XXVI. And You Are?
. . . . .
Fuck. . .
I can't seem to open my eyes. I can't even move my body. . .
"She's—. . ."
"I agree. . ."
Huh?
Noises? Who are these people speaking? Their voices were muffled as I struggled to focus my senses. To no avail.
"Do you think she'll—. . ."
". . . Perhaps."
Who are they?
". . .We should give her more time," one voice said with a gentle voice. "Ms. Lucrezia has been through a lot. . ."
Their voices are slowly getting more vivid.
"But, hey, you saw that right? The way she still fought despite being tired. No wonder our associates refused to go and boss had to send a higher ranking personnel after her."
"Enough yapping Mikhail. You'll wake up Ms. Viviana. . ."
Who are they? Damn. . . I can't even feel my legs anymore.
I'm so exhausted and damn, I just remembered I passed out. Was it Dakari who caught me before I fell face flat on the floor?
It must've been him.
"E-enough boys. Please, go out. You'll disturb Ms. Viviana." Someone said, this time, the voice sounds so feminine.
A woman?
"She's been out for two days. . . Will she even wake up?"
"Given how she ran through the forest, barefoot and without any sustenance such as water or even food. . . It's no wonder she's not waking up." Someone said in a deep voice.
"You guys really need to leave now. Or do you want me to report to your boss that you're disturbing her slumber?" The woman threatened with a sigh escaping her lips.
Wait. . . Did they just say two days? It's not like I've been fucked for a week for me to sleep that long.
Was I that badly exhausted? When I ran through the forest I barely even felt tired. I wasn't even able to wince in pain as branches scratched my skin or rocks prickled beneath my feet.
Wait. . . Right. That was all pure adrenaline. It was my desperation that made me capable of going that far.
And oh well. . . Another escape of mine is a failure.
I lost the bet.
He won.
The devil won.
Not that surprising. I had been playing a losing game from the start, but it somehow became a leverage for me to understand just how extensive his territory truly was.
This place is a villa surrounded by the forest. Away from society. Away from the watchful eyes of the government.
As expected of mafias.
"I feel bad for Ms. Viviana. . ." Someone said in a saddened voice. "Our boss is so cruel to her."
"I don't even know what's going on inside the brain of his. He literally won't even confess to Ms. Viviana that it was not him who kidnapped her."
Wait what? Did I hear that right just now?
Not him? Then how come I'm here?
"I guess we'll never know what his motive is."
"Well. . . It's clear he's obsessed with her."
"Do you think he's just playing her?"
"Nahh, him? Play her? Are you even hearing yourself? Boss never once looked at any woman. But only at Ms. Viviana."
"It could be just infatuation you know."
"Whatever you say, Mikhail."
"Boys. Please, leave the room now. I need to change Ms. Viviana's clothes." The kind woman said again, her voice gentle yet firm.
"Alright, Ms. Mira. We'll get going now." Another voice said. "Hey Aiden, Mikhail, Laxei! Get your asses back here! Let's go."
I heard a loud thud. 'Must've been from the closing door.'
If Dakari wasn't the one who kidnapped me, then who was? Or. . . Perhaps. . . Who attempted to do such a thing to me? And why was he keeping me here? Is it purely because of his obsession towards me?
The things I've heard despite being unconscious physically bugs my mind.
Okay. . . Let's go from the start. . .
I went to an unknown park.
I got hit at the back of neck.
I woke up in Villa del Dimitrius.
Dakari claimed he kidnapped me. . . Which in fact, he didn't.
It can't be that his intention was solely to fulfill the contract signed between the Dimitri and Viviana, right?
Wait. . . Omg. So does that mean my life was in danger?
If it wasn't him. . . Then was I saved by him? Is that it?
If that's true, then it explains why I'm here. What's puzzling is the fact he claimed he was the one who abducted me. Is that why father didn't bother anymore? Wait. . . Father? It can't be he was the one who tried to kidnap me right? Impossible. Baseless accusation.
Then. . .
Could it be. . . The Caspian's?
But Zephyr had always been so kind. Besides, I'm already marrying into their family. They won't gain anything by doing that.
I can feel a cool cloth dampening my skin as I slept, the soothing sensation pulling me slowly from the depths of unconsciousness.
I opened my eyes slightly, squinting against the soft light filtering through the curtains. The room was quiet now, and I could see the woman named Mira sitting beside me, her expression one of concern mixed with relief.
"Ms. Viviana," she said softly, noticing that I was awake. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," I replied, my voice hoarse but steady. "What happened? And. . . You are?"
And of course, I have to pretend I don't know her. It would be strange to immediately call her by her name.
Mira's expression softened further as she took a moment to respond. "I'm Mira. I've been taking care of you since you arrived here. You fainted from exhaustion after your escape attempt. Mr. Dimitri had brought you here, carrying you in his arms."
So it was indeed him.
"How kind of him to bring me back after my obvious attempt on escaping." I bitterly said in a sarcastic manner as I rolled my eyes.
I stretched my arms and looked at the bandages all over my body. 'Hmm. . . I only have small gashes but they somehow bandaged me up? What a waste of resources. Tsk tsk.'
