Chapter 8

• *Bruno*
• I wanted to take a walk on the rooftop but I didn't know why I needed to be in her presence. I barely slept last night. She had been on my mind all through the night. I sighed. This wasn't normal. When she walked down the stairs my eyes had gone to her but had returned to my newspaper immediately. I didn't want to give her the impression that she meant something.
• We walked on the rooftop. I walked in front of her. When I was about to tell her the reason we were on the rooftop, my phone rang. It was Rave, I wanted to ignore it and enjoy my time with Lucia but I decided against it. I walked to the side and placed the phone on my ear. I was out of earshot and she couldn't hear what I was saying.
• "What?" My eyebrow raised when Rave dropped the information he wanted to tell me. "So what are you doing about it?... Oh, this evening?... Of course, I'll be there,…" I said and hung off. There was a serious matter to take care of so I'll be going to the club this evening. Should I take Lucia along with me? I wondered. I suddenly didn't want to be away from her.
• I turned to find her missing from the spot I left her. My eyes twitched and I moved forward hurriedly. I felt nervousness settle in the pit of my stomach. I looked around, my eyes taking everything on the rooftop at a time. I saw her walking by the side hurriedly. She stood in front of a pavement and my heart stopped for a moment when she stepped on it.
• She was about to end her life but I wasn't going to allow her.
• I rushed towards her.
• "You don't seem to listen, how should I punish you?" I said in a low but cold voice. She turned to meet my eyes and her back straightened immediately. "I… I don….," I watched her stutter, she didn't know what to say. She looked ahead of her then turned back to look at me.
• I was still waiting for her to take a step back.
• She sighed and before I could comprehend what was happening, she leaped. Quickly I grabbed her hands. This girl was hell-bent on ending her life. She looked down and then looked at me. "Let me the fuck alone, let me die," she screamed but I wasn't having any of it. "Why do you hold me?" She asked. Her voice filled with resentment.
• "It seems like you want more punishment than I expected," I said while trying to pull her up. I didn't plan on letting her go. I just found the one person that gave me comfort, she must be dreaming if she thinks I'll ever let her go.
• She put her head on mine and bit me hard but I didn't bulge. I pulled her up and pushed her to the side. She supported herself with her hands. I stared at my hand that she bit, there was a little bruise on it and little blood came out from it. "The nerve of you Lucia," I said in a cold voice. My tone emphasizes the seriousness of the issue.
• "You should have just let me the fuck alone, why do you keep butting in something that has nothing to do with you?" She said I watched as her throat went up and down. A tear escaped her eyes. I don't know why she was hell-bent on ending her life but I knew that it wasn't good. I made a mental note to tell Rave to find out more about her past. I wanted to comfort her but I just couldn't bring myself to.
• I walked up to her and stood in front of her covering her vision. I bent down to her level and held her chin up. "As I said before, whatever you are going through or went through has nothing to do with me. You don't own your life anymore, so you have to listen to all I have to say." She kept moving her eyes around and then settled them behind me. I didn't like that. I wanted her to look me in the eyes. I lifted her chin higher and asked, "I hope you won't make me repeat myself?" She turned her gaze away from behind me to hold my eyes.
• "Have I made myself clear?" I asked my voice emotionless and she nodded slowly. I moved my hands away from her chin. "But that doesn't mean you don't get punished," I said as I stood up expecting her to do the same. She got up after a few seconds. Her face filled with so many emotions that I couldn't decipher. I made her walk in front of me in case she did something stupid again. She walked too slowly. I didn't hasten her. That was the only thing I could do for her.
• We got back to the room.
• She stood at the side while I sat on the chair one leg crossed over the other. I tilted my head and supported myself with my hands thinking of the best punishment which would not be too harsh on her. She looked powerless. I watched her from the corner of my eyes, her eyes looked lifeless. She needed rest and a complete change of mind. I called on one of my men and instructed him to take her to one of the rooms. He bowed and obediently walked away.
• Lucia walked behind him. I stared at her as she walked up the stairs, my eyes taking in all her actions. She held the rails which were probably to support herself as she climbed. I watched her until she was out of sight. Maybe I had thought of a punishment for her without even trying so much. I would lock her in her room and try to bring out life in her. I will try to make her forget about ending her life. She was still young and such thoughts should not cross her mind.
