Lost In Darkness

Chapter - 2

Four years earlier…….

Avalana’s POV

I whimpered in the corner as the room went dead silent. The only sound I could hear was my heart thudding in my chest and my soft whimpers.

“What the f**k did you say?” Vincenzo went still. His tone went from hundred to zero real quick. The chilling voice sent cold shivers down my spine.

I didn’t want to look at his face. The way he asked that question was enough for me to know that things were about to go from bad to worse.

“Avalana is pregnant.” Anthony repeated more loudly.

A sinister chuckle escaped Vincenzo’s lips. It turned into a full-blown cold laugh in a fraction of a moment. He walked past Anthony and squatted down in front of me. I flinched back, my hands curling against my stomach, a move that didn’t go unnoticed by him.

“Is your brother speaking truth?” he asked in a cold tone.

I nodded subtly.

“Get up.” He ordered in a no-nonsense tone.

I silently got up. And followed him out of the room. We went to the gynecologist in the hospital. The sweet lady smiled and asked us to take a seat. Her expression faltered as she saw the condition I was in.

“I need to know if my girlfriend is pregnant” Vincenzo spoke blankly. The doctor nodded. “And I need the result right now.” He added further, rather harshly.

Again, the doctor nodded, a bit uncomfortable.

“what’s your name miss?” she asked.

“Avalana.” I replied quietly.

She wrote something on her notepad.

She handed me a cup. “I need your urine sample for the test.” She told me.

I took the cup and went to the washroom. After finishing my business, I handed the cup back to her.

“Sir, can you please step outside for a minute. I need to check her.” Doctor said.

“You can do the check up in front of me.” he glared. The doctor looked at me.

“Please. I will be done in five. Wait outside.” I said softly, not wanting to create any scene or aggravating him any further.

He wordlessly got up and left, slamming the door shut.

“Are you fine miss? Should I call police?” the doctor asked me immediately as he left.

My eyes widened. “Uh no I am good.” I said. A small smile appeared on my face. “He may come off as dominating and a bit too much but he loves me. don’t worry.” I lied almost crying right there. My eyes tingled.

“Alright.” She said. “Can you please lie down so I can check up on you.”

I laid down on the hospital bed. She checked my heart rate and my blood pressure.

“Everything seems to be fine. I have sent the sample to the lab. The results will come out in an hour.” She informed me.

The doctor called Vincenzo back in. “the results will be with us soon. Till then you can wait in the waiting room.”

Vincenzo dragged me back to the upper floor and pushed me on the chair beside the guys.

I wanted to know how Fiorella was doing but I was sure I would be shot for real if I asked so I kept quiet. Few tense minutes passed until a man dressed in surgical attire approached the men.

“We managed to get the bullet out. The wound is fatal I will not lie. The next twelve hours are critical. If she pulls through, she will be out of danger. the only thing we can do is wait now.” Doctor said and left after casting a sympathetic smile.

The atmosphere got tenser and I felt more vulnerable. Nikolai kicked the wall in anger and I recoiled in my chair. His angry and hateful eyes snapped to me. the angry man charged to me only to be held back by Vincenzo.

“I WILL f*****g KILL YOU SUKA.” He thundered.

“Calm the f**k down.” Vincenzo snapped trying to get him away.

“WHY THE f**k IS SHE HERE?! GET HER OUT OF MY f*****g SIGHT!” he screamed angrily as he tried to pounce on me.

“Ava.” Anthony said getting up. “Come.”

I opened my mouth to talk but nothing came out. What could I possibly say?! It would do nothing but aggravate everyone further. So, I zipped my mouth shut and my head hung low. I nodded, tears blooming in my eyes. I followed him to another room where there was no one.

I sat down in a corner, silently sobbing to myself. Anthony stood on the side.

“What happens now?” I asked softly.

I heard him sigh. “I don’t know. You made a mistake. You pay the price.”

“But I didn’t.” I sobbed. “I didn’t know it was Fiorella.” I said to myself.

“It would be better if you stop lying to yourself and to others, I don’t want to see my cousin’s death.” He said harshly. His voice cold.

“You really think I would shoot Fiorella intentionally?” I asked seriously and looked at him expecting an answer.

He looked away and kept silent.

A pained moan escaped my lips at his silence. He pretty much said yes indirectly.

“What the hell made you believe that I would shoot my friend? I was kidnapped and tied up Anthony, with no one to help me.” I cried. “You really think I did all of this?!”

“We have enough reasons to know that you aren’t innocent in this incident Avalana. I am already conflicted. Don’t make it harder on me. you already did what you wanted to do from a long time! What are you even crying for?! That you got caught? Or because you couldn’t kill Fiorella?!” he said with voice full of venom. He stood up straight and stormed out of the room, leaving me to my misery.

