Chapter 10
1281 Words
Oriana
We never did finish our game of 20 questions and it was pretty one sided. Dinner was amazing and I couldn’t help but smile at Gio as we were driving home. I really didn’t think that my touch could render the big bad boss speechless. I cracked a smile and a giggle followed. I turned the king into a puppy. “My puppy,” I said to myself as I remembered his vows and promises to me.
After Lileth helped me get hanged for bed, I made my way to the kitchen to get myself a drink before turning in for the night.
“Hey bro,” I shouted.
‘BANG!’ “OW! f**k! Hey sis. How was your night?”
“Less painful than yours, obviously,” I couldn’t help but laugh as Toni nursed he bump that was growing on the back of his head after hitting his head on the refrigerator. “It was really nice. He took me to see mamma and papa, then went to Pavarotti’s.”
“Did he tell you that you own it?”
“Yeah, after I gushed about how much I wanted to meet the owner,” Toni chuckled.
“Did you look in the mirror?”
“Hey, that’s what he said to do,” we both laughed and talked for a while. “You know, I felt really comfortable with him. It’s as though he washed missing part of me.”
“See, I knew it.”
“Shhhh, keep it down you i***t. I’m scared though. After what happened with Jaime, it scares me to put my trust into another relationship.”
“Aww sis, you have nothing to worry about with Gio. He will lay his life on he line to protect you. He knew we would find you, he never gave up. He even went personally to deliver a message to that fucker for hurting you. We normally send the ninjas, assassins or ghosts to deal with that sort of thing. Sakalans was placed on alert as soon as Julian found you. Just give him time, please, for me?” he pouted and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Fine. I will give him a shot but, I need you both to be honest with me about everything and I mean everything.”
“I promise and I will make sure Gio does too.”
“Good. Now, I think it’s time to call it a night,” I hugged Toni and reached up to place a kiss on his cheek. “Good night bro.”
“Sweet dreams sis,” I walked back to my room. It had been a very informative day and can imagine tomorrow will be the same.
Antonio
Ana looked beautiful as she left with Gio this evening. She tried her best to hide her bruises as she felt self-conscious about them showing.
“Don’t stress yourself about them showing. No one is going to see them,” I encouraged.
“I just want to look nice. Oh my god, I feel so sick right now,” she started to hyperventilate.
“Here, drink this,” I said as I poured her a glass of water. She sat on the chaise and took a few sips. “Feeling better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I will leave you to get ready. Lileth is on her way to assist,” she nodded as I exited the room.
“She should be getting ready in our room, not in the guest room,” Gio growled.
“I know. Just give her a few days, she’s sure to come around,” I said reassuringly. “What are your plans for the evening?”
“I called the team at the cemetery to assure there would be no one else there so that she can see where your parents are at peace.”
“You know, she may want to place flowers, right?”
“Already ahead of you. Flowers were delivered an hour ago. They are in the car,” Gio looked pleased with himself.
“Dinner?”
“Pavarotti’s. I will be telling her that it’s hers.”
“She will love it, just like mamma used to,” Gio nodded his head just as Ana exited her room.
“Have a lovely evening,” I said smiling as they turned towards the door heading out on their date. Ana wouldn’t approve of me calling it that but technically that is what it was.
They got home a little later than planned which made me panic. I ended up in the gym to blow off some steam and had just finished my workout when they finally came home. I heard them bid each other good night and I thought it was safe to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen.
“Hey bro.”
‘BANG!’ Holy f**k that hurt. I heard her laughing at my pain from headbutting the fridge.
“Ow! f**k!” I cursed, causing her to laugh a bit harder. “How was your evening?” She told me about visiting our parents and how much I looked like papa. Before making a fool of herself at the restaurant. “Did you look in the mirror?” she poked her tongue out at me and I laughed. It felt like she had never been away from me.
“I felt really comfortable with him. It’s as though he is the missing part of me.”
I saw Gio stand in the doorway but slowly retreated when he caught my eye. I know he won’t be far away. Probably just on the other side of the doorway out of sight but listening in.
“I’m scared though,” she continued. I knew going from an abusive relationship straight into another would be difficult, so I just encouraged her to take baby steps. We could push her a little harder but, she needs to heal from her injuries and get to know us. There’s a lifetime that we need to catch up on which we all knew wasn’t going to happen overnight. She bid me good night and left. Gio emerged from the shadows.
“Surely you heard all of that and I don’t need to repeat any of it,” Gio nodded.
“Thanks for having my back with her. It means a lot.”
“You’re whipped already.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. Whenever she’s around, your mask slips to soft and caring. You’re putty in her hands,” I chuckled.
“I suppose you’re right. You know I don’t let anyone in but with her, I feel so comfortable and free. In her words, the other part of me,” he smiled a genuine soft smile and stared into space.
“Snap out of it, dude. You have to be patient with her,” I said, snapping my fingers in front of his face.
“I know. She will be worth the wait,” he sighed.
“Just…don’t wait too long. I have a feeling she wants to be with you just as much as you want to be with her.”
“Really. I felt that there was something there earlier.”
“Yeah?” he nodded. “I’m happy for you. I really am but I am beat. Catch you in the AM. There is some business to discuss,” his face now reflecting his cold, hard demeanour. His serious business face.
“Very well. Let’s call it a night,” he said and pursed his lips as we walked to our respective wings of the house.
- Writer
