The Mafia's Maid

Chapter 16

I was really thirsty.

I changed my direction and headed to the kitchen. I was going to get a glass of water and then try to get back to sleep. I couldn't deal with anything else, otherwise, I was going to have another breakdown. 

I entered the kitchen and grabbed a glass from a cupboard. I walked to the sink and turned on the tap. The glass filled slowly as I stood in place with my thin blanket hanging on my shoulders.

I maneuvered the blanket on my shoulders to keep it from falling but remained in my thoughts. 

Why was the world cruel to me? I don't know what I ever did, but it must have been really bad to deserve what Lucas did to me.

But I can't stand this anymore. I just can't. I want to have a normal life, with a normal family, with normal friends. But I'll never get that. I'll never escape the horrors of the past, no matter how much I try or Mary tries, or anyone tries. I'll never get my old life back.

"I think the cup's full." I broke out of my thoughts and looked at the cup in my hands. Water was overflowing into the sink at a rapid speed. I quickly turned off the tap before peering over my shoulder.

Of course. Just my luck.

Vlado was leaning against the kitchen island, and his arms were folded in front of his chest as he gave me a slightly amused look. Well, until I looked at him.  

"Are you ok?" He gave me a look of concern as he spoke. I swallowed harshly and gave him my most convincing smile.

"Yeah, of course." I carefully raised the glass to my mouth and sipped at the water just managing to stay in the glass.

"Are you sure? Because the tears on your face tell a different story." It was only then that I felt tears dripping down my cheeks. I quickly wiped them away and plastered a fake smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about it." My voice cracked slightly as I spoke, and I grimaced lightly.

"You're fine, or I shouldn't worry about it?" I heard Vlado walk closer to me, but I didn't turn around.

"Both." There was silence from both of us. I felt my eyes glaze over as I took another sip from my glass. I didn't want to deal with this right now. Otherwise, I would break down.

"Leah," Vlado said softly, and I felt his hand on my shoulder. I was turned around slowly and faced Vlado. I looked up at him, his face was blurred slightly by my watering eyes. I looked up into his eyes. He looked at me with concerned features and carefully took the glass out of my hands.

There was a small 'clink' from the glass being set on the table behind me. Vlado gently grabbed my hands as he looked down at me. 

He looked me deep in the eyes as he said the next words. 

"I don't know how you feel, but I am here to help in any way I can."

Those words made me break down. 

The tears finally fell as I let out a sob. My legs gave out and I slowly sunk to the floor.

The breaths racked through my body as I felt the cold tiles under me. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I let out wracked out more sobs.

Two hands landed on my waist and I was lifted slightly off the ground into a hard chest. 

I leaned into the chest and buried my face into it. Vlado rubbed my back gently as I cried. I couldn't hold it back anymore. I was just so tired at this point.

"It's all right, Leah," Vlado said softly as he held me closer to him. "You're going to be alright." Vlado comforted me as I broke down for the second time that night.

We sat on the kitchen tiles, with me on Vlado's legs as he held me. My blanket was lying on the floor forgotten as I cried in his arms. He was leaning against the counters behind me to support my weight as he whispered kind words to me.

"It's ok." He said.

"You're not alone."

Other than Mary, I don't remember the last time I was supported by somebody. Mary has always been there for me when my father and Lucas weren't.

My thoughts couldn't help drifting to before I met Lucas; when my mum had just died.

My dad just shut himself out from everyone around him, especially me. He locked himself in his room and busied himself with work to avoid seeing me and thinking about mum. He always told me I looked so much like her, but I didn't think we looked that similar that we would go out of his way to avoid me.

I just cried it all out. I finally let it all out. I cried about my mum. I cried about my dad. I cried about Lucas. I cried about everything. And I cried until my throat was sore and my tears had finally run out. 

I stayed in Vlado's arms until I was grabbed by the hands of sleep. 

The last thing I remembered was being lifted off the ground and a light pressure on my forehead before everything went black.