I couldn’t understand why they were all being so heartless to me. was it my fault I got kidnapped? Was it really my fault that I wanted to get free? Maybe I should have just let Callahan kill me. at least I wouldn’t have shot Fiorella and none of this s**t would have happened. The only reason I didn’t give in was because of my pregnancy. Then it clicked.

It was Lucan’s plan all along. He wanted me to shoot Fiorella so I would get framed for it and Vincenzo will revenge his sister. Two birds in one stone. That’s why they didn’t hurt me. I wondered all the time why was I being treated humanely. Callahan played mind games with me and he was succeeding. I got up. I needed to tell this to Vincenzo. Just as I was about to run out Felix came in.

“Trying to go somewhere Ms. Parker?” he mocked.

“I..I need to to see v-Vincenzo.” I stammered backing up.

He snorted. “Consider your wish granted. Boss has asked me to get you. The test results are here.”

I nodded and quietly followed him out of the room and to the gynecologist’s office. Vincenzo stood in front of the office with a clenched jaw and hands in pockets. His eyes flashed with anger as he saw me. without waiting, he went inside. I followed. Felix left after he escorted me to the office. The doctor sat on the chair behind the desk reading my test results. She smiled as soon as she saw us.

“Please have a seat Ms. Avalana; sir.” She motioned us to seat down.

Her small smile bloomed into a full grin as soon as we sat down.

“Congratulations Ms. Avalana. You are four weeks pregnant.”

She handed me the results. “Would you like to schedule an appointment and a sonography?” she asked.

“That won’t be necessary. Tomorrow morning, we are returning to Italy.” Vincenzo answered for me.

“Oh, okay then. I advise you to do a scan as soon as possible. Don’t stress too much, it is not a good thing for baby especially in first three months. Don’t over exert yourself and avoid lifting heavy things.” She said.

I nodded smiling a bit. Although I knew I was pregnant getting it confirmed by a doctor brought tingles of happiness. I felt the unusual warmth and the urge to protect my child from every danger out there. I rubbed my stomach gently and smiled to myself.

“Thank you doctor.” Vincenzo said getting and snapping me out of my happy thoughts. “Let’s go.” He said. My happy bubble was burst instantly. I got up and followed him out like a helpless puppy.

Vincenzo brought me back to the upper floor and turned to me. I looked at him with curious eyes.

“who’s child is that?” he asked emotionlessly.

I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. What a moronic and insensitive question to ask. Tears flowed out of my eyes relentlessly. The sound of my loud sobs echoed through the hallway.

“Who do you think I am?” I cried. My voice hoarse from crying continuously.

His face whipped to me and he slapped me back with hundred times more force. I fell down on the floor, hitting my head. Blood came pouring down from the fresh wound.

“Vincenzo!” I heard Felix yell. “don’t f*****g lose yourself.”

“Move.” I heard the latter growl.

I felt him turn my face roughly. “Once that baby is born, I want a paternity test. If the child is mine it stays with me and you leave my f*****g country. And if I find out that you had been whoring around behind my back, I will rip your head from your f*****g body.” He glowered.

The last thing I saw before I passed out was Vincenzo’s face filled with immense hatred and rage towards me.

Next time I woke up I was in some hotel room with no one in sight. I got up and clutched my head. Suddenly feeling like throwing up I ran to the bathroom and dry heaved. There was nothing to throw out since I hadn’t eaten since God knew when. My throat burned with the dry cough. I felt weak and spent. Having no energy to wake up I sat there on the bathroom floor breathing weakly.

“The hell are you doing on floor?” I heard someone say.

Slowly I blinked my eyes open. With blurry vision I saw Anthony looking down at me.

“Nausea.” I whispered.

He helped me stand up and I washed my face.

“I have brought breakfast for you. Eat up, we leave for Italy in an hour.” He said blankly and left the room.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I looked deathly pale and sick. My cheeks were sunken and eyes looked tired and baggy. I had no energy to move my limbs. There was a bandage on my forehead, probably due to the slap earlier. My left cheek was swollen black and blue. Didn’t I look beautiful?!

I left the bathroom and sat on the bed where the covered tray was kept. I uncovered the lid. A bagel, eggs and sausages were kept in palate along with orange juice. The smell of eggs revolted me and my stomach churned. I ran to the bathroom to dry heave again.

“What now?” Anthony said, irritated.

“I cant stand the smell of eggs.” I rasped.

He sighed. “Look, that’s the only thing available right now and Vincenzo will be mad if I ask for a replacement. Just keep the eggs away and eat the bagel and the sausages.” He said.

“I cant.” I shook my head.

“Would you rather starve?!” he growled.

