Chapter Four
1279 Words
Hidden Secrets and Shadows
Vivian's POV
I was shocked to see Alessandro's hand on my arm when I opened my eyes; he had rescued me from the person who was pulling me away. I was happy, but I wasn't sure how.
Alessandro replied, "You're hiding something," his powerful voice piercing the silence.
I went cold. My heart pounded. In an attempt to quiet my racing thoughts, I had been sitting by the window and gazing out at the city lights. But I felt anxious after hearing Alessandro's comments.
"What are you talking about?" My voice was tremulous as I asked. I tried to maintain a composed expression as I turned to face him.
His eyes narrowed as he took a step closer. You flinch at every sound and keep your eyes on your shoulder. I must know what's happening. If I don't know the truth, I can't defend you.
I bit my lip. How could I be completely honest with him? If he knew the whole truth, would he flee? Was he even someone I could trust?
"I previously told you. I continued, my voice hardly more than a whisper, "My family is dangerous." They do not wish for me to go. They will stop at nothing to get me back.
Alessandro clenched his jaw. He stepped forward till we were just a few inches apart. He seemed to be able to see right through me, and his presence was overwhelming.
His voice was forceful yet low as he inquired, "Who exactly are they?"
My hands were shaking as I paused. Vincent Hart is my father. He runs and manipulates others. Companies. Even.
Alessandro concluded, "The mafia," for me. His eyes darkened, but his tone remained unsurprised.
Slowly, I nodded. "Yes. They also forbid anyone from leaving.
Alessandro was quiet for a while. His eyes were so strong that I thought I might crack under them. However, he nodded while speaking in a steady, calm tone. They're not going to harm you. While I'm here, no."
"You can’t stop them," I murmured, my anxiety rising to the surface. "You don’t know what they’re capable of."
"And you don’t know what I’m capable of," he said in a steely tone.
His phone buzzed on the table before I could correct him. His face hardened as he looked at it. "Stay here," he instructed.
I said in a shaky voice, "What is it?"
He reiterated, "Just stay," and started to head for the door.
I wanted to stop him, to take his arm and make him answer questions, but I was immobile. I was anchored to the spot by fear. I was left alone with my rushing thoughts as I watched him vanish into the corridor.
Without Alessandro, the room felt colder. I put my arms around myself in an attempt to ward off the memories that were beginning to creep in. My father's severe words and stern face. He had always treated me like a pawn in his scheme.
To get away from it all, I had fled. However, they had located me. Alessandro was now in the line of fire.
Something sounded outside the window. My heart leaped. I approached it slowly and peered through the curtains.
Nothing. Only the silent street below.
I shakily exhaled, but the uneasiness persisted. I noticed it when I turned back toward the room. On the coffee table was a piece of paper. Before, it hadn't been there.
I lifted it with shaky hands. Simple and bolded, the message read: WE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.
My blood froze.
Alessandro's face was inscrutable when he came back. He scowled after glancing at me. "What’s wrong?"
Speechless, I gave him the note. His face darkened as he inspected it with his eyes. In his hand, he crumpled the paper.
He insisted, "How did this get here?"
"I don’t know," I said. "It wasn’t there when you left."
Alessandro's gaze flitted over the space, looking for any indications of an intruder. Abruptly, "Pack your things," he said.
"What? "Why?"
"We're heading out. "Now."
It was a stressful drive. Alessandro's jaw was set in a firm line and he remained silent. My thoughts were racing as I gripped my backpack. Where were we heading? Would it be safe at all?
Then I said, "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere they won’t find us," he answered back.
Despite my want to believe him, I was plagued by doubt. My pursuers weren't the type to give up easily.
We reached a remote villa outside the city limits. It was lovely, with high gates and towering trees all around. However, it didn't feel like a haven. It had the feel of a jail.
With his hand on my back, Alessandro ushered me inside. "You’ll be safe here," he predicted.
I inquired, "For how long?"
"As long as it takes," he answered in a tone that made no room for debate.
Slowly, the hours went by. Alessandro remained by the windows, keeping an eye out for any danger. With each second that went by, my nerves grew weaker as I paced the room.
At last, I was unable to handle it any longer. "We can’t just hide forever," I said.
"I’m not hiding," Alessandro said without looking back. "I’m planning."
"Planning what?"
His look was solemn as he turned to face me. "To put an end to this. For good and all."
I had trouble sleeping that night. My mind was racing with questions and terror as I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. What did Alessandro have in mind? And would we be able to get away from my father?
Outside my door, I could hear footsteps. My heart leaped. I listened while sitting up. There was a gentle knock when the footsteps ceased.
The voice shouted out, "Vivian," Alessandro.
I opened the door and stood up. His expression was impenetrable as he stood there. "Come with me," he commanded.
"Why? What's happening?
When he said, "Just trust me,"
I trailed behind him into a tiny study down the hall. There were several documents and a map on the desk. Alessandro motioned for me to take a seat.
His words, "We need to talk,"
"About what?"
His gaze was fixed on mine as he sat across from me. "About what you’re not telling me."
I felt sick to my stomach. "I... I have no idea what you mean.
"Yes, you do," he stated authoritatively. "You're not merely being chased by your father's soldiers because you fled. This is not the only thing. It's visible in your eyes. Tell me, Vivian. "What are you concealing?"
I sensed the walls around me. It was too risky to tell the truth. Alessandro's eyes, however, remained fixed. He was not going to overlook this.
I finally said, "I took something," in a hardly audible voice.
"What did you take?"
I murmured, "A ledger," with shaking hands. "It has names. Offers. All of my father's actions. I considered... I reasoned that I could use it to protect myself if I had it. But now, they'll murder me to reclaim it."
Alessandro's face grew serious. "Where is it?"
"I hid it," I admitted. "But they’ll find it eventually."
Saying, "Not if we find it first," His eyes blazed with resolve, but his voice was composed.
"It’s too dangerous," I mentioned.
"So is doing nothing," he answered back. "If this ledger is as important as you say, it’s our best chance to end this."
A tremendous crash reverberated throughout the villa before I could reply. My heart stopped beating.
Tensed, Alessa
ndro rushed to his feet. He said, "Stay here," and reached for a black handgun.
- Writer
