My Christmas List: December 24th
Please don't let Armani be too upset that I went to talk to Diana privately.
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"First, I think a congratulations is in store!" Diana said, closing the door behind us.
We ended up going to one of the bedrooms on the same floor as the event, given that it was the only private space available.
I smiled politely, "Thank you, that means a lot honestly. This project was incredibly stressful but entirely rewarding in the end."
Diana hummed, walking over to me, "I'm sure Ms. Varese took the stress off?"
I blinked a few times, not exactly knowing how to answer that. I took a few steps back, "What exactly are you implying?"
"What am I implying? Mira, dear, there's nothing to imply—it's clear that you two are together," Diana said, her tone completely amused. I felt my stomach swirl when she kept verging closer to me, "But you were mine first you know?"
I shook my head, "No that was just a fling—"
I gasped when she grabbed my shoulders and pressed my back to the nearest wall, "It was much more than that and you know it," Diana said.
My heart raced in my chest as I looked into her dark eyes, "Diana, please let me go," I said, briefly glancing down at her hands wrapped tightly around my arms.
Diana only stared into my eyes, and the next words that left her mouth almost made me physically pass out, "You know she has to die right?"
I sucked in a sharp breath, surely she's not planning to kill her because of me? But as soon as that thought crossed my mind, Diana spoke again.
"I mean this isn't exactly about you—she has to die regardless. She's a threat. However, it'll be much more enjoyable knowing she tried to take you from me," Diana said, and my eyes widened slightly when it all suddenly made sense.
"She's a threat?" I repeated her words back to her, slowly verging towards the truth. "She's... you're... " I trailed off in denial, hoping that what I was about to say wasn't true. Finally, I said, "You're a part of the Strix."
Diana rolled her eyes, letting me go fully, which allowed me to catch my breath. "More like the leader—but ugh! My dear Mira, she has you too deeply involved," she said, clearly irritated. "You know, I'd never involve you in mafia relations, it's dangerous."
I rubbed my arms which felt tender from her harsh grip. "Diana, you aren't going to kill her. You can't."
Diana's red lips only spread into a vindictive smile, "I can't? You know better than to tell me what I can and can't do," she said, and I felt my breathing grow shallow yet again, processing everything. "The Vipers have to be eliminated—and I'm sorry for sending you into this setup, but I figured you were the most loyal one at the company. I figured you would always choose me—I mean I quite literally fucked your brains out on a day-to-day basis."
I swallowed harshly, feeling bile rise up my throat at her words. However, I could really only grasp one thing. "Setup? What setup? Was this entire event even real?" I said, feeling my brain try to piece together any of the possible pieces.
Diana laughed, "Of course it was real, and that's the beauty of it," she said, and I felt my skin crawl with uncomfortable shivers. "You know... the Vipers ruined the Strix long ago—they took my parents away from me, so I was forced to grow up in foster care. Every day was spent plotting and planning to take them down—I went to school, studied my ass off, and built a multi-million dollar business. I made it to where she had no choice but to reach out to me for my services. And guess what?" She said, but I only remained silent, refusing to give in to her antics. Finally, she whispered, "It worked."
I actually felt like I couldn't even fight the nauseous feeling growing within me. This is sick—she's sick.
"Well, it worked until you started sleeping with her," Diana sighed, shaking her head.
I clenched my jaw, feeling anger rise inside of me. It was a weird feeling—a possessive feeling even. I would do absolutely anything for Armani, and I knew that. "I won't betray her—you can't make me," I gritted through clenched teeth.
Diana only laughed, placing a gentle hand on my cheek, "Oh my baby, but you already have," she said, and I felt my heart shrivel up and practically plummet down to my stomach. I have? When did I betray her? "I see you're a little confused, so let me clue you in. All the devices that you used on her property—like your phone or computer—allowed us to get into her server, which couldn't be accessed prior. The set-up that we pulled a little over a week ago was only possible with the details provided from your end."
I felt my mouth part, and my eyes grow with tears. That... that was my fault? I unknowingly gave Diana those resources? I thought Armani had actually died that day... that I had lost her.
And now it turns out that it was my fault?
Diana frowned, "I know it's a lot to process, but look, I'm going to take care of this. You have to understand how personal this mission is to me. She took my family—and then on top of that, she had the nerve to try and take you," she said, her tone lowering dangerously. It was like I was witnessing a completely different side of her. It was terrifying. "Now she has to be killed, and you're going to stay in here while I execute it."
