I stared at Benjamin, frozen. Hearing the truth from him was different.
"It's not what you think, Jasmine," Luciano said.
"What are you talking about, Luciano? Are you going to kill me like you killed them?" I asked quietly.
"That's not happening Jasmine,We need to escape now." Luciano's voice rose.
"I want to go home, I'm tired of being a fugitive" I demanded.
Luciano's expression turned cold. "Or else what?"
"Or else I'll tell your father everything" I threatened.
Luciano's sarcasm cut deep. "Good, go ahead. Get yourself killed."
He stormed out, leaving me shaken. Benjamin tried to calm me down.
"Benjamin, am I safe?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Benjamin hesitated. "I promise to protect you."
I wept uncontrollably. "I just want to terminate the contract and live a normal life."
"It's not that easy," Benjamin said gently. "Carusso won't give up on you."
I became tensed and weak from within, I don't think I have a choice but to inform my father about all of this.
It was getting dark, Luciano is yet to return and he hasn't sent any message.
It was very clear that Luciano was afraid of meeting his own father, after describing him as dangerous and that made me even more afraid and uncomfortable. He would definitely kill me at the sight of me .
Different thoughts of confusion and frustration set in for me . I thought of escaping on my own without the knowledge of Luciano and Benjamin.
As night fell, Luciano remained absent. Benjamin watched me warily.
"How long will we stay here?" I asked.
"Until Luciano returns," Benjamin replied.
My mind raced with fears. Was Luciano planning to betray me?
What if Luciano was planning to hand me over to Carusso , I soon dismissed that thought. Somehow , I trusted Luciano but I was scared, so scared for my life.
Benjamin stood up and headed for the exit.
"Where are you going?" I asked, anxiety creeping in.
"Just to get something to eat," Benjamin said.
"But we ate hours ago," I protested.
"I'm hungry again," Benjamin insisted.
"Are you going to leave me here ?" I asked calmly " can I come with you, please "
" No Jasmine, it could be dangerous, I don't want to expose you to any danger" He said
" Danger?, what form of danger, if it's dangerous for me then it's dangerous for you as well "
" I can always find my way , Jasmine, I have promised to protect you with my life, believe me, you are safer in here" he assured me
I didn't want him to leave, but he locked the door behind him.
That made me so sick, he returned few minutes later with two ham burgers , he handed one to me , I took it but I had no appetite. I watched him eat hungrily.
Luciano barges in , panting heavily, I didn't know what came over me at that instance. We both looked at him worriedly and fearfully.
" What happened Luciano, why did you barge in , are you being chased ?" Benjamin asked
Luciano said nothing, he paced around the room for sometime , then sat on one of the couches.
" I just found out that Carusso hasn't come for only you " Luciano finally said
" He isn't here for only me ? " I asked
" Yes" he affirmed
" What exactly are you talking about , does this have anything to do with the contract " I asked
Luciano hesitated before responding
" We are no longer safe in here , we need to move as quickly as possible " Luciano declared
" But for how long are we going to keep moving " I asked
" I suggest, you start to pick up your valuables , we leave in five "
" What , in five ? , why ?" I questioned I was so worried that I couldn't place or fathom any of these anymore
" I won't move an inch until I get a detailed information " I said
" Jasmine!" Luciano yelled " we really do not have time for this " he said " we need to move now "
" No!, I haven't had any peace since I met you, maybe death will provide that....."
" shut your mouth , young lady , I do not have time for meaningless talks, come with me and let's leave now" Luciano declared angrily .
His words cut through me like ice, my breath catching in my throat. A part of me wanted to rebel, to demand answers, but the other part—the terrified part—knew better than to push him further.
I had no choice but to succumb at this point , he was getting visibly mad but I had one question to ask
" You said, Carusso didn't come for me alone , who else has he come for ? "
" That is really not important right now , let's get going"
" I would go only if you tell me "
" It's not important for you to know " Luciano insisted and looked away
Something wasn't adding up. Why was Luciano so rattled, so desperate to keep moving? Was I missing something?
" I want to know " I demanded
" Your father, Jasmine, Carusso came for your father " .
I grabbed my belongings, my heart racing.
As we fled into the night, my mind raced. How could I ever stop running when my past kept catching up? Carusso was close. Too close. And now my father was in danger, too. Could we outrun the inevitable?