Chapter Four: Another Episode
1561 Words
Aria's Point Of View
Where do I even start? I'm so lost.
I feel so miserable. A few minutes after the thugs exit, I can't even scream.
Just when I thought all hope was gone, I saw my car approaching me from a distance.
This is a miracle!
I tried to convince myself that it wasn't a dream.
“I thought it was stolen?” I asked myself.
I thought of running into hiding. But somehow, a voice in my head told me to stay positive.
I obeyed the voice.
I didn't change my position as my car parked right in front of me.
Two men dressed in black stepped down from the car and returned all my stolen valuables in one piece.
How's that even possible?
Like a dummy, I stood still with my mouth widened, trying to wrap my head around it.
In the process of trying to figure out a solution, I suffered a migraine.
“Take it!
They're yours, aren't they?” A voice spoke from behind.
The voice was accompanied by some footsteps.
"Dante Marino!”
I exclaimed with my last strength.
I had a mixed reaction of laughter, tears, and goosebumps.
“These are my men.
I saw what happened and decided to help out,” Dante clarified.
His explanation solved the mystery in my head.
"You're the girl from the gala event that was denied entrance, right?” he asked me after initiating a handshake.
“Yes, that was me." I quickly shook hands with him. I didn't want to leave his hands hanging in the air for too long.
Everything is happening so fast. I had no idea that Dante recognized my face from the event.
To think that he didn't even pay attention to me when the security threw me out.
I didn't know how to react.
As much as I was desperate enough to have access to Dante, I never wanted it to be like this.
I wasn't prepared for a phase like this. It makes me clueless.
“Here's my card.
I'd love for you to hang out,” he slipped his business card into my soft palm.
Despite how small the card is, my hands still shivered.
Dante is just making everything easier for me.
Until Dante drove out, I couldn't stop imagining things in my head. Things like, Is this really happening?
“My father will be so proud of me," I mutter to myself.
His plan finally worked. When he suggested it last night, I thought he was being delusional.
Now I know better.
I was on the verge of entering my car when I noticed another car driving towards me.
I was scared!
I was this close to peeing in my pants. I have every reason to believe that I'm about to get robbed again.
With the absence of Dante, I'm more vulnerable to attacks.
A relief!
It's not the thugs.
I see a lady stepping down from the car. She had a fierce appearance.
Before I could process my next move, she launched a powerful slap to my chin.
“Ouch,”
I cried.
I didn't see that coming.
“What was that for?
Who the hell are you?” I flared up while caressing my slapped chin.
“That's what you get for stalking my man,” she blows hot.
“Your man?”
I glare at the sky, hoping to get answers.
“Yes, my man.
I'm talking about Dante.
Stay the f**k off him if you want a longer life span,” she warned me.
I never knew Dante was in a relationship. I didn't spot a wedding ring on his index finger.
The craziest part?
Dante gave me his card for a special hangout.
I tried to make this mystery lady understand that I was innocent. Unfortunately, she wasn't having any of it.
Rather, she threatened to make my life miserable should I be seen with Dante next time.
“The name is Isabella.
Be warned,” she pushed me on the chest.
She was about to leave when something caught her attention, forcing her to return to me."Is that his card?” She asked while pointing at Dante's business card.
Before I could conceal the card, she snatched it away from me and tore it apart.
“What did you just do?” I yelled at Isabella.
She just ruined everything I worked for.
In an attempt to attack her, some men in black stepped outside the car and flaunted their guns.
Immediately, I retracted. Imagine getting shot in the head in the middle of the road, knowing that no one is coming to save you. A few days after that horrible incident, I still haven't gotten a call from Dante.
Not even a text of sorts. It's proof that I've lost everything.
What started as a perfect plan is gradually becoming a joke.
And my father? He's not helping matters. He still insists we proceed with the mission.
According to him, this is the time when I need to be courageous and face my fear.
“If we had a better option, you wouldn't be in the topic,” he'd always say to me.
At every slightest opportunity, he doesn't hesitate to remind me why I need to shun all odds and move as though nothing happened.
“I'd be out for a while, Aria. Please stay safe,” my dad screams outside my room.
The next second, I hear a car. Enough indication that he just stepped out.
“Yes, this is it.”
I express my satisfaction about my father's exit.
I had plans to step out without setting eyes on my father.
I got dressed and drove straight to the restaurant to cool off.
I needed some time alone to flex my muscles and everything that has ever happened recently since everyone has turned their backs against me.
A few miles away from the restaurant, I notice a car trailing me from behind.
I slowed down!
The car did the same.
I increased my speed. The car did the same.
At that moment, I knew I was being followed by suspects. Glancing by my side mirror, I saw a masked man bring out a gun aimed at me.
He took this first shot that landed on my windshield wipers.
My soul literally departed my body. I didn't know what else to do.
The only idea in my head is increasing my speed.
Alas, I arrived at the restaurant. To my greatest surprise, the car stopped and did a quick reverse.
I quickly descend from the car and dash straight to the restaurant.
Luckily for me, I wasn't hurt. Not even a scratch on my skin.
But my heart and sanity? They never remained the same.
It felt like someone else possessed my body.
The moment I walked inside the restaurant, I found an isolated corner to cement my butt and bury my head to the ground.
I was still trying to process what just happened when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
A tap that freaked the s**t out of me. It's the waitress.
“Do you care for anything?” She asked me. Apparently, she saw me walk in.
And for over five minutes, I haven't ordered anything yet.
In her situation, I'd do worse. At some point, I almost forgot where I was.
I just wanted to fall asleep and forget everything that happened.
“You're not saying anything, ma'am.
What do you care for?” The waitress asked me again.
. She stressed that I may be forced to make a voluntary exit should I decide not to purchase anything.
“Get me a glass of iced tequila.”
I requested.
It wasn't my usual treat. I just needed to buy myself more time until I figured out what I really want to do with my life.
My order was delivered, and I had my first shot.
After the second shot, I felt dizzy. I saw the need to leave.
I wasn't comfortable anymore.
I called the waitress to sort out my bills.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find my purse anymore. I left it inside the car.
It just got worse. From the way I started with the waitress, there's no guarantee that she's going to listen to me.
“Still waiting.”
She reminds me.
This time in a different kind of tone, the kind of tone that indicates an impending storm."I forgot my purse in the car.
Can you be patient for me to go get it?”
I pleaded.
I sounded dumb, yes, I know. She hissed, took out her phone, and called the manager immediately. To my greatest surprise, Dante showed up instead.
His presence messed up my head so effortlessly that I thought I'd go crazy.
His presence sends tiny shivers down my spine.
I wasn't expecting to see him in that scenario after what happened the last time we met.
It's so unfortunate that he met me when I was trying to get drunk to a stupor.
More embarrassing than how Isabella treated me like a piece of s**t some days ago.
"Ciara, is there a problem?”
Dante asked the waitress.
He hadn't noticed my presence yet. I've been staring sideways since I spotted him from a distance.
I'm about to get crucified like a sinner.
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