ROUTE NEVER
1072 Words
Vladimir took a brief detour towards Isabella's room, to inform her about the process of things.
She opened the door after he knocked once.
“Thank God you're here,” she said on seeing him, and quickly ushered him in.
“What's up?” He asked, stopping just next to the door, whilst she continued all the way into the room.
“I blocked everyone in the house from reaching me so your plans are more foolproof. But I'm scrolling online and seeing I've been declared publicly abducted by you. Isn't this going to get too messy, Bratva? I know my name is synonymous with drama, but I left the country for this exact reason before. You know it. In fact, you might be the only person that truly knows it.”
“Hmm,” he bobbed his head. “You're right. I should have thought more about how this will affect you. Let's do this. If the Kaya's call off the engagement, I won't do anything more damaging to your family, even if they try to piss me off.”
She smiled at him, whilst shaking her head. “You know I don't mind being here if it'll keep me close to Hedeon even if it's for a bit. Still, I have to move smarter. I'm grateful you understand that. You understand me. You should have been my actual brother, you know? Don't know why I had to be surrounded by idiots.”
“Well it does help that you've always been my favourite Gambino,” he returned her smile, and spread his arms wide.
She was only too giddy to skip into it for a hug.
They were hugging when the door opened forcefully, and Andrei walked in first with Hedeon following behind.
“Hey boss, He–” Andrei who was already relaying his reason for barging in, paused on stumbling on the sight before him.
Hedeon who was only just behind him remained composed, even though deep down, a knife was twisting in his gut.
It wasn't out of jealousy either. He knew for certain Vladimir didn't see Isabella that way, and vice versa.
However, seeing that interaction took him back to a time where he would have done anything for her. Anything at all, including walking away from his position here at the Bratva villa.
Their bodies broke apart, and Vladimir turned to his guys.
“You're back already, Hedeon?” He asked, pretending not to feel the awkward tension in the air.
“There were no Gambino dogs blocking our way this time, so the ride was smoother. She's at the lounge now throwing a fit,” he replied.
“Right. Stay behind and listen to the needs of Isabella. Ensure everyone is met,” he ordered, knowing it was a difficult command for him.
Hedeon swallowed whatever protest he had. This was his boss that had saved his life too many times to count.
He owed him too much to ever reject his command.
“Yes boss.”
“And you, Mr ladies, come with me.”
Andrei smiled, as he stepped beside Vladimir, and they walked away together.
The room, as large as the entire living room of an average family, suddenly felt tiny.
Isabella felt like she was suffocating, yet, also felt like she was soaring in the sky.
“You heard the boss. What are your needs?” Hedeon, with a strong blank face, asked without looking at her.
She studied his frown with a smile on her face. God she had missed him terribly. It even made her heart ache being so close to him again.
“Would you walk out of the room if I said I need you?”
Hedeon's heart did a double, but he remained unmoved, and unshaken. “If you don't need anything reasonable, then I'll just leave.”
“So you're saying me needing you isn't reasonable? Crazy because it used to be all you wanted.”
His lips parted to reproach her, but just before the words could fall out, he pressed them tight again.
Isabella took that opportunity to draw closer to him. “I know it doesn't seem believable, but I missed you a lot, Hedeon. I missed you a whole lot while I was away.” She stopped in front of him, looking up at him.
A look he didn't return, as his head remained skewed to the side.
“Are you going to just ignore me forever? Say something at least. Please,” she sprinkled the last word in, and then lifted her hand to touch his chest.
At the first contact with his chest, Hedeon's heart pounded.
His gaze snapped down hard at her. “Step away.” The words flew out of his mouth like a warning.
“I already did. But I'm back now.”
He closed his eyes, in complete astonishment at her selfishness.
“I know you may not like me a lot now, but I'm back. And I'm not going anywhere anymore. So you'd just have to endure through whatever it is you feel for me at the moment. Disdain, revulsion, hate, I don't care. I really don't. I'm just here, Hedeon. I'm here.”
He didn't respond for a couple of seconds, and Isabella thought perhaps his heart was finally softening towards her.
In a move she didn't predict, he pushed her hand away from his chest, and turned his back to her abruptly.
“Hedeon?” She called out to him as he walked to the door.
He stopped. “Congratulations on your engagement. Can Kaya is a wonderful guy,” he said, and then walked out of the room.
Isabella made to go after him, but paused, holding herself back.
“You deserve every mean reaction he gives you, Isabella,” she muttered to herself, as her mind flashed back to the past.
The last time she saw him, even though he didn't know she had showed up.
His suit, perfectly fitted against his marvelous frame, as he waited at the altar for her.
She had never seen him with more love in his eyes.
“You're really going to leave, Gambino? Without saying anything to him? That's wicked.”
“It's him or Carla, Bratva. She's too young. She's just too young.”
A single tear dropped down her eyes, feeling that memory like a dagger, straight to her heart.
- Writer
