Chapter 123
Mia.
I slowly sit up with a tired sigh. My body feels like it was run over by a track.
The headache is almost gone but I am weak. I remember what Marcelo said before I collapsed, and I feel like my heart is leaving my body again.
God no.
This is what I was scared of. Rico can't cheat on me, right?
Fuck, is he really a father?
But how?
His family should know if he had a girlfriend and a kid. Kay should have told me.
I hold my head because the more I think, the worse the headache develops.
I need to find out before I die for real. Why would she be here then? Rico lives alone, and her coming here is not a mistake.
Oh no.
It's true.
I stand on my wobbly legs and exit his room. This is only becoming worse.
When I reach the middle of the stairs that will lead me to the living room, the front door slams open and I instantly stop walking. Angry Rico walks inside holding a gun, and my heart stops. Did they find my Mother?
He is enraged. Rico is behaving the same way he did the day he disclosed what happened to him in prison.
He wants Marcello because he hurt me. Does that mean that idiot lied?
Rico turns to exit and I whisper his name. I can't let him get out without telling me the truth. The stress is too much.
"Rico" I call and all eyes turn to me, depicting relief. Rico freezes on the spot at first, but the next second he is running in my direction. I lean on the wall for support because I feel my body failing me.
Of all the days, illness chose today?
"Baby, I am sorry I was not here. That was Dante's girlfriend. I will kill Marcello, I promise, okay?''He whispers, carefully lifting me from my feet. Marcello is an idiot. I pray I never see him again.
I sniffle burying my face in his neck. Fuck! I feel nauseous.
"You are burning" He whispers, suddenly pulling my face away and placing his palm on my forehead. '' You will be fine, okay?" Rico mumbles descending the stairs back to where his family is.
"What should I do mum? She is burning" he worriedly yells, and I hate I made him worry.
"Did you find her?" I whisper staring into his tense eyes. I think I need to act strong to ease his mind.
"We have the whole place surrounded, don't worry, I called Alessio to take my place" Rico sits on the couch and his hold on me tightens. I pray they rescue her. I don't think she has much time left.
"How are you feeling?" Kay cautiously approaches us together with Theo. I can't believe they are scared of Rico.
'' I feel like crap" I force a chuckle but their concern doesn't lessen. I must have scared them when I fell.
"Guess what?" I slightly smile at Rico but he doesn't return it. He barely lifts his brow in response and I say it anyway.''I made friends'' I point at Theo and Kay with a smile but he doesn't say anything. His hard gaze lingers on Theo a second longer and he sighs leaning his head on mine.
No fucking reaction. Rico is so uninteresting.
'' Rico, when was the last time you fed her?" his mum comes with a bowl of steaming soup. I don't remember the last time I was sick, or took soup.
Rico looks at me and his eyes widen as if he just realized something.
"Shit, Is it the reason she is sick?" How oblivious can he be?
''Son, I keep telling you, a house should never lack food. I even taught you how to cook, I bought you recipe books. You don't bother Rico. If you can't feed her, what else can you do?" I chuckle at how the big boy is being scolded. I guess one never stops being a mother. I like Rico's mum.
"Stop laughing at me" he grumbles, and gently tickles my sides.
"Eat this sweetheart, you need to eat before taking medicines"She brings a spoon of green content to my lips, and I scrunch my face in disgust. It smells bad, I can only imagine the taste.
I clump my lips around the spoon and forcefully swallow. I know it will be unfair to her if I refuse to eat. She took her time to make it with care.
Also, my mother never gave this kind of treatment.
"It's enough Mum, she doesn't like it" Rico slightly pushes the bowl back and his mum sighs glaring at him.
"Sweetheart, if you want to recover fast, you have to take a lot of this. A body needs nutrients, Mia. I will teach you how to cook, okay? Maybe Rico will finally learn something from you" I nod and she feeds me more.
At my house, the boys have a cooking schedule, so we never lack food. It's different with Rico though.
I don't know how he survives.
After taking my medicines, I lie on the couch with my head on Kay's lap. She keeps running her fingers in my hair and I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. I don't want to go back to sleep. Rico is sitting on the couch opposite to mine, with his eyes on me.
