I didn’t let Gio’s words intimidate me. I acted nonchalant, but he didn’t reciprocate with a handshake. I’ll stand by my lack of memory. Maybe this is where I’ll find out if Gianna was right about Gio not being serious about the annulment.
I can’t quite say if I’m angry with Gio. I can’t comprehend my feelings for him, actually. I’m not usually the vengeful type, but let’s see what has changed in him during the times we were apart.
As for me, I’ve become more independent ever since I landed here. No one really helped me except myself. I’ve made some new friends here, but I don’t depend on them for my life.
‘How about you, Gio? What have you realized during our time apart? Do you still want to proceed with the annulment? If so, maybe I can give it to you without shedding a tear. Being alone for months and learning to love myself taught me a lot of things. If you don’t want me, I won’t force myself on you.’
I’ve been begging for love from others for a long time, to the point of pitying myself. I never thought life could be this happy if you love yourself first before others.
I’m happy that I’m growing. I probably didn’t think this way before because I never experienced being alone. I never left my father’s house, and when I finally did, I depended on Gio for love. Now that I’ve learned to live on my own in a place where I don’t know anyone and I have to stand on my own two feet, that’s where I truly felt personal growth.
Before I could even open my mouth to talk to Gio, some parents of the children I teach approached us.
“Hi, Teacher Tasha,” one of the parents of a child I teach greeted me. “We brought some food for you.”
“Oh, I hope you didn’t go through any trouble.”
To be honest, I’m still not used to being called a teacher. I just want to help and teach kids how to read and write, but I can’t help it because that’s what the kids call me.
“It’s just a little help for what you’re doing for our kids.”
They were selling some snacks. I smiled at them and thanked them again. I had completely forgotten that Gio was there.
“Who’s this?” one of the parents asked as they approached Gio and scrutinized him closely. “What a handsome man!”
I forced a smile whenever they looked at me and praised Gio.
“Is this your boyfriend, dear? Well, I thought you were still single. I was planning to introduce my oldest child to you. Even the Mayor’s child would be a competition for you.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. My jaw nearly dropped from what I heard. Gio looked at me after hearing their conversation, raising an eyebrow, but I didn’t pay him any attention.
‘He’s not my boyfriend; he’s my husband.’
“I don’t know him. He seems like a tourist and probably just has some questions.” I smiled sweetly at them, especially at Gio. I didn’t let his jaw clenching escape my notice.
“Oh, in that case, there might still be hope for my child!” The old lady laughed heartily at her comment.
They continued with their playful banter, while I started organizing the food they had given me. I intended to distribute it to the children as snacks. There was more than enough for me to handle.
Some parents left after a while, but Gio remained by my side.
“Kids, just carry on with what you’re doing, okay? I’ll sort out the food your parents gave, so you can have something to eat.”
They all answered simultaneously, which brought a smile to my face.
I left for a moment and headed to my residence here. It wasn’t far; the vacant lot and my house were adjacent. It was owned by the couple who took me in.
I entered the house to get containers for the food.
“You live here?”
I was startled because I didn’t expect Gio to follow me inside the house!
“Did I let you in? And why are you inside my house?”
I went straight to the kitchen, not paying too much attention to Gio. Was he acting like a dog, following me everywhere?
“How have you been-”
“I thought you came here for your wife. Why are you following other women?” I hadn’t expected to sound so harsh, but it felt somewhat satisfying.
“Yeah, that’s why I’m following her now.”
I paused for a moment, turned to look at him, then quickly looked away.
“You’re not my husband. I can’t even remember you.” Maybe Gianna would be overjoyed if she were here. I might even witness a smile I’ve never seen on her face before. I don’t know what’s up with Gio’s twin, but it seems like he wants to make him suffer.
He leaned against my kitchen counter. I pretended not to see him and continued preparing the food. I needed to get back to the kids quickly.
“You really can’t remember? You don’t know who I am?” he asked, sounding curious.
I shrugged and looked at him. I placed one hand on my waist to appear unimpressed.
“No, and there might be a reason why I don’t remember you now.”
Pain flickered in Gio’s eyes, and I quickly averted my gaze.
Gio fell silent. I thought he had stopped pestering me because of the hurtful words I’d said, but I was wrong.
I felt him behind me. I froze while placing food on a plate, especially when I realized that his bed was on either side of me. He caged me, and my back was against his chest.
“In that case, I have more reason to bring your memory back and prove that I’m not someone you can just forget.”
My heart raced at his words. Irritated, I wriggled free and accidentally knocked over one of his glasses as I grabbed some for the kids.
I didn’t speak to Gio anymore because my mind was a mess, and my heart was pounding loudly.
“Please leave. You’re being disruptive.”
Amid the silence, I realized that I wasn’t comfortable with his gaze on me, watching my every move. Of course, we were the same person!
He stood up properly. “I’ll see you later, then.”
He turned his back to me and walked away. But before he got too far, something slipped from my lips, enough to make him believe that I meant harm.
“Be careful turning your back on me, Mr. Locatelli. You never know when I might stab you,” I threatened.
He didn’t respond immediately, but I knew he had stopped. In my peripheral vision, I saw that he was still there, not moving.
“Never again,” he began before turning to me. I looked at him, somewhat puzzled by his words. “I will never turn my back on you again, Millie. Never again.”
I froze at his declaration. He smiled at me before finally leaving. Why did it feel like his words had a double meaning, and was I the only one giving it another interpretation?