His fingers are playing with my hair and his eyes looking in mine. I can see the stars in them, I can see his heart...
- Baby you are my whole world...- sweet whispering voice. But why is it so dark in here? Why do I feel sudden cold?
- Jun where are you? - I'm shouting his name like crazy scared to death
- Don't leave me here alone darkness will swallow me!- Black cold water is all around me but I can't swim... I'm losing my breath
- Jun save me!
The last scream woke me up. I sat on the bed all sweaty while my heart was pounding like crazy. My hands were shaking, my lungs fighting for oxygen. It's been two months since I came to Italy and when nightmares started. Through the day I tried to occupy myself with work but at night I had no peace. It was my everyday struggle to survive, to bear this pain of emptiness in my chest. I'm a killer. Yes, I killed my love and it's been bleeding for so long but I don't die from that wound. I keep going with heavy steps in my life, I keep fighting for God knows what...
Slowly I get up and went to the bathroom to wash my face and neck. Still no air in this room. It's so hot! I need oxygen right now!
Quietly I left the house and headed to the nearest beach going through a small park and getting down by the rocky stairs. Adriatic sea was before me, dark and silent. There were many stars in the sky blinking and shining.
I sat on the sand letting a sigh. It was still dark and no one at the sight which worked perfectly for me.
Many things have happened for these two months since I came here. But in all, I was just a passive observer. None of those touched me, non of those filled emptiness in my heart. Only one person could do that but he was far away beyond my reach and not my destiny obviously.
My new family embraced me which I must say surprised me. I guess I was expecting ignorance and denying of my presence but I was wrong. Zia was a really warm person and she loved my company. Although her being a widow didn't make her lonely but a very communicative person. She was wise and smart and taught me many things. Always talk the best about my mom and dad. Through her, I get to know them better, which made me happy. On the other hand, Francesco was more reserved. He acted nice and polite but like he didn't want to get closer to me. Recently I found out why.
My father left me half of his fortune and in that half was included in their family clothing company. It was a highly appreciated brand for man's suits. Although they had a smaller part with women's clothes, mostly cocktail and wedding dresses.
When I found out about the existence of that company, I figure that he was afraid I'm going to take my half and sell it to who knows who. But I stand before him and said that I don't know anything about fashion and clothes and if only they can teach me I would love to work there like any other employee.
His eyes widened at that statement but then a smile appeared on his face
- I'm glad you want to be part of our company. It means a lot to Zia and me, although our father didn't like it much because it reminded him of his father. He could never forgive our grandpa for being so selfish and stubborn.
So from that day, I started to go to the company every day. I had one nice lady who showed and taught me all I needed to know. A few weeks later I was already helping with production and ordering fabricks, the job I knew well. Considering all, everybody else in my place would be happy and satisfied but I couldn't feel anything. All my cheerful words, all my bright smiles were fake, well-acted comedy, good hiding of my wounded heart.
Zia asked me once if there was something wrong but I brushed some excuse with my nostalgia for my country. Did she believe me or not, she didn't say but never asked me again for which I was grateful. But I couldn't fool myself.
Nightmares were there to remind me every night, also I wasn't being able to eat much so I have lost some weight. Always forced myself to eat just a little but I couldn't. Recently I was feeling nauseous whenever I felt the smell of food. My heart would beat faster leaving me breathless and I felt dizzy. No wonder! I was exhausting myself with work only to keep occupied my mind, to stop seeing June's smiling face, to stop feeling his lips kissing me with longing...
All kinds of thought fell on my shoulders, while I was sitting at the beach with my bare feet covered with still warm sand. Why this sea can't take all my bad thoughts? Maybe was all a lie, maybe water can't take our worries?
I left a sigh. Yesterday Francesco showed me some papers and pictures with my mom. Apparently, our grandpa had somebody who kept eye on my mom and later on me. There were many reports of what she was doing or whom she met, or was talking to. Also, I saw my pictures when I was little and one paper especially surprised me. It was a DNK test and confirmation that Gio was my father. I looked surprised at Francesco
-Who ordered this
- Our grandpa-he said and explained how our father found those pictures and papers after grandpa's death.
