ARIA’s POV
Taking slow steps, I made my way down the stairs that led out of the mansion. The early morning sun, its gentle rays breaking through the horizon, enveloped me in a warm embrace, casting a luminous glow upon my skin.
It had been days, and I had soon abandoned my crutches. Now, I was able to walk without them.
On the flip side, Matteo began to keep a noticeable distance between us, which I gradually accepted as probably being for the best. His focus on work seemed to consume him, leaving little room for acknowledgment of my presence.
Our shared meals became rare occasions, and his prolonged hours away from home became normal, with him returning only when absolutely necessary. Strangely, though it initially stung, but then i found solace in the newfound space between us, as if I was finally able to breathe.
Life felt worth living once more. Despite my limp, I made my way to the garage, knowing Matteo was away and craving the sensation of gripping the steering wheel again. With the key securely tucked in my pocket, a triumphant smile graced my lips as I approached one of Matteo’s sleek, expensive cars.
Settling into the driver’s seat, I closed the door, relishing the familiar embrace of the vehicle’s plush interior. But before I could fully immerse myself in the moment, the passenger’s side door swung open, and Gia, who seemed to tower over me, bounded in.
Looking at her, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. She reminded me of myself, but I was much shorter.
“Good morning”. She said in a sing-song voice.
“Why?”. I asked, totally lost.
“Why?”. She asked and smiled warmly. “I’m sick of staying home all day, so let me come with”. She pleaded
“I don’t know”.
“Please?”. She batted her eyelids, and I knew I couldn’t say no to her.
“I won’t tell Matteo, I promise”. She said, and I squinted my eyes, knowing that was a threat.
“Alright, just this once,” I conceded, excitement bubbling as I revved the engine of my husband’s new prized possession.
The car exuded that intoxicating new car smell, and the wheel felt perfectly familiar in my hands. Gia’s delighted whoops filled the air as we sped down the quiet lane.
Before long, we found ourselves amidst the bustling town, Gia’s eyes wide with wonder as she observed the lively scene before her. Her innocent laughter warmed my heart as we made a pit stop at a quaint cafe. Taking a seat by the window, we savored the view of passersby while waiting for our drinks of hot chocolate.
She poked me when the waiter left, and I laughed.
“What?”. I asked happily.
“Isn’t he hot?”. She asked. “I mean, you could ditch my asshole brother for this man right here”.
I chuckled and looked out the window “He won’t like that very much”. I said in a low voice.
“What do you mean? Don’t you want to leave him?”. She asked, but I kept my eyes away from hers.
“I don’t know what I want, Gia”. I said, and I heard her sigh.
“It’s definitely not Matteo, right?”. I heard her ask.
There was a moment of silence, and I heard a hum from Gia. I turned to her, and I saw a confusing look on her face. She took a quick glance around the cafe and met my gaze again.
“You feel something for him?”. She asked, completely taken aback. “After everything he’s done to you?”.
“I didn’t say I feel something for your brother -”
“Then, run away. Take your things and leave. It couldn’t be that hard-”
“Don’t you think I’ve tried that?”. I said, and my eyes started tearing up, my lips trembling, and my fingers clasped against one another.
“You’ve tried what?”. She asked, adjusting in her seat. “He found you?”. I nodded. “What?!! Where?”
“Apparently, he shut down all the airports in Italy so we couldn’t book a flight out”.
“Wait, we?”
I sighed, and the waiter walked to us with our cups of hot chocolate. I grabbed mine and took a small sip immediately. She watched me as though she was waiting for me to say something.
“You wanted eloping with someone?”
“Yes, Matteo knew about it, and he found us in the least expected place cause we were living in the woods. How did he find us?”
“And the man you wanted to elope with? Where is he?”.
“Dead”. I worded.
“Dead?!
“Yeah, dead”
“Don’t tell me Matteo had a hand in all of this”.
“I doubt that. There’s someone else out there”
I watched her sit back on her seat and chuckle. She looked like a detective, happy to crack a new case.
“Why would anyone want to have his business rival’s wife dead? That’s too extreme”.
“I’m lost”. I said, trying to understand what could be brewing in that head of hers.
“Something’s up”. She said as she sipped her hot chocolate.
“Explain to me. Gia-
“ARIA!!!”. We heard a voice call out happily. I turned to see Eric, Dennis’ friend from college.
When I was with Dennis, he always made a point of introducing me to all his friends, ensuring everyone knew who I was. However, despite his efforts, I never formed close bonds with any of them.
Seeing Eric today stirred up memories of a different time in my life, memories of Dennis, and the love we once shared before things took a darker turn. As Eric approached, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his slacks as he walked
“Hi”. I said when he came close
“Hey. How long has it been? Ten years?”. He chuckled
“I’m sorry about Dennis” I said, and he smiled.
“You know, he went that far cause he wanted you to be his”.
I looked at him for a good minute, picked up Matteo’s car key from the table, pushed past him, and stormed out of the cafe. Gia was by my side a few seconds later.
“Are you okay?”.
I nodded and looked back at Eric, who stared at me through the glass window of the cafe. His eyes digging deep into mine. Gia followed my eyes and she saw him.
“Let’s get out of here”. I heard her say but I couldn’t leave his gaze. It was like he was pulling me in when I wanted out. I wanted to hide away. Hide away like that day, my mom got murdered. It’s what I do best. Hide away till all my problems get solved, but I wasn’t sure of this one time.