sigh.
“She was away. Her life was in danger, so she had to be kept away. We couldn’t be together, so it was often just Dad with us. She was frequently absent because she was busy with Mommy’s case. You could say that we grew up with only each other for support,” Gio explained.
I just nodded and didn’t say anything. Mommy wasn’t around because she needed to be kept away from them, and their dad was often too occupied with various matters. Perhaps this was one of the things Gio considered when thinking about having children with me. He might not have the time for it, and he wouldn’t want our children to feel the lack of parental care.
He drove me to work. I am now the new CEO of the company. He also transferred the shares he inherited from my father to me. Sometimes, I can’t quite fathom how Gio’s mind works. It can really surprise you.
I’m comfortable with what I’m doing. I’m happy to lead and help the company grow and prosper. Gio is always there to support me when I struggle to make decisions.
My employees have faith in me, which makes working more enjoyable, knowing that they trust my leadership.
Sienna and Aunt Elsie are still residing in my father’s house. They take care of the house. Aunt Elsie also manage some of Papa’s other businesses. I talked to her personally to take on that role. Now that Papa is incarcerated, the three of us are the ones left to handle his remaining businesses.
I had just finished attending a meeting with the company’s board members. Gio was also present, and when I caught a glimpse of his restrained smile, I knew I was doing a great job. He left promptly because he had some matters to attend to at his own company.
There was a knock on the office door, so I quickly adjusted my seat. “Come in,” I announced.
The door opened, and I saw Dario entering. I wondered if he needed something and had to come in person.
“Dario? What do you need? Is there a problem? Maybe Gio has a message for me.”
“I just received an order, Ma’am. Starting tomorrow, I won’t be your guard anymore. Besides Mariana, there will be two replacements for me.”
I was taken aback by what Dario said. What was he talking about? Was I hearing him correctly?
“I need to accompany Elliott to another country for an important task assigned by Sir Gio.”
“Huh? Why all of a sudden?” Dario and I may not always see eye to eye on things because he’s overprotective, but I consider him reliable, and I’m comfortable with both him and Mariana.
“Actually, Sir Gio and I have been discussing this for a while. Sir Gio initially didn’t want me to go, so he was looking for another solution. But in the end, I am needed for this task.”