The devil you begged for

011

ISLA

~•~

The second week back at school was worse than the first. As usual, the stress of school was beginning to take a toll on me, but that wasn’t all. Every day, I sat through classes with unasked questions in my mind.

I felt like everyone was watching me: the students, the lecturers, even Lorenzo’s men, especially Lorenzo’s men. They usually dropped me off at school and disappeared, but I knew they never left the school premises. They were always ready to take me home by the time I was done, even if I never gave them my school schedule.

“You’re distracted again,” Sofia leaned in to whisper during one class. Before I could say anything, she continued, “But I understand. You just lost your family. It’s a surprise you’re still able to hold up.”

I smiled briefly, not correcting her before I tried to focus on the lesson. Sofia didn’t know anything about the mafia. She didn’t know my parents were involved and she didn’t think I was living with a man who had a loose screw and was keeping an eye on me whenever I was at school.

I couldn’t figure out what the deal was with him. According to him, he was the person behind the demise of my family. He thought I was valuable alive but what for? What could he possibly want from me? Why were his men keeping an eye on me? Did he think I could run? I wasn’t that stupid to run. I was stupid enough to run to him for help. I couldn’t make another stupid decision.

If he was watching me carefully, it meant he didn’t want me to leave. If he didn’t want me to leave, it meant there was no way I could escape him. I doubt there was anywhere I could run to that he wouldn’t catch me. Who knew if I’d still be alive if he caught me? I needed to stay alive.

To stay alive, I had to pretend I had never heard that conversation between him and Romano.

When school ended, I didn’t want to go back to Lorenzo’s home, but the black Sedan was already waiting for me with the door open.

As I approached the car, the men turned to greet me casually. During the drive, they laughed as they argued about match schedules. I couldn’t help but stare at them. Were they there that day? Did one of them shoot at my brother? Did any of them chase me? Did they personally end the lives of my family members? Did they laugh the same way?

I counted the seconds till we arrived. For the first time since they started driving me, the ride felt suffocating. Everyone was a suspect. No matter how much they made small talk with me, if their boss told them to kill me, I was certain they wouldn’t hesitate. It made me sick. It reminded me that I had no one. Absolutely no one.

I felt like crying, but I couldn’t do that until I was alone in my room.

Inside the house, I headed straight for the kitchen. My throat felt parched.

However, I regretted it immediately.

“You’ve been quiet this week,” Lorenzo said casually as though he had been waiting for me. Did he know I’d go to the kitchen? Did he somehow know how to read my mind too?

I froze at the doorway, “I’m always quiet.”

Lorenzo leaned at the counter, sleeves rolled up to his arms, wine glass in hand, pinning me with a heavy stare. “Are you going to stand there? Or would you finish what you came here for?”

I hesitated but realized the faster I got water, the faster I’d leave the kitchen. I got to the fridge, opened it, and retrieved a bottle of water, but as soon as I closed it, Lorenzo was in front of me again, making my heart sink.

“You’re extra quiet this week,” he resumed the conversation. His tone was probing. He knew something. He just wanted to confirm it.

I swallowed. He was too close for comfort. “I’m just tired.”

He chuckled. “Tiredness can mask other things.” He said as he stepped back, dropping his wine glass on the kitchen aisle. I quickly moved away from the fridge. “Did you hear my conversation the other day?” He questioned gently, not at all worried that I might have heard him. “Ricardo said he told you to deliver a file for me. I found it on the ground.”

I stared at him warily. Since he asked directly, was there any need to lie? Maybe he wanted to clarify that it was a misunderstanding and I heard wrong. There was no way it was true and he’d be this calm in front of me, right?

“There’s no need to lie to me, Isla.” He prompted. “We’d be living together for a while. We ought to be honest, no?” His tone was patronizing. It made my skin crawl.

“I heard it.” The words came out before I could think. The plan had been to lie that I didn’t hear him. I could pretend I didn’t know what he was talking about and I’d be safe. At least, for the time being. I could earn his trust, then destroy him from the inside. But he would expect that, wouldn’t he?

He hummed and silence followed. For a split second, I hoped he would say it was a misunderstanding, but he didn’t. All he did was ask, “And?” His eyes were locked on mine.

I looked away first, unable to hold eye contact with him. He was too calm. It was frightening. “Did you…” I met his gaze again. “Did you kill… my family?”

“Yes,” his voice echoed in the quiet space. “It was necessary.” His voice was cold, his eyes still locked on mine. He didn’t care that I found out. He didn’t see me as a threat.

I reeled back in shock, not expecting him to answer me so honestly. Then I exploded.