My gaze then turned back to the woman.
"You pushed yourself too hard," she said softly. "You need to take it easy if you want to recover."
"Recover? From what? Being brought back here against my will?" I bitterly stated. "Do you even know how desperate I am to leave here? Only to be brought back by that man."
"Ms. Viviana. . . I-I—"
"Enough, Ms. Mira. I thank you for taking care of me but it's best to leave me as it is." I dismissed her coldly.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Viviana. . . But I cannot do that as per orders of Mr. Dimitri."
I can only sigh heavily, scolding the gentle woman who nursed me back to health is not very nice. I also know she meant no harm, however, I'm not in the mood to be nice. I'm frustrated and too mentally exhausted.
"What does he plan to do to me now?" I cautiously asked. "He proposed a wager and I lost. I was so close to freedom but he was always two steps ahead."
I underestimated the guy.
"I can't say for certain, Ms. Viviana..." The woman sighed, her short raven hair falling across her face as she lowered her head.
"Where is he then?. . ."
"In his office. I'll inform him that you're awake after I'm done checking your well-being."
I shifted in my sit. "I already told you, I'm fine. I'm already awake, I just moved too much during my escape that I passed out. No need for a check up."
"Ms. Viviana, please, I'm only looking out for you and this is my job as well." Mira insisted, "Here, please drink your medication, it will help you recover your strength."
I only obliged to her orders without saying anything after. Only nodding and humming in agreement whenever she asked questions regarding my health.
I'm too tired and drained to even bother.
. . . . .
Mira Loma was her full name.
I found out about it after she was called over by a maid that was ordered by the devil to be brought before him. She returned 20 minutes after though.
Mira had been attentive and kind throughout the hours she stayed with me. Just observing me in silence and assisting me in changing my clothes, bathing me, and even feeding me.
It also came to my attention that I was no longer in that dreadful room where I was locked in. The quarters I was now sleeping in were slightly brighter than the last, the windows were no longer barred, and fresh air seeped through the gaps. The room still maintained the same color scheme of black and red, but it somehow felt less suffocating now.
"Hey, Ms. Mira."
"No need for formalities, Ms. Viviana. . . Just call me Mira." She said kindly.
"I see. . ." I muttered thoughtfully. "Well then, where am I? This seems to be a different room."
"You're currently in the master's bedroom of Villa del Dimitrius located on the second floor."
"Wasn't I in his room before?"
"Mr. Dimitri? Well. . . perhaps? He doesn't really stay in this villa that often. He sleeps in his office most of the time."
The devil is still a heir but he has capable people by his side already? He even has his own office. He's literally acting like a true mafia boss.
Am I envious?
Maybe.
I'm an heir as well but I don't have the things he has.
Ugh. . . Thinking about all these things makes me upset. Everything just leads back to my father's betrayal, the lies, the deceit.
Tsk tsk.
Makes me remember the fact he doesn't trust his very own daughter. He always kept me in the dark!
And now when I needed his aid he abandoned me in this place.
What does he expect?
For me and Dakari to rekindle a spark that was never there? Tsk tsk.
Is he hoping for something? Is he hoping that I'll be contented here with the man who threatened me and claimed to having kidnapped me? Is he serious?
Ugh.
"Oh! And Ms. Viviana, don't be startled but. . ." She fidgeted as she trailed off, making me snap out of my thoughts and look at her. "You're going to Russia with Mr. Dimitri tomorrow."
Wait? Huh? Russia?
"What do you mean? That's sudden."
"Don't worry, you're still here in Italy but you're going to Russia with the boss at the break of dawn."
Eh?
"Russia??"
What kind of absurdity is this?
Mira hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's part of Mr. Dimitri's plans. He believes it's necessary for your safety and to address certain. . . matters."
Is she perhaps referring to our little wager? Does he want us to marry in Russia instead here in Italy? 'Out of all places in the world it just had to be in their territory. Is he going to lock me up there then? Ugh!' I licked my lower lips. "Does he expect us to marry there?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mira's expression remained neutral. "I can't say for certain what his intentions are regarding that matter. But it's possible."
Hmm. . .
"Leave, Mira." I coldly ordered. "I think I'm ready to face the devil, call for him."
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a calm demeanor. "Are you sure, Ms. Viviana? This is a—"
"I said leave." I interrupted, my tone brooking no argument.
Only talking to him will give me the answers I seek. The woman is kind but she's not giving me enough information. She knows her limits and knows that she shouldn't get carried away and tell me everything she knows.
Mira hesitated for a moment longer, clearly weighing her options. Finally, she nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Very well. I'll inform Mr. Dimitri that you're ready to see him."
I watched her retreating back with keen eyes. After hearing the door close was I finally able to sigh.
There's so much I will ask to that devil. I will confront him about his claim that he was the one who kidnapped me. Then, I will ask him about the sudden plan to fly to Russia.
"Wait. . . Russia?" I whispered. "Lorenzo is in Russia, isn't he?. . . My younger brother is in Russia."