I looked down.

“Eat your food and don’t trouble me more than you already have.” He spoke and left. My eyes stung with tears.

I went to the breakfast plate and kept the eggs on the side of the tray. The smell was unbearable but I had no choice. I had to eat something. I had to think about my baby too. Reluctantly, ate the remaining food, inhaling as little as I could. I gagged a few times but I managed to eat everything except the eggs.

“Are you done?” Anthony came in after an hour.

I nodded. It’s not I had anything to pack up. I just took a shower and waited the whole time.

“Lets go then.” He said and I followed him. We got into a SUV. I didn’t see Vincenzo or Nikolai or Felix or Luciano. Adrian, Elijah and Anthony accompanied me. Elijah looked at me with an indecipherable expression when I got into the car. I kept to myself and looked out the whole time.

“How long was I out for?” I asked Anthony.

“a day.” He replied not looking at me. that hurt.

That means Fiorella should be out of danger now. Judging by the calm looks on their faces I guess she survived. A sigh of relief left my lips and I smiled to myself. I was glad the bullet didn’t take her life. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if it did.

We reached the airport. I got out.

“don’t talk. Don’t interact. Keep quiet and try not to piss them off anymore.” Anthony hissed as we walked to Vince’s private jet.

We entered the plane. First thing saw was Fiorella with numerous wires hooked to her. He was still unconscious on the hospital bed with a heart monitor, oxygen and a IV bag. I stared as the events of that night played in my mind. My eyes went to glaring Nikolai. I quickly averted my eyes and went to the farthest corner of the plane.

Claudia sat in the staff area. She gave me a formal smile. I smiled back and curled up in a corner.

Vincenzo walked in. “Claudia, get something to eat for Avalana.” He ordered. I was going to say that I am not hungry but I refrained.

“No eggs please.” I said softly.

Claudia nodded and left to the kitchen. Vincenzo had left too. I sat alone in the back of the airplane wishing for the nightmare to be over.

She brought me a fruit bowl, some salty crackers and different cheeses. I flashed her a grateful smile and ate the food silently. The whole ride I took a nap due to sheer exhaustion and also because I had nothing better to do. I didn’t want to think about how things will be once we were back in the mansion. before the anticipation and dread got to me, I fell asleep.

I felt someone carry me and put me on a soft surface. I was too sleepy to react. Then I felt like I was moving but I didn’t bother. I woke up when the movement stopped. My eyes opened wide and I sat up, yawning slightly.

The mansion before made me tremble in the seat. I didn’t want to go in and face everyone else. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the reactions of Mr. Moretti and mrs. Moretti. I didn’t have courage to face them.

“Come on, get out.” Anthony said from outside the door. I shook my head frantically and scooted back.

“I am not going in there.” I said in a wavering voice.

“Ava!” he warned; Extremely fed up with me.

“NO!” I squeaked.

He opened the door and pulled me out despite of my cries of protests. He pulled me all the way to the house where everyone was present. The room went silent as they saw me. only faint cries of Mrs. Moretti and mia could be heard in the room. Mrs. Morettis eyes snapped me. she got up instantly and stormed to me.

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” she screamed and pushed me out of the threshold.

“Mama!” Vince said from behind.

“Prendi questa donna fuori di casa mia! O meglio, basta ucciderla! (Get this woman out of my house! Or better, just kill her!)” she shouted.

“Mamma, è incinta.(mom, she is pregnant.)” he said, shocking everyone behind him except the guys.

“Che cosa?(what?)” she staggered back and looked at him

He nodded at her. Her hate-filled eyes shifted to me. without a word she went walked back to her husband who held her to support her frail body.

“Everyone. I know the situation is not what we all like but here is the truth and reality.” Vincenzo said grabbing everyone’s attention. “Fiorella was shot by Avalana. But one bullet wont take down a Moretti. Fiorella is out of danger and currently recovering. At the same time, Avalana has been tested positive by a pregnancy test. she is pregnant and that is an unavoidable truth. With everything happening so fast, we haven’t had the time to do a background check of everything that has happened. Avalana will stay in the mansion until she gives birth. If the child is mine, it will remain with me and Avalana will leave Italy and never set a foot back in my country if she is smart. And if the child isn’t mine...” he looked back at me and looked ahead. “She will be killed instantly.” He finished.

Every time I heard those words my heart bled and I felt like I was having a heart attack. How the tables had turned. My life was barely hanging on a piece of paper. I still couldn’t believe I was stuck in that situation. I would rather take my own life instead of getting killed by the man I loved but no, I just had to get f*****g pregnant.

Vincenzo left me standing in the entrance as soon as he announced the two possible outcomes in the future. I was already dreading the next nine months.