"signora"
I felt light taps on my arm, turning around I tried searching for who had touched me but failed miserably.
"signora!!"
There it was again, the faint voice and cold fingertips against my skin but I still couldn't find who it belonged to.
"Signora!!!"
This time around it felt like I was pulled away from the peaceful garden I was in, air filled my lungs and I was gilted away from the short slumber I had fallen into.
"you should go to bed signora, you would get aches from sleeping on the couch" Blanc spoke helping me up from where I had previously occupied.
Yes, my favorite guard was finally back. About five days ago, he was discharged from the hospital after the doctor had confirmed he had totally recovered. Xaviar wasted no further time in making him get back to work as my guard.
In the other part of the recent happenings, Xaviar and I still haven't sorted out whatever issue we had. Rather than trying to work things out between us he preferred avoiding me everyday. Although I somehow managed to go along with the whole avoiding each other charade as it seemed to bring peace in our home, I was dying to talk with him, to make up with him. I was dying to make things work between us. It was obvious the Lucasino staff were fully aware of the unhealthy relationship between us, I had on several occasions over heard them commenting on the rumors they had heard.
"What's the time?" I inquired as he led the way up the fleet of stairs
"12am signora"
"he's not coming home tonight, is he?"
"I can't say, I wasn't informed on that "He replied as we reached the door.
"Get some sleep mia regina. I'll be right here if you need anything "
Offering a weak smile, I shut the door behind me and moved to the bed. I put off the light and welcomed the darkness as my body touched the bed I had once found comfort in. The bedroom felt empty as my hands slowly glazed Xaviar's side of the bed which lacked his warmth, as a matter of fact, our home lacked the warmth that came along with my husband.
Suddenly the door was pushed open, a figure walked in and the sent of a foreign perfume engulfed the bedroom. The lights flickered on before I got the chance of asking if it was a maid.
"Xaviar" I whispered to myself in disbelief. He reeked of a foreign female perfume and nothing like his normal expensive male cologne.
Something fishing was going on and I would get to the bottom of it.
without giving it much thought I stood up from the bed and walked towards him blocking his path as he was heading to the bathroom
"Where are you coming from?"I demanded
He on the other hand tried to manover me but I stood firm still blocking his path
"Where are you coming from Xaviar?!"
"Get out of my way Layla " he said lowly
"Or what?!?" I held my ground.
His face twitched as veins of anger popped out signaling how provoked he was by my actions but I couldn't care less
"Don't make me repeat myself wifey " He strained out
"Where are you coming from at a time like this Xaviar and why do you reek of female perfume! You man whore!!" I screamed
the sound of a resounding slap echoed in my ears as my body collided with the cold marble floor. It was until my hand went up to my right stinging cheek that my brain processed what had just happened. This was the first time Xaviar had ever hit me.
I willed myself up the floor as he tried walking past me to the bathroom
"is this w-what we've c-come to Xaviar!?" My feelings betraying me through my voice
"Togliti di mezzo. Non ho tempo per questo "
(Get out my way. I don't have time for this) grabbing my hand he roughly pushed me aside
"What happened to you Xaviar?? What made you turn into a monster?" My lips quivered with unshed tears
"monster?? Did my wife just refer to me as a monster?" He slowly turned towards my direction, his face holding pure evilness
" you've been acting differently. This isn't the man I married!" With tears falling out my eyes profusely I screamed at him as he took slow threatening strides to where I was. A reasonable part of me was pushing and yelling at me to leave the room immediately but the other part of me that wanted comfort from the man I had married beckoned on me to stay and that was what I did.
Now he stood right before me, his beautiful eyes staring deep into my soul as tears rolled out my red ones.
his hands connected to that exact cheek again and my head whipped to the other side in a flash
"Don't ever speak to me in such manner again " He warned
"Xav-viar" I stuttered as more tears poured out my eyes.
I raised my head to look at the once beautiful face of the man I had loved the most, rather the minute our eyes met his hands grabbed my hair tightly and he yanked at it pulling me along with him
"St-top Xa-aviar, you're hur-ting me" I cried on as he pulled me roughly
"Dato che sei così irremovibile nel darmi la pace, la prenderò io"
(Since you are so adamant in giving me peace, I will take it)
The sound of the bedroom door opening caught my attention but I couldn't see who had opened it, my body was forcefully pushed out our bedroom and I instantly fell to the floor with Xaviar standing at the doorway. His eyes looking right at me straight into my soul.
"Babe, p-plea- -" He didn't wait to listen to whatever I had to say before he banged the door shut. I lay there in total disbelief as I heard the door click signalling he had locked it.
I lay there weak and sore from the pain yet I couldn't stop crying my eyes out. My heart was aching, it felt like it was being ripped away from me at that moment. I tried piecing together what could be the cause of the problem but the more I thought about it, the more I lack a reasonable answer.
Stretching my feeble arms, I knocked on the door to our room over and over again as I lay dejected on the ground begging my husband to let me in but still he didn't once acknowledge my pleas
"Xaviar!!!" I wailed.
"Baby please! I'm sorry please!!"
"If it's p-peace you w-want I'll give it to you please Xaviar o-open the door " I subbed.
My eyes begun stinging and my throat was dry but I still didn't have the will to pick myself up the floor. It was late and the mansion was deserted. No maids, no guards, no Diego, no Blanc. I was grateful it was this way. Atleast I wouldn't have to deal with the shame and embarrassment from the way my husband treats me but at the same time I wished Blanc were here, he could have helped me to one of the guests rooms.
