LINA
Just when you think that things can't get any worse,that is exactly what happens.
Why does the universe keep bringing me these problems?I wonder as I stare at my phone.
I had just come into the bedroom to take it out of the charger so that I could call my publisher when I saw the several missed calls from Sophie along with a text.
What is happening,Lina?There is a moving truck outside your house.Did you decide to move to New York and forget to tell me?Call me!
It's been five minutes now and I have not responded the message.
And I don't even know what to say.
This is just one big mess.
Maybe I should just come out and tell her the truth.They do say that the truth sets you free.
But in this case the truth might end up getting Sophie hurt.
I guess that leaves me with one other option:lying.
But the problem is that I still don't know what to say.I don't know what lie I can spin to explain the fact that I haven't decided to moved in New York but am back in Mylari,living with Bruno.
Think,Lina what can you tell her?
At that moment,my phone pings with another text.
This time from Bruno!
I recognise the number in which he used to call me about a few days ago.For some reason.
It's time. I'm waiting downstairs.Be here in two minutes.
Wow,It's already time to go see my parents,I seriously can't believe how fast the morning went by.
And now I'm nervous about seeing my own parents.How will they react when I just show up at their house with the man that they had secretly hoped would never return our lives?How will they react when I tell them that he is my new boyfriend?
Not well,probably,but there is only one way to be sure.
With that in mind,I turn off my phone and make my way to the living room,getting more and more nervous with every step.
I really wish that I didn't have to do this or if I did,I atleast wasn't getting forced.
If Bruno hadn't become the psycophath that he is today,it all could've been different,I think navigating the hallways of Bruno's huge penthouse.
I would've...
No,I should remove such things from my mind.
The situation Is what it is.All I could do now was accept it and find a way forward,I think as I enter the living room.
"Finally.I thought that you were never going to come, "he tells me with an impatient look.
"How could I not when you asked me to so nicely,darling?"I say,my voice full of sarcasm when I stop infront of him.
I notice that he had changed into a more casual attire consisting of a long sleeved denim shirt and beige chinos paired with white sneakers.
It's unfair how everything look good on him.
He smirks when he catches me checking him out but does not mention it.
"I don't know,sweetheart.You can be unnecessarily stubborn,wouldn't you agree?"he says.
I respond by rolling eyes.
"Are you ready?"he asks more seriously.
"Of course I am.Don't I already look madly in love with you?"I ask him curiously.
"Nope, you still look like you wanna kill me.Can you lose the murderous look?"
" I will to work on it our on way there,"I answer him.
"Only if you want your family and your cousin to be safe and sound,"he replies with an indifferent shrug that makes me frown.
God,How I wish I could kill him?
I look away so that I have a moment to get rid of the murderous look in my eye.
"You really don't have to come,Bruno.I can visit by myself,tell them about "us",reassure them that it's my decision and then come right back when It's done,"I tell him with a desperate voice.
"Do I have idiot written on forehead?"he asks, looking pissed because of what I just suggested.
"Your presence there will only make things worse,"I insist in a loud voice.
"I already told you that It's not happening because I don't trust you.Now shall we? "he says calmly, holding out an arm for me to take.
I end up taking it even though I really want to break it.From this moment on and until we leave my parent's home,I will have to act the part of the smitten girlfriend.
But after that it is so on,I think as we walk towards the elevator.
*****
Lina
"No wonder you got into an accident,"I say as I reluctantly get on the passenger seat of Bruno's dangrous-looking Mclaren."This is a death machine."
"But it's sexy right?"Bruno says,getting behind the wheel.
I shake my head at his reasoning but I can't deny that he is right.This is by far the sexiest car I've ever been on.
"You can drive with that cast on your hand ,right?"I ask him worriedly.
He smiles.
"I'm not entirely sure.You should put on your seatbelt just in case,"he tells me.
"Bruno!"I exclaim,giving him an annoyed look.He better be joking.
"Relax,Lina.You know I am kidding.I did get my doctor's advice."
"Road safety is no laughing matter,"I say,relief washing over me.
Bruno responds by laughing . I'm starting to think that everything is a joke to him.
Now I almost wish that we would have an accident, atleast then there would be a slight chance of him dying and being wiped out of the face of the earth,I think wickedly.
But far from making me fell better,the thought end up making me feel a little nauseous.
"Your bodyguards or whoever those guys are won't be coming with us,right?"I ask when he pulls away from the underground parking lot.
"They are my bodyguards and no,the won't be following us. Chase won't be happy though,"he comments.
Chase the evil henchman?
I give him a curious look but I don't say anything.I have bigger concerns right now.
As Bruno navigates the Mylari traffic,I looked outside,basking in the warmth of the sun.
"I'm guessing that your parents still live in the same house as they did five years ago,"Bruno asks.
I nod,not feeling up to speaking.
"Relax,Lina.Everything will be okay,"Bruno assures me.
"You don't know what you're talking about, Bbruno.My parents won't be pleased when I tell them that I broke up with Miles and got back together with you,"I explain, my breathing increasing just by talking about it.
"They hate me that much,huh?"Bruno asks,not looking in the least bit like he cared.
"Well,yes.They don't like the family you're from and you in general. And if I remember correctly you didn't make much of an effort to change their minds when we were getting married,"I say.
"Well,I wasn't marrying them,"Bruno retorts.
"You still could have done something to win them over,"I tell him before I can stop myself.
Why am I bringing up the past?Now is not the time.
"You know it wouldn't have changed anything,Lina,"Bruno says quietly.
I say nothing and just nod,wanting us to drop the subject and knowing that he was right .
Nothing in the world would've convinced my parents that Bruno was right for me because,honestly he wasn't.But I didnt care and loved him anyway.
"Don't think about the past ,Lina.The present is all that matters,"Bruno says,pulling me from my trance.
"As much as I hate to say this but you are right,"I tell him,blowing out a long breath.
"I really don't understand what making you so nervous.It's not like I'm asking you to negotiate with terrorists,"Bruno tells me while keeping his eyes on the road.
I raise my eyebrows.
Interesting example.
"I don't expect you to understand, psycho," I tell him,looking out of the window.
"Is that your nickname for me?"he asks, making me to look at him again.
"I do have a feeling that I will be using it a lot,"I respond
"I like it.It's cute,"he says,turning and flashing those perfect white teeth at me.
"Get your eyes back on the road before you kill us," I say.
"Death wouldn't be so bad when I'm looking at you in the end,"he tells me with another playful smile.
He sure seems to be smiling a lot now.I wonder why?
I shake my head, thinking that the guy is unstable and that I shouldn't bother trying to understand him.
And how his comments can be weird yet still sweet at times.
I continue looking outside so that he doesn't see me blush.
That's when I see that we had arrived in my parents neighbourhood and are nearing their house.
When we pull up in their driveway,I take a deep audible breath to help my nerves.
You can do this,Lina.
Bruno looks at me before removing his hand from the wheel and places it on mine.I know that I should probably snatch my hand away but I don't.
I need all the support I can get.
After all a lot is on the line.
And I have to admit that looking at my parents house, I am starting to feel less nervous about this.
I mean, sure the safety of my entire family is on the line but I'mnot worried about it.That is because I love these people very much and I know that I won't bring trouble into their lives by failing.