Did he know?

Bianca D'Arcangelo was Leonardo's cousin. On the surface, she was charming, bright and naïve. Her personality's purity evoked the kindness and the strong desire of people around her to protect such a rare gem.

But, her inner self was nothing like that. Unfortunately, I found out too late. Like all these people, I thought Bianca is an example of some of the best qualities a woman can have. I used to like her and tried to form a friendship. She perfectly pretended to be close and loyal, helping me when I was in need. I thought because she had such a close relationship with Leonardo, that she would lend me a hand in making him fall in love with me. Funny thing, he started to hate me due to her ''help''. I had no idea what things she spoke behind my back; however, he became disgusted at even looking at me thanks to her.

''Little one, your friend doesn't look healthy. Stay with her and if she doesn't get better, find the butler.'' I didn't stop my sneering on time and had to cover my mouth. Too bad my eyes were expressive and couldn't hide my ridicule.

''Luo, what is it?'' Like a spring breeze, her innocent voice made people be at ease and lifted stress from their shoulders. Alas, my nerves weren't relaxed at all. I felt tensed instead. My body trembled, and a giggle escaped my tight – pursed lips. They both looked at me like there is something wrong with my head. Inexplicably, I found that too funny and could no longer keep my laughter at bay. Oh, God! Was I really that stupid before? How didn't I notice it even once? They are both two-faced hypocrites. One excellently played the role of a humanitarian gentleman with perfect manners, the other a chaste woman. And behind the scenes, they indulged themselves in illicit relationship planning how to ruin people's lives.

But, I had to give the first place to Bianca. She was far more dangerous than her so-called cousin. Leonardo at least showed his wicked nature when provoked, but she played her part until the very end. Only when there were no people to see how ugly she was inside, she show her psychotic self. Until my last moments, I had no idea what monster lurked inside her body. Her subordinate beat me, the bones on my limbs broken, with excessive blood loss from my body and shot in my lung. As I was in a shock with rapidly beating heart, she initiated a video call. She mocked me, cursed me, laughed at my misery, saying this is what a sl*t deserved for trying to covet her beloved.

She was jealous, I realised. That thought was amusing. Did she have so little confidence in herself, or was she blind to see how much Leonardo loved her? I burst into a new wave of giggles putting a hand on my stomach. It hurt. The muscles on my face were throbbing a little, and the air was not enough. I couldn't breathe. Tears formed in my eyes. Their images were blurry. A moment later, Leonardo put his hand on my shoulder.

''Miss Luo, what happened? Can we do something for you?'' He patted my back awkwardly. His voice was so gentle and caring. I wanted to vomit.

''Actually, you can.'' I looked at him coldly. ''Remove this dirty hand from my body and stay the hell away from me together with your lovely cousin.'' He abruptly froze. Surprise and unbelief were written on his face. A few seconds passed until he fully processed my words and reluctantly stepped back.

'' I don't think you can address people in such a rude manner. Please, restrain yourself'' His now lukewarm eyes turned into slits. I sneered at him.

'' This manor is my family's property. Thanks to my father, you can make your auction in order to cover your illegal deeds. In other words, you have to comply with my family and me while you both are here. So, if you dislike what you hear from me, you are free to do whatever you wish when you get out of my home.''

My behaviour was over the top. I knew it. This pair of people didn't hurt me at this moment in the past. Leo was good to me, and Bianca wasn't my friend. All in all, we had nothing to do with each other yet. But my memories and emotions were still fresh. They controlled my actions, and I didn't want to put them in check. I was an inch across from an emotional eruption.

''Mr D'Arcangelo, our contact from China, wish to have a word with you.''

''Alright. Bianca, wait for me in the car until I finish the call. Xavier, look after Miss McCarner. She may not want us here, but a person shouldn't be coldblooded and leave alone people in need.''

As I was ready to curse him, the blood in my veins froze. This man…Xavier was my tormentor. Bianca tasked him to kill me. And now it looked like he worked for Leonardo too. I look at Leo's back as he was leaving us. Did he know then? Did he help his cousin? He loved her to the moon and back but was he such a monster to let her destroy me completely?

My lips trembled. I wasn't a saint, but my death was far more crueller than I deserved. Xavier looked at me with empty, emotionless eyes. The endless hollowness in them scared me more than the most distorted psychopath could never do. This man was pedantic, careful, and observant. He would never make a mistake in torturing because he knew how to control the feeling of pain without causing life-threatening damages and how to hurt you gravely without the person realising.

My breathing became hard while I was thinking for all of these, the events of ot long ago repeating themselves like a horror movie. The feeling of suffocating raised rapidly. I gripped the handles of the couch, swallowing the need for vomiting. Due to the adrenalin rush, my body started shaking violently. Only Xavier was left in the room watching me with knitted brows. As he made a step forward, I shook my head. At this moment, my vision was foggy. His phone ranged.

''Mr D'Arcangelo, there is a problem with Miss McCarner. I'm not sure what it is. Yes, I will do it right now.''

He left the room, leaving me to my own devices. Closing my eyes, I tried to calm down. But this feeling of having a rock on my chest didn't go away. Finally, I vomited on the floor, unable to hold back anymore. The pain was back like a ghost refusing to let me live in peace. For a moment, I thought I was again in the warehouse. I could smell the scent of rubbish, felt the cold of the floor. It was overwhelming for my senses. Before I blacked out again in the span of half an hour, I saw my parents with the butler burst in worryingly. They were asking me different things, but I felt far away from them. I couldn't understand their words, nor I tried. I just wanted to have a rest.