A gush of air caressed my skin with a familiar scent. I was immediately drawn awake, my eyes fluttered open and closed non seconds later when I felt a sharp pain rake through my body. The next time I opened my eyes, I was met with the cold marble floor.
I must have fallen asleep here while pleading to be let into our bedroom. The events of last night flooded my mind and I shivered as a sudden heart ache over took me.
Chattering of maids caught my attention and I moved to get up from the floor. A wave of dizziness shook me and I held on to the wall for support, the moment it subsided I placed my hand on the door nub, to my utmost surprise the door was unlocked and I walked in. The bedroom was strangely arranged, which wasn't what I expected. There where few wrinkles on the bedsheet indicating he had indeed slept there. I turned sharply and quickly made my way out of the room in search of Xaviar.
"Oh my goodness!" I exclaimed as I almost bumped into someone, strong arms held me in place
"Signora! Where are you off to in such a rush?"
"Blanc Where's Xaviar?" I questioned immediately
"He just left for work a minute ago " He replied
"Oh" my mood lightened
"is something wrong mia regina?" He inquired
"No, everything is perfectly fine" I rushed out too quickly
"ok-ay" He doubted my words, I saw an unreadable look in his eyes as he stared at me intently, it felt like he had something more to say
"do you have something to say Blanc?"
He stayed silent for a while, eyes still fixed on my face.
"Not at all Mrs Lucasino" He blinked his eyes rapidly
"if you'll excuse me signora "
With a nod I let him walk away as I wondered back to the bedroom.
I walked straight to the bathroom to brush my teeth when something caught my attention. I stared at the mirror and my hand went up shakily to my face, my cheek in particular.
It was decorated with black and red colours.
That was what Blanc had been staring at. The mark caused by the slap Xaviar had given to me.
I let my gaze fall to the sink as a stray tear escaped my eyes. Wiping it off harshly, I brushed my teeth and soaked myself in a warm bath.
As expected, my mind wondered without direction trying to figure out how my life had taken the wrong turn.
Xaviar had suddenly snapped at me and I was yet to find out the reason.
The rest of the day was spent enclosed in my bedroom, I hadn't left the comfort of the bed not for a second. I was too embarrassed to walk out the door and show my marks from domestic violence. I was so embarrassed from the way my husband begun treating me.
Breakfast and lunch were served in the room without a word from the maids. I spent most of the time watching television and reading novels at some point I eventually fell asleep.
I turned on the bed searching for a comfortable position as I was watching a talk show. There was a brief knock on the door.
"Yes!" I screamed without diverting my attention from the television
the door opened and Diego walked in holding a tray which contained my dinner
"A meal for the Queen" He offered a smile walking in
"Thank you" I returned the smile while sitting up.
he placed it carefully on the side table and moved to sit with me, my instincts kicked in and I immediately made an attempt to cover up my marked cheek with my hair
"Don't Layla" he said stopping me
I remained silent, when he said those words I let my gaze wonder else where as I couldn't bare to look at him anymore
"it's just a phase, and I'm so sorry about it. It'll pass . He added
"Why is he being like that?"
"I-I don't know" there was sincerity in his tone while saying this. He held my hand in a comforting manner before rising
"I'll be heading home now. Don't think too much about it " I nodded and he took his leave
About a minute after Diego left , the door was pushed open and he walked in.
Xaviar Lucasino had returned home to torment my life
"tesoro!" His eyes sparkled and a smirk appeared on his face
my heart skipped a beat immediately he approached where I sat. I stood up and moved to get away from him
"Bambina don't leave please" He caught hold of my hand
This was a total shocker!
"Xaviar, I- -"
"shhh!" He hushed me
"I'm sorry Layla" he dropped the bomb shell. Hearing those words I longed for from him made my heart skip a beat. Happiness flared through my heart and soul but my face gave no indication to it
his eyes met my bruised cheek and they stayed fixed there unblinking.
"Ive fucked up in these past days mi cara, i know I don't deserve it but I'm sorry. Please give me a chance to prove it to you "
"I don't know Xaviar.. Y-you just switched up .. And I was hurt but you still d-didnt say what I had done wrong "
"I know babe. I was having a hard time and I just put it all on you which was a wrong thing to do. I'm sorry" He peppered kisses on my face apologetically
I stayed silent trying to process what was happening, had he finally seen the light? Was this it??
" You're not saying anything bambina. Here, I got you a gift " He picked up a small box I hadn't noticed on the side table. He must have kept it there before sitting with me.
He handed it over to me and urged me with his eyes to open up the fancy little box. Without being told twice I unwrapped it and was given the biggest surprise.
"Omg!!! Is this what I think it is Xaviar!?!" I was totally astonished. my husband did know how to play his cards well
"it's yours tesoro. I'm not trying to win you over with gifts but you deserve this and more. I love you Layla Lucasino"
all through his cute love speech I kept staring at the gift. A key and a small piece of paper which read
''Aston Martin one -77 "
Xaviar had gifted me with a freaking car worth 1.4millon dollars.
"But I don't even go anywhere Xaviar, besides the garage is already filled with a fleet of your cars. Blanc could take me in any of them " I protested
"I know babe, but this is specially for you"
He gave a breathtaking smile before inching closer for a kiss.
Without much thoughts I let our lips lock in a kiss I had missed so much. Feelings were expressed through the kiss but I couldn't decipher them.
That was when I realized I had already forgiven him without him asking.