No item of clothing could erase the blood stains, or the tears soaking into fabric. It could never muffle the bellowing cries of a young woman. Nothing would change the inside, it could only change the outside form. It satisfied those around her because they didn't know her past. To her own eyes in the mirror, it was still overbearing pain.
She doesn't want to stare anymore, but her eyes aren't able to pull away. Captured, locked on her hands pulling the fabric between her fingers. Only when she reaches the end does she snap out of her trance, clearing her throat. Quickly turning away, she grabs her bag off of the chair and puts it on her shoulder. Moving towards the nightstand, grabbing onto the burner phones before putting them into her bag.
Next was her suitcase, she had to have some sort of luggage to make it look as if she had been in New York City for not too long. A way to get into his home, a way to seem inviting. An old friend, a long lost companion, Amelia would be whatever he wanted her to be. As long as it got her inside of the walls he called home, she would take any opportunity.
They had not ended on the greatest standing all those years ago. From the Mafia Core, to his sudden disappearance: It did not give Amelia much grounds to bring up fond memories. It didn't matter, she was skilled in manipulation. Fibbing her way into conversation about the old times, the things they had shared. Bringing up how they had made love together, her first.
Even thinking about it now, Leo was a piece of shit. That man took advantage of her, took away a moment that was supposed to be filled with connection. Butterflies, whispers of love and devotion. It was nothing, that night was a complete blur. Amelia chose to tuck it deep into her thoughts, another moment in life that proved life was cruel.
A tight grip is on the handle, her chest rising and falling slowly. Heart beat irregularly, almost as if her body was slowing down before it could even begin the day. She had to push through, this had to be done. No matter how badly she wanted to turn back on the whole deal.
It was either Leo's life, or Charlie's. She was going to choose her father every single time.
7:00 A.M (GMT8)
"Jesus.. Disappearing for years really does a man good huh." She gasps, head tilted up to look at the view of a beautiful home.
Infront of her was a mansion of sorts, quite frankly it was more lavish than her condo. Bright white, with large windows that you could see the entire interior design of the house. A living room of modern design, something you would see within the movies. Bright green grass, beautiful flowers of every kind in the front lawn. An expensive car, a Mercedes, was sitting on the paved driveway.
How did Leo become so wealthy, was he still in the mafia? If so, how was he able to remain on public file? Mafia members who were not known for their cold stares and deadly actions were not able to keep themselves out in the open without cops swarming them. Leo had to have done something to keep himself in society, all the while amass such a large profit to live a lavish life.
Power came with allies, not necessarily trusting ones however they brought safety in numbers. You pay the person the right amount of money, they will protect you or do as you wish. Perhaps that was what Leo had done, until he rose the ranks of the mafia once again. That was the only way, or else he had done something out of character for the man she met.
Swiftly, she knocks lightly on the wooden door. Taking a step back, gripping both hands on her suitcase. Waiting for a few seconds, before looking around the area. It was a gated community, a decent neighborhood. Amelia was catching stares as she stood, tapping her foot impatiently.
Amelia sucks in air through her teeth. "He must not be home, shit." A big problem for her, she had to have Leo if she was going to progress any further.
She turns on her heels, clicking against the pavement away from the door. If her plan failed now, she needed to find an alternative. When Leo was home, or someone else was available to let her inside of the house. Amelia had to get inside, at whatever cost.
Her steps stop near the garage, gloved hand running down the side of the panes. It's only then she hears the creaking of hinges.
"A..Amelia?" A voice rings back from the front door, Amelia whipping her head around to meet the owner of the home: Leo.
His eyes are widened as he stares at her, both frozen in their places at a distance. Slowly a smile pulls onto her lips. She had him, he had opened the front door all along. It was time to play up the act, reminisce about the past. Bring him into her arms, and coddle him as he needs.
In an instant she's lightly running towards him, arms beginning to stretch out. Once she reaches him she sighs, a wide smile on her face. "Leo, it's been years. I'm happy to see you again!"
He's smiling at her as well, and it's not long before he's pulling her into a tight embrace. Amelia freezes at the feeling of contact, chest to chest. It only takes her a moment before she snaps out of her moment, hugging him back with the same amount of force. If it wasn't Leo she was hugging, the embrace would be something fondly remembered.
Sadly it was him.
They both pull back. Leo sighs, looking Amelia up and down for a brief moment. "Wow it's.. It's so good to see you again." He motions towards her head, "You dyed your hair."
"Back to my natural color, deja vu right?" Amelia chuckles, pulling her hair to the side to run her fingers through it.
Anything to make sure he would stay and have a conversation, let her into his home. If she had to butter him up in other ways beside light chats, she would. It would be any means necessary to progress in her task. Charlie's life was on the line.
Leo places his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disbelief. Smiling like a bobcat, "It looks beautiful on you, just as much as pink did."
"You look amazing yourself, a few years did nothing to you. Look even better than before." She flatters him, gesturing to him with her hand.
There was a bit of change to him, he looked to be slightly taller. Standing at an alarming six foot and seven inches, all the while having some muscle to him. He looked built, he most definitely had been working out all of these years. As well having more of a beard than the photo of him in the yellow pages. Leo looked a lot older, even though he was only a year older than her.
He nods, "Indeed. Please, please come inside." Stepping aside, pushing the door as far as he could make it.
The smile curls further onto Amelia's lips, confidently striding up the concrete steps and entering inside of Leo's home. She had done it, simply talking with compliments had her target exactly where she wanted him. Letting her inside, trusting her as if they knew each other. Leo knew nothing about her, especially not now. He wasn't even someone she considered a friend, he was nothing but a tyrant. Letting her grandfather push her into his lifestyle, he did nothing to stop it.
He was just as guilty, he deserved to die.
Yet the further she walked into his home, her heart was sinking inside of her chest. A home like this, he had set himself up comfortably: like a normal citizen. Pictures of loved ones, family amongst the walls. Degrees, certificates of outstanding compassion within his community. The people on the walls seemed to love him, adore him. Had he changed, truly become a better man?
If there was the slim chance he truly did change, the plan of taking him out would be harder than it ever had been before. Although he wasn't innocent from his past, he made things right in their own right. Cleaned himself up, became a wonderful member of society. Having his blood on her hands, that would make her the villain.
Those wandering eyes met with the couch, but it wasn't empty. There sat a young woman, hands clutching a book. Dark black hair pulled over one shoulder, in a neat braid– a bow on the strap at the very button of her hair. Long dark eyelashes swept over what looked to be dark blue eyes. A button nose with rosy colors fluttering against her skin, plump light pink lips pursed into a line. Her skin is pale, fragile looking: Like a porcelain doll. Her face was defined, her jawline sharp from her side profile.
Long fingers tap against the book she's holding, legs crossed over one another. She wore jeans with holes in them, and a light blue top that ties in the front for support. Long sleeves that came a little further than her wrists, her nails painted in a white shade to match. On the brim of her nose, circular reading glasses.
Amelia could hear the sweet hum of a tune, and for once she was frozen in her place. A woman was inside of Leo's home, a beautiful woman at that. Was she a relative, a friend? The young woman looked far too casual in the cushions to be someone of distant relation.
"Honey, we have a guest."