~29th November 9:23 am ~
"Wakey, wakey." I heard a soft whisper, shortly followed by a gentle shake.
I groan, rubbing my eyes a little before opening them.
"Good morning," Amara smiled through my cloudly eyes.
"Morning," I mumble sickly.
"You don't look too good, Ana."
"Gee, thanks."
"Maybe we shouldn't go to the appointment," She muttered, a small frown set on her face.
"No, we're going Amara. I need to know." I mutter, clambering to my feet.
I slip my soft slippers on and slowly wander to the bathroom.
"How do you even know you might be pregnant?" She asks curiously.
"Symptoms." I sigh.
"What symptoms do you have then?" She pesters.
"That doesn't matter, I just have a feeling, "I confirm.
"Maybe I should call Vincenzo. Surely he'd wanna know if he had a baby or not."
"I might not even keep it." I sigh.
"Why wouldn't you?"
"I just might not keep it, okay?" I snap.
"God, I see what you mean by symptoms." She mutters under her breath as if I couldn't hear her.
I send her a harsh glare from the bathroom door frame. Her lips form a soft smile, taunting me innocently.
I walk towards the sink, getting ready to brush my teeth.
"Why are you even here yet? The appointment's not even until this afternoon. I told you that yesterday." I ask.
"I was wondering if you wanted to get breakfast with me?"
"Ama-"
"Before you say no, I really wanna talk about what's going on with you,"
"What's there to talk about?" I ask.
"Amara, you're my first real friend, that's a girl."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, so I can tell there's something wrong. You can tell me you know. I won't tell anyone, maybe I can even help you." She assures.
I might need to take her up on that offer.
This whole thing was killing me.
"I just want everything to go back to normal," I assure her.
"Normal?" She asks.
"Yeah, how everything was before Vince left."
"Oh! I get it, you miss my brother." She smirks.
"I guess you could say that, just not the way you're thinking."
She chuckles.
"Sure."
I share a small smile from the position of the door.
"If he ever hurts you, let me know. I'll make sure he never does it again."
I laugh a little, not entirely sure what she could do to a man of Vincenzo's size.
Don't get me wrong, she's strong and all, but compared to Vince, she was a small creature in a giant's world.
So was I.
"Don't worry Ana, I miss him too."
"You do?"
"Yeah," She nods.
"But he's so rude to you."
"I know he doesn't mean it, he's just a little twisted." She shrugs with a soft sigh leaving her softened lips.
"Yeah," I nod.
"Is he nice to you?"
"Not normally." I sigh.
"Really? But you're his wife."
"Amara, you know this already. He's my husband on the papers. I am a contract to him."
"Really? He's changed since you got here." She adds.
"Don't lie, he's as rude as the day I met him, years ago." I frown.
"He was worse, after.. you know. But he's getting better. He just needs a little help."
"From a prescription?" I ask.
"Well yeah," She chuckles," But from you too."
"You guys bond you know." She adds.
"I wouldn't say that. You share something in common." She pauses for a second. "Thalia."
I take a deep breath, my back straightening, and my toes curling.
No one says her name, I had been so used to people other than Vincenzo calling her, 'her' or 'she'.
"I'm s-"
"Don't apologize. I don't blame you how many times do I have to tell you, Ana."
I walk past her and into the closet. I dig through it for a little until I find a small locket. I hadn't touched it in years, it lay in the bottom of the jewelry box I had placed there only a few weeks ago. I open the small door, revealing a picture of Thalia.
It was her 14th birthday party as we sat in the small overgrown meadow, one we always hung out into. She had flowers all in her hair, and so did I. There were two lockets, matching ones. I had one, and she had the other. Mine was a picture of her, and hers a picture of me.
I knew she wore it the day she died.
She never took it off.
I didn't either.
They were too special.
Like we were somehow attached.
I knew who had it now.
Vincenzo.
He doesn't know I know.
But I do.
He has a hidden stash of her most valued thing somewhere.
Everything she loved.
Everything I loved that she loved.
Every now and then, at the darkest of the night, he pulls out the small box and looks through it. In the silence. It was his secret. I respected it. I never once tried to find it. I had my hidden things of hers, he had his. Amara was right. We did have a connection over her. Similarities because of her.