• I had to go to the club later today. I couldn't wait till evening.
• I'll go now and come back later to spend some time with Lucia. She was surprisingly all I thought of this period. I walked back to the car park and stepped into one of my cars. My stomach rumbled. I was hungry. Whenever I was hungry, I was reminded that I didn't have a cook. I sighed as I clutched the steering wheel. I wasn't one to always buy food but always have home-cooked food, but I guess it wasn't going to be possible for now.
• I got to the club and pulled to the side. I won't be staying long so I saw no need to pack at the underground car park. Parking at the front was not allowed. But for me it was different. I could do whatever I pleased because I was the boss.
• I walked straight to the ground floor. I wanted to take a walk around the club but that wasn't possible. My mind was filled with Lucia. I gritted my teeth as I tried to get over thoughts of her. I didn't want her lingering in my mind anymore. The club was rowdy and loud as always. The air was hot. The Strong smell of alcohol and smoke from cigarettes lingered in the air. I walked to my private chambers and closed the door immediately I stepped in.
• I settled at the side behind my desk. Soon there was a knock on the door. It was Rave. This time I didn't wait for a few seconds to pass before inviting him to come in. He stepped me reeking of smoke and blood. He stepped closer to me. "Speak in detail," I said. He nodded and began.
• "The package we've been expecting has arrived,". He said and I nodded. That took longer than I expected. "But there is a little problem," he paused to study my expression but my face was expressionless. "The warehouse is big and has been arranged. We've all been doing our best to make sure the packages are stored in the best condition, and…"
• "Go straight to the point," I said, cutting him off. I didn't have time to listen to him, "What happened to the package?"
• "They were misplaced," he said. I banged the table and he flinched. "What?" I said through gritted teeth. The package consisted of guns which were worth over 300 million dollars and I am being told that it was misplaced.
• "And you have the nerve to report something like this to me, Rave, do you think I would not pass a bullet through your head because you are my cousin?" I asked. This was 300 million dollars we were talking about.
• "So what has been done about it?" I asked. "Where are the fools that drove the truck?"
• "They are already in the dungeon for questioning," Rave replied, "do you want to see them now?" He asked and I shook my head. My anger boiled. I may not be able to control myself and kill them before they even get to explain themselves.
• "I give you twenty-four hours to find the truck Rave. I would not mind blowing off your skull if you come up with excuses," I said in a cold voice.
• As we were still speaking, I heard a knock on the door. One of my men walked in. "What do you want? It had better be important," I said.
• "A fight has broken out on the first floor," he said. I furrowed my eyebrow. This was surely going to be a very long day. The nerve of them to think they could do as they pleased in my bar. "Throw them in the dungeon," I commanded. I didn't care who they were. There were rules and regulations in my club which are strictly adhered to. That was how I managed to remain the best in the underground and mafia world because I stuck to my rules. They would be honored by a visit from me but not today.
• The man bowed and left.
• I turned my attention to Rave. "Twenty-four hours or six feet below, you choose," I said. Rave bowed slightly before he walked out. I clenched my hands. I didn't believe the truck was misplaced. I knew there was something off like someone had a hand in it. I wanted to cool my head. Although I could be worried about these things, my mind kept drifting off to Lucia who was at home. I picked up my car keys and walked out.
• I would go see her.
• I walked to the back and not into the car, I saw Natasha walking towards me. She tried to hug me but I stepped back instinctively. She brushed it off.
• "How have you been Bruno?" She asked and I smiled before nodding.
• "Is there something you want?" I asked her.
• "I wanted to come see you," she said. Her voice was seductive as usual. But I didn't find her attractive. I kept seeing Lucia. I had no time to entertain Natasha.
• "I am busy. Maybe some other time," I said. But it seemed like she didn't get the message. She tried to persuade me but I didn't give her the chance.
• I got into the car and drove off. When I got home, I rushed upstairs towards the room Lucia was in. I pushed the door open to see an empty room. Did she run away again? I wondered as I looked around, trying to get a trace of her. The bed was ruffled which means she has been in the room. And I doubt any of my men would have allowed her out of the house as I had given them specific instructions not to allow her to leave the room.
• Not seeing her I stepped out. My heart thudded loudly in my chest. I have never been scared of losing someone but I was right now.
• "Where could she be?"