Lost Gem (PART 1)

Chapter 42 (Repeated Past)

Adriano looks at Zeus who lays on the bed, completely motionless. Only the mere blinking of his eyes could tell that he is still alive.

"You should not blame yourself. No matter what! We will find Anastasia soon." Adriano's voice might have been lacking emotions but the said words were meant to provide comfort to the person who lay on sick bay.

"This is the price I can pay. I should have protected her better. I lost again. First Nadia and now Anastasia."

Adriano had seen Zeus in this situation before. Last time Zeus had men up and did not even let a tear escape his eye at the loss of his little sister but today he was not even capable of wiping the tears.

"I should better die but then again this feeling of regret is killing me over and over again, every fucking second." He grits his teeth as he feels like clenching his fists hard but not a single muscle moved at his command. The attack and another near death experience had left him paralyzed down neck.

Adriano heard his words, his loud self-loathing. For the first time, he also feels incapable of uttering  a single word out.

It happened in front of his eyes. Zeus, Matteo and Nadia were sons and daughter of their family's main security commander.

Their father died long ago while protecting Allesandro, thus entrusting the responsibility of taking care of two teenagers and one child to Allesandro.

Zeus and his younger brother Matteo had grown up along with Romano brothers. Until, their father's death and their mother's decision of moving to her home country and taking them along with her.

Even then, Zeus and Matteo had always kept in touch with Romano family. Nadia was growing up. She was almost a month older than Arabella, Anastasia and Ermanno.

About five years ago, their mother died due to a contagious disease leaving Nadia in the care of her two older brothers who loved her to death. Zeus had practically raised her, acting more like a father figure in her life.

Zeus and Matteo had always refused to use the money that Allesandro sent in their bank accounts monthly. Instead, they had became well known street fighters in illegal fighting arena. Zeus was totally undefeatable earning him the title of the best fighter and the money earned from his and Matteo's profession was used to raise Nadia like a princess. They spoiled her a lot that she was starting to sometime act like a brat but they both loved Nadia to death.

Over time, both brothers had also made so many enemies. And, one of this enemy kidnapped Nadia to take revenge. Two days later with the help of Adriano and Giovanni who arrived instantly to help them, they finally found Nadia.

But they were too late.

Zeus and Matteo, ofcourse took revenge and made the culprits pay but something had died within them. Zeus hid his darkside with his emotionless facade while Matteo's playful persona took over. Zeus was always grieving, dying from inside until he met Anastasia.

He found Nadia in Anastasia and swore to protect her over his life.

But this time again, he failed.

Adriano's phone rings, snapping them both out of the daze of horrored memories. Adriano answers the call immediately seeing Anastasio's name on the screen.

He listens to the other line and without a word hangs up after hearing the entire thing carefully.

He looks at Zeus who looks pale, sick and surely ready to die under the burden he is carrying.

"Instead of grieving, apologize to her when she returns."

Zeus looks at his face, feeling a relief spreading across his own face.

They have found the lead.

****************

Anastasia clenches her hands into tight fists as she hears the opening of door. Isabella had went out a moment ago after completing her session of shattering Anastasia mentally and physically.

This time the next person returned is a doctor who have a fearful look covering his face; followed by Alexander, a dark expression covering on his face too.

"Fix her." He says these two words and leaves the room at the same instant.

The doctor approaches her carefully. The middle aged man looks like about to cry whether it is due to the situation he was forced in or pitying, seeing Anastasia's condition-- she does not know.

No words were exchanged between them. She didn't let a sound out, not even a quiet whimper as he cleaned her reopened and new wounds. Slowly but surely it seems like, Anastasia is turning into the old Anastasia again but there is something else brewing inside her.

As the doctor finishes, he takes off with a speed of light. The amount of blood and wounds on her body has even made him nauseous. As he goes out of the door, Anastasia stares silently in space.

Her hand clutches a pair of medical scissors tightly, the doctor accidentally left in hurry.