When I returned home, I told Gianna what had happened. I said that Marion and I had a face-off, but I didn’t know exactly where he was.
“I know,” Gianna replied.
“What?!”
“I know he might be in Minnesota. When I mentioned we had a lead, Minnesota was my lead. I just don’t know exactly where he’s hiding,” Gia casually responded.
“And you sent me here, knowing that Marion might approach me?!”
“Yes, why do you think I sent you here? To lure him out of his hiding, right?”
I was furious. Gia was just like Gio! The only difference was that she could easily use me for her own plans!
“If you knew, you should have caught him earlier,” I said.
“Marion’s security is on high alert because he knows Gio is looking for him. If he had seen any suspicious individuals around you earlier, do you think he would have shown up? Why do you think he only appeared now, even though you’ve been in the place for a while? It’s because he was sure that you were unguarded and alone. If I had my men or women with you, he wouldn’t have shown himself, no matter how much he wanted to get to you or talk to you,” Gia explained. She paused for a moment. “Now, here’s the plan. Since you mentioned your amnesia, just stick with it for now. We need to find Marion’s hideout. Once we locate him, we’ll make sure to attack and corner him. We need to be careful in our actions. The enemy is elusive and good at hiding. One wrong move, and Marion will disappear, and we’ll be back to square one. We’ll act before he can carry out his plans.”
Gianna and I had a plan, but there was one unexpected factor: Marion no longer met me in person. Perhaps he was afraid of being caught, so he only sent his associates to talk to me and convey his messages. When I had a conversation with him, I still used his associates’ phones. Gianna said it was fine, given that he was guarding his life. What I needed to obtain was Marion’s trust. Once I had that, I was sure I could gather all the necessary information.
While waiting for events to unfold, I decided to teach some underprivileged children how to read and write, even just a little. Initially, I had one student, but soon she brought a friend, and now there were several of them.
I asked Aurora if I could use her vacant lot, and she agreed. I don’t know why, but it felt good to help others. It made me feel that if I had followed my desires instead of taking what could make my father happy, I might have become a teacher.
Gio’s arrival on the island caught me off guard. Even though Gianna had mentioned that my husband might find me, I didn’t expect him to locate me in just four months of being missing.
In my surprise and the quick turn of events, I made an attempt on his life, just for show. I knew that Marion had his people watching my every move. I thought it would be a good performance to gain Marion’s trust, making him believe that I was planning to eliminate Gio after all the harm he had caused.
I wasn’t wrong because that night, Marion’s associates contacted me again using their phone.
“I thought he would hurt me. He’s Gio Locatelli, the husband you mentioned, right? He’s a dangerous man and has been threatening our lives. I thought I’d take the initiative, especially after seeing his face in some photos you sent me earlier,” I explained after Marion questioned me about what had happened earlier.
Marion fell silent for a moment. I could tell he was pleased with what had transpired. My acting was fantastic, and I could see that I was genuinely convincing him that I had amnesia.
“Don’t let your guard down, Millie. He might try to convince you that he loves you deeply and say sweet words, but the truth is the opposite of what he claims. Don’t believe what he says. He’ll try to manipulate you, especially since you have no memories,” Marion cautioned.
I wanted to laugh at what Marion was saying, but I simply agreed with him.
“If I’m not busy on Saturday, I’ll send someone to pick you up. We’ll talk in person. I have a lot to tell you that might help with your plan against him,” Marion said.
I felt a sense of excitement at his words. He was letting his guard down now, and it seemed like I had genuinely convinced him with my performance.
“Okay,” was all I said to Marion.
I tried to call Gianna, but I couldn’t reach her at the moment, so I left it for now. Did she inform Gio that I was here?
I thought Gio and his people had left yesterday after the stunt I pulled on him. It was surprising to see him in front of me again today.
I was teaching when Gio approached me. He fixed a steady gaze on me, as if observing me closely.
Now, facing the children, I couldn’t pull the same stunt as yesterday. I couldn’t pretend to threaten Gio again.
“Hi,” he greeted me.
I furrowed my brow. Stop greeting me casually! Can’t he sense the atmosphere? I can’t remember anything that happened here. Maybe he just thinks I’m mad at him because I tried to stab him yesterday. Yes, I was angry with him, but I’m not crazy enough to stab someone just because he challenged me to an annulment!
He observed the children engrossed in their reading and writing. A small smile graced his lips.
“So, you’re a teacher now, huh?”
Honestly, the children have helped me immensely in forgetting all the tragedies that have befallen me. My days go by quickly because I enjoy being with them. And when they learn something from me, it’s fulfilling. It brings joy and happiness.
Combine that with the fact that I genuinely love kids.
“Do I know you?” I tried to sound friendly because there were children around, but I knew Gio could feel the indifference in my voice.
I haven’t spoken to Gianna yet, so I’m not sure if she betrayed me and revealed my whereabouts to Gio. I didn’t want to meet Gio just yet because I still had my issues with Marion, and, aside from that, I was genuinely enjoying my life here. I was still working on myself and getting ready for a conversation with Gio. I wanted to be whole when I talked to him.
I just stared at Gio. I needed to adjust my disposition, or else, knowing Gio, he would catch on to my pretense.
He extended his hand. I looked at it for a moment but didn’t accept it. I gazed at him intently.
“I’m Gio Locatelli. Nice to meet you. I’m here to find my missing wife, and I thought I saw her yesterday. I came today to get her back. Hello, Miss Tasha.”
It felt like an electric shock ran through my body when he mentioned the name Tasha. I tried not to react, but I couldn’t control myself and was even surprised by what he said.