- That is how he knew about my existence?- Francesco nodded with the sad look
- I'm sorry HyeMin but it seems our grandpa knew about you all along, but he kept that as a secret all those years. If only Gio knew that earlier...- He left a sigh and I understood him. Our father never really loved his mom and he must've felt that because children are always aware of things. But he was handling things well. I could see how he was trying to understand all and also trying to be nice to me.
-Francesco- I started- You don't have to try so hard to be nice to like me or to act like everything is fine...I will never judge your actions because I know how all this must've been hard for you...- he stopped me from talking rising his hands
- You are wrong HyeMin, I'm not forcing myself to do anything. I'm just trying to make things right! Our grandfather was a cruel and selfish man, but us, you, and I can change this by knowing each other better, and maybe someday we could become real brother and sister. What do you say? Are you agreeing with me on this?- I nodded with a smile
-I do! I was alone most of the time in my life and it would be nice to have a family for a change because you know, my mom suffered too and she was not being able to give me enough love.- Then he put his arm around my shoulders and smiled brightly
- So then let's be real family from now on!
Looking at the black night little smile appeared on my face
- Yeah, Francesco is nice and I started to like his personality too. Long in the distance, I saw first traces of down. It was time to go home. I get up and went back to the house walking quietly but on my way, I felt thirsty and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. Somehow that cold water lightens my mood. When I was passing by the table I saw a magazine so I picked it up hoping that reading will help me sleep. After I lay on the bed I took the magazine turning pages without interest. It was an international magazine but their theme mostly was gossip and scandals for which I didn't care at all. I wanted to put away when one title draw my attention."Korean billionaire's daughter Stella is getting married?" -Below was her wide smiling picture and another one beside her-Jun!
My hands started to shake and I quickly look at the text. The reporter said that she was engaged since her childhood days and finally she is getting married. My eyes closed and I let the magazine slide down. I curl in a ball on my bed hugging my pillow. All this time I never shed a tear, my eyes were dry but my heart...it was broken. Last hope, last illusion flew away right through the window. I have lost him...it's all over...our love finally died...
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"Giordano Maretti" was graved on the black marble stone. I was at the cemetery standing beside my dad's gravestone
- Dad I came to visit you. We never met but I know you would be the best dad in this world for me because you loved my mom so much. I wish all three of us could've lived together but I guess God had different plans for our lives.- I bent down placing my mom's white knitted scarf
- I couldn't bring my mom with me but I want to give you her scarf. This scarf meant a lot to her and to me too. There are so many emotions knitted between those knots but I leave all that here with you. Let's close this unfortunate circle, let's close this chapter...My mom is now with you and I know you both are looking over me. I will try to be happy I promise you that, just give me more time. This pain I'm feeling is not easy to overcome...it's taking all my strength...
Slowly I get up and left the cemetery. On my way home I saw a church whose cross was shining bright high above so I went inside. Peace and silence greeted me warmly. Something warm wrapped around my empty heart and I felt it like consolation. I took one candle and lit it place with others. Her flame was small but it grew stronger. My heart was beating with new power and my eyes closed
-Thank you...- I whispered leaving the church.
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Another exhausting day in the factory. I had so much to do since I got bigger responsibility now. Francesco and Zia were satisfied with my achievements so far and gave me harder tasks as a test, which I did really well.
- You are born talent for this job HyeMin!- Zia was smiling hugging me.
-Let's celebrate this shall we?!- I agreed and we went to a restaurant. Francesco came with his fiance Mona. She was so cute and lovable person. Small, with white skin and spots on her small nose and her fire-like red hair. Her big black eyes were looking so innocent and from the first day, I met her I grew quite fond of her. We've become friends like we knew each other all our lives
- Min I want to show you my new design-she said right away pulling her notebook from a big purse.
- This is what my wedding dress will look like- She was head designer in our firm for wedding dresses. I truly admired her talent. The picture she showed me blew us all away
- Mona this is your best work!-She was smiling and Francesco wrap his arm around her shoulders
- My ragazza (girl) is so talented and I'm the proudest future to be husband !!-We all laughed because "future to be husband" was our internal joke. They were engaged for over one year and always something will get in their way keeping them from finally getting married. So we all started to joke about it.
