I wasn't even up to a day in the country and I was already being threatened. Aside from my parents already talking about getting married, I thought things couldn't get worse.
I wasn't going to show them this. It would make everything unbearable. They would just have a fleet of bodyguards following me around the city. I was already complaining about the number of bodyguards I had, with the gunshot that just happened if I showed them this message, I would be selling my freedom. I had to keep this a secret at the same time I had to be careful, I don't know who the message was from but it was obvious the mastermind of the attack sent it. Could it be my archenemy Emilia? I couldn't be so sure, what if someone else was behind this? It was clear as day that my return to this country didn't sit well with someone, Emilia was one of those people but I don't think she's bold enough to do this when everyone in the family knows of our rival. She could easily get into trouble. Then who could it be? Italy wasn't for me but my parents just wouldn't leave me in America. I had the best time of my life there. I sighed as I rose from the bed and made my way to the window. It had been a long time indeed. I remember when I used to sit by this window and wish my life could be better and I could travel the world without my parents calling me every second like I was a child. Funny how time flies. I leaned towards the window looking outside, it was already dark. I guess my family members would have all gone to their various rooms or gathered somewhere arguing, I didn't care. I just wanted to be alone. From the corner of my eyes, something caught my attention like something moving in the bushes. There was a garden by my window, I tried to focus my vision because I usually found it hard to see at night and I hated glasses. When my eyes caught sight of what was hidden in the bushes I quickly covered my mouth to prevent myself from making any sound but I had already been sighted. I watched as something or rather someone came from behind the bushes, the person had a mask covering his or her face I couldn't see properly. And the person pointed two fingers at me as if it was a gun, then made a shooting gesture and blew on the fingers before the person disappeared, running off. I was too stunned to speak, did they even have security here? How the hell was all this happening when my father claims he does everything the best? Without even thinking I rushed downstairs. " Mum!! Dad!! Mum!! " " Honey, what is wrong?" My mum's worried voice came as she rushed to me. " What is wrong?" My father asked as he took my hand and led me to sit down. " I need to go back to America, I need to leave." " Hallelujah!!" It was Emilia. I didn't even know who invited her into this. When and why did they all come here? I called for my parents, not them. The look my mom gave her shut her instantly. " This isn't about what we discussed right?" " Mum, I haven't even been in this country for a day and someone wants me dead, I should return back to the States because there I had peace and nobody was up for my head. How do you want me to sleep well or stay in this country?" I wasn't being a coward, I didn't even want to return to Italy in the first place if not because of my parents. So I'll jump on any opportunity to return back to America. " That is the very reason we want you to get married to someone from a reputable family, someone who can protect you." " That can be avoided if you just let me return back to the States." " I agree with her on this." It was Emilia again. " Can you just shut up!!" My mom and I said at the same time and she raised her hands in surrender. This was between my parents. Nobody invited any of them here. They all excused us returning back to their rooms and I couldn't be more glad. " Honey just forget about this, you should be resting, don't let this bother you too much, your father and I wouldn't let anything happen to you." My mom said as she rubbed my chin affectionately, she didn't know what I had seen down my window. They wouldn't understand, they were not the ones receiving threats just one day after returning home. " Go take a rest. We'll talk more tomorrow." That's it? Not wanting to argue any further, I returned back to my room. I made sure the window was securely shut in such a way that no one could get in. I hope I didn't get any uninvited visitors. I couldn't sleep, my mind was telling me someone would be watching me if I closed my eyes. I was being paranoid, but I couldn't help it. Whoever was responsible for that shoot-out would be so happy about the effect it had on me, it took my sleep away. Since I couldn't sleep I stood up from my bed to get a drink. It was late but I didn't mind. I checked my phone to see some messages from my friends. They had not stopped their teasing. I opened the bottle of whiskey but just couldn't bring myself to drink. It wasn't going to change anything, my problems would still be there. Just one day in Italy, just one day, this was a clear sign that I wasn't welcome here. But come to think of it, this is my father's land, and nobody could decide where I should or should not be, as much as I didn't want to be in Italy at the same time I wasn't going to let anyone scare me. They could do what they want but I would never cower like they want me to, I am not a coward. With that thought I returned back to bed, to fight I need strength and that means getting enough sleep. Tomorrow is another day to fight. Lillian Camilla Vincent doesn't back down.“By the power vested in me by God, I now pronounce you husband and wife…again,” the priest said and the congregation burst into laughter."You may kiss your bride,” the priest didn't even need to say it twice. Antonio leaned down as he claimed my lips in a hot kiss.I could hear Rodrigo and Leo whistling as Antonio hand held my waist pulling me closer but I had to quickly pull away although he didn't want to leave me.“People are watching babe," I said and he chuckled against my lips before pulling away.“I love you, I love you so much," he whispered as I looked into his eyes wondering how I got so lucky.I turned to the congregation and threw my bouquet and it fell on Rodrigo's lap. I couldn't help but laugh.“I don't even have a girlfriend," Rodrigo said with a groan and everyone burst into laughter. I felt so good and happy compared to the last time I and Antonio got married, I didn't even want to think about it. I turned my attention to my husband as I wrapped my arms around him