I felt warm tears finally slip from my eyes, "Diana please don't do this. At least don't leave me in here."
Diana only sighed, "I have to, she's been keeping you by her side all night. I can't have you compromised," she said, leaning in to press a brief peck to my cheek, which caused me to flinch away in horror, shuddering at even the slight contact initiated between us. "Everything will work out, my dear. We'll be home soon," she said, and I felt my tears grow thicker, completely blurring my vision.
But I am home. Armani's my home.
How could I possibly live without her?
I grabbed Diana's arm as she began to back away, "You can't do this—I won't let you." I said, my voice unstable and weak as more tears escaped my eyes.
Diana pushed me away with great strength, forcing my back to hit the cold wall yet again. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be Mira," she said, her voice as gentle as ever. "Because I can have my team sedate you if necessary."
I felt my teary eyes widen—no, no, I need to be awake in order to help Armani, which means...
I have to go along with this insane plan.
I nodded apologetically, "I'm sorry, I just-I just don't want anyone to get killed."
"I know my angel," Diana said, walking back over to me and gently sliding her warm hands up my arms. I had to actually force myself to not grimace. "Just stay here, and cover your ears. Everything will be okay."
I felt more tears fill my eyes, I actually couldn't believe this was happening, but in the end, I knew what I needed to do. I knew who I had to protect.
I let out a breathless sigh before saying, "Okay."
Diana smiled, pressing a brief chaste kiss to my lips, which I had to physically force myself to not dodge. She absolutely disgusted me. "I'll be back soon," she said, backing away from me.
And with that she was gone, leaving me alone with my own terrified thoughts.
I sat still for a moment, counting all the way up to one hundred, so I could be sure that she was gone.
After I finished counting, I twisted the door knob, which unsurprisingly was locked. I didn't exactly expect her to keep it unlocked.
I jiggled it a few times, realizing that it would only open from the other side—like a child lock or something. She must've had this planned.
Tears kept spilling from my heavy eyes as I banged on the door, praying to God that someone heard me.
"Please," I breathed out. "Please let me out," I cried, imagining Armani's body limp and lifeless.
My breathing grew shallow—so shallow that I couldn't even process a breath of air.
I actually can't believe this is happening.
My fingers dug into my hair, tugging at my dark roots with hopes of knocking some sense into my brain.
What do I do? How do I get out of here?
More importantly, how do I save her?
I knew banging and yelling wouldn't help, given that I was far away from the event—secluded in one of the guest bedrooms. I mean the door is locked... but maybe I could pick it?
I looked around the room frantically, but it was bare, almost like it was planned to be that way.
My eyes practically lit up when I noticed another door that I assumed led to an attached bathroom—there has to be something in there.
I practically ran over to the tall door, twisting the doorknob, only for it to be locked as well. Oh my god, she must've locked it from the inside.
The hope that was previously growing within me quickly shriveled up as uncontrollable sobs left my dry parted lips. This is really happening, and I can't stop it.
I cried harder, hating that I had zero control over the situation.
Maybe Armani already knows who Diana really is... No, she wouldn't have let me go with her if that was the case.
Maybe security will stop her—nope security is even alert of the situation... everyone here was either invited or family. It was assumed that everyone here was loyal.
The only conclusion that I could come to—the only one plaguing my brain was that Armani is about to be killed.
I placed my warm palm over my mouth, sobbing to myself as I curled up in the corner of the room hopelessly.
"Please," I cried out to anyone who could hear—anyone at all. "Please I'll do anything," I cried harder, rocking my body back and forth.
But as soon as the doorknob jiggled my crying almost instantly halted—like it was a switch flipped inside of me.
I could already see Diana waltzing in and declaring the job done, except it wasn't her. And while it wasn't the first person I would've chosen, it was still better than no one. Maybe someone did hear my cries, and I'm not talking about an actual person.
The woman walked further into the room, removing her silver mask, "Mira? Oh my god, are you okay?"
I tried to form words—but for some reason, I suddenly felt speechless. I knew if I tried to speak I would spiral into a full-on crying fit and we didn't have time for that.
I forced myself to remain emotionless and calm, something Millicent instilled in me. "No, Heidi. I'm not okay," I said, my voice completely bare of emotion as I stood up on my wobbly feet.