-------
"What's that?" I hear a voice ask.
It tears me from my thoughts dropping me into the gates of hell's purgatory.
"Nothing," I mutter, laying the necklace down and slamming the lid.
It was the only thing that was in the box.
Nothing else.
It was alone because I didn't want anything else to touch it. '
Me and her.
Us.
And only us.
"Right." She muttered, looking through the closet.
------
~ 29th November 2:56 pm ~
I sit in my car, slamming my hands onto the steering wheel. Tears streamed down my bruised face as I rested my head back and cried.
I was 8 weeks pregnant.
I wipe my face, taking a long breath before pulling out of the hospital car park.
I drive along the roads, feeling uneasy.
I feel sick to my stomach when I reach the giant gates.
Scanning my hand, I check myself in the rearview, before pulling up the driveway. As I step out of the car, I slam the door.
"What's wrong with you?" Marco taunts.
"I'm not in the mood, Marco."
He smirks, leaning against his car.
"Where'd you go love?"
"Don't call me that," I mutter, walking to the door.
He blocks my way.
"You're meant to ask me to go out, love."
"W-."
He raises his hand.
I flinch.
He smirks.
"I'm meant to keep you safe."
"As if I'm safe in the safe building as you."
"Don't kid. You love me, not Vincenzo. Me."
"I don't love him, and I hate you."
"That's not very nice." He smirks, taking a step closer to me.
I squeeze my car keys in my hand tightly, pointing them at him, as I step backward.
He chuckles.
"Just leave me alone!" I plead.
"Now why would I do that, love."
"Stop calling me that!" I yell.
"Shh, hush now." He smirks.
"Help!" I scream desperately.
He stops as the door swings open.
It's Amara and Elio.
They look between the two of us, confused.
"Why'd you scream?" Amara asks.
"Yeah," Elio adds.
"It was nothing, don't worry." I sniffle, rushing past them, up to my bedroom.
I hear soft footsteps behind me.
Amara.
"So? Are you pregnant?" She asks.
"Yeah," I sigh.
"Congrats." She squeals.
"Thanks," I mumble.
"What's wrong?" She asks.
"Nothing, I'm just tired. I need to rest." I rush through the corridor, avoiding numerous maids.
------
~November 30th, 3:24 am ~
I glance over at the alarm clock for the fifth time in the past minute. I had been sitting in this corner for ages. The door was locked, my eyes glued to it.
I had the broken piece of the mirror in my hand, it had already shredded my hand when I punched it earlier. I pick the small piece up again.
Being given any other choice. I begin the dig the shard into any piece of flesh I could find. Stomach, thighs, arms, hands, anything. Before I know it, my once white dress bleeds the same red as the floor.
The glass and blood surround me, and I can't tell if I regret everything I just did or if I meant it.
I stand up.
The pain hits me, as I hurry to the bathtub.
I take the blood-soaked dress off, letting it thud against the floor.
I curse in pain.
The hot water fills the bath as I bandage the last of my open wounds. A few scratches left untouched, unbothered.
I was in so much pain, I had entirely forgotten about them.
I grab the pill bottle, emptying the two pills onto my hand. I swallow them dry and lean against the bathtub for a second before getting into the warm water.
I let the blood rise to the surface.
-------
~November 30th, 4:56 am ~
I feel a sharp pain across my face. I try to soothe it and move, but I can't, I'm glued to the hard surface. My eyes are heavy like a ton of rocks. I finally pull them open and meet Amara's worried face.
"Anastasia!" She gasps in relief.
"What happened?" I ask, trying to sit up.
She shoves me back down as Elio comes over to me with a real medical kit.
It was then everything comes flooding back to me.
I gasp.
They both look at me.
"How did you get in here?" I ask, sitting up, only to lay straight back down when my spine is struck with a harsh blow.
I hiss through my teeth in pain.
"I picked the lock after I shouted at you, and you didn't reply."
"Why were you awake?" I ask.
"I was going to the gym when I wanted to check on you after yesterday."
I nod.
Okay.
"Why did you do..." She pauses, " This?" She asks.
"Do what?"
"Don't play dumb, all of this." She refers to the bathtub next to me and my bloodied body.
