I was contended to come back. I couldn't get enough sleep the past week. Leo and I planned to meet in the evening. I could tell he was also occupied in some work. I tried to take a nap. Although I was tired, I couldn't seem to doze off. Today was a chilly, overcast day. The trees swayed in the wind. I stepped out into the garden. I shuddered as I walked around feeling the wild air while my head wandered off to different dimensions.
It was finally evening. I was eager to go meet Leo, so I quickly dressed up and texted him I was arriving. The location was a Hawaiian restaurant, the one we visited the night we osculated. It still felt like a dream.
Once I reached the place, I found Leo sitting there in a brown loose dress shirt. He looked ethereal and...glum. I wanted to hold him in my arms. I beamed from ear to ear and walked towards him, seating myself. "I missed you," I whispered. "I missed you too but I didn't even know whether you were returning or not," Leo stated.
I sighed. "I am sorry. It was very sudden. I didn't get the time to tell you."
"Shall we order? Let's talk while taking a stroll outside."
We blethered randomly and ate until we were stuffed. Paying the bill we went outside, sauntering along the pavement. "I hate Jay," Leo blabbered. I was shook at the sudden statement. He didn't even know Jay and my mob were related in any way. Was this because of me going to Seattle or something that happened while I was gone?
"What? Out of nowhere?" Leo remained silent. "So now you are going to hide stuff? Tell me, what is bothering you?"
"Jay," Leo answered. I was left puzzled at the incomplete information. "What is the reason? Did he say or do something?"
"He always has."
On my insisting, Leo finally decided to tell me. "When I set foot in North America, I had already decided to work in a mob. This might sound surprising but the first mob I joined was the Jayc mob, while Jay's father was the leader. I was 19 but was honoured as one of his favourite men but soon it just didn't work out between us. Jay's father tried to exploit me even though I was working for him only. Jay, 18 at the time, wasn't any less of a devil." Leo was silenced by the recall of his memories.
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me unless you are ready. I believe you," I consoled him.
He nodded and pursued, "Once I joined my current mob, we had many fights. Our 'bad' history, as you know. Jay did later on tried to talk it out. I was normal, at least bearing it in the silence but I don't want to hold on like this anymore. I want some peace in my mind. The water in my ocean in rising again, flooding my thoughts away. I want revenge." After a pause he said, "I'll tell you someday."
"Leo..." my voice trailed off. He looked at me. "What are you trying to say? Please don't do something like this. You don't know how mighty and powerful his mob has gotten."
Hearing this Leo grinned like a maniac, his eyes gleaming with excite. "I have help from everywhere. But there is a problem."
"What?"
"The help was coming from the South, their plane crashed and they had to go back. I heard Jay was behind this, making me avenge my suffering more."
"N-now what w-will you do?" I stuttered, my mouth as dry as a bone. My mind had turned upside down. Leo was behind all this?
What will I side? My worldly relations or the relations tied to heart? Both with a dangerous consequence.
"Why are you silent?" Leo stated, oblivious to the strings he had opened which were chocking my heart. What do I tell him without making the so-called 'friendship' between me and Jay obvious? Will he leave me after knowing the truth? But I couldn't tell him, weather he stays or leave, as this would weaken the foundation of my mob as well as Jay's. I didn't want to fight against him, and neither did I want to fight with him against Jay. I still couldn't forget the way that dream ended that night. If I was being honest, I knew this could happen. Even the southern mobs were no match for Jay. I knew I would have to help Jay, with both Jay and mom forcing me. If I hid, Jay would find me and even if he didn't I would most likely end up as a defeated prisoner in his dungeon. I didn't want any of us to end up that way. I just wanted things to run smoothly.
I finally managed to say, "Leo, for the love God please don't do this. It's not about Jay, it's not about the South, I care for you." I regretted as soon as these words left my mouth. He suddenly seemed... competitive.
"You really are underestimating my power. And if you really do care, then help me," He gazed into my eyes, boring holes in them. I couldn't seem to look away. It was like I am caught in the middle of something. "L-leo, I can't. Please you have to stop this."
He got up, "I called another mob, they are fine with helping me. Don't do it if you don't want. I'll go now." He got ready to leave.
"Leo wait!" I cried. He looked back, with blank eyes. "I will help you."
His face lit up, then again saddened, "Don't feel pressured, Lia."
