Luca's dead
Luca's dead
Aria's POV
"I can't believe that you're here... It's been so long." I smiled, my lips still trembling in pleasant surprise.
"Me neither." Paloma answered, squeezing me a bit too tight in a hug.
I didn't mind it. She probably missed me too much... I thought.
I was still engrossed in the huge when I suddenly realized something.
"Wait a minute, how are you here?" I asked, pulling away from the hug. "The last tine we met, I urged you to leave the city of what you were doing to Luca and how annoyed he was. Does he know you've returned? Is he okay with it?"
I could still remember that day so clearly. Payson had decided to be good to me for the first time since I arrived.
Up until today, I still thought he had a hidden intention for that action. As though he was testing to see something.
But anyway, he allowed me to see my friend against Luca's wishes, and helped me to hide it away from his boss.
I thought that would be the last day I would see her... But here she was.
Now, the question was... Did Luca know?
Did he approve her coming here to see me?
I would hate to do anything that could make him upset.
The joy on Paloma's face suddenly disappeared, replayed with an expression of guilt... A 'sorry' expression. She lowered her gaze. "Aria... I..."
"Hold that thought," I interrupted her.
Sure... I wanted to know if Luca permitted her to come and visit me, but something told me that I wasn't going to like her answer...
"...because what I just found out?" I asked, my face lit up with a smile as the thought of the doctor's announcement field my mind.
Paloma's eyes widened. "You know?" She asked, her tone on the high side. My brows furrowed.
Know? Know what?
Then she muttered under her breath. 'If you knew you wouldn't be smiling.'
I heard it. She must had forgotten that I had good ears.
But then she asked, "What?"
I didn't think too much about the words I heard her mutter. The only thing I could think about was the fact that... I was carrying Luca's child.
"Your best friend is going to a mother... Paloma, I'm pregnant." I announced with a small giggle.
I could already imagine the joy on Luca's face when he finds out. That he wasn't leaving this world alone...
He has offspring... A child, our child.
"I can't wait to tell Luca." I said more to myself than Paloma, excitement reeking from my tone. "He may not see the child born, but I can bet he would be happy to become a father."
Luca would like that... I was sure of it.
Although he hadn't expressed his need for a child to me before, I was sure it was something he would be delighted to having... And I was going to be the one to bear his children.
I chuckled, after a while... I was the only one talking, Paloma was silent. "I guess I'm talking a bit too much for someone who just woke for from a week long coma, but it's just... I'm so happy and..." I turned to Paloma only to find her silently sobbing.
Her eyes were red, and her plan was over her lips, as though to stop the sound of her sobs.
I panicked... My heart skipped a beat.
"Paloma? W... what's wrong?" I asked, reaching to touch her hand. "What is it? Why are you crying?"
Did she hate the thought of me carrying Luca's child up until the point that she was moved to tears? Luca hadn't been good to him... Her hate was justified.
But her tears...
They were something else entirely.
That dull ache on my chest became more prominent.
Something didn't feel right.
"Aria..." Paloma held my hand, more tears streaming down her cheeks. "I didn't what to be the one to tell you this but..."
Before she could complete her words, my room door was suddenly pushed open. A familiar face walked in. "Aria?" He called to confirm first. Then he smiled... it was a bit forced, unlike him. "The doctor said you were awake. I'm glad."
"Marcus." I smiled back at him, looking away from Paloma. "It's been a while."
Maybe I was being a bit paranoid because of Paloma's tears, but... Marcus was acting a bit strange. And so was Paloma.
I shook my head, refusing to let crazy thoughts into my head.
My smile became brighter, I pointed at Paloma. "Guess who's here?"
"Marcus this is my best friend, Paloma... The one I always talked about."
When Marcus came to visit me in the dungeon, she was the only I mostly talked about.
"Paloma," I turned to Paloma, pointing at Marcus. "Marcus... My literal light in the tunnel."
He was the one who kept me going when I thought it was all over. When I thought I wouldn't be able to take it any longer.
After the introduction, I was expecting more than just a weird interaction. They didn't even bother to greet each other.
My brows furrowed in confusion and I turned to Paloma, who sniffled.
"We... We've met." She said in a cracked tone.
"Really?" I asked in surprise, this time staring at Marcus. He nodded. "Yeah, we're acquainted."
"That's amazing."
They were acquainted?
That means Paloma knew Luca now and he was fine with her coming here.
The thought made me so excited.
"Guess what again, I'm pregnant Marcus... I'm pregnant for Luca." I said to Marcus, unable to keep my lips from grinning so wide.
I knew it was bad luck for the baby for me to announce the news of my pregnancy before the ending of the first trimester... But this were two of the people I trusted so much in the entire world.
It was only right if they knew.
I expected Marcus to at least smile at the news, or show signs of excitement... Any at all, but instead he only lowered his head and whispered. "I... I know."
"You knew?" I asked confused. "Does Luca know? Where is he?"
Marcus made the same expression Paloma made when I asked of Luca... Only that he wasn't crying.
It was then I noticed how red his eyes were.
I couldn't take it anymore, so I asked.
"Why do your faces turn gloomy when I mention Luca?" My eyes darted between Paloma and Marcus. "Sure... He had been an ass to both of you and me, but it's still not enough to..."
Paloma broke into a sob, her loud cry interrupting my next words. "Aria... Luca's dead."
Every part of my body froze in shock.
No... Disbelief.
"What?" I whispered turning to Marcus.
"Luca's dead." He repeated, his head still lowered.
No... No.
I regained my body movement again and shook my head. "What sort of a bloody cheap joke is this?!" I yelled, my body consumed with anger.
Then I turned to pick up the calendar on the table and pointed at the date. "Today is 16 right? It's right here.... Luca still has 20 days to live... What you're saying is a lie."
Their words refused to register in my head.
It just refused to...
But... Paloma was crying, and Marcus wasn't saying any other thing.
My stomach sank.
It became harder to breathe. Tears filled my eyes and I shook my head again... This time it wasn't out of disbelief, it was hope.
I was hoping they were lying.
"It's... It's a lie... Right? M... Marcus please, it's a lie... It's a bloody lie!!!" I yelled my chest heavy.
"We're sorry..." Paloma said amidst her sobs.
"No." I inhaled before yanking the IV tube from my hands, moving towards the side of the bed while trying to stand up. " I need to see Luca right, now... I need..."
Paloma rushed to my side, she held my hands back still crying. "Aria stop... Please,"
"No.... No... This just can't be."
Luca couldn't leave me like that... Not without saying goodbye. No...
"Luca can't be dead, he... He can't be..."
Breathing became too hard... Impossible even.
I gasped, my body desperately looking for air, but I wasn't getting any.
"Aria? Aria?!" Paloma shook me... From her tone I could tell that she was panicking. Marcus rushed towards me too, they returned me back to the bed, I kept gasping for air, my body shaking violently.
"Get the doctor, quickly!" He yelled at Paloma who rushed out immediately.
I couldn't breathe...
Luca...
'Where are you?'