"I didn't-" I froze.
"I don't know what you mean. It accidentally knocked the mirror onto me. It cut the shit out of me." I explain.
"The cuts are too deep for that. And there's no way it wouldn't hit the arteries or, your head." He sighs.
"What about the bathtub?"
Think.
Ana.
Think!
"I'm just really tired, I wanted to relax, I guess the blood loss made me pass out," I explain.
"The bandages would have stopped that from happening. I know you took pills, Anastasia."
"I don't know what you mean."
"I stopped taking them, Vincenzo took them from me."
"So if you did a drug test, it would be negative?" He interrogates.
"Yes," I murmur.
Out of the kit beside him, he pulls one out, placing it on the counter before leaving with Amara.
I think for a second.
Pacing back and forth.
Before walking to the window, and looking down.
I could jump onto the balcony below with next to no injuries.
I climb up to the open window, slithering out.
I feel a grip on my ankle and leg.
"Anastasia!" Amara yells.
Her hand was on my ankle.
"What a nut job." Elio sighs.
His hands were on my waist.
He lifts me onto the floor.
"Tell us honestly what's happening."
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"For god's sake, Ana, just answer me."
"You wouldn't like the answer." I sigh.
"I would prefer it to no answer," Amara reasons.
"Are you high?" Elio asks.
"No!" I yell.
"Really?" Amara asks.
------
I sit on my bed in my pajamas, staring at the clock on the wall.
Elio went to make a call and Amara was babysitting me.
----
~Elio's POV~
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
"Cosa vuoi fratello, Elio?" Vincenzo breaths. (What do you want brother, Elio?)
"Ciao Anche a te," I reply. (Hello to you too.)
"Ti ho detto di non chiamarmi a meno che non sia importante. Sono impegnato, non ho tempo per queste chiacchiere di cazzate." (I told you don't call me unless it's important. I'm busy, I don't have time for this bullshitting chit-chat.)
"È importante, si tratta di Anastasia. Ha fatto qualcosa di veramente brutto." (It is important, it's about Anastasia. She did something really bad.)
"Oh Dio, non dirmi che ora ha ucciso anche Amara. Nasconditi finché puoi." (Oh god, don't tell me she's killed Amara now too. Hide while you still can.)
"Non sei divertente, io sono fottutamente serio Vincenzo." (You're not funny, I'm fucking serious Vincenzo.)
"Cos'è Fratello?" (What is it, Brother?)
"Anastasia non è stata se stessa ultimamente, da quando te ne sei andato. Solo oggi, ha avuto un esaurimento nervoso in garage, si è tagliata praticamente ogni parte del corpo con una scheggia di vetro e ha cercato di annegarsi con dei sonniferi." (Anastasia's not been herself lately, since you left. Today alone, she's had some breakdown in the garage, cut pretty much every part of her body with a shard of glass, and fucking tried to drown herself with sleeping pills.)
"Fanculo Anastasia. Sta bene adesso? Vuole che torni o qualcosa del genere?" (Fuck sake Anastasia. Is she okay now? Does she want me to come back or something?)
"Vabbè, rallenta. Probabilmente dovresti tornare, non posso badare alla ragazza, non mi conosce né si fida di me. Anche lei ha qualcosa da dirti, credo. Se vuoi una moglie, devi scoprire che cazzo sta succedendo, perché a questo ritmo si ucciderà." (Wow, slow down. You should probably come back, I can't look after the girl, she doesn't know nor trust me. She's got something to tell you as well I think. If you want a wife, you need to find out what the fuck is going on, because she's gonna kill herself at this rate.)
"Si, Si. Tornerò presto. Dammi qualche giorno. Se lei muore, tu muori, cazzo. Tienila d'occhio e dì a Marco di fare lo stesso, cazzo." (Si, Si. I'll be back soon. Give me a few days. If she dies, you fucking die. Keep an eye on her, and tell Marco to do the fucking same.)
"Ok bene. Ma devi sbrigarti. Riporta indietro anche gli altri. Questa merda è importante." (Okay, fine. But you need to hurry. Bring the others back too. This shit is important.)
