~ MIA ANTHONY ~Parents? I murmured as I wound down the car window, and behold, we were at my family's house. Excitement, anger, joy, and an unsatisfied urge were what I felt. I was so into the pleasure I might relish forgetting the kind of person Luca was.I took the dress from Luca; I didn't notice where or when he had brought the dress out, but I changed quickly. The dress wasn't as fancy or aesthetic as the first one; It was just a simple, plain black evening dress adorned with dazzling silver embroidery. The back of the dress had a flower design, also made with silver-studded detailing.I was pissed. He had made me wear a nice dress just for it to be torn and replaced?As I stepped out of the car, nostalgia hit me like a baseball, but something had seemed a bit different—The infrastructure.One thing I clearly remembered not looking different was the flower bed at the front of our house. For some reason, my father cherished and took care of them. I had asked him several times w
~ MIA ANTHONY ~I was still lost in thoughts when my phone rang. The sound sent jolts to my spine.Signalling to my friends, I went out of the class to answer the call.I knew Edwin must have reported to Luca after seeing Charles and I talking, and I also wanted to ask how his cover was blown and how he had been terrible at hiding himself properly, but a tiny voice in my head told me to be quiet because, what if Charles had lost something else for knowing that I was being watched?After a second thought, I decided not to answer the phone.Oh my goodness! What was I putting myself into? Ignoring Luca's call, especially when I knew the reason he was calling, was a suicide take. This was not just me looking for his reaction, this was me putting myself into trouble. What was in store for me now? But for some odd reason, I wanted to prick that ego of his and make him feel angry.While I was close to my seat, my phone rang again but I was adamant in my decision.After school, I went
~ MIA ANTHONY ~The semester test was around the corner with students reading and preparing. Same for me and my friends.I sighted Charles seated with Emily, a course mate. I had wanted to approach him and talk things out about last time. I didn't even know how he was faring all these while because he had been successful in dodging me.The last time I saw him closely was in a class we had together. I also spotted him several times but it was like each time I saw him, he tried to keep a distance from me. Also, I noticed he didn't look me in the eyes anymore, not like I wanted him to but at least, it would have been better than being snubbed. Still, I was bothered about what Luca must have done to him, and looking back, I hadn't remembered asking Luca about it or maybe it was because I knew Luca would not give me a good response especially when we got into a little argument about Charles.Looking at my friends who were engrossed in their books, I left them, heading towards Charles. Be
~ LUCA VITIELLO ~"There will be a grand welcoming party tomorrow and you were invited." Ryan barged into my office while holding the small ipad that contained the email."This was supposed to be sent to Anita Jeremy.""Yes, but because it was a special invite, I guess that's why it was sent directly.""Hmm,” I scoffed. “Special invite, my foot. What's that old rag up to?""Should I accept it or not?" Ryan stood, waiting patiently for my response."Accept, we are going to see him anyway. What time is the party?""Why don't you take a look at the email?" Ryan suggested, holding the iPad a bit closer but my next statement made him step back."I asked what the party time was," I muttered in a low menacing voice. "It's taking place at Lorenzo's mansion next Monday at noon, 4pm to be precise—""You can go.”Ryan wanted to say more, but I wasn't in a good mood. Ryan turned back towards the door, closing it behind him."Bullshit!” My fist slammed into the desk.Yesterday, I had just left w
~ MIA ANTHONY ~The next day, I woke up with a hangover. I looked to my side and found no one there. My eyes unintentionally drifted to the clock on the drawer —12: 09 am."Holy shit!" I quickly sat up from the bed, holding my head and then my phone rang."How are you feeling?"There was a long pause."I’m fine, just had a slight headache.”"I know, I instructed Betty to prepare a hangover soup for you, I will let them know you’re awake so you can have some.""Thank you, there's no need to. I could go downstairs myself but why didn't you wake me up, it's past twelve already and I sure have missed like two lecture periods.""I wasn't the one who wanted more drinks last night. Or was I?"A large sigh escaped my lips."I’ll see you when I get back," Luca said before going offline.Torn between still going to school or staying at home, I finally decided on the latter.Some days off school won't hurt. Besides, if I go to school now, my friends would ask about my disappearance after I'd l
~ MIA ANTHONY ~ The cool evening breeze wafted into the room through the window. A soft snore escaped through Luca's lips, my legs unconsciously laid on his torso. Carefully adjusting my legs, I walked gently to the bathroom but Luca's phone ringing stopped me in my tracks. I wanted to ignore it but decided against it. Today's revelation of a whistleblower and the death of whomever had provoked Luca, I didn’t just wish to have a snippet of how the Mafia works, I also wanted to know more — more of Luca. Looking back at our marriage, I realized I'd never asked and yet he knows everything about me. The phone kept ringing so I walked towards it. I was surprised the phone hadn't woken him up even as a light sleeper. Whatever had happened at work might have taken a huge toll on him. With the phone in my hands, I stared at the unfamiliar number. Scared that Luca was pretending or might wake up soon, I took the phone along with me to the bathroom. "Hello baby boy,” a female voice s
~ MIA ANTHONY ~ In the room, no one spoke. I went to the bathroom while Luca headed back downstairs. Obviously, I needed a good reason as to why I was home. I wore a light purple mesh top paired with pink shorts and had prepared to go downstairs for lunch when I heard the light tap on my door. Opening the door, I saw Miss Betty with a large tray of food. “Hello Miss Betty," I said with a smile plastered on my face, but she wasn't smiling. Miss Betty walked her way into my room after rejecting my offer to collect the tray from her. "You don't have to bother to be too careful with me Miss Betty, you know that. I could’ve gotten the tray.” "I know, but you didn't look good when you came in and it was even more surprising how you came back from school with your husband, did he pick you up?” Miss Betty asked in a hushed tone. "Sorry for my curious questions" She added, in an apologetic tone as if realizing she might be prying. "No you don't have to be, I understand you were aski
~ LUCA VITIELLO ~ FIVE HOURS AGO While Damien, Ryan and I stood back and watched as Gabriel was focused on the screen typing series of codes and numbers. "Come take a look," Gabriel gestured after about a few minutes. Not knowing how Gabriel was able to pull it off, but he was able to crack the code and the person behind the snitching and threat letters was no other person than the new intern. This would be the second time another close staff in my company had been a pawn to my enemies but what surprised me was what this so-called enemy promised. This opponent must have been strong, wealthy and connected. The three things great men so desperately desired. My feet moved in circles around the office. “Wasn't the intern's background properly checked?” I asked Ryan. “She was. Damien and I made sure of it." I huffed. "I don't kill women, but maybe you will be my first," I muttered to the frightening woman who had been brought to my office. I should’ve taken it to the doom room her
~ MIA ANTHONY ~ I tried calling Luca several times and each time it rang, no one answered so I gave up. Actually, I had woken up a bit late today because why not. I was busy last night, in a world where things went the way I wish, where I don't have to suffer or lose a loved one, a place where I could compromise and choose. A world where I choose who to love, where I'm my own role model, the heroine — My fantasy. Reading books has been a past culture that I just picked back up. Maybe I should be thankful for being in contact with Luca. His enthusiasm for knowledge and seeing so many books in his study got me really motivated again, even though we read different kinds of books. Quickly taking a shower and doing the morning routine of dressing and eating breakfast, I met Edwin at the driveway. Today's lecture was early and brief, then we moved onto the next course until it was a free period and I brought out two books to the surprise of my friends. "Wow Mia?” Marvel wowed, she