THE MISSING LOCKET

AURELIA

I opened the ointment container and bent over slightly, leaning towards the mirror as I angled my bruised face properly for better lighting.

My cheek was red and swollen. I applied very little to my fingers before pressing it against my cheek. The ointment felt cold against my cheek. I rubbed it in a small circular motion, my breathing uneven as I finally closed the ointment and sat on my bed.

My mind went back to the conversation I had with Vincenzo and Slade at the terrace minutes ago. As much as I felt proud at the fact that Vincenzo trusted me enough to give me such a complex and delicate job as spying on his arch rivalry, I couldn't help but feel scared. Even though he wouldn't admit it, I know Vincenzo feared Zayn Di Laurentiis a little too much, but he was sending me there on a very dangerous errand.

If Zayn finds out I was sent to spy on him I wouldn't come out of there alive, but I was going to do it anyway. I owe it to Vincenzo. He took in me when I ran away from home years ago. I swallowed hard as I tried not to let the bitter memory surface. My locket dangled out from my neck and I tucked it back into my top, keeping it away from view.

I heaved a sigh and bounced on my bed, trying to get ready for tomorrow.

I woke up earlier than I anticipated out of habit. On a normal day I would be up by 4, trying to get ready to prepare for Vincenzo's daily errands and undercover bodyguarding but today was different, he didn't have any errands for me, infact, he cancelled things I was supposed to do today all so that I can get fully prepared for what I was getting into.

I had a quick shower, the bruise on my cheek was less prominent now. Changing into my training gear I headed to the training area. Bodyguards were around, patrolling everywhere and making sure no one had snuck in the middle of the night or something.

They greeted me like I was their higher up as I passed them. I pushed open the door of the room. The boxing ring was still empty, I was surprised Slade wasn't in here yet to start his daily training then I remembered that I woke up earlier than usual. I put the bottle of water on the ground as I stared at the punching bag in the middle of the ring.

Everywhere was so silent I could hear my own breathing. I quietly went under the ropes that secured the ring and tossed the gloves aside, refusing to put them on. I stared at the dangling bag in the middle, and I started punching.

With every hit I could feel my painful memories return. Every punch got even more powerful, my fist was on fire, but that didn't stop me. It felt like the splitting pain in my fist was covering up the aching pain in my chest.

But it didn't work, I was still only thinking of Camela. I kept punching the bag furiously and when I stopped for a second it hit me square in the face, pushing me back and I landed on my butt.

I whimpered softly as I wiped sweat off my temple, my fist bruised.

“You shouldn't be training without gloves if you're going to be punching that hard.” A voice broke the silence. My head whipped to the side and I saw Vincenzo leaning by the door of the training room, his arms folded. He pushed himself off the wall and picked up the bottle of water I dropped earlier and got into the ring.

He stared down at me and stretched out his hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me up to my feet. He passed me the bottled water and I opened it and gulped it down.

“Let's go one on one,” he said. I looked at him in surprise.

“You've gotten better, I want to be sure you're not going to actually beat me in a fist fight,” Vincenzo Greco said with a chuckle.

I put the bottle aside again and took a stance. Vincenzo mirrored my stance and before you know it, we were at it. It was a tough one.

It wasn't the usual fist fight I had with drunk gamblers or high smokers on the street. I was actually wrestling with the powerful Vincenzo Greco, the man who taught me to be what I am today. I could feel myself already losing but I didn't give up.

I noticed after a while that Vincenzo still wasn't able to overpower me, it was something he could have done minutes ago but he hasn't. I couldn't tell if he deliberately didn't or I was just good enough that he hadn't seen the chance.

I totally forgot all about Camilla. He had a way of oddly taking things off my mind anytime we trained. He suddenly threw a punch to the side of my stomach and flipped me over his shoulder, throwing me to the ground.

I groaned in pain, holding my side as I laid on the floor.

“You got better, I'm so proud of you nova,” Vincenzo smiled down at me, his handsome features etched with pride. I rolled and pushed myself up.

“Now go take a shower and let's discuss how you're supposed to carry out the mission.” I nodded and followed him out of the training room. Slade was already standing outside keeping guard. He didn't glance at me, instead he walked up to Vincenzo and whispered something in his ear.

“Be in my office in 30 minutes, I've got something to handle,” He said, his face stone cold as he briskly walked away, Slade following him closely.

I headed to the bodyguard quarters to wash off my sweat. My face turned pale.

My locket was gone.