"Non dirmi cosa fare, cazzo. Lo so. Ci vediamo dall'altra parte fratello." (Don't fucking tell me what to do. I know. See you on the flip side brother.)
"Sì, sì ciao." (Yes, yes bye.)
------
~November 30th, 8:59 pm ~
It was time to swap over with Marco. He agreed that it was important to look after Anastasia at this time. He said he'd stay the night on the couch in her room to make sure she didn't try anything.
It was generous, to say the least.
I didn't think he would do it, he always listens to Vincenzo. However, this time it felt more personal. He was taking care of his boss's girl. His fucking Capos girl.
It seems like a hell of a responsibility for him.
Why does he even want to?
He doesn't know her.
"Please," She begged.
"What's so wrong with him?" I ask.
"Please! Don't leave me with him. I'll do anything." She spoke, her voice cracked and her face wet with tears.
"I have work to do," I speak coldly, turning away from her.
"I wouldn't beg unless it was important, Elio. Please." She pleads once more.
-------------
~Anastasia's POV~
Elio looked back at me before walking away, leaving me alone in the giant room. They felt the need to babysit me ever since the slip-up. It had been hours, and they couldn't forget about it already. They acted as if I was some fragile nutcase, that found some masochistic thrill in attempting suicide.
To put it lightly.
I fucking didn't.
Nothing like it.
I just couldn't be alone with Marco, not for one more minute.
My entire body couldn't handle it.
I wished I could take it all back for the sake, of not having to see him. I heard a knock on the door and, open it flew.
Marco.
I watch as he glances over his shoulder before meeting my damaged and dissolved eyes; he holds my gaze, speaking slowly.
"Yeah, don't worry about it Elio. She's in great hands." A smirk placed on his poised lips made me feel uneasy in my stomach.
I look away, hoping that if I no longer saw him, he would no longer exist.
Sadly, that didn't happen.
When I felt the bed next to my dip, I look up, seeing his taller build next to me.
I stay silent, a small gulp sticking in my throat.
His silence spoke words louder than actual words. The metaphorical disaster.
His hand reached my thigh, pressing his weight onto me as I cried out in pain. I couldn't move, the anxiety, panic, distress, and weight crushing me.
I scream.
He covers my mouth.
No one hears me.
No one comes to save me.
I'm as trapped as ever.
Like some caged zoo animal.
Like a pet.
He held me down as I silently pleaded for him to get off of me.
But he never took my clothes off.
I felt safe.
"I know your secret Anastasia."
For a second at least.
"What secret?" I mumbled, scared out of my whits.
He knew I was playing dumb.
What did it have to do with him anyway?
"Oh, I think you know what secret."
"Ma-" He cuts me off instantly.
"At first I just thought you were getting fat because of what i did to you."
"Then all the little trips, and conversations you and Amara had, it clicked."
"I-"
"Shut the fuck up."
"Is it mine?" He asks.
"No," I mutter.
How could it be? The only person I had had sex with was Vincenzo.
"What?"
"It's Vincenzo's, not you Marco."
"I know you're fucking lying to me, Anastasia."
I felt his fist grip my hair, yanking me off the bed, and onto my feet.
The panic worstened.
He threw me onto the floor, I knew it wouldn't end well.
"This is what fucking sluts like you get." He hissed, kicking me in the stomach repeatedly.
He rolled me onto my back, stamping harshly onto my stomach.
He pulls me up by my arm, shoving me against the wall.
He lifted me by my throat, above himself, strangling me, his grip so tight, I couldn't move.
He pulled my ear close to his mouth.
"This is for lying to me, you fucking whore." He hissed, dropping my limp body to the floor with a thud.
------------------
~December 1st, 00:12 am ~
After I hit the floor, everything faded, until there was no color or sigh left in my eyes. It was as if they had just dropped out of my head.
But when I woke up, Marco was still there, inside of me.
I don't know how long I was out for, but he got his way with me, oh so many times.
I wanted to scream, but my throat was too sore.
He left almost an house ago, but here I am, laying on the floor, in the same position he dropped me onto the floor, raped me in, and left me in.
I felt numb but too scared to cry, too scared to make a noise, too scared to move.
I felt like a statue.
Unable to do anything other than let time pass by as if it's nothing.