[GIOSEFFO]
I couldn’t concentrate on the game anymore and, in the end, Taddeo defeated me.
“Holy shit! I won! I fucking won against you after so many fucking years!” Taddeo shouted in victory.
“That’s not counted, Taddeo.”
I was still irritated, and my thoughts were deep. I had just offered a marriage proposal, even though marriage was not in my plans. Shit! Am I really this crazy about that woman? Yes.
The door to our location opened. Taddeo was still celebrating his victory.
“Wow, what’s going on? Why do you look so happy, Taddeo?” I heard Raffaele’s voice.
I looked in their direction, and my headache worsened when I saw the three of them, my cousins. Great, now I’d have more people making fun of me.
Taddeo cleared his throat and composed himself. “I just won a freaking chess match against Gio Locatelli.”
Their eyes widened at Taddeo’s words.
“Hey, idiot! Are you serious? You beat Gio? That’s a first! Maybe you should get into the Guinness World Records for that!” Raffaele said, getting closer to us.
My cousins couldn’t get over my defeat, but that wasn’t what I was thinking about. It seemed like I had no choice but to get married. I might not be able to stand the thought of her being with another man.
Millie is my first in almost everything. My first love, my first heartache, and my first sexual experience. Unlike my cousins, I don’t engage in casual flings with various women. I was a virgin when I first shared an intimate night with her. She was my first, and I was hers.
All I wanted was to protect Millie because I brought her into a world that wasn’t meant for her. It’s because I forced myself into her life. So, I will protect her to the best of my ability. But why is it like this? No matter what kind of protection I provide, I always end up hurting her.
From then until now, I’ve always made her cry, and I’ve always hurt her. When will I ever be a good husband? I want to be a good husband.
So, Millie, I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you again. I didn’t want to break you. I just want to keep you safe because I don’t want you to regret marrying me in the future. But if the life I offer you, even though it’s chaotic and filled with danger, is enough for you, I will fight for you until my last breath.
So, please, come back. Come back to me again.
~***~
I spotted Dario in the living room, their expressions dazed and shocked.
They looked at me, still waiting for their words. When I didn’t hear their response, I raised my voice, “Where’s Millie?”
“She left, Sir. She asked us not to follow her.”
I closed my eyes, deeply wounded, but I knew I was to blame for this.
“Find her.”
My staff acted swiftly without wasting a moment. They left immediately to locate Millie. In the back of my mind, I prayed that we’d find her now, that she’d be okay, and that I could speak to her.
She might not want to speak to me now, and I’d accept that, but I’d find a way. I regret what I said; I shouldn’t have mentioned annulment. I was consumed by fear and the thought of her dying.
To hell with it! If Millie can survive this life with me, we’ll die together. Why did I ever doubt her feelings?
I hurried out of the house and got into my car, speeding off to find Millie. I tracked her down and was now on my way to her location, regardless of the distance.
I found Millie’s car. I approached and unlocked it; I had a spare key. I entered, but she wasn’t there. I scanned the entire parking area, but Millie was nowhere to be found.
I returned to my car and saw some of her belongings, even the gifts I had given her the necklace from my mother and the bracelet from me all left behind.
The weight of my emotions grew heavier. Distress gnawed at me, as if it were consuming me alive. I clenched my head, determined not to let my emotions get the better of me. This is why I tried to suppress my feelings and emotions. When they take control and win over me, the outcome is never good.
I gathered Millie’s things and left. I got back in my car and drove. I called Sienna to inquire about Millie’s whereabouts, but there was no information.
I scoured the places I could think of, but I couldn’t find Millie. I angrily struck the steering wheel. “This is the result of your cowardice, Gio. You’re the reason why this is happening to both of you. If something bad happens to her, I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself.” I said to myself.
I must have been driving for hours, unsure if morning had arrived yet. I hadn’t slept and had no intention of stopping until I found Millie.
“Millie, please. I’m sorry,” I whispered to myself.
My cellphone rang. I grabbed it quickly, expecting one of my staff to answer promptly.
“Hello?” I greeted, hoping for some news about Millie.
“Gio, it’s Taddeo. Your instinct was right on the money; Marion Huff was attempting to assassinate Millie. He also has plans to come after you once he’s succeeded with Millie. I’m taking Aleeza to the hospital.”
“What happened to Aleeza?” I asked.
It was Aleeza who informed me about Marion’s plan, his intent to kill Millie. She had called me on Saturday morning, precisely when I was supposed to head home to have a discussion with Millie. I met with her at the mall, not realizing that someone saw us together and reported it to Millie.
I learned about Marion’s assassination plan, but Aleeza didn’t have all the details. She also disclosed that she and Rory conspired with Marion to separate Millie and me, giving Marion an opportunity to execute his plan. She claimed that she couldn’t bear what Marion intended to do anymore, so she approached me and revealed everything.
At first, I didn’t believe her. However, she told me she had a plan and was willing to act as bait to make amends for what she did to Millie and me. We were supposed to discuss it earlier when Millie suddenly showed up at the office.
During those moments, I had too much on my mind. For the umpteenth time, Millie’s life was hanging by a thread because of me. What shook me even more was that, despite having people searching for Marion, we still couldn’t find him.