-Which material are you planning to use for this?-I asked and she pulled one piece of cloth from her bag. It was one of the finest lace and I nodded
-Perfect!-Zia nodded too
-You can use Chinese silk from that part above, Mona, it will give her a glamorous but still innocent look. - She agreed
-Yes! I was thinking exactly the same, Zia.- Our little family gathering went well, full of laughter and good food. It was the first time I could laugh sincerely in ages.
In the afternoon I went back to the factory in our saloon. We were waiting for some important customers. I didn't know who was that but Mona said they are from Korea asking me to be the translator if needed.
I was sitting in a small office right behind the main room when I heard voices. Mona was talking with them
- I guess she won't need me after all. Taking my laptop I started to check my e-mails so I lost the track of time. I didn't hear their voices anymore
-They must've gone 'till now?
Closing my laptop I went there looking at the empty studio
-Did Mona just leave without me?- Then I heard footsteps behind me and a chirping voice
- HyeMin is that you?! - I turned only to face Stella! She was wearing one of our exclusive wedding dresses
- It is you! Omg, I'm so happy to see you! But what happened to you and how come you ended up here?- I blinked a few times hoping that I see things and that girl standing before me is not real. But she was real. Dear God, she was so real!
- Ah I heard you sold your house? Were your finances that bad?- I opened my mouth to protest but she hugged me and I stood there in surprise without saying a word
- But that is not important, now you have a new job! It's good that you have lost some weight those thighs of yours looked fat before- She was checking my figure from head to toes
-Your taste in clothes changed I see..ah must've been your new boss demands decent clothes for his employees.-She moved away from me and spin
- What do you say of this dress is it looking good on me? Ah, I'm finally getting married to the man of my dreams! Imagine him being so tall, dressed in black, standing beside me dressed in white- She gave me a side look to check my reaction but probably felt disappointed because I had non.
- We are so in love and he is the kindest person in this world.- She kept going looking herself in the mirror, checking my reaction too. Then she turned and came to me holding my both hands
- Can you imagine him singing to me every morning to wake me up? Ah, his husky voice....- She closed her eyes but I saw evil sparks in them through her lashes
- I'm happy for you two- I said with calm and at that moment Mona came in
Ah, miss Stella, I'm sorry but another customer kept me. How do you like this dress?- Stella pursed her lips obviously not satisfied with my cold reaction, or better to say, missing my reaction.
- I don't like it. It is so simple and cheap!- She started to pull lace straps from her shoulders and Mona hurried to help her
- Maybe I can show you our other models, I'm sure we can find the perfect one.- She shook her head
- I don't want any of them! I want something special. It is my special day after all!- She was whining like a stubborn child over a candy. Mona scratched her temple and a smile appeared on her face
- I think I have a solution.- She went to her bag and back holding her notebook
- Mona?- I asked figuring what she was planning to do
- Don't do that!- She smiled
- It's ok Min don't worry.- I hold her hand stopping her from opening the notebook
- It's your dress!- Stella was watching us both with curiosity
- Ah I want to see that dress!- She was smiling and I swear I saw an evil glimpse in her eyes
- Witch!- I murmured still holding Mona's arm
- I can draw another HyeMin it's not a big deal. - Then she opened her notebook showing her drawing to Stella but I already knew that she will demand that dress particular only to defy me. I moved a few steps backward and sat on the armchair near the opened window.
- God why are you doing this to me? - I send pleading questions to the sky above asking for more strength.
After they finished and made a contract, Stella left and Mone headed to her workshop, I stayed there alone. I get up from that armchair walking slowly but I felt a nauseous feeling like throwing up so I ran towards the bathroom. After I washed my face I took my bag and laptop heading to the exit but suddenly the room started to spin around me and I felt like the ground under my feet is moving. All become black and I pass out.
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A/N: Hi all !! I'm back with a new chapter !! Sorry for keeping you waiting so long and I hope you like this part. Please share your thoughts with me. Luv Ya!!