'I am, I do feel pressured by your sad eyes. Please tell me this is a joke'
"I am not," I said deadening away the tears, regardless of my wish. I did wish to help Leo, but I wasn't ready for any of this. Leo looked at me for a long time, then pecking my forehead he left. Once again oblivious of my breaking heart. I didn't like my mental position, I still hadn't figured anything out but I already assured Leo I would aid him with men and supplies. I hated the moment, the place and everything. The rest of my way home, I just tried to settle down the tsunami in my head.
I tried contacting one of my trusted men, he mainly worked for me. I asked him to send a few men near the coastline, according to the location Leo had provided me, by next morning. It was happening to fast. It felt like I was planning to sneak out, not from my house but from AZKABAN IN HARRY POTTER.
I trusted the man, but I wished Jay didn't find out. My heart beat didn't settle down the whole day. At night, I talked to Leo for hours, he seemed happy and jolly, finally being able to avenge all that Jay did to him. I wondered what they did to him. I started to ease down too, the southern mob assisting him was quite powerful. "Take care of yourself, I love you," I said.
"I love you, Lia. I can't wait to take you to Hawaii so we can eat real traditional food there," he giggled. Then we hung up. I held the phone to my ear for a bit more, the eerie silence giving me chills. My heart again felt lost, I wasn't ready for any loses yet. Just like that, I fell asleep.
Surprisingly, I didn't see any dreams. The next morning I woke up to me not wanting to wake up again... The moment I felt my life fading in front my eyes.
There were endless calls and texts from Jay. "Crap," I whispered. I wanted to switch off my phone, but I couldn't. I dialed Leo's number, he immediately attended.
"Hello? Lia," He sounded rushed. Something in his voice sounded off.
"What's up? I think Jay knows. I don't kn-"
"Aurelia. I... the Southern mob refused to help me. Some of their troops just backed off. They started firing on my men instead. I think Jay bribed them, Lia you were right. I shouldn't have- Ouch."
"Leo? Are you hurt? Oh my god! Where are you?" I screamed.
"No Lia. I will try to hide and get away. Remember, flee." The signals were cutting off. "Think of this as my command, my last wish."
"Leo! Leo? Oh my god. No, listen. Where are you?" I blubbered.
I didn't care, it felt like a piece of me was breaking apart. I drove over to the location Leo had sent me. "Oh God!," I slapped the steering wheel, screaming. The place was empty, no man, nothing. I secretly snuck into an old warehouse nearby, my legs shaking. Looks like the fight took place here. The bloody mess filled with cadavers. I called for Leo, but there was no answer. Suddenly someone appeared from the back and covered my mouth. "Shhh. Not too loud, I'm right here," Leo's voice sounded all firm yet weakened. I turned around, he was covered with a few injuries but was alright.
"I told you not to come here."
"I am not going anywhere without you."
"You have to."
Before I could respond, I broke into tears. I threw myself in his arms and wept. "I will fight with you."
He slowly shook his head. Just then a loud blow was heard. Bullets...
"My last wish Lia. Flee the country. I beg you. Leave. There is no way we can survive this even if we fight together. And no way we can escape together. Please... I love you. Survive for me, live for me," saying this he bussed me on the cheek. Was it tears I saw in his eyes?
"I-I love you Leo, I always will." I cried harder than ever as his silhouette went farther away. "Don't-" I whispered.
Before life gave me the chance to experience the death of my lover, I ran away. My heart sinking with every step I took. I darted till I no longer was sane, till there was no oxygen left in my lungs. My body couldn't seem to respire. "Live for me" Leo's words replayed in my head.
I wanted to run back to Leo. Was he dead? I bawled, my legs gave up on me. I stayed rooted to the ground for hours. I asked Hellen to pack up my things, everything. I am never returning back, even after the threat is clear. Not if Leo won't be here. I booked a flight for evening. I hoped the plane would crash. "Live for me" I closed my eyes, iterating his voice in my head. "I will, if I can," I mumbled, my eyes sore from crying.
"FLIGHT TO LAHAINA, HAWAII IS DEPARTING. KINDLY REPORT TO GATE # 3" The lady announced.
Hawaii was still in North America, but where else could I go to. I didn't want to go anywhere else for now. With trembling hands, I dared to call Leo. The bell rang, once... twice... thrice and then automatically went to voice mail. Dejected, I put my phone back in my purse. I turned back to look at the gate, 'This is it, I'm going.'
I stood there for some more time, maybe Leo will appear, telling me he is here and everything is like it was before and that we can go to Hawaii together, just like we always wished. But he didn't.
I had no choice but to leave, leave this place for probably forever. I somehow managed to drag myself to the plane.
And just like that this chapter of my life was left incomplete. I didn't even know what to expect when I reached Hawaii.