42

42


“What? Are you surprised?” He let go of me, stuffing  his hands into his trousers’ front pockets. 

“G-Giovanni?” I was still so lost. How on Earth was he in Aunt Mandy’s house?

He still looked the same: that neat dark blonde hair and demonic dark brown eyes. I was frozen to a spot on seeing in. My heart beat felt numb at this point and my eyes didn’t close. 

“I didn’t expect you to be this surprised to see me.” He smirked. “It’s so great to finally meet you again in person.” He moved closer to me. 

I got out of my shocked state and stepped backwards, bumping into Aunt Mandy. I turned to her with an ever deeper frown. “You. How. Dare. You?” I asked her monotonously. 

“What?” 

“You’re evil.”

“Are you just realizing that?” She snickered, waving a hand over her face. 

“I’m not done speaking with you yet.” Giovanni grabbed me by my arm to turn me to him. “Did you think my texts were just mere threats?” 

“Why are you back here? What do you want from me?” I couldn't stop myself from bursting into tears this time.

“Oh, we all know exactly what I want, but you insist on being stubborn.” 

“Of course. She'll never mend her arrogant ways.” Aunt Mandy chirped in, taking the cigarette from her mouth and dropped it randomly. 

“Arrogant ways?” I glared at her. “I can’t believe this. Do you hate me to this extent? What have I ever done to deserve this cruelty from someone I ought to consider family?”

They both stared at each other before bursting into laughter. 

“You’re still brainless. I thought you'd be more reasonable.” Giovanni hissed, shaking his head. “For now you just have to accept Mandy’s demand for money.” He extended his hand to me, but I slapped it away, my anger getting the better of me already. 

“Are you mad?! What the hell is with you both? Why on earth don't you just let me be? Stop trying to ruin my marriage, you assholes.” I regretted my choice of words as Giovanni sent a hard slap to my face. My hand immediately went to my throbbing face. I wasn't as surprised as I ought to be from his slap.

“You had better watch it there and don't forget who you’re speaking with.” He barked at me.

I scoffed, raising my head back to him. “Gio—”

“If you prove to be any more stubborn, you’ll receive an even worse punishment than this slap and my previous punishment.” 

I stared at him, not understanding what he meant. 

“Oh, you don't know? So you didn’t understand what I meant when I texted if you liked my surprise? You don’t realize your life is in my hands? You remember when you were in a coma due to a poison?” He asked and my eyes widened again. “Oh, now you remember? I could’ve easily killed you at that moment, but I only wanted to teach you a lesson for not obeying. That was just a sample. If you prove to be difficult any further, I won’t waste the chance anymore.”

I felt lost. I hadn’t seen him. How could he have poisoned me?

“Don’t bother yourself over how that happened? I operate from far away. I guess it's a pleasure to meet you again physically. Goodbye.” He patted my head. I was too frozen to shake his hand off. “You’re not as smart as I thought you were. If you were, you’d have at least followed Tiffany’s path.” He shoved his hands into his trousers' pocket again before taking his leave. 

Aunt Mandy tapped me back to consciousness, nodding to the door. “You can leave. Don’t try to pose a threat to me again. I’m at the upper hand here. Just answer all of my demands if you don't want to ruin the little bit of happiness you have left.” 

 

I arrived home after a long walk, kicked my shoes off my feet and headed to our bedroom, plopping myself on the bed. 

“Hazel,” Tristan, who was on a video call with Nikita, called for me.

I was still in too much shock to even respond to him. 

“Hazel, is something wrong?” He asked again. 

“What the hell is wrong with that woman again?”

“Nikita?” He groaned. “I’ll call you later. Bye.”

“Of course, because you'll ignore me for her, as always.”

“Stop acting like a jealous girlfriend and go to bed already.” He smiled then clearly ended the call before walking up to me. I quickly turned my face away to avoid him from seeing my tears. 

“What’s wrong, Hazel?” he sat beside me, worry evident in his tone. 

“Nothing.” 

“Hazel? Are you sure? Why didn't you return with Sherri? I was expecting you.” 

“I remembered I had left something at the restaurant, so I hurried back to pick it.” I pulled a pillow close to me. 

“Are you sure?” he didn't sound convinced at all. 

“Yes.”

With a sigh, he brushed my hair and planted a kiss on the side of my head. “I love you. Don’t hesitate to speak to me if anything is bothering you, okay?” He asked and I nodded. 

“Goodnight. I guess I’ll call Nikita back.” I felt him rise up from the bed then I heard the door of the room open and close, permitting me to burst into tears. 

 

~ INDY ~

“Hey, grandpa.” I smiled as he pulled me into a hug, smiling shortly before returning to his frigid facial expression. 

“I’m glad you were able to come today. How are you?” 

I sighed, dropping to one of the sofas. “I really don't know how I am. Recently, I feel—” 

“Yeah, whatever. No one knows how they feel these days.” My uncle, Kevin, interrupted me with an 'I-don't-care' tone. “Have you gotten rid of that loser?” 

“Ian? Yes.” 

“And did you speak with the nitwit?” Grandpa asked. 

I knew he was referring to Hazel, so I nodded. “She betrayed me.” I clenched my fists. “She simply laughed at me and said stupid epistles on how much she loves Tristan and wouldn’t sacrifice her happiness all for my sake, even after all I’ve done for her.” I frowned, remembering the scene at Tristan's house.

“I told you your idea was going to end up as stupid as it sounded.” Kevin said with clenched fists, looking more frustrated. 

“Well, what can you come up with, uncle? since you're clearly the smartest one here.” I made sure to sound sarcastic. 

“Do you realize how important getting married to Tristan is for both of us? You had better not forget your manners and—”

“Silence.” Grandpa raised his hand. “Kevin, control your arrogance sometimes.” He scolded, locking his hands behind him and turned around, walking with so much pride that made him seem like he was a mighty king. “As long as that woman is there, she’s an obstacle.” 

“We can get rid of her.” Kevin suggested. 

“Never you worry, I know just how we’ll take care of her.”