Thoughts

Amaya’s POV

I wanted to train today with Stephanie, I haven’t seen Adric since morning. I know that he is stressed because of everything that has been happening lately and I want to make sure to continue my training to be able to protect myself a lot, you can never know what is going to go wrong.

Stephanie knew about guns and knives more than I did, she was a good fighter, and she almost broke my nose.

“Where did you learn how to fight,” I asked when we were resting, we had been training for two hours.

“My uncle, he taught me everything he knows before he died.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, he wasn’t a great uncle but I’m glad I learned from him. I was able to protect myself from those men after he died. It wasn’t easy.” She says giving me a weak smile and I nod. I didn’t want to push it anymore. I can see she is uncomfortable talking about it.

I admired how Stephanie is relaxed about the mafia life, she had nothing to do with it though, she grew up normally and learned how to fight and defend herself because of the tragic events of her life, I expected her to have a run for it when she found out Stephan is mafia but she already knew he was the first day she saw him.

She is familiar with the world and she thinks it’s thrilling just like I do.

After we were done training, I learned a couple of things from her, I was able to use my blades properly and she showed me places I could hide them without getting hurt and I’m now better at physical training. I can give a grown man a good beating, I know I would be proud of that.

It was one hell of training for one day, we settled back in the living room without sweaty bodies, and we were both too lazy to walk up to our room and take a shower.

“I’m stinky, don’t touch me,” I say to Adric but he still ends up hugging me regardless, he is going to get his suit all dirty because of me.

“I don’t care either way.” He smiles.

His smile didn’t look genuine, something was bothering him so I decided to ask.

“We need to speak to both of you.” He says, we exchange glances before we take a sit.

“We are in deep shit, someone framed up and Santiago would do anything in his power to kill us, I don’t want both of you to be dragged into this mess.”

“I’m not leaving.” I instantly say.

“Maya you don’t understand- I’m not leaving you Adric, we would deal with this together just like we dealt with the other issues before, I’m staying with you,” I say and he shakes his head indicating a no.

I don’t care what he says but I’m leaving.

“He already knows we are together, what makes you think he won’t come for me.”

“We can make it look like we broke up. I want you away from this. You have no idea what this man is capable of.”

“I know what he did Adric, and my leaving will solve it temporarily. What happens if he tries to get answers from me and I can’t give him any? How do we even know he won’t kill me regardless, you are not thinking straight. I won’t leave you.” I muttered against my breath before walking out of the room.

I can’t believe he will suggest something like that. I have learned to protect myself, I can protect myself even without him so he doesn’t need to worry but I’m not leaving him now, I know how much this man makes him weak and I won’t leave.

I stroll into the bathroom, locking the door. I don’t want him in here not yet. After the shower, I walked out into the room and he was there.

“I’m sorry.” He whispers.

I walk toward him taking a seat close to him.

“I don’t want you to leave, I’m just scared. I know what he is capable of. He destroyed my life once by taking away my loved ones I’m scared he would do that again, I don’t want him to hurt you. I know I won’t be able to take the pain again if anything happens.” He says.

I know that is why he is scared but Santiago won’t get to me.

“He won’t, not this time. This time you will find him and those people that framed us. It won’t be like last time, he won’t hurt him.”

“But what if- he won’t,” I said interrupting him.

It’s going to be different this time, I am going to protect myself and I will make sure Adric is not weak, he will show him no weakness.

“You will be able to take him down Adric, he is just a man and you are stronger than him. Back then you were just a little boy not anymore you will make him pay for the tears you cried.” I say and he nods.

I can’t even imagine the pain he is going through because of this man. When we were kids we had this one childhood nightmare that scared us. Either a ghost that never existed or stories that our parents used on us but with Adric it was different, his childhood nightmare is a man who killed his mom and sister, a man who is not from an imagination, a man who lives.

I stay with Adric for one hour before Stephen calls him in for a meeting. I walk downstairs to eat when I notice a familiar presence in the kitchen.

He got Bella here, oh my God. I stroll toward her hugging her, I haven’t seen her for a long time.

“I see you have met each other,” I say to Stephanie.

She was speaking to Bella before I came here.

“I missed you. It’s being boring in the mansion.”

“I know, I’m literally the only one you speak to,” I say and she rolls her eyes.

She made us breakfast, and this time she joined us to eat. I’m so glad she is warming us to us. I will have to thank Adric later for bringing Bella here, I know he did this because of me.

We were in the living room watching an action movie when a thought crossed my head. A no thought regarding Santiago.

“I will be right back,” I say to the girls before leaving.

I should have knocked before walking into his office because all stares were on me, they looked at me as if they had seen a ghost.

“Something wrong Maya.”

“Uhm..nothing just a thought I had,” I say nervously.

I hate when all eyes are on me, this is why even in college I always avoided giving presentations.

“I had a thought about Santiago but I can tell you later looks like you are busy.”

“The meeting can wait.” He says and I nod.

I let out a breath before speaking. It may come off stupid to those men but I think it’s a good idea.

“We are trying to find the men that framed you right, it’s someone that wants Santiago to come out from hiding.”

“Go on.” He says.

“How about you try to find out the people that wanted to give him a job over the years, it has to be one of them. One of them did this. I’m sure he rejected some jobs, find out who was desperate to want him to work for them.”

He glanced at Stephen when I said that.

“I will get going.”

“Wait, Maya. That is brilliant, fuck I can’t believe we didn’t think about that.”

I thought that maybe it could be an enemy, someone that lost their loved ones because of Santiago but I’m sure it isn’t, Santiago works in mystery, I know whoever gives him a job will make sure to protect him and make sure his identity is not being exposed in a dangerous situation.

“And we know he works for the French mafia, they have been protecting him all these years. We can find him through them. Speak to the French mafia and see what relation they have with Santiago.” I smile.

I was proud of myself for thinking this through, now we will be able to find out who is behind all this. Adric was more happier than I was, he had a smile on his face, something that told me he was proud of me walking into this room.

The men couldn’t believe it, I heard murmurs about how smart I was which made me smile, I quickly excused myself closing the door from behind.

Now we will be able to get things on track. I walk back into the living room to continue my movie with the girls.

It's going to be a long day.