I truly spent the day with Gio. I don’t know why, but it felt like he was savoring our time together. Then it dawned on me. Tomorrow, he would be leaving because it was the day they planned to go after Marion. Gio assured me that I had nothing to worry about, but I couldn’t help but be concerned.
It’s normal to be scared for the life of someone you love, especially when you’re unsure of what your enemy has in store for them, especially when Gio told me he would go after Marion himself.
“How did you find out where Marion is, Gio?” I asked him.
He just looked at me, seemingly unwilling to answer my question.
We lay on the bed, with only the sheet covering us. I used his arm as a pillow while he gently stroked my arm.
“I get what I want, Millie,” he replied. His response left me unsatisfied. I mean, it was a vague answer. He didn’t answer my question directly.
“Do you plan to tell me about your plans?” I inquired.
He looked at me, as if struggling to find the right words. He seemed to be even more troubled when he saw my expression.
“I know you’re worried, but trust me, everything’s going to be okay.”
Despite the many assurances he gave me, the fear still lingered. I hadn’t told Gio directly that I forgave him. What if I use that to get him to reveal everything to me? But it didn’t feel right.
“Do you trust me, hmm?” he asked me, and after some hesitation, I eventually smiled and nodded.
“Yes,” I said. I had faith in Gio, but it didn’t eliminate my concerns about what might happen to him.
“Let’s take a bath?”
We both got up and headed for the shower. We washed each other’s bodies, almost as if we didn’t want to be apart from one another.
I longed for a life like this, one that was simple and spent with Gio. However, it was challenging because of his numerous responsibilities. I didn’t want to explicitly tell Gio what I wanted, knowing that it might burden him, and his insecurities could consume him, given how different our lives were now from the peaceful life I envisioned.
“What’s wrong?” He must have noticed the turmoil on my face and decided to ask. I shook my head at Gio and smiled.
He had been on the phone earlier, and if I heard correctly, he was talking to Gianna. I didn’t know if she and Gio had reconciled, given that Gianna was the one behind my months-long hiding from Gio. I was still puzzled as to how Gio found out I was in this place, far from New York. No one could have known I was here unless someone saw me and directly informed Gio. But who?
“Gianna mentioned she was coming here tomorrow.” Gio said after the call.
“Why?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Just to have someone with you tomorrow. I’m leaving, and I’m not comfortable leaving you and your sister here with only Dario.”
When he mentioned his departure, it felt like a blow to my emotions. If only I could tell him not to go and let Marion be, but I knew very well that it would only make things worse if we allowed Marion free rein.
I didn’t argue. I just let Gio do what he needed to do.
Gianna arrived in the afternoon. I sensed tension between the two siblings as they exchanged glances. I greeted Gia briefly when I noticed her.
Gio had someone to talk to, so Gianna and I were left in the living room. I offered her some food, but she declined.
“How did Gio catch both of us?” I wasn’t sure if my question was appropriate. Her piercing eyes immediately locked onto me, making my throat go dry under her sharp gaze. She stared at me like that for a moment before releasing a deep breath.
“Don’t know,” she replied curtly. “Some of my twin’s people suddenly showed up at the facility and captured us. They locked us in, and I was kept in their headquarters. As for how Gio found out, it’s still a mystery to me.”
I pursed my lips, but no words came out.
“It seems like after Gio hit rock bottom, the demons inside him woke up again, and he used every method to eliminate the people, including me, whom he believed would obstruct his plans. So much for being his twin; he doesn’t care.” I could taste her bitterness in my mouth. It was evident that she was upset with Gio for what had happened. “That’s why I couldn’t reach you back then; I couldn’t contact you. You’ve stopped playing Marion’s game, and Gio is handling everything. It seems like he has a well-thought-out plan now.” Gianna added.
I remained silent. I didn’t want to interfere, but I was genuinely anxious about what might happen. What if, in the process, I lost Gio? But that’s unlikely. I should stop overthinking.
Gio returned and sat beside me. Gianna sighed when she saw her twin. Her expression suggested a mix of surprise and amusement at Gio’s greeting.
“How was your vacation behind our HQ’s cell, Gia?”
I shot a stern look at Gio due to his comment. Is this really how he greets his sister?
Gianna merely stared at Gio coldly, a sardonic smile on his lips.
“You should have known better, little sis,” Gio began before resting his elbow on the backrest. “In the game of deception, I will always be the one who’ll win.”
Gianna leaned back and crossed her legs, her expression bemused. “Sometimes, I don’t really understand how your mind works and your cunning ways, Gio. I thought back when we were kids that I could understand you better. I thought I’d be the one manipulating the people around me, including you, as you always sacrificed your own happiness for mine, not until Millie showed up.”
“Well, it turns out you read me wrong, Gia. A lot has changed over the years.”
I felt Gio’s hand rest on my shoulder, and Gianna winced when she saw what her twin did.
“So, what’s your plan?” Gianna changed the topic abruptly, raising an eyebrow as she waited for Gio’s response.
“You don’t have to know. It’s better if no one else knows my plan.”
She shrugged. I hoped Gianna would insist on knowing all of Gio’s plans because I wanted to hear them too. Perhaps, knowing the plan would put my mind at ease and quell my fears.
But every time I looked at Gio’s face, he wore a determined expression, indicating that he had a specific course of action in mind, and if no one interfered, he was confident he would succeed.
I also found the time to visit Sienna. According to Gio, she was safe, and Dario was watching over her. Shouldn’t I be more concerned about Dario being in danger because of Sienna?
“I’m fine, Sis,” Sienna reassured me. I was worried about her because the explosion might have shocked her. “I already know what happened, and Gio explained it to me.”
I sighed in relief at her words. I was afraid she might be traumatized by the incident. I had been overly protective, but the truth was, my sister had matured and could handle herself just fine.