Between Memories and Madness
1138 Words
Between Memories and Madness
I sat up in the chair, the legs squeaking slightly under my weight. The doctor regarded me quietly, and I tried and failed to place the look in his eyes.
"Miss De Luca," he said, his amber eyes locking with mine.
"Your case seems to be a strange one. If I'm correct, you see a therapist here, don't you?"
He adjusted his glasses as they slipped slightly down his nose, the wrinkles on his face deepening.
I steadied my breathing.
"I do."
I surprised myself with how steady my voice sounded.
"It says here that you experience hallucinations. Could that be what was responsible for what happened to you?"
He asked the question carefully.
I didn't answer.
I didn't know what to say.
A soft hum left him, as though my silence had already given him an answer.
"I would suggest a brain scan, and we could also recommend—"
"I'm not mad."
I cut him off.
"I know what I saw, and I'm certain I'm not hallucinating. Nor do I need a brain scan."
He regarded me silently, his lips pressing together.
Whatever he saw on my face must have convinced him I meant every word.
"Fine," he finally said. "But as your doctor, I strongly recommend the scan. Considering everything that has happened recently, it would be important."
I raised an eyebrow.
The way he carefully avoided saying more told me enough.
Not even my therapist had ever spoken so directly.
His courage baffled me, I stood, meeting his gaze.
"I'll keep that in mind, Doc."
My pantsuit flowed around my legs as I walked out of the office, my muscles aching from being stuck in a hospital bed for two days.
I pulled my phone from my bag and slipped on my shades.
The car was already waiting.
At least that had been arranged beforehand.
Still, the events of the past two days refused to leave my mind.
The memory kept replaying,yet I still couldn't put a name to it.
I slid into the car, nodding to the driver as he pulled away from the curb.
The letters.
I remembered the letters, but I couldn't remember why I stopped writing them, They had been sitting in my house all this time.
Why hadn't I written?
Running a hand through my hair, I squeezed my eyes shut.
My head throbbed.
There were too many questions.no answers,no one to answer them.
"Ma'am."
The driver's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"Ma'am."
I looked up.
"We're here."
He looked young,new.
I turned toward the window, my gaze landing on the building that would be my home for now.
Jose had already packed my clothes and everything I would need and moved them to Vicky's place.
All I had to do was stay here.
I stepped out of the car.
The evening breeze brushed against my skin as I stared up at the building.
Unlike my apartment, Vicky's building wasn't crowded with residents constantly coming and going.
It was quiet.
Five stories of cream stone and dark glass towered above me. Soft golden lights glowed from the balconies, while floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the Vegas skyline.
The entrance looked expensive
Tall palms lined the walkway leading to polished marble floors and crystal light fixtures hanging from above.
Beautiful.
Private.
According to what I had found online, the owner spent most of his time overseas handling business, leaving only Vicky living here most of the year.
Now there would be two of us.
At least for now.
I walked toward the reception desk, my gaze settling on the blonde woman behind it.
A sugary smile stretched across her face.
"Miss Aria?" she asked.
I nodded.
My eyes wandered around the lobby, the place was beautiful.
But beauty meant nothing to me anymore.
I tried holding back the question while she searched for the spare keys.
I failed.
"How is the security here?"
"It's excellent, ma'am. We have twenty-four-hour security, surveillance cameras, controlled access, and regular patrols. It's one of the safest buildings in Vegas."
I almost laughed.
I had been living in one of the safest buildings in Vegas too.
Yet he still got in.
The woman must have noticed the disbelief on my face because her smile faltered slightly.
"Is there a problem, ma'am?"
"No."
I paused.
"What about the fire exits?"
"The fire exits?"
"Yes."
"There is one on every floor," she replied. "We also have emergency evacuation procedures and direct access to the fire department if necessary."
"And the police?"
"Pardon?"
"The police. Are they also on call?"
"Yes, but you won't need—"
"Thank you."
I extended my hand for the keys.
The look she gave me was somewhere between confused and concerned.
I couldn't bring myself to care.
My eyes drifted around the building once more.
Studying, calculating, searching.
Because if this place wasn't safe enough, I would leave.
I would rather go back than put Vicky's life in danger.
---
DOM'S POV
I took a long drag from my cigarette before letting the smoke escape slowly through my lips.
The board sat in silence.
Watching each other.
Avoiding me.
No one brave enough to tell me what the f**k was going on.
I enjoyed it.
The way they shifted in their seats.
The way fear lingered in the air.
My gaze dropped to my phone for what had to be the tenth time.
Still nothing.
No calls, No messages.
Aria De Luca was starting to irritate me.
A slow smile tugged at my lips.
It would be interesting watching her test my patience.
Very interesting.
Rickon cleared his throat.
Even now he struggled to look me in the eye.
I couldn't blame him.
One eye was sometimes not enough to do that.
The blonde one finally spoke.
I still hadn't bothered learning his name.
He wouldn't survive long enough in this business for it to matter.
Though I would admit he had guts.
"We have a situation."
"Do we?"
"Four of our warehouses were burned down, and two were raided yesterday."
The room fell silent.
"We questioned several gang leaders, but we've come up short."
He swallowed.
"Only one name keeps coming up."
My smile widened.
"And that name?"
"Dante Salvatore."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"I asked around," he continued. "He was released about a year ago."
I stared at him until he finally met my gaze.
The flinch he suppressed almost made me laugh.
Dante Salvatore.
I had been wondering when you would finally crawl back into my life.
Now this...
This would be fun.
I laughed as I rose from my chair.
The legs scraped loudly against the floor.
The board watched me in horror.
Their fear filled the room like smoke.
And for the first time all day, I was genuinely looking forward to what came next.
- Writer