Theo and Rico's mum went to buy more food for the guys who went on the mission. My mother would never do that. If she didn't care if I ate or not, the men working for her were the least of her worries. I hope she will learn something from Rico's mother.
"Rico, I am sorry. That guy is just a heartless son of a bitch. I told him I was looking for Dante, and he made a big lie out of it" The girl from earlier skeptically enters the house, looking scared and out of place. Where is the culprit?
Does Dante have a baby? But he always has a different woman around him.
Men!
"It's okay Sandra. Come on little man" I have never seen Rico smile so wide until now. He is smiling so brightly at the baby, his hands stretched and beckoning for him. He has never given me that smile. I share glances with Kay and she has the same expression.
Fuck me.
The girl hands over the baby with a sigh and sits on one of the chairs.
Rico cuddles the boy in his arms as he whispers lowly to him. The boy seems to be enjoying his company, because of the frequent giggles he is releasing.
I knew he loved kids but damn.
"It's just a matter of time until your pills are switched" Kay whispers with a laugh and my eyes widen in horror. I instantly sit up with a groan and stare at her.
"Fuck, Kay. I forgot to take them" I whisper suddenly feeling alarmed. The first time we did, I immediately went after Ryan and forgot to buy them. The second time, I was attacked and my mind got occupied. I didn't recall having unprotected sex.
"You are in trouble" she chuckles. I grab her hand and lead her to the kitchen.
"I can't be pregnant right now Kay, what should I do?" Fuck how can I be so careless?
"Calm down, Mia, first... " She takes a glass and fills it with water before handing it to me "Drink this" I didn't know I was thirsty until the cooling effect of the moisture passes my throat.
"You don't need to freak out, just make sure you have pills before the next encounter." I nod releasing a breath. I am freaking out for nothing. We did it only twice, anyway. It takes a couple of times to be pregnant.
''Go sit down, I will make a snack'' I nod taking my previous position, and decide to call Alessio. I don't even remember the last time I saw him.
"Alessio, did you find her? Please tell me you did" I hopefully whisper praying for good news.
"We did bunny, but her condition is worse. The doctors we came with are trying their best" That is the best news I have heard so far.
"Where are you?, I am coming" I quickly get up but slump back in the seat because I am so frail and dizzy.
"You are sick. We are bringing her to Rico's, so don't bother" I stare at Rico who is still entertaining the baby, and sigh. Is he okay with this?
"Thank you, brother" I mumble pulling my knees on my chest. At least I am no longer feeling cold. I won't die just yet.
"You should thank these guys Bunny, Some are badly injured. I will see you in a bit, take care of yourself okay? "
"Yeah, I love you" I whisper laying back down. That is a relief.
"I love you too, sweetheart " The funny thing is, I don't know how I will face her or how I should react. It would have been different if it was my dad.
"Who was that? " Rico appears before me with a deep scowl on his face.
"It was Alessio, Rico" I mumble and the scowl instantly disappears " Will you be okay if they brought her here? We can go home if you are not comfortable"
Rico instantly kneels in front of me and takes my hand in his "Of course I am okay. I can't allow you to go when you are sick. I don't trust anyone to take care of you"
Rico's house is big but since his family is here, I wonder if we won't be overcrowding. Also, I am skeptical about my house. I know for sure there are still moles there, and Mother won't be safe if that is the case.
We will just stay here until she gets better. Meanwhile, I will start looking for a new house, just for the two of us. I hope she won't be bitchy to me again. It's our second chance.
"Is that okay with you? " he whispers and I quickly glance back at him.
"Yeah, how many rooms does this house have? " I gesture around. If Dante and Diego are staying here then that will be minus two.
"Six bedrooms, three are upstairs and three downstairs. We will move to the master and your mum can occupy the one we are currently using."
"You mean your room isn't the main bedroom? " Rico slightly scratches the back of his head, appearing nervous.
"I kind of redid two rooms to make a bigger one when I saw your room. I wanted it to be big enough for you, you know, us" Now I feel like we are getting married. So he had plans for me to move here.
Damn Rico, is he gonna ask for babies next?
"I am sorry, I shouldn't have rushed like that without asking you " His face saddens, probably to my reaction.
"No, it's okay. It was a good idea, " I gently kiss him, dreading this idea. I think we are moving too fast.