Chapter 2

Gianni's POV

I finished paying for the things I bought at the supermarket. The black sedan was still outside so I hurriedly dialed Louis' phone number. Louis is my coursemate, friend, and next-door neighbor, and my love interest.

I knew the black sedan wasn't going to hurt me but I still needed someone by my side

"Why didn't you pick up on time?" I asked over the phone anxiously

"Hey, young lady, I was quite busy you know but anyway what's up?" he complained over the phone, I could hear a female voice in the background.

"Louis, I need you to come and pick me up right away," I said, my voice filled with urgency.

Louis sounded surprised at the urgency in my voice.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.

"I'm being followed by the same sedan and it's parked outside the supermarket right now," I explained, trying to keep my composure, not because I was scared but because my life was falling apart.

"For real, he was mad to follow a crazy girl" Louis laughed on the other side of the phone.

"Louis, listen, I'm serious, I am not joking," I explained calmly on the phone.

"Stay where you are and share your location with me. I'm on my way," he replied, his voice steady and reassuring.

"Okay." I nodded my head despite the fact he could see me.

As I waited for Louis to arrive, my mind raced with various scenarios.

Who could be following me, and why, what does this person want?

Minutes later, Louis's car pulled up, and I quickly hopped in, grateful for his timely arrival. I relayed my concerns about the black sedan, and we both kept a close eye on it as we drove away.

"Don't you think it's high time I get you security?" Louis asked about feelings concerned.

"I'm okay don't worry," I forced a smile on my face.

"What are your plans for the anniversary?" Louis changed the topic and I felt grateful for it.

"Just watch TV with you all and eat, that will be enough and I lost one of my jobs today" I stared into the stars trying to hold the tears threatening to fall from my eyes, I felt Louis' hands give me a light squeeze.

"Ok then we will figure it out tomorrow but first let's deal with today," Louis smiled and I returned it.

When we arrived at my apartment, I opened the door and was greeted by Luna arranging the dining table.

I dropped my bags on the chair and went to check what Luna was setting on the table while Louis sat on the couch and Luna hugged me.

"Haven't seen you in a long time," Louis threw the cushion at Luna and she caught and threw it back.

"You know where I live so what was stopping you?" Luna raised her eyebrows while I opened the dishes one by one and I must say they all look nice.

"Medical school, I'm sure you wouldn't get that since you are studying literature," a smirk appeared on Louis's face.

"Law not literature you dimwit," Luna sneered and playful smacked Louis on his head.

"Where is Arabella?" I hadn't heard her voice since I got back so I felt concerned.

"I'm here," Arabella said when she entered the living room.

"How is my pumpkin doing? How were your dance lessons today?" Louis greeted Arabella, she hugged him, and sat beside him.

Louis paid for Arabella's dance lessons recently and I'm grateful for that but I can't continue to accept things from him if I want our relationship to take a step forward.

"I'm fine but why are you here and how come both you and Gianni arrived together?" A curious Arabella asked.

"Hmmmm, your sister was scared and called me to pick her up," Louis pointed at me and made a funny face making everyone laugh.

"Let's have dinner first then we can play games then Gianni can tell us stories about Mom and Dad," Arabella suggested while avoiding eye contact with me.

"Sounds nice," I nodded my head and a small smile played on my lips.

*****

"Arabella next time make the food, Luna doesn't know how to cook," Louis pretended to gag.

"What's wrong now?" Luna dropped her spoon.

"Too much salt," Louis used his hands to fan himself, Louis enjoys playing around with Luna.

"Are you okay?" Luna asked and everyone's attention fell on me awaiting an answer.

I contemplated telling everyone what was on my mind but I didn't want to spoil it on this day and just in time my phone beeped and it was a message.

"I have to leave, I have work to do," I cleaned my mouth and stood up from the dining table.

"Where are you off to at this time of the night?" Louis asked concern written all over his face.

"Professor Lisa asked me to babysit for her son tonight," I explained to everyone.

Professor Lisa is one of my lecturers in school, she holds a very high position, when she came to know of my financial situation she offered to help by paying me for my babysitting her grandchildren.

"Now?" Luna raised her eyebrows.

"I will be back by tomorrow in time for class," I assured and was about to leave when Arabella stopped me.

"Again, are you going to leave on this day just for money?" Arabella balled her hands into a fist.

"Arabella please, you have to understand," I pleaded with my eyes.

"That what? This is the only way we can feel closer to our parents and you," Arabella questioned and I could see hatred in her eyes for me.

"Arabella let your sister go," Louis instructed and Arabella kept quiet, like she always listens to Louis, "if you need me to pick you up let me know," Louis added.

I rushed to my room to arrange the things I would be needing when a necklace fell out of my wardrobe, I picked it up from the floor and held it tight in my hands as tears rolled down my cheeks.

This was the necklace of the person who murdered my family in cold blood, I was going to find and destroy that person.

I quickly threw the necklace inside the wardrobe when I heard the door to my room open.

"Are you okay?" Luna asked and entered the room.

"Yes, yes I am," I shut the wardrobe, "Arabella hates me right?" I tucked my hair behind my ears.

"I don't think she does, I feel she is just angry at everything you are going through for a person she barely knows," Luna tried to make me understand.

"I understand, can you take care of her while I'm gone tonight and make our parents' anniversary a memorable one?" I took Luna's hands in mine.

"Sure, I and Louis would," Luna smiled.

"Thanks, I trust you, you know right," I packed up my bag to leave.

"Have you decided to cut his, I mean your brother's life support before the next payment date?" Luna asked me a question even I didn't want to ask myself and I bit the inside of my mouth and closed my eyes shut.

"I will see you later," I said without turning back to look at her.