Silver-Plated Scars

Chapter 3

My uncle is the only hero in my comic; that’s of course until I met Miss Rosalie. My uncle couldn’t stop talking about her long, black hair strands that kept on falling into her face… or the way her forehead creased when she was confused… or her spitfire attitude…

By the looks of it, I could see they were in love. I’m not so sure about Miss Rosalie yet, but uncle Iron… three words: head over heels.

The only reason he’s always stoic is because he’s afraid she’ll discover that he’s actually a big baby.

Uncle Gio likes crying, and often does so when he sees me having flashbacks of the fire-

Iron pulls the chair that stood in the farthest corner of my classroom towards my table and sits in front of me. I quickly hide the essays, hiding the smile that quietly crept onto my face.

“Iron,” I greet him with a slight nod. My face neutral and my fingers in a knot. “Hunter’s no longer a student of Harmony Primary School, so why are you here?”

“Who are you?” he asks after several minutes.

“Pardon me?” my heart skips a few beats. He slides his hand through his immaculately combed hair.

“Who are you, Rosalie? You’ve occupied my entire mind, my soul, my being… I hate you.”

“Hate is a strong word, Mr Santiago,” he rests his face into his palms.

“Why, Rosalie?”

“Iron-“

“Oh for Pete’s sake- its Giovanni… just call me Giovanni… I hate when you call me that monstrous name that everyone calls me. I hate when you look at me as if I’m a beast… I want you to be at peace in my presence.”

“How am I supposed to be at peace in your presence when all you are made of is rage and hate?”

“There’s that glisten in your eyes again, that hateful glisten… I’m sorry, Rosalie. I was an absolute douche bag to you, I called you names... said things that I shouldn't have said. Yet I knew you were the reason. Why do you think I treated you like a pile of wet poop…” I smile.

“I appreciate your honesty, Mr Santiago, you know the way out.”

“What should I do to make it better?”

“Stay away from me… you’ve done enough.”

"How many times do I need to apologise? Should I buy you roses? Money? Clothes... cars."

I chuckle, and stand up. "Forgiveness shouldn't be bought, Mr Santiago, you took that child from me. You knew I loved him dearly, yet you just cared about yourself and your benefits. I hope you're happy."

"Please, Miss Stein,"

"You know the way out."

The sun gleefully sat high in they sky, not a single cloud in sight. I waltzed through the street, my heels clicking again the concrete ground. I would've used Ruby to take me to the diner, but decided to take a walk and enjoy the scorching sun against my skin.

I enter the diner, the bell above the door loudly screaming, indicating that there's a new customer. "Lu's Diner, how may I help you?"

"Naomi!"

"Rosa!"

I engulf her in a hug, enhancing her sweet honey scent. "How've you been? How's Luther? How was getting a baby... going on maternity leave?" A smile spreads on her face. "You look good,"

"And you're glowing, who's the lucky guy? Is he a biker or a bartender? Or Rubert Goldfish who had the biggest crush on you?"

"He's Iron Santiago and no, he's not lucky... he, however, is a meanie." I scrunch my face, my forehead slightly creasing.

"I didn't know you're into guns, drugs and tattoos."

"I'm not, I'm more relaxed. And he would've been lucky if he wasn't a meanie."

"I'm sure he's not that bad,"

"Trust me, bad us an understatement."

"And how's Taryn?"

"I haven't seen her in weeks, we fought and she moved in with Rob, said we needed a timeout in our friendship."

The bell chimes again, and Naomi's face turns pale. She gulps, "Naomi? " I call out to her, but she ignores me and scurries to work.

"Miss Stein, what a pleasant surprise." My stomach does a pleasurable somersault and I turn around.

"Giovanni," his scent wraps around us, engulfing me like a warm blanket. His lips tug into a smile.

"You said my name." His voice is low, as if he's trying to grasp me uttering his name. I move backwards, my back hitting the counter top. "You said my name," he registers again, his eyes a whirlpool of emotions. I try to calm my raggid breathing. He moves forward and rests his forehead against mine. The thought of being in public completely slips from my mind as having him close to me suddenly becomes a drug. "Again," he commands, slipping his hand around my small waist.

"Giovanni,"

The diner is dead quiet, and I feel everyone's gaze on Giovanni and I. I pry his arm off of me and scurry away from him.

Naomi smiles and winks at me, my cheeks completely flushing. Giovanni grope my forearm, pulling me towards the exit of the diner. Outside, he cages me against his car, my heartbeat accelerating. "Go out with me," his intimidating voice rings through the air, and the bypassers curiously stare at us. "Please," he begs and I sigh. "Say something,"

"Okay, but no touching nor flirting."

"Okay, that sounds easy enough." He stares into space, scratching his chin. "No touching nor flirting."

***

Giovanni's hand brushed against mone as he sat next to me. I look at him, "Tell me why we're sitting next to one another again." He smiles, his pearly whites glistening under the dim lights.

"Makes us connect better." I nod, almost confused.

"We fought, and now we're sitting here, looking like a happy couple. It's crazy how we're crazy."

"You're a wise woman, Rosalie. Any man would be honoured to have you in their lives. You're breathtakingly gorgeous." My cheeks flush. "Look at you... you're the definition of perfect. White skin, pitch black hair, sense of humor... creamy voice that I'd sit and listen to for hours and hours... and-hours. You have me under a spell that I never want to be free from."

"Now you're just exaggerating, Giovanni,"

"I love it when you say my name, not like anyone else... just perfect. I wish you'd see what I see."

"What do you see?" Soft jazz music start to play, and I try to calm my nerves.

"I see an angel. I see pure beauty. I see what others don't see. I see peace, love, hope, joy, faith... respect..."

"You mean that?" For once Giovanni's eyes are soft, and beautifully shimmer like a firefly in the dark. He looks torn, his entire expression looks tired, his shoulders are slumped and his dark demeanour feels different, as if he was hiding these scars too long, as if he wants to let go. I take his huge hand in my tiny one and knot our fingers together. "You're hurt, I can see it. Let me help you."

He smiles, something he never really did, and it warms my heart to see him happy. I could get used to his undying arrogance. "You're doing more than enough to help me, Rosalie. You being here, makes my heart swell, and your hand and heat near me makes me safe."

"I can't keep you safe, I'm frightened." His other hand cups my cheek, and his thumb slides againot it.

"I'm sorry for hurting you, Hunter will be back by Monday. I'll make sure to protect the both of you. Even if it means that I die, I'll die."

"Dying?" I nervously laugh. "You're not serious, are you?"

"I'll do it all for you, Rosalie. You said Forgiveness cannot be bought, let me prove to you that I earn your forgiveness then."

"How?"

"Trust me."