We arranged a proper burial for my sister and for Dario, even though his body hadn’t been found yet. It was extremely private, with only the three of us present. Aunt Elsie sobbed uncontrollably and couldn’t accept Sienna’s fate. I, too, was running out of tears from all the crying while they were being laid to rest in the ground. I couldn’t help but recall all the happy memories I had with her.
“Sis, I can’t sleep. Can I stay here?”
“Sis, why does Dad hurt you like this? It shouldn’t be like that. If I could take away the pain you’re feeling right now, I would.”
“Sis, I’m happy that you’re my sister. You’re two in one, you know! I have a sister and a best friend in you.”
“You know, Sis, if I were given a choice of who I’d want as my sister, I’d choose you every time. I love you, Sis!”
Tears flowed even more as I remembered those moments. I knew that their memories would stay with me, but I would never hear Sienna’s voice again.
Half of my being felt like it died when Sienna passed away, but I knew she would want me to be strong, so even though it felt like I was about to break, I gathered my strength.
Wherever Sienna is now, I hope she finds peace. She didn’t deserve to die so young; she had so much to explore, and I wanted to spend more time with her. She didn’t deserve this fate, but it was the sacrifice she made for me that led to it.
‘The world is too cruel for you, my dear sister. I hope you find a more peaceful world for yourself, and wherever you are now, I hope you’re happy. I love you, Sienna. If I were given a chance to choose a sister in a parallel world or my next life, I would always choose you, no matter the circumstances.’
~*~
At Dario’s burial, everything was quiet. I didn’t see Gio and Elliott cry, but I saw Mariana sobbing. I wanted to comfort her because I knew that Dario meant a lot to her, and she considered him an older brother. I understood it was hard for her.
Nevertheless, I remained by Gio’s side because I knew that even though he appeared silent and indifferent to the situation, he, too, was mourning the loss of a friend deep inside.
I was about to hug Gio when I locked eyes with him. Earlier, his expression had been blank, but now… there was something in his expression that unsettled me. It was the kind of expression that hinted at a dark secret.
“Gio,” I called out to him. He didn’t respond and continued to gaze into the distance. “What’s wrong?”
I’m feeling anxious. Even though Gio isn’t saying or doing anything, I’m consumed by fear about what’s going on in his mind.
Gio looked at me, and my nervousness doubled as our eyes met. What’s going on inside his head? I don’t know.
“Nothing,” he said in an icy tone that sent shivers down my spine.
I couldn’t comprehend my own reaction, but it felt like Gio was keeping something from me, something he was deliberately hiding.
~*~
“Where is Gio?”
Since the incident with Sienna, my sense of security has intensified. I’m not complaining because I understand Gio. I’ve also noticed the changes in him, and I know he’s keeping something from me, something he doesn’t want to reveal. I have a feeling he’s distancing himself from me. We haven’t been talking much lately. It’s been a week since the incident, but it’s too soon for people to forget what happened.
Even now, I’m still haunted by what occurred with Sienna, and there are times when I find myself staring into space and crying alone. Gio doesn’t know about this because, as I mentioned, he’s often absent. I can fall asleep with him not beside me and wake up with him still gone. Sometimes, I wonder if he’s even coming home anymore.
So today, when I saw Elliott, who’s also been absent from home quite frequently, I decided to ask him.
Elliott cleared his throat. Just like with Dario, I rarely see any emotion from Elliott.
“He’s at the office, Ma’am-”
“Don’t lie to me, Elliott! I haven’t seen my husband lately. I’m not even sure if he’s still coming home. Where is Gio? What’s he up to, being absent at home every night? Answer me!”
I couldn’t help raising my voice. I knew Elliott was hiding something from me, just like Gio, and I wanted to find out what it was because I’m worried about him too.
“I’m on my way to find Sir Gio, if you want, Ma’am Millie, you can come with me.” He took a deep breath. “But make sure you can handle whatever you might see.”
I raised an eyebrow at Elliott’s words. I hadn’t quite understood what he meant. I followed him. Vehicles were prepared, and I got into one with Elliott. Other staff members were in different cars.
The route we were taking was familiar to me. It led to the Locatelli headquarters.
The car parked in the lot, and I got out. I noticed Elliott was copying my path, so I walked toward the building.
Elliot and I remained silent. The others didn’t follow us.
We took an exclusive elevator that seemed reserved for high-ranking officials, and it required biometrics for access.
Elliot pressed the button labeled “B1,” indicating Basement 1.
We quickly arrived there. When the elevator doors opened, I gasped. I couldn’t remember being here. Unlike the lobby, which was as luxurious as a high-end hotel, and other parts of the place, the basement was eerie. It felt more like a hideout for underground syndicates, where they concealed things they didn’t want others to see.
Elliot opened a door and motioned for me to enter. I walked in, even though it felt like my feet were sticking to the floor.
I could hear various noises, such as muffled screams of pain, the sound of hard objects striking something, and other unpleasant sounds. My mouth went dry as I witnessed what was happening inside. There were five men there.
I felt my saliva dry up as I observed their condition. One of them had his eyes almost bulging out, others were mutilated, and it was clear they were being tortured.
I saw Gio grab a shotgun and point it at one of the men’s mouths. He didn’t hesitate; he fired right there. I closed my eyes and was shocked by what I witnessed. The man’s head exploded from Gio’s action. I was almost sickened by what I had seen, but I chose to remain standing.
“Sir Gio, Ma’am Millie is here,” Elliot announced.
Gio stopped what he was doing and looked in my direction. He frowned when he noticed my presence.