I woke up with an unbearable pain shooting up my shoulder and I groaned before trying to sit up but firm hands held me softly preventing me from standing up.“Hey, hey, there's no need to stress yourself, just rest,” I couldn't help but smile as I opened my eyes to see my husband's eyes staring at me with concern,"Am I in heaven?” I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper, and he chuckled but quickly stopped himself as a frown took over his face."Why are you so stubborn?” he said with a sigh as he took my hand and dropped a kiss. “I couldn't just hide and let you face them alone, I needed to be there for you, remember we have to do everything together," I said as I tried to raise my hand to touch his face but I couldn't.“Stop trying to do anything, just rest, okay?” he said as he brushed his fingers through my hair."What about…" my chest tightened as I thought about how everything that had been happening to me has been my mother's doing, and no matter what she did a part of me
'NO!! Lilly!!'Time froze as I heard the sound of the trigger being pulled. My heart stopped, waiting for the deafening bang that would end everything. But... nothing. There was no shot.Lilly stood there trembling, her breath shallow, but alive."How? Why the fuck is there no bullet in my gun?!" Veronica Lilly's mother screamed, frantically checking the weapon in her hands.That was the moment my wife snapped back to her senses. With strength I hadn't seen in her before. Lilly pushed her mother with a force so fierce it sent Veronica sprawling to the ground. But there was no time to celebrate her bravery.The man holding Rodrigo down reacted instantly, lifting his gun and firing at Lilly. She ducked just in time, the bullet narrowly missing her.Everything descended into chaos.The door burst open, and the reinforcements I had been waiting for finally stormed in.“Get down!" one of the officers shouted, his gun trained on Adrian.Adrian froze for a moment, his wild eyes darting aroun
The room became dead silent and it was like everyone held their breath as I turned to Lilly before turning to Rodrigo..“Stay here," I said and was about to stand up but Lilly held my hand shaking her head.“I heard that there was a party here and I brought friends," a familiar voice said from outside and I turned to Lilly who had her eyes wide in shock,“She followed you," she mouthed as she stood up before turning around in confusion and I held her hand stopping her. I knew I was going to be followed but I didn't know who was going to follow me. I didn't know that Lilly's mother was the mastermind behind everything but I knew that someone might have been watching me in case my wife was alive so I had everything planned out.“Do you trust me Lilly?" I said as I held her shoulders trying to calm her down from how panicked she looked. “She's out there Antonio, there's no way out of this, she's going to kill us," she said as her eyes welled up in tears but I shook my head.“Rodrigo do
Thank God she was alive. My wife was alive. The thought of it made me smile but I had to remind myself that I made a promise. I couldn't let anyone know that she was alive, if she was telling me to keep it a secret there must be a reason. I took a breath trying to calm myself down before I opened a room door and walked out of the room, closing the door behind me.The house was quiet as everyone was sleeping. I quietly climbed down the stairs not wanting to make any noise as I made my way to the door but just as I was about to walk out the house, I heard a noise and stopped. I slowly turn only to be met with Lilly's mother. She yawned as she looked at me with half asleep half awake eyes.“Why are you still up son?” she asked, her voice filled with concern."I just wanted to go out for a drive, I don't feel good being in here without my wife, this house reminds me of her so much," I said with a sigh and she moved close to me and then without warning she hugged me. “I know how you fee
Sleep felt foreign to me, I couldn't sleep, couldn't bring myself close to my eyes. The hollowness in my chest was one that could only be filled by my wife's presence. I turned from the balcony to the bed wishing that I would see her sitting on the bed and everything was just a terrible nightmare. But it wasn't, she wasn't on the bed nor did I know where she was. I have long silenced the voice that was telling me to just give up that my wife was dead. I couldn't give up, I had to keep hoping, praying that she was alright, that I'll find her. I closed my eyes as I did a silent prayer hoping that God would be merciful to me and bring me my wife. I wasn't the best person, yet I still wasn't the worst. I turned away from the balcony as I walked into the room towards the bed. My eyes were heavy but sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford. Sleep had cost me my wife. I rubbed my head burying my face in my hands. “Lilly, why would you do this to me? Why would you walk into danger? Didn't